Max Brake Impression

[DaveHess]

I towed for the first time since installing my MaxBrake back in February. One word: Awesome! The onlt thing I would say is the instructions list "45" as a starting point for the gain. I started at "35" and ultimately went down to "30". The braking was seamless. There were times when I would wonder if the truck was doing all the stopping if it weren't for the fact the stopping distance was shortened. If you're on the fence about this, make the purchase!

 

[Dick Langendorff]

Thanks, for the info. I've been considering one of these brake controllers.

 

[HBarlow]

I"m glad you like it.

Another satisfied owner knows what it is like to tow with a real brake controller now.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Hi Dave, I remember shivering when you told me how cold it was when you placed your order with me back in December of 09. Didn't you tell me -14 degrees!! I'm glad you finally dug out to try the Max Brake. Normally if the 5th wheel has electric brakes vs hydraulic, the initial setting would be higher. We agree that the Max Brake is the best brake controller on the market. We've towed over 9,000 miles with ours and it has worked flawlessly.

 

[DaveHess]

It was a whole new stopping experience. I have been talking the MaxBrake up here work with my camping buddies. I am as anal as they come with stuff like brake controllers and my truck in general. I had my Tekonsha about as perfect as I think a inertia controller can be. But there was always the slight hesitation on braking or a delayed release. This controller is truly seamless. I felt no tug from the trailer on initial braking even if I rode the brakes hard (testing). It just hauled me down faster and shorter. No white knuckles or windshield taste test. Seamless.



Diane, last week we had 90 degree weather followed by a day where the temp barely broke mid 60's. The yo-yo continues.

 

[Prairie Dog]

So how does the Max work? Does it attach to the trucks braking system?

I take it folks like it better than the all hallowed Prodigy?

 

[HBarlow]

The MaxBrake and it's forerunner, the BrakeSmart, tap into the truck's hydraulic brake system and are activated by hydraulic line pressure.

A T fitting is installed in the rear brake line at the master cylinder and routed a short distance to a transducer which is a very small device that produces a tiny electric signal voltage proportional to they hydraulic pressure it senses. That tiny voltage it routed via wire through the firewall to a mini-computer in the brake controller.

Trailer braking precisely matches truck braking, precisely as called for by the driver's right foot on the brake pedal. No delays, no lunging or surging, no surprises when a traffic light suddenly turns from caution to red in heavy traffic at 50 mph.

 

[lawdog]

I SERIOUSLY need one of these... ... ... ... ... ... .....

 

[morbius]

Here is a pic of an installation on the master cylinder (a 2008 3500 4x4):



#ad




Cheers.

 

[Dutch & Di]

I SERIOUSLY need one of these... ... ... ... ... ... .....

We couldn't agree more. We've been "happier than a clam" with ours. Diana

 

[MoparBob]

Can the Max Brake be installed and utilized with a 2010 or 2011 model with the factory brake controller installed?

 

[Dutch & Di]

I'm pretty confident that it can but I'll get an answer for you in the morning. Diana

 

[HBarlow]

I haven't seen or read anything about the new factory brake controller but I do know it is an inertia device not hydraulic over electric. There must be a simple way to remove a fuse or simply cut power to it.

Better yet, cut the wires and store it in a trash can.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Per Max Brake,

It will work on a 2010 or 2011 with a factory installed controller. Look at your connection box to see if you can plug in the Max Brake. If you can and don't receive a dash board fault you are good to go. If you receive a fault you must cut the blue wire on the integrated wiring harness.

If the integrated brake controller is hard wired or a different plug, you will have to hard wire the Max Brake. If you get a dashboard fault on the hard wire install, you again must cut the blue wire on the integrated harness as it cannot recognize 2 brake controllers at the same.

If you have any further questions I'm available 10 am to 10 pm 7 days a week at 941-416-0918. Diana

Can the Max Brake be installed and utilized with a 2010 or 2011 model with the factory brake controller installed?

 

[MoparBob]

Per Max Brake,

It will work on a 2010 or 2011 with a factory installed controller. Look at your connection box to see if you can plug in the Max Brake. If you can and don't receive a dash board fault you are good to go. If you receive a fault you must cut the blue wire on the integrated wiring harness.

If the integrated brake controller is hard wired or a different plug, you will have to hard wire the Max Brake. If you get a dashboard fault on the hard wire install, you again must cut the blue wire on the integrated harness as it cannot recognize 2 brake controllers at the same.

If you have any further questions I'm available 10 am to 10 pm 7 days a week at 941-416-0918. Diana

Thank you for the quick response!

 

[mules4me]

Just replaced my old Jordan 20/20 with the maxbrake and the install was very easy except for gettting the wiring thru the firewall. Finding a place to install the brake on the dash was difficult. Loved the way the brake worked on the first trip except when I was parking the trailer and jumping in and out of cab my knee hit the slide arm and broke it out of controller. :{:{:{ what to do as I had a very steep down grade to get back home but amazingly the brake control still worked. called maxbrake and she laughed and said it happens and just send it in and they will fix and get back asap. So far I am very pleased with the unit and will definitly try to find a better place for the controller on the dash.

 

[seafish]

I mounted my BrakeSmart controller on the cubby below the A/c controls in my 2005. It was not difficult. It is also VERY convenient to reach and adjust and there is no chance to knock off the manual apply lever.



If you want to, Check out the pics in post #49 here--

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...0158-brakesmart-controller-3.html#post2148502



Of course, I am not sure if the 2009 have a cubby in the dash anymore?!

 

[BarryG]

Just as Mules For Me I replaced my old Jordan controller with the Max Brake. Install was easy (I did forgo breaking off the manual slide at least so far). What a great controller. My trailer brakes have never worked so seamlessly. The Jordan was a fantastic controller but after a couple of panic stops and the brake pedal going about as far down as it would I just couldnt seem to keep the cable adjusted (which I never had an issue with prior to these panic stops). It seemed to keep slipping. It still worked but depending on the amount of cable slippage would dictate how soon the trailer brakes came on. I would have called Jordan and got that one fixed but they are long gone. In any case glad I upgraded there is no comparison to any controller I have ever used (have not used a brakesmart so not bashing it and would expect it to be the same) the Jordan was a vast improvement over the traditional inertia/accelerometer/pendulum types but the Max Brake is even noticably better than the Jordan.

 

[richardcoxid]

I also am a HAPPY customer of Dirrgang and a HAPPY owner of a Maxbrake controller. This is like the Hyd/Elect controllers before the advent of Anti-lock brakes! I am just repeating what others have said- TRULY SEAMLESS in operation.

 

[DennyDay]

Installed my new MaxBrake over the weekend and towed with for the first time today - -only 40 miles from Mobile, AL over to Sumerdale, but all I can say is WOW ! ! I haven't had a real brake controler since 1969 - - the last of the Kelsey-Hayes real brake controlers . . . I really think this is better than the K-H not as hard to adjust and operates smoother. By the way, saw a brand new Kelsey-Hayes brake control in the box for sale at an RV Surplus store up in Michigan, just north of Elkhart, early this spring - - thought about purchasing it and giving it to the RV Museum fro display, and promptly forgot about it - - - would have gone great with the 50's Studebaker 1 ton trailer toter that is on display, or maybe the old N600 Ford on display also.