Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Does anyone have an opinion on the Roadmaster Even Brake and or the
Brake Buddy Vantage as toad braking systems? They both seem to be very
simple to install and operate which would be a huge advantage versus
spending hours installing a unit.

Alvie Miller
93 WLWB
Arthur IL

Simplicity of installation is but one feature of a supplemental
braking system. Take a look at the SMI system -- they have both
portable units and "permanent" units (that can be un-installed with
some effort and re-installed in another toad if you have a permanent
change).

I have the "stay and play" unit. The control unit is on the floor
under the driver's seat. There is a _slight_ interference with toe
space if someone were to sit behind me -- but I'm tall, so no one
chooses to sit behind me in my toad. There is a radio-activated
sensor in the coach that let's me know when the toad brakes are applied.

The SMI systems tap into the existing power brake system in the toad
and supply vacuum to activate the power brakes. They claim that it
puts much less stress on the toad brakes than systems that simply
overpower the braking system without the vacuum assist.

I installed my system myself. It took me about 3 hours (and I'm not a
mechanic). The most difficult part was tapping into the electrical
system in my Toyota Camry toad -- the wires are sealed in conduits
and are very hard to find easy places to connect. (Eventually, I put
in a fuse and attached directly to the battery cable.) The toad
lights had already been modified for towing when I had a mechanic
install a transmission lube pump, so the wires that needed to connect
to the brake lights were easy connections (as the wires from the
coach umbilical were already in place). You can download the
installation instructions from the SMI web site.

The only tools required were an electric drill, a couple of
screwdrivers, utility knife, wire striper, pliers, etc. -- nothing
special.

See <http://www.smibrake.com> for further details and to determine
which model is best for you.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at



On Dec 11, 2007, at 11:02 AM, whynotam wrote:

> Does anyone have an opinion on the Roadmaster Even Brake and or the
> Brake Buddy Vantage as toad braking systems? They both seem to be very
> simple to install and operate which would be a huge advantage versus
> spending hours installing a unit.
>
> Alvie Miller
> 93 WLWB
> Arthur IL
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

The Roadmaster Breakmaster unit is my choice if I could not use the M & G
breaking system. I have seen too many Break buddy and there type of system
fail, and then there is the storage when not in use.
We have the on board air at the ready, why not use it.

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
Duncan, Oklahoma

At 06:02 PM 12/11/2007 +0000, you wrote:
>Does anyone have an opinion on the Roadmaster Even Brake and or the
>Brake Buddy Vantage as toad braking systems? They both seem to be very
>simple to install and operate which would be a huge advantage versus
>spending hours installing a unit.
>
>Alvie Miller
>93 WLWB
>Arthur IL
>
>

Take a look here before you decide.


http://www.m-gengineering.com/


Bill 88 FC Michigan



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "whynotam"
wrote:
>
> Does anyone have an opinion on the Roadmaster Even Brake and or the
> Brake Buddy Vantage as toad braking systems? They both seem to be
very
> simple to install and operate which would be a huge advantage
versus
> spending hours installing a unit.
>
> Alvie Miller
> 93 WLWB
> Arthur IL
>

Hi,
I had a Brake Buddy and it was fine. Any system helps. Proportional systems are
better, and storage can be a pain.
This time I got the Roadmaster air system - proportional to air input from the
coach. A "pendulum system (Brakebuddy and some SMI ) activate over bumps etc
and the SMI system that requires brake lights "on" still causes the toad to
apply brakes with engine braking since brakelights come on with engine or
exhaust brakes.
The cylinder with the Roadmaster sytem is small enough that I snap it off the
pedal and leave it to the left on the floor without unplugging the air
quick-connect. I take the cylinder out if stooped for few days and I don't feel
lazy. (I leave it more and more).

Trade off -- time, safety ,possibly wear out brake pads, cost.
Good Luck,
Ross

----- Original Message ----
From: whynotam
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:02:24 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad brakes













Does anyone have an opinion on the Roadmaster Even Brake and or the

Brake Buddy Vantage as toad braking systems? They both seem to be very

simple to install and operate which would be a huge advantage versus

spending hours installing a unit.



Alvie Miller

93 WLWB

Arthur IL














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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I also have the Roadmaster Brakemaster setup for towing a 2001 GMC Yukon XL 3/4
ton weighing 6500 lbs. It works well.

