Best Supplemental Braking System for 2013 Honda Fit Towed by Motorhome With Hydraulic Brakes
Question:
I also did some Internet research and I like the "SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO", however, it appears the if the actuator is attached to brake pedal of my 2013 Honda Fit as shown in the pics and video of installations that my size 10-1/2 shoe will not fit between the floor and the actuator. Do you know (or I should I ask the manufacturer direct) if the actuator can be attached high on the brake pedal arm and still function properly? If it will fit or work up high, I'm sold! If my shoe will not fit, is there another reliable permanent mount system that supplies vacuum to the brake boost system? I like the idea of applying vacuum to the towed car brake system to make braking easier. Are these vacuum assist systems suitable options? Brakebuddy Stealth: actuator is pretty large, may not fit in my Honda Fit. Your comments? InvisiBrake may fit. Your comments? Any others to consider?
asked by: Kendall B
Helpful Expert Reply:
Thanks for the kind words about the site and you can definitely get everything you need in order to flat tow your 2013 Honda Fit, including the supplemental braking system when you are flat towing it with your motorhome that has hydraulic brakes and not air brakes.
Let's talk about the best and most reliable system, which is the Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System # SM99251. This is a permanently mounted system that uses a vacuum pump, and though you mentioned a fraying cable, I can say with all honesty this is not a problem we have encountered. I went through all the reviews and searched our Q&As and could not find any reference to a problem like this.
The Stay-IN-Play has a fantastic reputation and I recommend it not only because of its reliability, but because it is unique in that it is a proportional system. What this means is that it has an inertia sensor so that your Fit's brakes will be activated with the same intensity as your motorhome. This is in contrast to other systems which have a pre-set braking power and put out far more braking pressure than is necessary. I have added a link to a video review of the Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System # SM99251 as well as a link to an install on a Honda Fit for you to take a look at.
In case you need it, here are the other parts I recommend for flat-towing your 2013 Honda Fit:
- Base Plate Kit: Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit # 521190-1
- Tow Bar: Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar # RM-520
- Safety Chains: RoadMaster 68" Single Hook, Coiled Safety Cables # RM-643
- Wiring Kit: Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15267
- Roadmaster FuseMaster Fuse Bypass - 13" - 20-Amp Mini-Fuse # RM76511
- Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles # RM-88400
You may also need a high-low adapter in order to keep your Fit level, and I've added a link to a help article which shows you how to determine if you need an adapter as well as a link to our selection of adapters. Additionally, I have added links to instruction manuals, video reviews and installations for you to take a look at.
Products Referenced in This Question
Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Roadmaster
more information >
Brake Buddy Stealth Supplemental Braking System - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- One Time Set-Up
- Fixed System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Brake Buddy
more information >
Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Splices into Vehicle Wiring
- Diode Kit
- Universal
- Tail Light Mount
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Steel
- 6000 lbs
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Crossbar
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Direct Connect
- Stores on RV
- Standard
- Roadmaster
more information >
RoadMaster 68" Single Hook, Coiled Safety Cables - 6,000 lbs
- Safety Cables
- Coiled Cables
- 68 Inch Long
- 6000 lbs GTW
- Snap Hooks
- Coated Cables
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster InvisiBrake Flat Tow Brake System - Preset
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Pre-Set System
- One Time Set-Up
- Fixed System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Light Relay
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster FuseMaster Fuse Bypass - 13" - 20-Amp Mini-Fuse
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Bypasses Vehicle Wiring
- Fuse Bypass
- Custom
- Mini Fuse
- Engine Compartment
- Roadmaster
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- One Time Set-Up
- Fixed System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Demco
more information >
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Kendall B.
10/23/2019
I also did some Internet research and I like the "SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO", however, it appears the if the actuator is attached to brake pedal of my 2013 Honda Fit as shown in the pics and video of installations that my size 10-1/2 shoe will not fit between the floor and the actuator. Do you know (or I should I ask the manufacturer direct) if the actuator can be attached high on the brake pedal arm and still function properly? If it will fit or work up high, I'm sold! If my shoe will not fit, is there another reliable permanent mount system that supplies vacuum to the brake boost system? I like the idea of applying vacuum to the towed car brake system to make braking easier. Are these vacuum assist systems suitable options? Brakebuddy Stealth: actuator is pretty large, may not fit in my Honda Fit. Your comments? InvisiBrake may fit. Your comments? Any others to consider?