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Is this right for you? Product Expert Mike S says:
This truly proportional braking system connects directly to your motor home's hydraulic brakes and applies the brakes in your towed car using the same force that you apply to the brakes in your RV. Lightweight actuator removes for storage.
Features:
Specs:
Automatic, Truly Proportional Braking
BrakeMaster offers truly proportional, synchronized braking by connecting directly to your RV's hydraulic brakes. The air cylinder that attaches to your towed vehicle's brake pedal will apply your car's brakes at the same time and with the same intensity as you apply the brakes in the RV. To achieve this proportional braking, the BrakeMaster uses air pressure from your coach's brakes to depress the brake pedal in your towed car. The result is uniform, real-time braking that mirrors the slowing or stopping action of your coach.
Many other proportional systems activate the towed car's brakes based solely on inertia. With this kind of setup, any activity that affects the forward momentum of your towed car - from the coach actually braking, to driving over a pothole - can activate the supplemental braking system and apply your towed car's brakes. This potential for false braking, which can occur simply from driving over uneven terrain, can create a rough ride for you in the RV and can also wear out your towed car's brakes over time. The BrakeMaster is different, though. Because it is tied into your coach's brakes and is not dependent on inertia, this system activates only when you apply the brakes in your RV, so there is no false braking.
This braking system will work with almost any RV that has hydraulic brakes. It will also fit nearly any car, although a seat adapter may be required for installation in certain vehicles.
Installation and Easy Connection
The BrakeMaster connects directly to your RV's hydraulic brakes, making the installation quite involved. An advanced mechanical background is required. To install, first mount the air compressor in your RV. This compressor supplies the air needed to activate the braking cylinder in the towed car. Next, connect the included proportioning valve. This unit senses the pressure with which the brakes are applied in your RV. The solenoid on the valve wires to your RV's tail lights and opens when it receives the signal that your RV brakes have been activated. When it opens, it allows air from the compressor to be released into the included air line. The amount of compressed air that is released will be proportional to the hydraulic pressure from your brakes. This air then travels to the actuating cylinder that mounts in your towed car.
In the towed vehicle, secure the actuating cylinder either to a custom seat adapter (sold separately) or to universal floor plate 450650-01 (sold separately). The clamp on the opposite end of the cylinder attaches to your car's brake pedal. When air is released from the compressor in your RV, it will travel through the air line that connects to the cylinder. The cylinder will then transfer that air pressure to the actuating arm, which will apply the brake pedal in your towed car.
Once the BrakeMaster is completely installed, connecting and disconnecting is quick, easy, and requires no tools or adjustments. To disconnect the system, just remove the clamp from the brake pedal, unclip the cylinder from the mounting bracket, and disconnect the air hose. To connect again later, simply attach the clamp to the pedal, secure the cylinder to the bracket on your floor or seat adapter, and reconnect to the air hose.
Breakaway Device
In the unlikely event that your vehicle separates from your motor home, the included breakaway system will give you peace of mind. Just mount the breakaway switch at the front of your towed car and wire it to both your battery and to the BrakeAway air reservoir. The air reservoir connects to the actuator that presses the brake pedal in your towed car. If your towed car separates from your motor home, the pin in the breakaway switch will be pulled out, which will send a signal to the BrakeAway to activate. The BrakeMaster actuator will then be signaled to press your towed car's brake pedal, bringing your vehicle to a stop.
Monitor Alerts
Most supplemental braking systems have methods of letting you know you when the system is activated, but they don't necessarily inform you of whether or not the brake pedal is being depressed. Such setups leave opportunities for false notification, which can be dangerous and potentially damaging. If the system activates but doesn't depress your car's brake pedal, then your RV's brakes will be taxed because they will have to brake for the towed car as well. On the other hand, if the system isn't properly positioned, it could be pressing your car's brake pedal continuously, which could damage your vehicle. BrakeMaster's system is different. The included LED monitor connects to your towed car's brake light switch. When your car's brake light goes on or off, so does the notification light. This way you'll always know whether or not your car's brake pedal is being pressed.
Average Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (97 Customer Reviews)
This truly proportional braking system connects directly to your motor home's hydraulic brakes and applies the brakes in your towed car using the same force that you apply to the brakes in your RV. Lightweight actuator removes for storage.Kit fits great! Hooked up a 2004 Workhorse to a 2002 Jeep Liberty. It might be preferable to be handy with some advanced mechanical skills and tools to install this efficiently. Directions are great but you do need to figure out your own locations for certain items like the break-away reservoir, compressor, routing lines and wires out of harms way, but not bad at all. Parts are great, everything there but added a couple different wiring splices of my own.
recommend having it professionally installed or at least a advanced DIYer.
Your customer service leaves nothing lacking, and this follow-up from you is so out of character for the many web sites I have purchased from over the years. I am impressed by you and your company.
I bought the tow bar and the brake system for my Equinox, and installed them my self (I am 70 years old) - and with your provided instructions and video, I had no problems (even though I was surprised by the number of parts and detail that went into the assemblies).
Both systems have worked very well, with no problems. I am completely satisfied with them, and have told my friends and traveling acquaintances about your company.
Thanks for your follow-up!