Troy Tikalsky
Waconia, MN
1986 Newell

----- Original Message -----
From: Ralph L. Fullenwider
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 1:11 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad brakes


The Roadmaster Breakmaster unit is my choice if I could not use the M & G
breaking system. I have seen too many Break buddy and there type of system
fail, and then there is the storage when not in use.
We have the on board air at the ready, why not use it.

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
Duncan, Oklahoma

At 06:02 PM 12/11/2007 +0000, you wrote:
>Does anyone have an opinion on the Roadmaster Even Brake and or the
>Brake Buddy Vantage as toad braking systems? They both seem to be very
>simple to install and operate which would be a huge advantage versus
>spending hours installing a unit.
>
>Alvie Miller
>93 WLWB
>Arthur IL
>
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks to all who responded. I have a local dealer that handles the
M&G system and plan to call them to see if they could install before
we head south on December 21.

Alvie Miller
93 WLWB
Arthur IL

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Troy Tikalsky"
wrote:
>
> I also have the Roadmaster Brakemaster setup for towing a 2001 GMC
Yukon XL 3/4 ton weighing 6500 lbs. It works well.
>
> Troy Tikalsky
> Waconia, MN
> 1986 Newell
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ralph L. Fullenwider
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 1:11 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad brakes
>
>
> The Roadmaster Breakmaster unit is my choice if I could not use
the M & G
> breaking system. I have seen too many Break buddy and there type
of system
> fail, and then there is the storage when not in use.
> We have the on board air at the ready, why not use it.
>
> Safe travels,
>
> Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> 84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
> Duncan, Oklahoma
>
> At 06:02 PM 12/11/2007 +0000, you wrote:
> >Does anyone have an opinion on the Roadmaster Even Brake and or
the
> >Brake Buddy Vantage as toad braking systems? They both seem to
be very
> >simple to install and operate which would be a huge advantage
versus
> >spending hours installing a unit.
> >
> >Alvie Miller
> >93 WLWB
> >Arthur IL
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Alvie,
I have M&G and and did the install. The install involves removing the
master cylinder, installing a pneumatic ram, adjusting the M&G stroke
rod and bleeding the hydrolic brakes.

Prior to messing with the brakes (even if you are getting it done)
you may want to check and note the freeplay and feel for the toad
brakes so you can be shure you get it back after the install. I never
question the feel of the pedal until I messed with it. I was so
unshure that I didnt drive the truck until Tim put on few hundred
miles.

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "whynotam"
wrote:
>
> Thanks to all who responded. I have a local dealer that handles the
> M&G system and plan to call them to see if they could install
before
> we head south on December 21.
>
> Alvie Miller
> 93 WLWB
> Arthur IL
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Troy Tikalsky"
> wrote:
> >
> > I also have the Roadmaster Brakemaster setup for towing a 2001
GMC
> Yukon XL 3/4 ton weighing 6500 lbs. It works well.
> >
> > Troy Tikalsky
> > Waconia, MN
> > 1986 Newell
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Ralph L. Fullenwider
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 1:11 PM
> > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad brakes
> >
> >
> > The Roadmaster Breakmaster unit is my choice if I could not use
> the M & G
> > breaking system. I have seen too many Break buddy and there
type
> of system
> > fail, and then there is the storage when not in use.
> > We have the on board air at the ready, why not use it.
> >
> > Safe travels,
> >
> > Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> > 84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
> > Duncan, Oklahoma
> >
> > At 06:02 PM 12/11/2007 +0000, you wrote:
> > >Does anyone have an opinion on the Roadmaster Even Brake and
or
> the
> > >Brake Buddy Vantage as toad braking systems? They both seem to
> be very
> > >simple to install and operate which would be a huge advantage
> versus
> > >spending hours installing a unit.
> > >
> > >Alvie Miller
> > >93 WLWB
> > >Arthur IL
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>

