I have a 2013 25ft Sprinter based RV (not Winnebago or Itasca but I think this is relevant here) . I have it set up to tow a 2012 Honda CRV 4 down. The tow bar and tow bracket are Roadmaster Blackhawk 2, which I received as a long term loan from a family member? Because the CRV is 3400 lbs, 1/3 of the coach weight , a supplemental brake is highly advised although not required in my home state. I recently towed the CRV in very heavy rush hour traffic of a major city without brakes and it was a white knuckled drive but the coach did an admirable job of accelerating and stopping on the 50 mile stop and go trip without supplemental brakes.
I also received a Roadmaster Even-Brake supplemental brake system, which I have not installed . This is a remote operated box type brake that is set up to proportionally actuate the brake pedal in the towed vehicle as the brakes are applied in the coach. This Even-Brake system is a little bit of a hassle to deploy because it is a box that has to be placed in the driver floor board, attached to the brake pedal, hooked to electrical source, and adjusted an calibrated each time you tow the vehicle. On top of that unsightly remote boxes are affixed to both the coach and toad that communicate by RF. This is a bunch of effort every time you tow. This system is only 2 years old an cost over $1300 but is no cost to me.
Alternatively I am strongly considering purchasing the M & G brake system. It is a totally proportional air actuated system that is permanently attached to both coach and toad. The only interconnect between the coach and toad is a 1/4" coiled airline that is inserted to both via quick connect air fittings. It was originally designed for diesel pusher coaches that have on board compressor for their air brakes. Since the Sprinter and other class c coaches have hydraulic brakes a special power pack consisting of a 12v compressor, air accumulator tank, a portioning valve with necessary controls is mounted to the undercarriage of the Spinter chassis. The beauty of this system is that once it is installed it is so easy to use there will never be an excuse not to use it when towing the CRV. On top of that when the vehicles are disconnected, because it is totally integrated, it is invisible to the operation of both vehicles. Of course if you look hard enough you can see the added equipment necessary to make this marvelous system work. It is a little pricey at $1800 installed and for me a tough decision because I already have the use of a pretty good system in the Even-Brake.
Now to the point of my post. Given my situation and based on your experience with towing fairly heavy vehicles with Sprinter based coaches, with and without supplemental brakes, what do you advise? Please include details of your towing experience and weight of the vehicles you have towed. If you are unfamiliar with either system I mentioned a quick Google search might help you appreciate the pros and cons of each system.
I also received a Roadmaster Even-Brake supplemental brake system, which I have not installed . This is a remote operated box type brake that is set up to proportionally actuate the brake pedal in the towed vehicle as the brakes are applied in the coach. This Even-Brake system is a little bit of a hassle to deploy because it is a box that has to be placed in the driver floor board, attached to the brake pedal, hooked to electrical source, and adjusted an calibrated each time you tow the vehicle. On top of that unsightly remote boxes are affixed to both the coach and toad that communicate by RF. This is a bunch of effort every time you tow. This system is only 2 years old an cost over $1300 but is no cost to me.
Alternatively I am strongly considering purchasing the M & G brake system. It is a totally proportional air actuated system that is permanently attached to both coach and toad. The only interconnect between the coach and toad is a 1/4" coiled airline that is inserted to both via quick connect air fittings. It was originally designed for diesel pusher coaches that have on board compressor for their air brakes. Since the Sprinter and other class c coaches have hydraulic brakes a special power pack consisting of a 12v compressor, air accumulator tank, a portioning valve with necessary controls is mounted to the undercarriage of the Spinter chassis. The beauty of this system is that once it is installed it is so easy to use there will never be an excuse not to use it when towing the CRV. On top of that when the vehicles are disconnected, because it is totally integrated, it is invisible to the operation of both vehicles. Of course if you look hard enough you can see the added equipment necessary to make this marvelous system work. It is a little pricey at $1800 installed and for me a tough decision because I already have the use of a pretty good system in the Even-Brake.
Now to the point of my post. Given my situation and based on your experience with towing fairly heavy vehicles with Sprinter based coaches, with and without supplemental brakes, what do you advise? Please include details of your towing experience and weight of the vehicles you have towed. If you are unfamiliar with either system I mentioned a quick Google search might help you appreciate the pros and cons of each system.
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