MaxBrake Review

[slowzuki]

The Ford built in one just uses a similar sensor to the abs system braking pressure sensor. They really do work nice, everyone I've talked to who had used one wouldn't go back.

 

[Mikeeemo]

Before we are were blessed with electronics, trailer brake controls where hydraulically activated by the master cylinder. The brass T fitting was installed and a steel brake line was routed to the brake control. A small cylinder moved the control handle mechanically.

This 'max-??' control is the best of both technologies. Next time I need one, that will be my choice.

PS: don't go crazy from the heat. Pray for our weather ravaged countrymen.

Mike....

 

[ModMech]

Pre-set, pendulum (inertia) and surge brake controls are WAY more dangerous than a pressure based brake system like Max-Brake (Ford TBC) and other previous ilks.

Why? Those systems that do not rely on towing vehicle brake pressure are almost NEVER providing the "required" braking on the trailer - either too much or too little, never the right amount.

On a damp road the trailer brakes skid causing loss of control. On a dry road, they don't produce the required braking, especially under hard brake events. This causes the trailer to push the tow vehicle and is VERY dangerous.

With a brake pressure based system, the trailer brakes are set once so the controller knows how many amps the trailer needs based on the pressure applied in the tow vehicle system. As the pressure increases or decreases so does the trailer brake force. If you very gently apply the brakes (as in wet or snow) to retain control, you get very gentle trailer braking, exactly what you need.

In a surge system, if you are on ice or snow you get ZERO trailer braking! The trailer shoves you right thru the intersection. Such systems should be outlawed!

 

[radioman]

Pre-set, pendulum (inertia) and surge brake controls are WAY more dangerous than a pressure based brake system like Max-Brake (Ford TBC) and other previous ilks.

Why? Those systems that do not rely on towing vehicle brake pressure are almost NEVER providing the "required" braking on the trailer - either too much or too little, never the right amount.

On a damp road the trailer brakes skid causing loss of control. On a dry road, they don't produce the required braking, especially under hard brake events. This causes the trailer to push the tow vehicle and is VERY dangerous.

With a brake pressure based system, the trailer brakes are set once so the controller knows how many amps the trailer needs based on the pressure applied in the tow vehicle system. As the pressure increases or decreases so does the trailer brake force. If you very gently apply the brakes (as in wet or snow) to retain control, you get very gentle trailer braking, exactly what you need.

In a surge system, if you are on ice or snow you get ZERO trailer braking! The trailer shoves you right thru the intersection. Such systems should be outlawed!

I agree with the latter about surge brakes. I was driving a uhaul truck with car trailer and caddy on trailer. I was approaching the stop sign from off ramp in texas where it snowed first time in long time. long story short, surge brakes never kicked in, ABS on truck was kicking in making me go farther then I wanted and I was unable to skid to stop. There are times where skidding DOES stop faster then abs does. I rolled a little past stop sign, no one was around thanks to my lucky stars. FYI I was going slow, 5-10 mph.

 

[ModMech]

... long story short, surge brakes never kicked in, ABS on truck was kicking in making me go farther then I wanted and I was unable to skid to stop. There are times where skidding DOES stop faster then abs does. I rolled a little past stop sign, no one was around thanks to my lucky stars. FYI I was going slow, 5-10 mph.

It is a proven fact, lots of testing and validation published on this, ABS actually INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCES in every situation EXCEPT "glaze ice". Yup, no lie either, it's researched to death and a fact. The "real" benefit of ABS is to retain control of the vehicle (steering specifically) and not decreased stopping distances.

 

[mjncad]

I agree with Ace10, completely. Anytime that you add an aftermarket device to a hydraulic brake system, that is a deal breaker for me. If the Factory puts a part into the system, it's been tested and approved.

I looked at the MaxBrake instructions and saw nothing alarming about the product's installation. It's nothing more than a simple tee to the pressure sensor. Now if cutting of brake lines were involved I'd get concerned.

To me this is less involved than changing brake pads/shoes, and making sure everything is adjusted properly, especially for drum brakes.

 

[Hematite]

It is a proven fact, lots of testing and validation published on this, ABS actually INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCES in every situation EXCEPT "glaze ice". Yup, no lie either, it's researched to death and a fact. The "real" benefit of ABS is to retain control of the vehicle (steering specifically) and not decreased stopping distances.

You should contact the AAA Institute for Traffic Safety as well as NHSTA with the information about these "tests" that have "been researched to death". I'm sure that they would want to hear that their published information is incorrect.
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety - Resources

 

[Charlesaf3]

Followup - still very hay with max brake. I understand the concern that people have with tying into the brake lines, I share it, so I had a mechanic do it. Honestly, while anything can go wrong, it's really tough to see why this would be any more failure prone than any other hydraulic fitting, after looking at it. And catastrophic failure seems the least likely case