Brake Buddy 12v Power

[phoneman01]

When setting up for RV towing, does the auxiliary 12v lose power when the ignition is turned off for Neutral Tow? If so, how do you power your braking system? I plan to continue using my older Brake Buddy and if necessary, I will run a dedicated 12v.

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[realshelby]

Yes, the Maverick accessory 12v power ports will turn off after some time.

So, to run a battery powered braking system, installing a dedicated 12v power outlet JUST FOR the Brake Buddy or similar system is the only way to solve the issue. It can be hooked to the charge post under the hood ( don't forget to put a fuse as close as possible to the connection). I also firmly believe you must provide a charge wire from the RV to the Maverick. That too can be hooked to the charge post under the hood. I have never had a dead battery, or issues with neutral tow while flat towing my Maverick. Several thousands of miles. I have a charge wire from RV's battery charge post in the hitch wiring to my 6 pin round, then to the battery charge post. I do have a diode in line, but not sure that is required.

 

[phoneman01]

Thanks for the answer Terry. This adds something that I wasn't expecting. I have had a fused charge wire from my Motorhome for quite sometime. I have towed a Honda Accord for about 90k miles without pulling a fuse and no dead battery as well. I also wired a diode to the Accord line (paranoid maybe?). I plan on installing a Demco plate and doing all the wiring myself. Brad said at 74 that he could do it, so at 77 I will try.

 

[phoneman01]

Yes, the Maverick accessory 12v power ports will turn off after some time.

So, to run a battery powered braking system, installing a dedicated 12v power outlet JUST FOR the Brake Buddy or similar system is the only way to solve the issue. It can be hooked to the charge post under the hood ( don't forget to put a fuse as close as possible to the connection). I also firmly believe you must provide a charge wire from the RV to the Maverick. That too can be hooked to the charge post under the hood. I have never had a dead battery, or issues with neutral tow while flat towing my Maverick. Several thousands of miles. I have a charge wire from RV's battery charge post in the hitch wiring to my 6 pin round, then to the battery charge post. I do have a diode in line, but not sure that is required.

How did you mount/place the 12v outlet under or around the dash area?

 

[realshelby]

I simply bought a 12v receptacle ( cigarette lighter style) and wired it directly to the battery ( with a fuse at the battery connection. I simply zip tied it to a bracket under the dash and left a couple inches of slack. That way I could grab it, plug in the brake control lead while I was there setting it up in the floor. When not towing, it was out of sight.

 

[HHIRON]

I have a 2024 maverick and need to find this charge play post that is under the hood. Is there one on a 2024 and where is it located?

 

[B0B]

FYI - I contacted the makers of Brake Buddy and according to them, none of their products will work on the Maverick.

"At this time Hopkins does not have anything for towing a vehicle with electric assist brakes."

 

[phoneman01]

We are getting dirrerent information. When I talked to the Hopkins people on Thursday, I was told to just set the force to the lowest number. That made sense to me because the Brake Buddy only presses the pedal. With correct force applied I can't see that Brake Buddy wouldn't work with any system.

 

[realshelby]

Does anyone know for SURE the electric assist on the brakes actually works when Maverick is placed in "neutral tow" mode? I ask.....because it seems to me that would be something that should be disabled when in neutral tow.

 

[B0B]

We are getting dirrerent information. When I talked to the Hopkins people on Thursday, I was told to just set the force to the lowest number. That made sense to me because the Brake Buddy only presses the pedal. With correct force applied I can't see that Brake Buddy wouldn't work with any system.

That was my thought as well. I don't see how just pushing on the pedal wouldn't work, but given their response in email, I just assumed they knew what they were telling me. I ended up having the Demco Stay and Play Duo braking system instead.

 

[brlr2000]

That was my thought as well. I don't see how just pushing on the pedal wouldn't work, but given their response in email, I just assumed they knew what they were telling me. I ended up having the Demco Stay and Play Duo braking system instead.

Are you satisfied with the Stay-In-Play Braking System?

 

[B0B]

Are you satisfied with the Stay-In-Play Braking System?

Oh absolutely. Disconnecting and connecting the Maverick to our RV is such a breeze not having to fumble around with external braking systems. And I just had some recall work done on the Maverick which for some reason or another made the brake performance soo much better than before. I can't want to take the Maverick out again.

 

[brlr2000]

Oh absolutely. Disconnecting and connecting the Maverick to our RV is such a breeze not having to fumble around with external braking systems. And I just had some recall work done on the Maverick which for some reason or another made the brake performance soo much better than before. I can't want to take the Maverick out again.

Great! I'm so happy to hear this as I'm considering purchasing the Stay-In-Play Duo system...I'm also getting a recall done on my Mav tomorrow!

 

[B0B]

Great! I'm so happy to hear this as I'm considering purchasing the Stay-In-Play Duo system...I'm also getting a recall done on my Mav tomorrow!

That's awesome to hear! I don't know if you've already locked in your baseplate but the Demco baseplate is also the way to go.

As for the recall work, the updated brakes just make it feel like a different car. When I first purchased it, the brakes were WAY too sensitive. When the dealer adjusted them, it was better but still wasn't right. I didn't feel confident in braking. But now, it feels exactly the way it should. So I hope you get the same experience!

 

[brlr2000]

My Demco Baseplate is on the way. The recall I'm getting done is for current overload on the taillights circuit. Don't know if it's the same as yours.

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