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When I first started
RVing in 2001, I towed a little Saturn wagon that was light
enough not to require an auxiliary braking system. But when
I bought a new SUV in 2009, its heavier weight required it.
Not only is it against the law in some states not to have
it, but it helps to shorten stopping distance, as well as
reduces wear on the motorhome brakes. I bought my Brake Buddy
from Randy Baden at Spillar
Custom Hitches because he had previously installed
my Blue Ox Aladdin tow bar system on the Saturn and motorhome.
Be
Safe - Get An Auxiliary Braking System (BackRoadTravelers.com)
Towing
Laws (Brake Buddy)
Towing
Laws Listed By State (Towing World)
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Randy
has always gone above and beyond the normal expectation of customer
service, especially these days. Once when I had a concern about
my tow bar as I was heading out of town, he came over to the
RV park to make sure everything was safely done and working
properly. He even gave me his cell phone number in case I needed
him after work hours. That is a real comfort to a solo woman
who is not in the least bit mechanically minded for sure! |
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Here
it is installed in my car. The pedal bracket fits over the brake
pedal on the car and the unit butts up to the seat. Randy gave
me detailed instructions on every step on how to properly install
and configure it. |
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My
model features a radio remote that communicates with the RV
without any need for wiring in the motorhome. |
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Here's
the unit that plugs into the 12 volt plug in the RV. When
the Brake Buddy is activated, a light comes on to show you
it is working.
At
first I thought that every time I applied the RV brakes that
the Brake Buddy also was applied to the car's brakes. This
is not the case - only if the brakes are slammed on or when
you're going over 15 mph will it engage. This reduces battery
useage.
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There
is also this break-away system that will bring the car to a
controlled stop should it ever separate from the motorhome. |
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was pretty nervous about the whole process at first, but Randy was
so patient while he explained every step and waited while I took notes
and pictures. The first time I used it, I called him from the road
with a question and he was able to talk me through my issue and reassure
me that all was well. I highly recommend him and believe what he said
that some people come from other states to have him work on their
hitches because they trust him that much. Spillar
has two locations in Austin, and you can reach Randy at the south
location at 800-252-7050. Give him a call for your hitching needs
and give him my regards! |
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More information:
Supplemental
Braking Systems (RV Tech Library.com)
Are
Buddy Brakes Necessary? (Trailer Life forum discussion)
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