Kathy’s been asking me this for a while now and yes, I know the answer should be in the affirmative. But I’ve been putting it off for far too long.
We have driven this coach with the Saturn (Toad) in tow from Ohio to San Diego and back, from Ohio to Vermont and back, and most recently from Ohio to Camp Verde, AZ then from Camp Verde to Tombstone and back, and next week we’ll be towing to Quartzsite. All of this has been without any braking assist system installed in the toad.
My rationalization for not getting the system installed was that the car (’06 Saturn Vue) is mostly plastic and only weighs about 2200 pounds. Each time we pulled it I proved to myself that I can stop “ok” even with the toad cramming up our back end.
But it was not a real comfortable feeling. Especially when it was a HARD stop, like when that light turns yellow just at the wrong time. Yes, we stopped but nonetheless, it was a bit anxiety provoking.
So, I recently bought the Roadmaster auxilliary braking system. 
This is a small air cylinder that gets installed in the toad and actually pushes the brake pedal when I push the brake pedal in the coach. There are no wires or electric hook-up .. just an air line from the rear of the coach, over the tow bar, through the toad engine compartment and on into the drivers compartment and then connected (via a quick coupling) to the air cylinder that applies pressure to the brake pedal. This is a truly proportional braking system.
A month or so ago, we were day-tripping over in Prescott Valley and stopped to talk to the service department at Little Dealer Little Prices. I had already ordered online the BrakeMaster kit, but I needed to talk with one of their mechanics to make sure he was comfortable installing the system and to get an estimate on how long it might take (cost).
So today was the day to come on over with the coach and car and get it installed. Kathy and I will “walk the lot” looking over their inventory and there’s a TSC (Tractor Supply Co) right next door so we can walk over there, that’s a cool store to look around in. But first down the road a bit for breakfast at Dennys.
Then we came back to the shop and I shot a short video of their showroom. This place is SO COOL!
They have their showroom set up like a campground (at nite) and all the offices look like an old western town. Cute idea, I wish I was creative like the person who dreampt (sp?) up this theme. But I guess that’s why they get paid the big bucks, eh?
Here’s the video of their showroom … Check it out
We’ve been here since about 9:30 – it’s noon now and hopefully we’ll be back on the road to Rancho Verde RV Park in Camp Verde later this afternoon.
If you are on Facebook, do me a favor and Like us (the park) on the park Facebook page. I’ve recently been assigned the task of ADMIN there and am trying to post some content of interest and get the LIKES up. On Facebook, look up @ranchoverdegreenoasis (or follow this link) and LIKE us. Thanks.
I’ll post an update later today when we have the task completed and do a test drive with the TOAD hooked up and travel back home.
