# 1
Demco Air Force One Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Air Brakes - Proportional
I wouldn't use anything else! Once this system is installed it's literally plug-and-play. Nothing to move or install into the car, each time you tow. Just plug it into the coach's air break system and you're done. Install video from etrailer made it even easier to complete. You do need a bit of mechanical guidance/assistance as you're connecting to both your vehicles and coaches breaking system but it has worked flawlessly for over 11,000 miles and in some pretty intense traffic.
AF1 is amazing so far. I did the installation by myself. I have a 2014 Honda CR-V and bought it for towing. Watching the video helped me through it. The car installation portion was pretty straight forward. The video is better than the instructions overall, but I read through the entire instructions before beginning. I was able to install the RV tank without putting the rig on a lift. Depending on how big you are and flexibility, it can be done with the RV on the ground...it just takes longer. Also, I would recommend knowing where you are going to mount your RV tank. I mounted the tank near the rear and didn’t have enough brake tube after doing the car. Picked up an extra 20 ft at Autozone or order the tube with etrailer. The customer service center is very helpful too. Many thanks to Mariah for the outstanding assistance. Finally, I would say that if you order the brackets to mount the emergency brake away for your car, you may have to cut them down with a grinder. It is so much nicer not putting the brake buddy in the car now. Looking forward to enjoying it on trips. I drove the rig about 20 miles yesterday, and the light came on and I honestly couldn’t tell the car was back there other than looking in the video and seeing the light on the car during braking. Highly recommend this unit.
# 2
Roadmaster InvisiBrake Flat Tow Brake System - Preset
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.
Invisibrake on a 2014 Honda CRV I’ve been a carpenter all my life and recently finished building a custom car. After Watching the etrailer video (multiple times) it appeared to be a fairly simple installation, not so much, as getting up under the dash is very tight, mounting locations and access points are different and not much working room under dash. 1. It appears the length of the cable and air cylinder are shorter than when the video was made, so an alternate location for the cable clamp is needed. The cable direction needed to be at a 90’ angle to the pedal. . Removing all the carpet and insulation was a PIA to get a direct connection to metal. The cylinder mounted a few inches closer than the video showed and I used two clamps to attach it. The mounting point on the cable clamp ending up being behind the wheel well, so I used a couple of stainless steel bolts for attachment. 2. The hole location into the firewall was very difficult to get to. I was only able to drill a 5/8” hole. I couldn’t get my step bit in there and the brake lines are on the outside and didn’t want to risk damaging them. I just ran the power wires and vacuum line through this hole. I drilled another 3/4” hole in the floor at the back of the cylinder. I ran the plug for brake away and the lighting wires under the body and followed the lighting wires from the back to front. Covering all wires in a plastic loom 3. The plastic molding pieces required some trimming to fit the new wires and cylinder. 4. The video shows the box mounting directly though the removable carpet mat. (Not a good thing) I removed the mat prior to install and will have to modify it to reinstall. 5. All the wiring in the engine compartment and the plug was fairly straight forward and simple. It all appear to work as it should. Testing seemed to work good. I recommend making a new installation video. When I ordered it, the Amazon price was lower and etrailer couldn’t match the pricing. Two weeks later the pricing dropped to match the amazon price ( lower by $150). Sad face.. 2014 CRV Baseplate -Roadmaster 521567-5 The installation was fairly simple and the video explained it well. The bumper and grille were fairly difficult to remove and expect to break some of the clips. ( new yellow ones can be purchased on Amazon) . I would wait to replace the grille until all the plug wiring is complete. Just hind site. 2014 Honda CRV Brake switch relay. -Roadmaster 88400 Relay switch are really simple to install, but the location of the brake switch and the small wires made it really difficult. But it works as it should
# 3
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!
# 4
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!
# 5
Brake Buddy Select 3 Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
Had a problem with the connection to the unit but called etrailer and they sent me a new one after sending the other back to them. The hole process very painless and the the staff at etrailer was great to work with. Thank you etrailer for your great response.
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.
# 6
Brake Buddy Classic 3 Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Preset
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.
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!
# 7
Demco Air Force One Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Air Brakes - Wireless Monitoring - Proportional
Overall a great system, there are some intricacies to the install as it pertains to old instructions with LED light in the TOAD vs. CoachLink Wireless and also the 3 wire reed switch vs. the newer 2 wire one. But using the provided written instructions along with YouTube videos you can figure it out. My other challenge was my Jeep is a 392 model and thus the battery and fuse box are in swapped locations, as well as a different VAC line layout, but again you can figure it out…just takes some time to study and trace the routing. My only real complaint was ordering, I was quoted the wrong system for my RV (Stay and Play) vs. AF1 since I DO have air brakes. etrailer was helpful in getting the return process but wants to charge me the shipping and possibly restock fee, I am working with them on this and hope to get a good resolution.
The Air Force One Braking system just arrived. I opened the box and looked it all over. No damage to anything thanks to good packing. A friend of mine has this same braking system and he loves it. Can't give a product review because it's not installed yet but I can honestly say Dianna A in customer service helped me get my order correct.
# 8
Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
2010 Jeep PatriotCompared to my previous Blue Ox Patriot 2010, I like that it is half the weight and sets up easily. The Patriot 2010 would sometimes refuse to set up. I do not like the remote control for the new Patriot. The one for the Patriot 2010 had a knob for setting the braking force and I could quickly turn it to zero to deactivate it if it had been activated by a rough road, or if it was braking continuously on a long downhill. With the new remote, I have to press several buttons to get to the force setting, then press the button several times to change the setting. Also, the warning beep is not loud enough to hear in the noisy Class C cabin.
I bought the Patriot 3 braking system after getting a lot of good information from Will S. He is very knowledgeable and helpful. Thanks, Will!
# 9
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!
# 10
Demco Air Force One Flat Tow Brake System for 2021 and Newer Freightliner Chassis RVs w/ BrakeSync
Everything went extremely well after talking to DEMCO an ordering a Demco Vacuum Tee Fitting for Factory Brake Booster Sensor Port Item # DM6257.
After a year of use, the Air Force system is still working perfectly. Have used it to tow a Jeep Grand Cherokee for about 13k miles so far.
# 11
Demco Air Force One Flat Tow Brake System for 2020 and Newer Tiffin Chassis RVs w/Factory Air Brakes
Towing a 2020 F250SD with powerstroke. The Blue Ox Patriot 3 just would not press the petal enough. This applies the breaks well. Had to mount the box behind grill due to no room under hood. Used some copper wire to make sure it stayed in place. Had to cut a bit of the plastic cover over radiator. One thing did that was a little off the instructions is I did not run power into cab with air hose. I took power off my charging coach-> Toad charging circuit because it was under the bumper. For the reed switch I ran a wire to passenger side fuse box and used a fuse tap. Every thing else was pretty easy. I am pretty handy and have all tools needed. I installed in about 6 hr.
This system along with installation videos and info was exactly what I needed. I thank Alex J. for all the help making sure I had everything needed for my specific 2009 Wrangler. Systems, accessories, and installation vary by year and Jeep mods, Alex went above and beyond to make sure every part of this install worked for my specific rig setup and vehicle.
What our customers are saying:
"I received this order yesterday. Thanks for the outstanding service. I appreciate it! Thanks, Alex"