RV Misadventures - Episode 1- Tow Vehicle Brakes?
- Lee Burbank
- Jan 12
- 5 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
RVing has a way of teaching lessons when you least expect them. Sometimes it’s a small oversight. Sometimes it’s something you didn’t even know you were supposed to know.
RV Misadventures is a collection of true-to-life (but fictional) stories inspired by real mistakes RVers make every day. They’re funny, sometimes uncomfortable, and always educational. Whether you’re brand new to RVing or have been doing this for years, chances are you’ll recognize yourself somewhere in these stories—and maybe avoid having to learn the lesson the hard way.
The Day Jim and Carol Learned That Brakes Have Feelings Too
Jim Watkins liked to think of himself as a checklist guy.
Not an obsessive checklist guy. Just… thorough. The reasonable kind. The kind who says things like “I’d rather check twice than learn once” and actually means it.
Carol, on the other hand, was the vibe checker. If the coffee tasted right and the weather looked good, the day was already halfway won.
This morning passed both tests.
They were traveling in their pride and joy, a 2016 Class A diesel pusher, polished just enough to look intentional but not so much that it screamed “new owners.” Behind it, flat-towed and innocent as a puppy, was their 2019 midsize SUV. No trailer. No dolly. Just four wheels rolling along for the ride.
They had spent the last two nights in Ouray, Colorado, soaking up mountain air and congratulating themselves for finally figuring out how to back into a site without a quiet audience forming. Today’s destination was Durango, and the drive was supposed to be the fun part.
“People say this is one of the most beautiful drives in the state,” Carol said, camera already in her lap.
Jim nodded. “We picked a good day.”
That was the last thing either of them said with confidence for a while.
Gravity Joins the Trip
The road climbed gently at first. Jim downshifted early, just like the forums said. Engine brake on. No rush. He felt good. Calm. In control.
Then the road tipped downward.
Not dramatically at first. Just enough to remind you that mountains don’t do anything halfway. Jim eased onto the brake pedal.
Tap.
Fine.
Another mile. Another curve. Another tap.
Still fine.
By mile three, the brake pedal felt… different. Not broken. Not failing. Just slightly less enthusiastic about its job.
Jim frowned.
He pressed again. The RV slowed, but with the enthusiasm of someone doing you a favor, not fulfilling an obligation.
Carol noticed the silence before she noticed the smell.
“Did you turn the radio off?” she asked.
Jim hadn’t realized he had. He was leaning forward slightly now, which is a move every driver makes when they want their vehicle to behave better through posture alone.
A faint smell drifted in.
Hot. Metallic. Unmistakable.
“That smells… warm,” Carol said.
“That smells like brakes,” Jim replied.
He downshifted again. Engine braking helped, but gravity laughed politely and kept going. The SUV in the mirror looked perfectly content. Relaxed. Helpful in exactly zero ways.
Another curve. Jim pressed harder.
The brakes responded, but slower this time. The pedal traveled farther. Not dramatically. Just enough to be annoying.
Then it happened.
That moment when you realize your brakes aren’t getting worse all at once. They’re getting worse every single time you use them.
Heat builds. Friction drops. And brakes, much like people, get less effective the hotter and more stressed they become.
By now, Jim wasn’t tapping the brakes.
He was pressing them.
Firmly.
Respectfully.
“Is it supposed to feel like that?” Carol asked.
Jim didn’t answer. He pressed harder.
The RV slowed, but the pedal now felt like it was negotiating. Like it wanted a raise.
Another curve. Steeper. Jim pressed again.
This time, the pedal went farther than he expected.
He stomped.
Not a panic stomp. More of a “let’s all take this seriously now” stomp.
The coach slowed. Eventually.
The smell was no longer subtle.
Carol rolled down her window.
“That’s definitely brakes,” she said.
“Yep.”
Behind them, the SUV was doing what physics demanded. Every time Jim braked, the SUV gently but firmly reminded the RV that it existed. That it had mass. That it would like to continue forward, thank you very much.
Jim now had both hands locked on the wheel.
Every curve felt sharper. Every straightaway felt shorter. He began mentally ranking his priorities in life.
Spoiler: none of them involved saving brake pads.
The Turnout That Saved the Marriage
When a turnout finally appeared, Jim eased the coach toward it like he was docking a spaceship. Slow. Controlled. Deep breathing.
He stopped the RV and just sat there.
Neither of them moved.
The smell rolled past them in waves.
Carol finally broke the silence.
“Well,” she said, “that was exciting.”
Jim laughed. Not because it was funny. Because sometimes laughing is cheaper than therapy.
They stepped outside. Heat shimmered around the wheels. Everything looked fine. Nothing was on fire. Which felt like a win.
After a long pause, Jim said the sentence that officially ended the day’s optimism.
“I thought the RV brakes were enough.”
Carol nodded. “So did the SUV.”
They waited. Let things cool. Let their heart rates return to something resembling normal.
That night, instead of sightseeing, Jim researched tow braking systems while Carol found places that delivered dinner.
The Takeaway
If you flat-tow a vehicle, your RV brakes can’t do the job alone — especially on long downhill grades. As brakes heat up, they lose effectiveness, pedal travel increases, and stopping distances grow. A supplemental braking system on the towed vehicle reduces brake fade, improves control, and takes stress off your RV’s braking system.
This applies to new RVers and experienced RVers alike.
Portable Tow Vehicle Braking Systems (Our Focus)
Portable systems sit on the floor of the towed vehicle and can be moved from one car to another. They’re the most flexible option and ideal for RVers who change tow vehicles or want a non-permanent solution.
Leading Portable Braking Systems
Curt RVibrake 4 (Portable)
(Successor to earlier RVi systems)
Pros
Improved electronics over earlier RVi versions
Smooth, proportional braking
Faster response time than older models
very compact and easy to set up in the tow vehicle
Cons
Higher price point
Best for: RVers who want a modern, refined portable system and don’t mind paying for it.
Blue Ox Patriot (Portable)
Pros
Strong reputation and consistently good user feedback
Straightforward setup
Solid braking performance
Cons
Requires careful positioning each trip
Slight learning curve during initial setup
Best for: RVers who want a proven, well-reviewed portable system.
Roadmaster Portable Brake System
Pros
Simple, reliable operation
Good reputation for durability
Generally lower cost than premium models
Cons
Fewer advanced features
Less refined interface than newer systems
Best for: RVers who want dependable braking without extra complexity.
Our Recommendation (Portable Category)
If you want the best balance of reliability, ease of use, and real-world performance, we recommend a modern portable braking system over older designs.
Earlier RVi systems worked, but some users experienced control-unit issues. We used the earlier version and did experience some controller issues. After researching, we can recommend the new Version 4 of the Curt RViBrake.
The newer Curt RViBrake 4 addresses many of those shortcomings.
Blue Ox Patriot remains one of the most consistently well-reviewed portable systems on the market. We also have used an older version of this product, but found it incredibly bulky and difficult to set up.
If you value simplicity and proven reliability, Blue Ox Patriot is a safe choice.
If you want newer technology and refinement, Curt RVibrake 4 is worth serious consideration.
One Final Reminder
Braking systems aren’t about convenience.
They’re about control — especially when gravity decides to participate in your trip.
Jim and Carol were lucky.
You don’t need to be.
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