CaptArt
Ashland, MA, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2002
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I haven't seen many postings for the Brake Buddy Vantage (proportional). I don't know if this is good or bad. I've had a Brake Buddy Classic for five years, and I've not no problems. I want to upgrade to the Vantage. Brake Buddy will offer a trade-in allowance for the old Brake Buddy. I'm looking for any info on the reliability and effectiveness of the Vantage system.
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Gonnacall
WV
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Joined: 02/02/2007
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No issues yet, lost communications with the remote once or twice, but that's been about it.
2001 Journey DL - Cat 330
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webhannet
Southern Coastal Maine
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Joined: 08/09/2004
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If you research the forum, you'll find some of us who bought the Vantage feel there's a pattern in our being ripped-off and poorly treated by BB. I assume you're referring to the Vantage SELECT - the newest model.
With the way I've been lied to by BB in an attempt to sell the original Vantage model (which was made for only a short time as they cobbled together the Select model), the "new" BB (the company was sold!) has lost ALL credibility and former good reputation with me.
It has been an expensive and unhappy purchase. The remote is poorly designed - the single battery doesn't last one day - it is totally unreliable since the "low battery indicator" blinks for only a few seconds before the unit dies (and it looks as it did while it is operating!) - BB gives no support beyond silly explanations and suggestions. Frankly, it's the lying "support" that's more troublesome than the unit itself (plus, they kept "working" me until the 30 day return period was ended) - that's why I suggest you look elsewhere.
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The Texan
Summer: A Cool Climate Winter: A Warm Climate
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Joined: 01/16/2004
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As a long time BB owner, 10+ years, I hate to say this, but be careful. Since the company has been sold and moved to Kansas, the customer service has run hot and cold. They have treated me fair with the repairs on my old metal box system, but have friends that have been treated like scum by the same company with their newer units. I like my BB, but will not buy a new one, as long as the current owner is involved in the manufacture and customer service.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 
FMCA #F203528
'05 HR Endeavor, 40PRQ (Our Home) w/400 Cummins - With -'05 GMC Sierra SLT, CC Z-71, the pusher- With -
'07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher -
Our Current Location
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Lee8751
Breckenridge,CO
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Joined: 04/25/2002
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I sent my older BB in because the air regulator was stuck open and would not build up pressure. They said easy fix with new regulator. They got it and called to say along with the regulator the circuit board was also fried. Now how can a stuck open regulator fry a circuit board. I say they shorted the board out while replacing the regulator. But I had to pay for the new regulator and a new circuit board. I miss the original owners of the company. The new ones are not customer friendly.
02 HR 40Endeavor DST with Jeep GC toad
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wshrman
Orange, Ca.
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Joined: 05/26/2003
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As a former distributor for BB under the old company, KEEP THE CLASSIC.
They were for the most part trouble free. I personally have never subscribed to the proportional idea for toad brakes, a position the old owners held.
2000 Rexhall Roseair 3450 V10, GearVendor, AutoFormer
2001 Ranger, Remco, BRAKEbuddy
Belgian Sheepdogs, Blazer & Chayna
Shareholder Pismo Coast Village
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lmcgill
Vancouver BC Canada
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Joined: 01/26/2007
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I was upgraded to the Select, works very well, they have a new remote that looks better then the old clunky Vantage one. They have been very good to deal with, I had several issues this summer and was looked after very well. The first Vantage gave me numerous problems, I actually had 3 of them all with problems. The break away switch was also poor, it lets in water and locks the breaks on. Warped all my rotors on my Jeep Commander, but BB covered the costs. The new Select seems much improved even in the break away switch.
07 Fleetwood Discovery 39S
07 Jeep Commander (toad)
07 Four Winns 21ft speed boat
twins boy girl age 8
me 45 wife 41
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LuvinRetirement
Leavenworth, WA
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Joined: 03/04/2003
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This topic is timely for me since I am thinking of buying a Vantage Select for our 2008 Honda CRV toad. The comments regarding BB's customer service being bad have made me reconsider that purchase. And the reliability must be poor if it took 3 units to finally get one that worked correctly. Hmmmmm?
Does anyone else have experience with the new Select model (The more inputs, the better)?
Also, does anyone know what the delay time is between applying the motorhome brakes vs when the Select applies the toad brakes?
-Dick
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lmcgill
Vancouver BC Canada
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Joined: 01/26/2007
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LuvinRetirement wrote:This topic is timely for me since I am thinking of buying a Vantage Select for our 2008 Honda CRV toad. The comments regarding BB's customer service being bad have made me reconsider that purchase. And the reliability must be poor if it took 3 units to finally get one that worked correctly. Hmmmmm?
Does anyone else have experience with the new Select model (The more inputs, the better)?
Also, does anyone know what the delay time is between applying the motorhome brakes vs when the Select applies the toad brakes?
-Dick
Hey, the hill into Leavenworth is where I had my brakes come on with water and slush getting into them last October! We are going to be at the Icicle River Campsite October 10th weekend, come and say hi.
Don't get me wrong, the break buddy is a great unit, I just had a few unlucky problems. They will treat you right and make sure you are happy. I tried the new Select up to Whistler last week and it worked great. I use it on the proportional and noticed it came on just a couple times under hard breaking. It is the law in BC, and I didn't want to tap into my new MH or the Jeep, the brake buddy does the job.
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rdalcanto
Salt Lake City
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Joined: 08/17/2008
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Does the remote on the new select tell you when the unit in the toad is pushing the brake pedal?
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