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This portable unit gets you smooth braking without a complex installation. Senses the RV braking and applies the car's brakes at an intensity preset by you. Easy to swap between multiple cars; settings adjust for smooth braking for any size car.
Features:
Specs:
A braking system is a must when towing a vehicle behind your motorhome. Without it, the weight of the towed car can create a safety hazard, strain your RV's brakes, and affect the warranty of both your car and motorhome. Most states legally require a supplemental braking system, so if you don't use one and you end up in an accident (which is more likely since your RV takes longer to come to a full stop), your insurance and liability headache just doubled. You also won't have any breakaway system; if there's an accidental disconnect, there's nothing to bring your car to a stop.
First, this system is great for DIYers, since you can get the basic installation done yourself. There will be some minor wiring to do under the hood and in the cab, but that's as complicated as it gets.
Second, it offers you a lot of flexibility. It's easy to move from one toad (towed vehicle) to another - or, if you think you'll likely get a new car down the road, you can easily set the Classic 3 up in your new toad.
The Brake Buddy Classic 3 uses a built-in inertia sensor to detect when your flat tow setup begins to slow down as you apply the brakes in your motorhome. The moment the system recognizes the change in momentum, the actuator will press down the brake pedal of your toad with an intensity pre-set by you. This method of braking is not as sophisticated as a proportional system (since it's less precise and less customizable), but it is still effective while being more budget-friendly. Meanwhile, the terrain-sensing technology keeps the unit from activating when you go over bumps in the road, so it doesn't brake when it doesn't need to.
If you're towing a hybrid or any car with continuous-power-assist brakes, all you have to do to be able to use the Brake Buddy is change the Braking Mode to Hybrid.
You'll be setting up this portable unit in your toad every time you flat tow, so it's designed to be easy to do. And because it's so adjustable, it fits in almost any vehicle on the market.
Shift the driver's seat back and set the Classic 3 on the floorboard. It's important that the unit sits as level as possible so the actuator has enough leverage to effectively push down the brake pedal, so adjust the feet of the unit to suit your floorboard if need be.
Each foot can be adjusted easily by hand or with the included wrench. Twist it counterclockwise, pull it down to the right length, and then twist clockwise to lock it in place.
Quick Tip: It's best to remove your vehicle's floor mat before installation to keep the Brake Buddy from shifting.
Next you need to get the clamp attached to the brake pedal with the Quick-Lock clevis. This adjustable clevis is designed to securely clamp onto the pedal regardless of its size or shape. Once you have the clevis fixed around the pedal, turn the lever to tighten it in place.
Plug your Brake Buddy into the connector you'll have installed under the dashboard and then press the Auto Start button. The system will automatically boot up to your saved settings and then check your brakes, pushing and releasing the brake pedal several times to remove built-up vacuum pressure from the brakes and prevent over-braking. It will also check for any connection errors. Then you're ready to flat tow!
The braking power settings control how intensely the Brake Buddy Classic 3 applies your toad's brakes. When you are first setting up the Brake Buddy, choose the setting that's recommended for a vehicle of your toad's size:
| Vehicle Type | Recommended Setting |
|---|---|
| Cars and Compact SUVs | Low |
| Mid-size Crossovers, Mid-size Pickups, and Small SUVs | Med |
| Full-size SUVs and Pickups | Hi |
The setting should be high enough that your toad gives a slight tug at your RV when you brake. On the right setting, you won't be at risk of damage from over-braking. Once you've set the braking power, it shouldn't need to be changed unless you tow a different vehicle.
It's important to monitor your toad's braking to make sure that everything's working the way it should. With the Classic 3, it's also easy!
The wireless receiver plugs right into the 12-volt outlet in your motorhome's cab so you can keep it directly in view. It monitors 3 key things: braking, breakaway, and battery level. The receiver will light up every time the Brake Buddy activates so you know it's working. In the event of a breakaway, it will immediately set off a loud audible alert. Finally, it monitors your toad's battery, and will flash if the charge drops below 10 volts. It's just a really convenient way to stay ahead of any problems.
The corresponding transmitter plugs right into the top of the Brake Buddy to wirelessly send signals to the receiver.
Flat towing can be a much more convenient way to take your car RVing with you than using a trailer or a tow dolly. It'll save you storage space both at home and at the campsite, and it takes less time and hassle to hook up.
To flat tow your vehicle, there are 5 basic components you're going to need: a tow bar, a base plate kit, a safety cable set, tow bar wiring, and a flat tow braking system.
| For the RV | Between the RV and Towed Car | For the Towed Car |
|---|---|---|
| Hitch | Tow bar | Base plate |
| Wiring plug | Safety cables | Braking system |
| Wiring adapter cord | Wiring kit/diodes |
The custom-fit base plate installs on the frame of your toad so you can connect the car to your RV with a tow bar. Hook up safety cables between the vehicles to ensure that the toad does not separate from the motorhome if the tow bar becomes detached. Tow bar wiring syncs your vehicle's signal lights with your motorhome's tail lights, as required by law in most states. Finally, the flat tow braking system - also required in most states - activates the brakes in the toad when you hit the brakes in the RV, making for smoother, safer braking, and preventing wear on your motorhome.