Greg: I have had M&G on three vehicles and only had to bleed brakes
on one because I had to sprice the lines. Most vehicles can
accomodate the M&G air cylinder by just moving the master cylider and
bending the brake lines. No bleed at all. Just have to set the
length on the push rod. Just the opposite when you pull the air
cylinder off and put the master cylinder back. No adjustment needed
at that point.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, tX 92WB40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
wrote:
>
> Alvie,
> I have M&G and and did the install. The install involves removing the
> master cylinder, installing a pneumatic ram, adjusting the M&G stroke
> rod and bleeding the hydrolic brakes.
>
> Prior to messing with the brakes (even if you are getting it done)
> you may want to check and note the freeplay and feel for the toad
> brakes so you can be shure you get it back after the install. I never
> question the feel of the pedal until I messed with it. I was so
> unshure that I didnt drive the truck until Tim put on few hundred
> miles.
>
> GregoryO'Connor
> 94ptRomolandCa
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "whynotam"
> wrote:
> >
> > Thanks to all who responded. I have a local dealer that handles the
> > M&G system and plan to call them to see if they could install
> before
> > we head south on December 21.
> >
> > Alvie Miller
> > 93 WLWB
> > Arthur IL
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Troy Tikalsky"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I also have the Roadmaster Brakemaster setup for towing a 2001
> GMC
> > Yukon XL 3/4 ton weighing 6500 lbs. It works well.
> > >
> > > Troy Tikalsky
> > > Waconia, MN
> > > 1986 Newell
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Ralph L. Fullenwider
> > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 1:11 PM
> > > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad brakes
> > >
> > >
> > > The Roadmaster Breakmaster unit is my choice if I could not use
> > the M & G
> > > breaking system. I have seen too many Break buddy and there
> type
> > of system
> > > fail, and then there is the storage when not in use.
> > > We have the on board air at the ready, why not use it.
> > >
> > > Safe travels,
> > >
> > > Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> > > 84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
> > > Duncan, Oklahoma
> > >
> > > At 06:02 PM 12/11/2007 +0000, you wrote:
> > > >Does anyone have an opinion on the Roadmaster Even Brake and
> or
> > the
> > > >Brake Buddy Vantage as toad braking systems? They both seem to
> > be very
> > > >simple to install and operate which would be a huge advantage
> > versus
> > > >spending hours installing a unit.
> > > >
> > > >Alvie Miller
> > > >93 WLWB
> > > >Arthur IL
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
>

SMI has recently introduced their Air Force One system that is the
only system that ties into the coach air brakes that meets federal
requirements for such (according to SMI). Their old technology is no
longer available (Silent Partner at least). Go to their new site,
http://www.smibrake.net, to see the new technology. Amazingly, it is
chaeper than the Silent partner.

Tommy 2 Shoes McCarthy
Poway CA


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
wrote:
>
> Simplicity of installation is but one feature of a supplemental
> braking system. Take a look at the SMI system -- they have both
> portable units and "permanent" units (that can be un-installed
with
> some effort and re-installed in another toad if you have a
permanent
> change).
>
> I have the "stay and play" unit. The control unit is on the floor
> under the driver's seat. There is a _slight_ interference with toe
> space if someone were to sit behind me -- but I'm tall, so no one
> chooses to sit behind me in my toad. There is a radio-activated
> sensor in the coach that let's me know when the toad brakes are
applied.
>
> The SMI systems tap into the existing power brake system in the
toad
> and supply vacuum to activate the power brakes. They claim that it
> puts much less stress on the toad brakes than systems that simply
> overpower the braking system without the vacuum assist.
>
> I installed my system myself. It took me about 3 hours (and I'm not
a
> mechanic). The most difficult part was tapping into the electrical
> system in my Toyota Camry toad -- the wires are sealed in conduits
> and are very hard to find easy places to connect. (Eventually, I
put
> in a fuse and attached directly to the battery cable.) The toad
> lights had already been modified for towing when I had a mechanic
> install a transmission lube pump, so the wires that needed to
connect
> to the brake lights were easy connections (as the wires from the
> coach umbilical were already in place). You can download the
> installation instructions from the SMI web site.
>
> The only tools required were an electric drill, a couple of
> screwdrivers, utility knife, wire striper, pliers, etc. -- nothing
> special.
>
> See <http://www.smibrake.com> for further details and to determine
> which model is best for you.
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> aeonix1@...
> On the road at
>
>
>
> On Dec 11, 2007, at 11:02 AM, whynotam wrote:
>
> > Does anyone have an opinion on the Roadmaster Even Brake and or
the
> > Brake Buddy Vantage as toad braking systems? They both seem to be
very
> > simple to install and operate which would be a huge advantage
versus
> > spending hours installing a unit.
> >
> > Alvie Miller
> > 93 WLWB
> > Arthur IL
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>