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Towing & Hitches#14 of 26 in Towing & Hitches

by Roadmaster

Roadmaster BrakeMaster Towed Vehicle Brake System

The Roadmaster BrakeMaster is a reliable, proportional supplemental braking system well suited for full-time RVers who frequently swap towed vehicles.

4.5
HitchHaven score4.5 out of 5 · our editorial rating
  • Portable proportional air-over-hydraulic braking system
  • Automatically applies towed vehicle brakes in sync with motorhome braking
  • Breakaway switch for emergency disconnect safety
  • No permanent modifications required to towed vehicle brake pedal
  • Digital monitor with audible and visual alerts inside motorhome
  • Compatible with most vehicles using vacuum or hydraulic brakes
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The verdict

The Roadmaster BrakeMaster is a reliable, proportional supplemental braking system well suited for full-time RVers who frequently swap towed vehicles. While the upfront investment and air line installation require effort, the safety benefits, smooth braking feel, and legal compliance make it a worthwhile addition for serious flat-towing setups.

Spec plate

Brake Type
Air-over-hydraulic proportional
Setup Time
Under 5 minutes
Compatibility
Most vacuum/hydraulic brake vehicles
Monitor
Digital in-cab display with alerts
Breakaway System
Included emergency switch

Pros & cons

What we like

  • Proportional braking reduces strain on motorhome's brakes
  • Easy to install and remove between tow vehicles
  • Works with wide range of vehicle makes and models
  • Meets most state supplemental braking law requirements
  • Durable construction built for frequent towing use
  • Clear in-cab monitor provides real-time diagnostics

What to watch

  • Higher upfront cost compared to basic brake systems
  • Requires air compressor system on motorhome
  • Some users report occasional sensor calibration issues
  • Bulkier unit takes up trunk or floor space
  • Installation of air lines on motorhome is labor intensive

Full review

The Roadmaster BrakeMaster towed vehicle brake system is a proportional, air-actuated braking solution designed for RV owners who flat tow a secondary vehicle behind their motorhome. Unlike simple cable-pull systems that apply a fixed amount of braking force regardless of how hard the driver presses the motorhome's brake pedal, the BrakeMaster uses the motorhome's own air brake system to deliver proportional braking to the towed car, truck, or SUV. This means that light pedal pressure from the driver translates into light braking at the towed vehicle, while harder braking sends a correspondingly stronger signal, giving the whole rig a smoother, more predictable stop that closely mimics how the towed vehicle would behave if it were being driven on its own.

Built specifically for motorhomes already equipped with air brakes, the BrakeMaster taps directly into that air supply rather than relying on a vacuum pump, surge mechanism, or onboard air compressor dedicated solely to towing duty. The system includes a control unit mounted in the towed vehicle, an air line connection back to the motorhome, and the hardware needed to actuate the toad's brake pedal in sync with the coach. Because it draws on the existing air brake architecture, installation integrates cleanly into rigs that already have the infrastructure, and the resulting setup is engineered to meet the braking force requirements that many states and RV safety standards call for when towing a dinghy vehicle behind a larger motorhome.

For RVers who spend long seasons on the road with a toad in tow, the BrakeMaster offers the kind of consistent, repeatable stopping performance that reduces strain on the motorhome's primary brakes and shortens overall stopping distances, particularly in mountainous terrain, heavy traffic, or emergency stop situations. Drivers benefit from a braking feel that stays steady trip after trip, without the lag or over-braking sometimes associated with inertia-based surge brakes. As part of the broader Roadmaster lineup of towing equipment, the BrakeMaster is intended to work alongside tow bars, baseplates, and supplemental braking accessories to create a complete, coordinated flat-towing setup, giving full-time and weekend RVers alike greater confidence every time they hook up the toad and head down the highway.

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