Aux brakes??

[phorner]

We tow a Jeep Liberty and have used a Brake Buddy for the past 5 years. It kind of does the job, but really only activates when the stop is fairly hard. And, because the effort is placed upon a "dead" brake pedal in the Jeep, I'm not sure how effective it really is.

It's also kind of a pain to set it up for towing and then ya gotta lug it around when not in use.

So, my question is, are there any comments or suggestions with regard to the use, and choice of, an aux braking system for the towed vehicle?

Seems like the bus really doesn't care whether the Jeep is there or not. But I want to do the right thing regarding safety and compliance with the law.

What's everybody like???

[Joe Cannarozzi]

I think the hot set-up all the big boys are using is made by M&G.

It is a air slave cylinder that goes in between the master cylinder and the power assist it currently attaches to, on the toad. You tap into the a bus brake line and run it back to the hitch, put a coupler there then continue it to the master cylinder on the toad. You will then simply have one additional line to unhook at the tow bar.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I agree with Joe that the M&G is probably the better choice on the market, but since I want flexibility I use brakemaster.

All each vehicle needs is the mounting plate on the floor, and an air line run to a spot near the mount. I then just switch the brake master which is an air cylinder that attaches to the floor mount and the pedal.

I have no clue as to the effectiveness of any of the systems, but the M&G as I understand it is adjustable and the brakemaster is not, only applying braking force to a dead pedal proportional to the brake force I use in the coach.

[hhoppe]

I have been using M&G system with good results on my Tahoe. I also added their break-away kit. It amounts to a small tank mounted on my firewall. with a electric breakaway switch tethered to the coach. When the switch is pulled out it activates a solenoid valve sending the air in the small tank to the M&G brake cylinder and locks up the brakes on the tow vehicle bringing it to a safe stop. All of the items have been trouble free so far. Aprox. 5000 Mi. of use. One small tether cord and one 1/4" air line to couple to the coach and your on your way. See M&G internet site.

[VegasDogMan]

Been using the M&G unit for nearly 4 yrs on my 04 Ford Explorer. Car weighs 4600 Lbs and have never had difficulty. Easy to install - had to cut away part of battery case to move master cyl forward but that was about it. Coach already had air chuck for toad brake. Will buy another (M&G has trade in plan) if I change cars this year.

[phorner]

Thanks for all the replies. I friend of mine that we have travelled with had the M&G system installed last year and is one of the systems at the top of my list.

Watching him hook up with just the connection of an air line, while I spent 5 minutes installing and setting up my Brake Buddy, is what inspired me to consider another option.

Guess I have some shopping to do.....

[Jim_Scoggins]

Do any of you all have the M&G brake system on a Jeep Liberty?
If so, does it live up to expectations?

[Jim_Scoggins]

I had an M&G system installed on my Jeep (Diesel) Liberty. Almost turned on the low money warning light.

I will be taking the coach there at the end of January to complete the coach part of the installation.

Great professional installation by B&G Auto and Marine, Stevensville, MD. This guy (Gary) seems to be able to fabricate almost anything auto, marine, or tooling.

Anyway, I have a couple of pictures of the completed installation should anyone need them.

In hindsight, due to the easier changability from one vehicle to another Jon's system might be the better choice.

[Darl-Wilson]

Like Jon I have a Brakemaster. The best price was at JC Whitney. You can also find coupons for another $40.00 plus free shipping, no tax AND this price includes the Break-Away kit.

I had a local shop run the air line from the bus valve to the rear of the bus and I installed the rest on my Honda CR-V. I also installed the aux air tank on the CR-V with the break-away switch. When ready to travel, connecting to the bus and connecting the brake cylinder to the pedal may take a total of 2 minutes. I am getting ready to install a 2nd set of hardware to enable a move of the brake cylinder to our 2008 Honda Accord. That kit only costs $120.00 and now I have a toad brake system in two cars for about the price of one. They work great, do not lock up and will not set off the "Low Money" warning light.

The best thing about this whole deal is that I know I am legal (along with my class B) and shouldn't have a problem if I have an accident or get stopped by law enforcement.

[1carguy]

I notice that many people now are using an auxiliary brake system on their toads. Is there any state statute that actually requires this? I am on my 10th coach since the late 80's and have towed 25-30,000 miles per year since then. I have yet to have had an experience where I thought that having an auxiliary brake on my 3800 lb. jeep would help stop my 52,000 lb Prevost. My experieence has been that unless I look at the back up camera I do not even know that it is back there. Am I missing something?