# 1
Brake Buddy Select 3 Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
I am still scratching my head on the placement of the Main Unit. The floorboard area of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler is very small. The 2 levels of the rear of the unit are such that I can't seem to get the right height to stabilize the unit. The seat can be brought slightly forward but does not contact or even come close to the Handle when raised. With the plunger all the way in, there is hardly one half (1/4") inch of clearance before beginning to press the brake pedal. I can't find anyone else that has installed this unit. HELP please.
First off, the great folks at etrailer had the kit pulled, labeled and ready for the shipper to pick it up literally within a few hours after I ordered it. Impressive to say the least. The Brake Buddy is packaged in an organized and protective layout with minimal assembly required. Installation was pretty straightforward. If you can understand a pictogram of wiring, it’s a no-brainer for the charger and cab receptacle. Tow vehicle I installed it in is a 2020 Jeep JL. There’s a round firewall plug under the brake booster that makes for a great spot to run your wires through the firewall which makes installation a breeze. The brake pedal clamp in the JL appears more functional if installed inverted. That gets the clevis reachable up top while keeping the actuator arm closest to level. The seat needs to be all the way back as wrestling the Brake Buddy into the floorboard is tight. There’s no room on the floorboards for vacuuming, even less for a portable brake module. The front leveler legs need to be fully extended, the one closest to the door on the rear, 90% extended and the rear interior one will only need an inch out. Once installed and powered up, the compressor runs to charge the actuator control. Press the auto start and it pumps the brake pedal to eliminate any residual vacuum boost. I set the operating pressure to 45, sensitivity to mid and mode to proportional. I’ll fine tune it once we get out on the road. At this juncture, everything was in the kit, everything appears to work and etrailer filled the order with urgency and care!
# 2
Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
Ordering was easy. Delivered very promptly. Actually cheaper then what the manufacturer sells it for. Live near manufacturer and having them install all my flat towing components this month. Great service Etrailer!!
Very happy I received it, normal great service from etrailer but had a shipping issue, (shipper's fault). I will always go through etrailer first for anything RV related. I will be back!
# 3
Brake Buddy Classic 3 Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Preset
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.
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!
# 4
Roadmaster BrakeMaster for RVs w/ Air or Air-Over-Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
The install on my Ford Maverick is clean and functional, so this is more of a customer service review... excellent customer service! During the 4-day towing set-up install, the forecast was for freezing temps and my rig was not winterized. I called in mid panic and the motorhome was moved indoors. A few months after using the tow set-up, a minor problem developed. I called and the CSR apologized and said, I can see how that might be frustrating, and a replacement cable (slightly longer) was sent free of charge.
Second set on second Jeep, Brake system works great, a bit of an install with the air lines and placement of the small tank in the crowded engine compartment BUT once it is in the setting of the brake peddle arm is easy!
# 5
Roadmaster BrakeMaster for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
Kit fits great! Hooked up a 2004 Workhorse to a 2002 Jeep Liberty. It might be preferable to be handy with some advanced mechanical skills and tools to install this efficiently. Directions are great but you do need to figure out your own locations for certain items like the break-away reservoir, compressor, routing lines and wires out of harms way, but not bad at all. Parts are great, everything there but added a couple different wiring splices of my own.
Your customer service leaves nothing lacking, and this follow-up from you is so out of character for the many web sites I have purchased from over the years. I am impressed by you and your company. I bought the tow bar and the brake system for my Equinox, and installed them my self (I am 70 years old) - and with your provided instructions and video, I had no problems (even though I was surprised by the number of parts and detail that went into the assemblies). Both systems have worked very well, with no problems. I am completely satisfied with them, and have told my friends and traveling acquaintances about your company. Thanks for your follow-up!
# 6
Roadmaster BrakeMaster w/ Pressure Reducer for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
The install on my Ford Maverick is clean and functional, so this is more of a customer service review... excellent customer service! During the 4-day towing set-up install, the forecast was for freezing temps and my rig was not winterized. I called in mid panic and the motorhome was moved indoors. A few months after using the tow set-up, a minor problem developed. I called and the CSR apologized and said, I can see how that might be frustrating, and a replacement cable (slightly longer) was sent free of charge.
Second set on second Jeep, Brake system works great, a bit of an install with the air lines and placement of the small tank in the crowded engine compartment BUT once it is in the setting of the brake peddle arm is easy!
# 7
Roadmaster BrakeMaster w/ Pressure Reducer for RVs w Air or Air-Over-Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
The install on my Ford Maverick is clean and functional, so this is more of a customer service review... excellent customer service! During the 4-day towing set-up install, the forecast was for freezing temps and my rig was not winterized. I called in mid panic and the motorhome was moved indoors. A few months after using the tow set-up, a minor problem developed. I called and the CSR apologized and said, I can see how that might be frustrating, and a replacement cable (slightly longer) was sent free of charge.
Second set on second Jeep, Brake system works great, a bit of an install with the air lines and placement of the small tank in the crowded engine compartment BUT once it is in the setting of the brake peddle arm is easy!
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