Ordering was easy, I verified the seat bracket by telephone, and everyones I talked to was a pleasure, all my questions were answered in a professional manor. Price could not be beat anywhere else. My dealer could not beat the price, so I bought what I needed and then gave it to my dealer to install. I have now used it for about a week driving 1,000 miles and it works as advertised, even up and down mountains using the exhaust brake, everything worked better than I could hope. Thank you
Fast delivery in good condition .
ARMAND L - 08/13/2015Parts arrived on a timely basis and were very well packaged. I have not started the install yet.
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
Make sure you order the plate needed for your vehicle. Had to wait a week until that came in to complete the installation. Plus if you are placing in a Ford Edge, there is a firewall access behind the battery. Knowing this makes it easier to do. Also on the Edge you have to make a small extension to get the connectors easier to disconnect.
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
For me it is the perfect towed braking system! Simple operating principle, easy installation, quick set-up and detach. Never needed for breakaway, but pre-trip test is always perfect functioning. Definitely saves on coach braking force needed.
(Installed on 2015 Itasca 34T DP w/2007 Toyota Tacoma)
Allan - 10/30/2022Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
I love this whole kit accept for a couple things that I'm working through now. I have a 2018 F150 and a 2020 Nexus Ghost super C. On the F150, I purchased the seat bracket. When I put he hydraulic cylinder on, the hose was too short. It had a permanent pre-made hose. I have enough line to make a new hose, but had to go the the hardware store and buy new compression fittings to make the new line. No big deal, but annoying. Also on the NeXUS brand diesel pusher, I called Roadmaster to get clarification on where exactly to bust into the brake line and clear up the warranty question. They were very polite and helpful. They told me exactly how to determine the "metered" line. I've yet to finish that part of the install. But they indicated it would not affect my warranty with International nor would it cause any unsafe situation should my vehicle come loose from the MH and have to use the emergency stop feature built into the Brakemaster system. Both my MH and my tow vehicle is protected. I think that they could do a much better job explaining the MH side of things. All in all-it seems it will be a great system.
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
Very knowledgeable company excellent service thank you so much for me guiding me into the correct equipment to tow my Jeep Wrangler!
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
Great supplemental braking system. We are the second owners of our class-A motorhome. The original owners had installed a Brakemaster system; so we figured to use the same type of equipment as well - and we're glad we did. Having a proportional air over hydraulic braking system seems to provide a more accurate braking experience for our 2018 Ford Fiesta. Each time I apply brakes on the motorhome, a red LED light on the dash illuminates to tell me that the brakes are being applied on the tow vehicle as well.
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
This kit was installed on a 2007 Jeep Patriot. It did require fabrication of a seat mount bracket. Fairly easy with some angle iron and some spacers. Install was fairly straightforward. It required mounting the surge tank inside the engine bay and running wiring to and from the battery and breakaway switch. It also required mounting the quick release air fittings at the bumper, inside the vehicle, and also at the rear of the RV. I also mounted the LED indicator inside the RV and utilized the existing towing harness to run power from the vehicle to the front of the RV.
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
Love the small unit in my mini cooper. The air brakes are true proportional when braking. It is easy to set up and break down.
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
Works great EZ install, dont forget the seat adapter bracket
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
Works as it should and easy to install and remove
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
Just completed a 6500 mile 3 month trip, California to mid Indiana, including Colorado Eisenhower and Wolf Creek passes, Brakemaster works great, no over braking, definitely helpful on those descents. Easy and quick to hook up. This is my second Brakemaster, and would definitely buy it again
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
Easy to install, works great! Highly recommend for air brake systems, quick to hook up and take out.
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
Great system. No messing around with settings. Works great out of the box.
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
I've been looking for a braking system for my tow vehicle for a while trying to determine which one I wanted. For ease of installation, ease of use both when I'm not towing and when I'm towing, I decided on the RoadMaster 9100. I then shopped prices and came back to etrailer where I found not only better or comparable prices but all the other items I am looking for as well.
Dave - 02/06/2021Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
Roadmaster was real slow with the delivery of the seat adapter. But Michael kept me informed all the way through to the delivery. etrailer is 5 stars all the way from start to finish. I look forward to using them in my orders to follow.
Now for ROADMASTER products
RM-643 safety cables quality is good work fine Delivery was fast
RM-9160 brake master system Love this system instructions were easy to follow
RM-15267 toad tail light/brake wiring good instructions for install
RM-1550-1 base plate good instructions for install except you need to drill two 1/2'' holes you must measure and mark as there is no pilot hole.
The whole system works great with the 2008 Honda Pilot
RM-88189 seat adapter I have yet to install as I had to make up my own for the trip.
I will say the seat adapter bracket is made just for the Honda and Acura, they had to make custom make. Thanks to all the car towed great for my first trip of 1,100 miles
Review from a similar BrakeMaster in Tow Bar Braking Systems
I installed this on our 2004 Chevy Colorado. Was a snap. You will need the optional relay kit too. Our RV is a 97 Monaco Roadmaster suggests dealer installation. I would go along with that too, for most people.
In my case, my skills include most things automotive and diesel and street rod electrical systems. So i was comfortable doing it.
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