Brake Buddy Tow Bar Braking Systems
- HM39530
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Air Brakes
- Air Over Hydraulic Brakes
- Fixed System
- Brake Buddy
- One Time Set-Up
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
Get fully proportional braking with a system that never has to be removed, replaced, or reset. Actuator installs out of sight and remains virtually invisible when your car isn't being towed. Controller also works as a trailer brake controller.
Features:
- Supplemental braking system applies towed vehicle's brakes in proportion to braking action of RV
- Towed car's brakes are activated at the same time and with the same intensity as those in your motorhome
- Sensitivity control lets you adjust rate of responsiveness of braking sensor
- Low sensitivity requires intense stopping action from RV to activate towed car's brakes
- High sensitivity allows towed car to respond to light braking action of RV
- 1-Time setup - no need to remove, reposition, or reset system
- Main unit installs in an out-of-the-way spot, such as in the trunk
- System automatically functions when RV and towed car are connected
- Controller with digital display mounts in your RV's cab
- Lets you easily adjust braking sensitivity
- Shows braking action and breakaway status
- Doubles as a proportional trailer brake controller
- Built-in battery protection keeps your towed vehicle's battery charged as you tow
- Main unit connects directly to your towed car's battery
- Vacuum pump restores your car's vacuum after each braking event
- Puts less strain on your towed car's brakes
- Ensures compatibility with hybrids and other continuous power-assist vehicles
- Low-profile, 7-way flat connector offers simple hookup and a clean look
- Built-in breakaway automatically activates towed vehicle's brakes if plug disconnects
- 4-Way vehicle-end plug connects to 4-way of tail light wiring kit (sold separately) on towed car
- Flex-Coil adapter lets you easily hook up your towed car to your RV
- Specially designed 7-flat connector plugs into the port installed at the front of your car
- 7-Way, blade-style connector plugs into your RV
- Nite-Glow connector lights up to confirm connection between your RV and vehicle
- Coiled cord won't drag on the ground
Specs:
- Actuator box dimensions: 14-1/2" long x 5-3/8" wide x 3-3/8" tall
- Controller dimensions: 3" wide x 5" long x 1-1/4" tall
- Power draw: 5 amps
- 5-Year warranty
A supplemental braking system is crucial when you tow a car or truck behind your RV. Without it, the weight of the towed car can create a safety hazard, strain your RV's brakes, or affect your RV's warranty. Most states require a supplemental braking system.
Automatic, Proportional Braking
Instead of being a time-delayed system, which brakes at a preset level, the Brake Buddy Stealth is a proportional system that delivers consistent braking. The Stealth will activate the brakes in your towed car with an intensity that matches the braking action of your RV. The result is smooth, even braking across your entire flat-tow setup.
Brake System Controller
The Brake Buddy Stealth controller mounts in the cab of your RV and functions like a proportional trailer brake controller. This means that the braking intensity of the system is based on your RV's deceleration. So, if you slam on the brakes in your RV, your towed car's brakes will activate with that same harsh intensity. And if you gradually slow down as you approach a red light, your car will steadily brake in the same light manner.
![Hopkins Brake Buddy Stealth Controller Functions]()
The above diagram shows the controls and components of the Stealth controller unit.
A. Mode indicator
B. Sensitivity adjustment button
C. Power level control buttons (trailer braking mode only)
D. Digital display
E. Test button (supplemental braking system mode) or manual override (trailer braking mode)
F. Mode control button
G. Mounting bracket slots
Internal Inertia Sensor
As long as the controller sits level on a horizontal plane and is pointed in the direction of travel, its internal inertia sensor will sense how your RV brakes and respond to the deceleration of your RV. It signals the actuator box to move the cable that attaches to your towed car's brake pedal so that the car's brakes activate with an intensity that matches your RV's braking.
Adjustable Sensitivity Settings
You can fine-tune the power output on the Stealth by adjusting the sensitivity of the internal sensor. Set the sensitivity low and the Stealth will only respond when you step down hard on your RV's brake pedal. Set the sensitivity high and it will respond even when you lightly tap your RV's brakes.
Use the adjustment buttons on the top of the controller to set your preferred level of braking intensity. Level 1 offers the least amount of sensitivity, making it ideal for lighter loads. Level 7, the highest level, provides the harshest braking. The heavier your load, the higher you will want to set the brake sensitivity.
Easy-to-Read Digital Display
On the front of the controller unit, there's a digital display that is designed to keep you informed about your towed car's braking action. This screen shows the braking sensitivity level, power level, and any error codes that might appear as you tow, such as a short circuit.
Mount Controller in Your RV's Cab
Mount the controller anywhere in your RV's cab that is within easy reach. It's recommended that the controller be mounted at an angle between -20 degrees and 70 degrees. Note: The Stealth controller must be mounted on a level horizontal (side-to-side) plane and must be lined up with the direction of travel for the internal sensor to function properly.
