Dinghy-Braking System Roundup

All too often, the extra weight of towing a “dinghy” vehicle behind your motorhome reduces
braking performance drastically. These products can help keep your heavy load under
control. Apollo Braking System Package Type: Self-contained, portable
Power Supply: Built-in air compressor, powered by vehicle’s electrical system Control
Method: Inertia sensor Actuation Mechanism: Air cylinder pushing on brake pedal
Communications: Digital radio link Other Features:

• Surge suppressor with eight sensitivity settings
• Three-minute installation
• Five-year warranty Automatic Equipment Mfg. (800) 336-4336 www.aemfg.comBrake Buddy Package
  Type: Self-contained, portable Power Supply: Built-in air compressor, powered by
  vehicle’s electrical system Control Method: Pendulum and micro switch Actuation
  Mechanism: Air cylinder pushing on brake pedal Communications: Radio link Other
  Features:
• Seven sensitivity settings
• Includes wireless alert transmitter and receiver, emergency breakaway device
• Three-year limited warranty Master Concepts Inc. (800) 470-2287 www.brakebuddy.comBrakeMaster
  9000/9100 Package Type: Multiple parts Power Supply: Your motorhome’s air
  supply (optional air compressor available) Control Method: Operates whenever motorhome
  brakes operate Actuation Mechanism: Floor-mounted air cylinder pushing on brake pedal
  Communications: None Other Features:
• Works with ABS
• Easily moved to second vehicle
• Compatible with optional breakaway switch Roadmaster Inc. (800) 669-9690 www.roadmasterinc.comMG Engineering
  Car Brake Package Type: Multiple parts Power Supply: Your motorhome’s air
  supply (optional air compressor available) Control Method: Operates whenever motorhome brakes operate Actuation Mechanism: Air cylinder in engine compartment, between brake booster and master cylinder Communications: None Other Features:
• No parts in vehicle passenger compartment
• One-year unconditional / two-year limited warranty
• Applications available for many vehicles M & G Engineering (800) 817-7698 www.mysweetwatercafe.com/BrakeSystem.htmlReadyBrake Package Type: Multiple parts Control Method: Weight of
  vehicle pushing against hitch pulls on wire cable Power Supply: None Actuation
  Mechanism: Wire cable pulls on brake pedal Communications: None Other Features:
• All parts hidden from view
• All-brass cylinder and powder-coated receiver
• Applications available for most hitches and tow bars Night Shift Automotive, Inc.
  (800) 933-3372 www.readybrake.comRemco
  Braking System Package Type: Multiple parts Power Supply: None Control Method:
  Weight of vehicle pushing against hitch pressurizes brake lines Actuation Mechanism:
  Brake cylinder mounted on hitch receiver tube Communications: None Other Features:
• Quick-disconnect hose fittings
• Cushioned mount absorb road shocks, and prevents unnecessary operation of the
  dinghy brakes during minor speed
• Compatible with ABS systems Remco (800) 228-2481 www.remcotowing.comSMI Vacuum Assisted
  Braking System Package Type: Self-contained, portable Power Supply: Built-in
  vacuum pump, powered by vehicle’s electrical system Control Method: Inertia sensor
  Actuation Mechanism: Vacuum cylinder pushing on brake pedal Communications: Choice of radio link or wired connection to motorhome Other Features:
• Uses vehicle’s power brakes to minimize force on brake pedal and firewall
• Adjustable from motorhome driver’s position
• Includes breakaway switch SMI Marketing (800) 893-3763 www.smibrake.com Super Stop Fitzall
  Package Type: Multiple parts Power Supply: Your motorhome’s air supply (optional air
  compressor available) Control Method: Operates whenever motorhome brakes operate
  Actuation Mechanism: Floor-mounted air cylinder pushing on brake pedal Communications:
  None Other Features:
• Air cylinder attaches or removes in several seconds
• Easily moved to second vehicle
• Three-year warranty Henderson’s Line Up / SuperSteerSuperStop (800) 245-8309 www.supersteersuperstop.comToad
  Assist Braking System Package Type: Self-contained portable, with external air
  cylinder Power Supply: Built-in air compressor, powered by motorhome’s electrical
  system Control Method: Operates whenever motorhome brakes operate Actuation Mechanism:
  Floor-mounted air cylinder pushing on brake pedal Communications: None Other
  Features:
• No modifications required to vehicle’s brakes
• Package removes for storage in less than five minutes
• Includes emergency breakaway switch and flexible cable Tow-V-Aire Braking, Inc.
  (888) 464-1105 www.tow-v-aire.com Toad Stop Package Type: Multiple parts Power Supply: Engine manifold vacuum in your motorhome (optional vacuum pump available) Control Method: Operates whenever motorhome brakes operate Actuation Mechanism: Vacuum cylinder in engine compartment pulling on brake pedal via flexible cable Communications: None Other Features:
• No components visible from inside
• Manual activation switch and confirmation light at driver’s position
• One-year limited warranty RV Stuf & More (800) 478-7883 www.safe-techsolutions.com Unified Tow Brake Package Type: Multiple parts Power Supply: Vehicle’s electrical
  system, electric vacuum pump Control Method: Inertia sensors Actuation Mechanism:
  Under-seat electric solenoid pulls brake pedal via flexible under-carpet cable, vacuum
  pump provides power brake assist Communications: Wired connection Other Features:
• Adjustable from motorhome driver’s position
• Nothing to remove before driving the towed vehicle
• Includes breakaway system U.S. Gear Corp. (800) 874-3271 www.usgear.com VIP Tow Brake Package
  Type: Multiple parts Power Supply: Vehicle’s electrical system Control Method: Inertia
  sensor or whenever motorhome brakes operate Actuation Mechanism: Floor-mounted electric
  motor-driven actuator, pushing on brake pedal Communications: Wired connection Other
  Features:
• Adjustable from motorhome driver’s position
• Easily moved to second vehicle
• Includes breakaway switch Tow Brake International Ltd. (800) 927-6778 www.towbrake.com For more information about
  dinghy-braking systems, pick up the August 2003 issue of MotorHome on the newsstand.
  Then subscribe to
  MotorHome — so you can stay informed on the latest products, motorhome tests and
  previews, technical information and travel destinations.