Troubleshooting A Brake Buddy Select 3 Breaking System That Keeps Locking Up The Brakes

Updated 08/28/2025 | Published 04/07/2023

Question:

I purchased a Brake Buddy 3 Portable Supplemental Braking System - Proportional, Item # HM39524. I have a 2011 Winnebago Sightseer 33C, towing a 2014 Honda CRV and set the brake buddy on Hybrids, brake sensitivity to 4, proportional. On several occasions while having to apply the motorhome brakes hard to stop, the brakes on my Honda lock the brakes. Have I set something incorrect on the brakebuddy? Thanks for your help.

asked by: Jerry

Expert Reply:

Since you're using it in the proportional mode the Brake Buddy Select 3 # HM39524 really shouldn't be locking up the brakes in the CR-V. After looking into this there are others that have had some similar experiences and have found some solutions which I have listed out below:

The first step is to bleed your brakes by depressing the pedal 6 or 7 times before hooking on your Brake Buddy. Multiple users have noted that this has been the difference maker to get their units properly functioning.

From there you'll want to make sure that the Brake Buddy can't move around. Some users state that they aren't fully setting the seat forward to maintain a stable position for the Brake Buddy to activate and then release the pedal. It keeps shifting forward during travel and then ends up pressing on the pedal harder than it should. This really is a case by case scenario since the feet could slip into the grooves of the floor mats and every seat setup is a bit different so you'll have to kind of play around and find the best placement. One user stated they wrap a bungee cord around the unit to hold it to the seat.

Another user stated that the wiring was loose for his breakaway switch and it would cause the unit to apply a bit of pressure and brake drag that you wouldn't be able to hear or really feel while moving. I recommend checking the wiring to ensure everything is snug.

Most likely you just need to turn the air pressure down a bit by using the negative button at the bottom of the control panel on the unit. With a curb weight of 3,305 to 3,529lbs you would need this to be set at 45.

Try out what I have listed above and let me know if this doesn't solve your issue and we'll keep troubleshooting.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Mike B.

8/28/2025

My 8 year old brake buddy vantage 3 has been failing where the unit compressor will begin to air up then I activate it falls witH a red compressor light. After a few resets , it will function properly. However, while highway driving for a while the unit compressor light comes back on not even applying the brakes. It is installed in a 2012 Honda CRV and the car battery is on year old. One thing i did notice when the car is running the compressor airs up much faster than when the car is not running. Any ideas you have are greatly appreciated. Thanks Mike