To install the controller, you will have to splice into your RV's wiring and connect the unit to your battery, stop light switch, and 7-way trailer connector. To do this, you will need some additional wiring and either a 20-amp circuit breaker or an in-line fuse. If you don't already have a 7-way trailer connector at the rear of your RV, you can use etrailer.com's exclusive 7- and 4-way brake control installation kit (ETBC7 - sold separately).
Trailer Brake Controller Functionality
The Stealth controller doesn't just work when you're towing a car. It also acts as a proportional trailer brake controller for when you're towing a trailer. Just press the mode control button on the side of the controller to switch from supplemental braking system mode to trailer braking mode. Then hook up your trailer to your RV. The Stealth controller works with trailers that have up to 4 axles (8 brake assemblies) and electric brakes.
When in trailer braking mode, the Stealth controller allows for the same smooth, proportional braking that you'll receive when you're towing your car. Slamming on your RV's brakes will signal your trailer to brake just as intensely. Steadily slowing down before a red light will signal your trailer's brakes to react just as gradually. Just set the initial power level, select your sensitivity setting, and you're ready to go.
Low-Profile, Semi-Permanent Installation
Some proportional braking systems are bulky, and they must be repositioned and reset before each use. And if you want to drive your towed vehicle, you need to remove the unit and find a place to stow it. With the Brake Buddy Stealth, a 1-time setup is all that's required, making it faster than ever to get your car ready to tow.
Actuator Box and Cable Pulley
![Brake Buddy Stealth Actuator Box]()
The main actuator box installs in an out-of-the-way location in your vehicle, like in the trunk. The box's wiring connects to the 7-way flat connector that installs on the front of your towed vehicle. The black cable runs to the cable pulley system that installs on your car's brake pedal, so that the brakes can activate properly.
![Brake Buddy Stealth Cable Pulley Attached to Brake Pedal]()
Because the installation is semi-permanent, you don't need to reactivate any parts when you're getting ready to tow, nor do you need to remove anything when you're done towing. The Brake Buddy Stealth can stay in your vehicle year-round. Once you're ready to tow again, just plug your towed car into your RV and the system will automatically begin functioning.
Exclusive Connector and Adapter Cord
![Hopkins Brake Buddy Stealth 7-Way Flat Connector]()
The Brake Buddy Stealth uses a novel 7-way flat connector that mounts at the front of your towed vehicle. Unlike standard 7-way connectors, this low-profile socket stays out of sight when you're not towing. A dust cover is included to cover the connector when your vehicle is not connected to your RV.
![Hopkins Brake Buddy Stealth 7-Way Flat Plug]()
All of the electrical functions that you need are built into this single connector.
![Hopkins Brake Buddy Stealth Wiring Diagram]()
The diagram above shows how the 7-way flat installs.
Wire 1 connects to your vehicle's battery.
Wire 2 connects to the vacuum pump included with the Stealth.
Wires 3, 4, and 6 connect to the corresponding, color-coded wires on the Stealth's main unit. These wires have quick-plug ends for simple plug-and-play connecting.
Wire 5 is the ground wire. (Note: A ground wire extends out from the main unit as well. Both the 7-way flat and main Stealth unit must be grounded.)
Typically when you wire your towed car to get the signal lights required for towing, you will run a 4-way to the front of the car. This 4-way then has to be connected to your RV with a separate loop every time you tow. But with the Stealth, a wiring harness with a 4-way flat, vehicle-end plug is built into the back of the included 7-flat connector so that you can just plug in your towed car's tail light wiring kit.
![Brake Buddy Stealth Coiled Cord with 7-Way Flat and 7-Way RV Style Plugs]()
The Brake Buddy Stealth system includes a coiled adapter cord that connects to your RV's 7-way, blade-style socket on one end and to the 7-way flat socket that installs on your towed car at the other end. The RV-style plug has Nite-Glow technology, so it will illuminate when connected to confirm that the plug is receiving power from your RV.
The adapter cord also comes with a built-in breakaway cable. If the cord comes unplugged from your RV while you're towing, the Stealth system will enter breakaway mode and your towed vehicle's brakes will activate. Note: The dust cover must be inserted into the connector when the car is not being towed to prevent the Stealth from going into breakaway mode.
Vacuum Pump
![Brake Buddy Vacuum Pump]()
For many cars, trucks, and SUVs, the vacuum-assist function of their brakes stops working when the engine is off. As a result, many supplemental braking systems have to apply an extreme amount of force to activate the towed vehicle's brakes when it's being flat towed. The Brake Buddy Stealth's vacuum pump is designed to restore the vacuum force in your towed car's brakes each time the brakes are activated. No need to have a system that exerts a large amount of force to bring your towed vehicle to a stop.
Install the included vacuum pump under your towed car's hood to ensure that its vacuum-assist brakes operate correctly while the car is being towed.
Note: If you have a vehicle that has continuous power-assist brakes, you do not need to install the vacuum pump.
39530 Break Buddy Stealth Fixed Proportional Towed Vehicle Braking System by Hopkins
Installation Details 
This Product Fits The Following Vehicles
This product can expose you to chemicals including (DEHP) which is known to the state of California to cause Cancer, Birth Defects, or other Reproductive Harm. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.
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