Roadmaster 8700 InvisiBrake Hidden Brake System

I have been very happy with the Invisibrake. We have traveled about 1000 miles since install and it has worked well. Installation is not for the non-handyman and you should have a pretty good knowledge of your auto. I would also recommend that once you have decided were you want to install the brake in your auto disassemble everything in the car that needs to be removed than do a complete run through of the installation instructions and make sure everything will fit where you though it would and that it can be secured were you want it secured. The reason I recommend this is I thought I had completed the installation of the brake system cleaned up and secured my wire runs and sealed the grommet in the firewall when I focused on the brake light that gets installed in your RV. Well that wire has to run through the fire wall of your auto and connect to the cold side of your brake switch and that wire should have been run through the fire wall with all the other wires. So after kicking myself its back under the pick-up you get the picture.Once the brake installation was complete I had my wife drive the RV with Pick-up in tow around the local high school parking lot. I was in the pick-up to confirm the brake operation and to adjust the pressure.The main reason I chose the Invisibrake is because of the permanent installation. Should something happen to me while camping and my wife needs to move the RV and tow she will not need to struggle with the brake, just plug the 7 pin to 6 pin connector and break away switch and the brake system is ready.This system will also trickle charge your tow battery. I have seen friends arrive at camp grounds and their tow has a dead battery caused by the brake they choose.One thing I have found since the installation is that when I use the exhaust brake on the RV it must turn on the RV brake lights because the Invivibrake activates which helps slow us down when approaching red lights or in downhill situations. The Invisibrake does shut down after 20 seconds so you will need to get the exhaust brake to deactivate in order to get the Invisibrake to activate again. Could be an issue on long downhill runs.One issue I had and almost made me rate the Invisibrake at 4 stars was at least 6 different parts were missing from the parts bag. Both vacuum T's were missing and this delayed the installation. I first contacted Roadmaster since this over site was theirs. Once they found that I had used Amazon they would not help me. Now some of you may agree with this but I think when your name is on a 900 dollar product and a customer receives a less than perfect product, especially because you sell these parts separately on your web page, it would have been very simple for you to take my list and provide those products. Instead I had to go to Amazon and ask for a return authorization and have them send me another Invisibrake so I could pillage the parts I needed.So Roadmaster gets 3 starsThe Invisibrake gets 5 starsAmazon gets 5 stars

Installation was pretty straight forward. Be sure to do ALL of "before installing," procedures.I installed in a 2003 Chevy Tracker. Mounted controller/compressor under driver's seat. Brake actuator cylinder is directly behind the controller/compressor. The cylinder needs to be rather close as the actuator cable is a short fixed length.After installation and adjustment, we went out for a 2300 mile trip to LA, Las Vegas, Cedar City, Utah, then back home. We are very satisfied with the performance of the brake especially during sudden stops and down hill.However, about 2/3 of the way on the trip, the TOAD battery went dead. Didn't have a battery charger with us so waited until we were home to charge it. After charging, the battery was dead the next morning. Long story short, the Invisibrake developed a short circuit within the unit.I called Roadmaster and the tech support person helped me troubleshoot the system. Defective unit confirmed and they are sending a new unit.The tech support person informed me that Amazon is NOT an authorized dealer. Even though the Amazon site says the product is sold by Amazon, it is actually sold by Keystone, through Amazon. I believe that this is misrepresentation by Amazon. I could be wrong but, it is what it is. Also, the product is not in stock at Amazon, it is drop-shipped directly from RoadMaster in Vancouver, Washington. I actually received the InvisiBrake 2 days after I placed the order. I live just 6 hours drive from Vancouver.Bottom line: I like the InvisiBrake but am bothered by the way Amazon presents that they sell the product which, is untrue. Amazon uses Keystone to sell the products.Good news though, RoadMaster is making good on their product.EDIT: I received and installed the replacement InvisiBrake. I performed a test and found that the 5.78 miliamp draw is present in the new unit. I performed a voltage drop test and found that the battery is dropping by .5 volts per hour. In 8 hours the battery would be around 9 volts which would cause a no start situation. I have informed Road Master. I am thinking about putting a 30 amp relay in that would disconnect the battery from the InvisiBrake controller. If I do that, I will update this review.

A little more difficult to install than I thought. (cable/cylinder).... Plan on spending a little more time to get it right. Unit works good, hassle free,and completely hidden. Best part is nothing to deal with when unhooking for a short trip while "over-nighting" somewhere. Roadmaster products have never disappointed, I cannot imagine this will either.2500 miles later, This was worth every dollar I spent and every minute it took to install. Unit operated flawlessly on every road/condition we had it on. Felt totally safe., long elevation drops where controlled with initial braking and unit releasing brakes after 45 sec to prevent brake overheating, even if "Jake Brake" on coach stayed on longer. We stopped in Cody Wyoming, unhooked and looked around while coach was parked. not hassling with a brake system was extra nice.... just unhook tow bar and go..... hook up bar and go again. No adjusting, moving brake device.... nothing.