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Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #63912]

Wed, 11 November 2009 17:34

armandminnie

Messages: 864
Registered: May 2009
Location: Marana, AZ

Karma: 2

Senior Member

The topic on tow recommendations has some good ones but no one has mentioned what they do about brakes on the tow vehicle. What are the recommendations? What are you doing?

Armand Minnie
Marana, AZ
'76 Eleganza II TZE166V103202
visit my gmc blog
click here to visit gmcws.org

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Re: Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #63914 is a reply to message #63912]

Wed, 11 November 2009 17:41

Ron

Messages: 250
Registered: February 2004
Location: Conifer, Colorado

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Hi..
I am using a brake buddy.. Works well.. You don't want to tow in my part of the world without brakes..
Too many mountains and passes..
Ron

now a P.O.
Conifer, CO

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Re: Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #63916 is a reply to message #63912]

Wed, 11 November 2009 17:43

WD0AFQ

Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.

Karma: 207

Senior Member

We use a Brakemaster progressive brake. It looks like the brakebuddy. Ken H. has the slickest brake that I have seen. Id like to install one like his in my vdub.
Dan

3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer

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Re: Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #63921 is a reply to message #63912]

Wed, 11 November 2009 18:37

fred v

Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.

Karma: 0

Senior Member

if you like to make things look at:
http://www.gmceast.com/technical/
click on:
A GMC-specific Toad Brake System

Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl

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Re: [GMCnet] Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #63922 is a reply to message #63912]

Wed, 11 November 2009 18:52

Steven Ferguson

Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Brake Buddy.

On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 4:34 PM, Armand Minnie
<armand@artistichangups.com> wrote:
>
>
> The topic on tow recommendations has some good ones but no one has mentioned what they do about brakes on the tow vehicle. �What are the recommendations? �What are you doing?
> --
> Armand Minnie
> Marana, AZ
> '76 Eleganza II
> TZE166V103202
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>

--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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Re: Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #63941 is a reply to message #63912]

Wed, 11 November 2009 20:40

Rusty

Messages: 197
Registered: October 2005
Location: Philadelphia Pa

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Senior Member

Ditto on the Brake Buddy. Turn key solution, sometimes you can find them on Ebay for a couple hundred bucks. IIRC they are like six hundred new.

Rusty
75 Glenbrook
Philadelphia Pa

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Re: Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #63948 is a reply to message #63912]

Wed, 11 November 2009 21:08

roy1

Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada

Karma: 6

Senior Member

When I wasn't expecting it I picked up a Road master Brake Pro, Tow bar and all the wires and cables etc at a local auction for $200 bucks. It was new too boot used 1 time. Sometimes it pays to be in the right place at the right time I couldn't believe it when the bidding stopped at $200.
Roy

Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook

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Re: Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #63987 is a reply to message #63912]

Thu, 12 November 2009 08:41

gbarrow2

Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...

Karma: 3

Senior Member

Has any one had any experience with a surge brake system such as the ReadyBrake? What are the pros and cons.

The surge brakes on my boat trailer are very effective. Leads me to wonder if a similar system would be a good option for towing a Jeep Cherokee with the GMC.

Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach

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Re: [GMCnet] Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #64010 is a reply to message #63987]

Thu, 12 November 2009 10:58

Mr ERFisher

Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005

Karma: 2

Senior Member

there is one here
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=15775

by J Harper, he can still be reached by email

I have a similar one, that is still sitting on the floor.
gene

On Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 6:41 AM, gene barrow <barrowgene@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> Has any one had any experience with a surge brake system such as the
> ReadyBrake? What are the pros and cons.
>
> The surge brakes on my boat trailer are very effective. Leads me to wonder
> if a similar system would be a good option for towing a Jeep Cherokee with
> the GMC.
> --
> Gene Barrow
> Lake Almanor, Ca.
> 1976 Palm Beach
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>

--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
�Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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Re: Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #64032 is a reply to message #63987]

Thu, 12 November 2009 13:58

shawnee

Messages: 422
Registered: February 2004
Location: NC

Karma: 0

Senior Member

[quote title=gbarrow wrote on Thu, 12 November 2009 09:41] Has any one had any experience with a surge brake system such as the ReadyBrake? What are the pros and cons.
(quote)

I have an SMI tow brake system that is radio controlled and no direct connection with the towed vehicle. I have a transmitter and receiver in the coach and the tow car that activates the brake pedal using a vacuum cylinder. The tow brake pressure is proportional to the amount of coach braking. There is a box that fits under the tow car seat that has a vacuum pump that furnishes vacuum to the brake system and the cylinder that moves the tow brake pedal. The amount of proportional braking is adjustable from the coach. The system works great with essentially no hook up other than flipping an on-off switch on both vehicles. You never touch the braking system when you connect or disconnect the tow car.

The only problem so far was when we had to move the coach and the tow across the campground to hook the tow to the coach. My wife followed me in the car and every time I hit the brake, the car put on the brakes and after four or five times of this before we got to the other side of the campground she came out of the car very upset. The unit has a range of over 100 yards so I learned very quickly to flip the coach brake switch off when she is driving behind me.

Gene Dotson
74 Canyonlands
www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements New Windows and Aluminum Radiators

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Re: Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #64041 is a reply to message #63912]

Thu, 12 November 2009 15:16

Gail Marks Cruiser

Messages: 125
Registered: August 2009
Location: Gold Coast, Australia

Karma: 0

Senior Member

G'day

You guys are using some fancy brake set-ups. My A-frame came with an overide hitch, which connects to a clutch cable, which pulls on the brake pedal. simple, cheap, very effective and engineer approved for use Australia wide.

Mark Bennett Gail & Mark's Cruiser Gold Coast, Australia. Motorhoming Lifestyle.com

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Re: [GMCnet] Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #64055 is a reply to message #64032]

Thu, 12 November 2009 16:52

Byron Songer

Messages: 1912
Registered: August 2007
Location: Louisville, KY

Karma: -2

Senior Member

That is so funny. I can see it now. Thanks for sharing.

Byron

Gene Dotson wrote:

> The only problem so far was when we had to move the coach and the tow across
> the campground to hook the tow to the coach. My wife followed me in the car
> and every time I hit the brake, the car put on the brakes and after four or
> five times of this before we got to the other side of the campground she came
> out of the car very upset. The unit has a range of over 100 yards so I
> learned very quickly to flip the coach brake switch off when she is driving
> behind me.
> --
> Gene Dotson
> 74 Canyonlands
> www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements

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Re: [GMCnet] Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #64056 is a reply to message #64055]

Thu, 12 November 2009 17:38

tdublu

Messages: 52
Registered: July 2007
Location: Kirkland, WA

Karma: 1

Member

I went with the Roadmaster Even Brake, similar to the Brake Buddy. I can use it in my Tracker, and my Mustang.

Tony W.
Kirkland, WA
'76 Royale

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Re: Brakes for tow vehicles? [message #64067 is a reply to message #63912]

Thu, 12 November 2009 19:16

WD0AFQ

Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.

Karma: 207

Senior Member

Gene, Can we do that again at the next Dixielander Rally? I would film it for you. I bet Joan was fuming. I hope you didn't tell her what was causing it. I can see her banging her head now.
I'd sure like to see that setup. I am thinking a permanant brake would be good for the Vdub.
Dan

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