California residents: click here
This was a tight fit in my 2001 Wrangler. The seat has to be all the way back. I also had to remove my weather tech floor mat and put in a 3/4” board to raise the front legs more than fully extended. It seems to be working fine now, I just towed it from Santa Fe, NM to Tucson, AZ with no issues. I ordered the battery charge line kit and the breakaway kit. I found it bothersome that all used different color wires for positive, ground etc.
My break pedal is small making the connection difficult. The connection cable was loose and had to adjust the pins. It works good.
I like that the battery charging is included in the set up. Easy to set up.
We used this in a 2014 Jeep Rubicon, 4 door, and it performed exactly as advertised. The setup and installation instructions were clear and good. I can recommend this product.
I 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.
Jenny N.
10/21/2021
I appreciate the innovative solution to allow the Brake Buddy to work for your 2017 Jeep Wrangler. I spoke with Hopkins who did advise that it is ok for the Brake Buddy to rest against the base of the rails under the front seat.
We have used Brake Buddy for 3 trips. It is a bit cumbersome to install but within reach for a handy DIY. Once the wiring is in place it is straight-forward to use. Getting the clip on the brake pedal each time is awkward, but after that it is fast and easy to use. I like the adjustment on the amount of braking assist, and you can see when it is triggered with the RV remote. I would probably buy it again.
Only issue was the power cord into the unit kept falling out and had to wrap bungee cord front to back to keep it connected
Great service.
Jeff
2/4/2025
Unit was defective. It almost caused an accident when it locked the brakes on my toad for no reason. After a few attempts at trouble shooting and being tested by Brake Buddy, the unit was replaced. It seems to be operating now. Customer service at Brake Buddy was very helpful but if I were to buy another braking system, it most likely wouldn’t be another Brake Buddy.
Jesse M.
2/4/2025
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.
Works great. etrailer support went far beyond the sale. I had an issue, but Lauren was fantastic and resolved my issue promptly. I would highly recommend etrailer for all your needs and the brake buddy as an affordable solution to your towing needs.
Works great! I use this BB Classic to tow a '22 ranger, easy to install. I'm glad I made the choice to use the Brake Buddy Classic 3 instead of the other options. By using this unit, I don't violate the integrity of the vehicle electronics and intricate wiring.
I highly recommend this product.
Very easy install. Just take your time and follow the instructions.
Great quality for the cost.
This product worked great, I have since traded for a different vehicle so I don’t use it anymore. I would recommend this product.
Just follow the instructions and it's an easy set-up. It does its job on the road. If there was anything negative, it would be where to store it when not in use. But, that has nothing to do with its performance. Thank you etrailer for making so many things available to us!
Steven
10/17/2023
One of the legs busted.
Mike L.
11/8/2023
I used this to connect my motorhome to my towed vehicle and it worked out great! Definatly liked that it was a heavy duty cord with strong connectors!
The system was fairly easy to install. The only fault was the part that clamps to the brake pedal was larger then my pedal. The car that I'm towing is a Nissan Versa. I ended up using a screwdriver under the pedal to give it something to clamp onto.
Very good product, easy to use with never a problem.
Everything I would expect! Great service, quick delivery, and awesome pricing!
Product seems to be good out of the box but haven't used it yet. A significant issue is that the installation instructions are incomplete and some connectors were not included in the packaging. Of particular note is that once you install the Dash Mount and drill a home in the firewall to put the wiring through, there are no instructions about how to connect them. I had to go to the eTrailer website where a found a video of an installation on a Jeep. The narrator did a good job of explaining the connections. Thank God for YouTube.
James D.
8/29/2022
Poorly. Instructions were incorrect for my 2022 Chevy Colorado, tech support was unable to correct the power issue sent a new cable that didn’t help, and the unit put a slight pressure on the brake pedal shortly after starting a 5 mile test drive that caused the right front brake to overheat which started a fire. Brake Buddy manager would not answer my calls when I tried to discuss the problem. It was an $1800 repair that Brake Buddy should have offset. Poor product and poorer service
Works as advertised and keeps us safe.
Fast shipping, good customer service by Adam on phone
Pretty involved to set up disconnect every time.Cost effective. Took a while to get it working properly
Brake Buddy 3 is the best.
super easy to install and simple to set up. eTrailer was very helpful to get this ordered and also quick to respond to my questions.
I purchased the Brake Buddy from E-Trailer in the fall of 2021. I was not able to install it till late spring of this year(2022). It sat new and untouched in the factory box until that time. After unpacking, I reviewed all of the components and none were missing. I followed the installation instructions to the letter. Upon testing the system, The Brake Buddy did not show any power(12 volts DC) on the control display panel. After extensive testing and rechecking all connections, verifying 12 volts to the Brake Buddy control Panel, I decided to call Support.The support person asked for the serial# and purchase date(which I gave) and was told then that the Brake Buddy warranty period had expired.I had questions for Tech Support, in the event that I had overlooked something during the troubleshooting process. The support person on the phone wouldn't even transfer or refer me to one. I have made several purchases from etrailer in the last couple years and have been satisfied with the quality of the products. However, it ends here. I eventually found the problem with the Brake Buddy and will not disclose it here as it is your problem now and it's up to you to stretch for your customers for a change instead of piling up profits for overpriced,dysfunctional merchandise.
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Brooke M.
3/11/2025
It would be nice if all trailer and towing items were standardized for wiring, thats for sure! As far the rest of the install goes, its not unheard of to have to do what you did here with the wood and whatnot in the Jeep especially, since this is a universal fit item and not custom to the vehicle.