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# 1
Brake Buddy Classic 3 Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Preset
There is a design flaw with the connection cable. I pulled a tow car 10000 miles last year and had repeated disconnects from the brake buddy. I called for support and was told to use a small flat blade screw driver to spread the connection pins to keep the plugs in place. Im assuming this design flaw was known but put into production anyway by the answer given. This is my third break buddy and thy have made improvements but the old ones have worked flawless for me in the past.
2017 Jeep WranglerI purchased this BB Classic 3 in October 2020 after my old BB Classic that I purchased in 2008 failed to hold pressure for the piston. I bought this for my 2017 Jeep Wrangler but due to (1) the depth and unevenness of the driver's floor board, (2) the seat adjustment bar prevents BB Classic 3 from pushing against the seat and (3) the adjustable legs are not long enough to reach the seat and brake pedal properly, the BB Classic 3 fails the auto start test every time due to not being able to level. I talked to Hopkins MFG techs several times trying to resolve the issue (wiring checks, power cord checks, etc.) but to no avail. This situation makes the BB Classic 3 dangerous to have in service because not being level it will think something is wrong and keeps the brake applied (piston will not retract after applying the brake). So after talking to other Jeep Wrangler owners I determined that a platform was needed for the floor board on which the BB Classic 3 could rest. I constructed a platform that was approximately 3" off the floor board and rested on the floor board under the seat and on risers toward the brake pedal. This platform is level on the floor board both length-wise and width-wise. After placing the BB Classic 3 on the platform with clevis and power cord installed and legs in the lowest position, I tested the auto start and had 8 successful tests in a row!!! Also the brake away test was successful too. I still need to make a short drive test while in tow behind the motorhome. Hopkins really needs to advise customers that the Classic 3 will not work properly as is on a 2017 Jeep Wrangler due to the configuration of the driver's side floor board.
# 2
Roadmaster InvisiBrake Flat Tow Brake System - Preset
Read the instructions and only use the trailer video/s as a guid!! Install was tough but doable. Take your time if you want a clean install. Lastly, the kit comes with updated check valves. The video will tell you that the "red side" faces the engine. That's not true if you are using the "black side" check valve. The black side faces the engine while the red is opposite. I wasted several hours troubleshooting a stiff break pedal when in reality, I had the check valve installed just as the trailer video explains it. My bust for trusting the video and not reading the install instructions fully.
The braking system and the lights are working, one year after I bought them. However, I am towing a 2016 Keep Patriot, and about 2_500 miles after install, the system started making an annoying clicking noise when I enter the Patriot, which stops after about 10 seconds and then starts up again, usually a minute or so later, for another 10 or 15 seconds. etrailer first said that they had never heard of.such a thing, then said that there are otherwise comments for Keep Patriot owners on forums. Still have no.fix. Also, at first I did not know that to store the tow bar, it must be pulled up so that the post fitting can moe to the position where it fits into the hole.in the smaii yellow bracket, which works well when used correctly. And store the coiled.wide in your tower vehicle.to prevent corrosion which will interfere with its function.
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