new member needs advice

[bench]

We will take delivery on a new camelot in early august and i have three questions I would appreciate advice on.

1. Which is the best surge protector to hardwire into the system? Will a 50 amp unit protect the motorhome when using 30 amp service?

2. Is the M&G brake system a good unit to cosider or are other superior?

3. Which campground guide is the best to use?

Thanks to all in advance for your help

[bench]

We will take delivery on a new camelot in early august and i have three questions I would appreciate advice on.

1. Which is the best surge protector to hardwire into the system? Will a 50 amp unit protect the motorhome when using 30 amp service?

2. Is the M&G brake system a good unit to cosider or are other superior?

3. Which campground guide is the best to use?

Thanks to all in advance for your help

[BigSkyBob]

Can't help with #1. I just installed the M&G brake system and I love it so far. I had a Roadmaster Evenbrake system that cost me new brake pads and rotors after 2000 miles. We use Woodall's Campground Guide mostly and the 2008 version just came out. I hope you love your Camelot as must as we love our 08 40PDQ.

[Lukeaa]

Welcome to the Monaco forum.

1. I have this 50 amp surge protector on my 2007 Diplomat. It works great and protects any amp service coming into your RV via your shore power cable. http://www.progressiveindustries.net/ems_lchw50c.htm
2. Auxillary Toad Brake System

3. www.rvparkreviews.com I have thrown my Woodall's away.

[MonacoMama]

bench...we are all excited for your new delivery in a couple of months!
To answer your questions...<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>1.Many people recommend the Progressive Industries brand in this thread...<LI>2. I know SacsTC did a bunch of research.. I went with the M&G. <LI>3.I use the same as Luke along with our own Campground Reviews here on iRV2...[/list]
Please keep us posted on the status of your delivery!

MM

[The Danes Are Coming]

Hi bench

One vote for Progressive Industry's surge protector - I use this on our coach. Easy to install and easy to use.

A STRONG vote for US Gear's tow brake - read this http://www.usgear.cc/magazine/USGear.pdf - because it is so easy to use. You also don't need any "break box" inside your toad cabin. I.e. you don't have to move anything about all the time. I believe that all Monaco coaches are pre-wired for this brake system.

I don't know anything about good campground guides - sorry.

The Great Dane

[Greg from Almanor]

bench, I recommend the M&G system. I installed it on my Jeep Wrangler and included the optional break-away back up system. I ordered it directly from them and saved a few bucks that way. Installation wasn't too tough, but when a had a question or two, they were more than happy to walk you through the process. I've put several thousand miles on it and no issues. It is far easier to pop off an air line than to move a floor mounted box in the toad. I have an '07 Cayman that required connecting a line from one of the rear brake air pods to the rear of the coach. (The salesman where I bought the unit showed me an air port at the rear and said that it was already plumbed for an air powered tow. Wrong! This is the air bleed. ) have fun with the new coach.

[Robin_M]

Bench,

I strongly agree with both of the Great Dane's recommendations. I also have both installed, and am very plesed with the performance and ease of use of both systems. As GD stated, your coach will come with a trailer brake harness pre-installed from the rear cap to the cockpit, which makes motorhome installation a snap.

While I have no first hand experience with the M&G brake system, like the US Gear System, everyone who uses the M&G gives it high praise. so they BOTH must be good systems. There is a newer contender on the market which seems to also get high marks among its users... The Air Force One system by SMI. I'd check all three and see which seems to make the most sense for your needs.

Luke, thanks for the lead about rvparkreviews.com. I use Woodall's but I haven't seen that site before. It looks like a very good resource.

[Sixpack98]

I have the M&G installed with the breakaway and toad brake activation light. It has been a great system and very simple to connect and disconnect. It is a inline system so make sure you have room between the master cylinder and vacuum boost. Some vehicles are pretty tight. No personal experience with the SMI but have heard VERY positive reports. Whatever you choose make sure it is a true proportional system, otherwise you run the risk of too much or too little braking which can be dangerous.

WRT campground reviews, look at
http://www.rvparkreviews.com/index.html as well as IRV2. Another good site is Trailer Life. Also, consider purchasing the Big Rig guide, it has saved our bacon on several occasions.
http://www.big-rigs-rv.com/

Not only does it list parks they have certified as big rig capable but also big rig friendly fuel stops and restraurants. The "Next Exit" guide is more comprehensive wrt fuel stops but not restraurants.

I built my own Surge guard and power tester/manager but if I were to buy one it would be the Progressive Industries. To my knowledge they are the only one that really monitors and protects against open neutral. Others say they do but after the fact which is often too late. The Progressive Ind will test before L1 and L2 are connected to the coach.

[kealpa]

Welcome to the forum.

We have an older SMI Stay & Play(not the DUO). We've had very good performance, and great customer service. Did the install myself; was somewhat time consuming, but not too difficult. If I were to change, I think I would probably go with the SMI Airforce.

We had a hardwired Surge Guard on a previous coach; like others, I think I will install a Progressive on our current coach.

We've used both the Trailer Life and the Woodalls guides. Six of one, half dozen of the other.

[Duffy's Dad]

I have a 2009 Camelot and use the Progressive Industries surge protector EMS version. Yes the 50 amp covers all loads under 50 amps as well.

I just installed the M&G system and love it. On our other coach we had a RoadMaster BrakePro. There is no comparison. I did some research and decided on the M&G based on what I had read others have said about the system and my dealer recommended it as the best.

DW usually handles the campground info and she used Woodall's in the past\, but found the info outdated in too many instances and has now switched to Trailer Life.

What size and floorplan did you choose?

Good Luck

[Digital Boy]

(1) I have the 50 amp Progressive Industries EMS hardwired in my power compartment.

The 50 amp power chord is wired to one side of the EMS. A short male 50 amp chord to the other side. I then can plug that male chord into either my 50 amp Hughes Autoformer or directly into a female 50 amp recepticle attached to the power converter.

I have learned, though, to keep the Autoformer in-line always.

(2) I can't comment on the M&G as I have always used Brake Buddy.

(3) I'm traveling with the Trailer Life (2005) directory. However, I mainly use Woodalls.com, PassportAmerica.com and occasionally KOA.com.

Since purchasing Microsoft Streets & Trips, I generally find campgrounds along my route with S&T then do further research online. I rarely open my Trailer Life directory.

[Les Stallings]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bench:

3. Which campground guide is the best to use?

Thanks to all in advance for your help </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
"Big Rigs":

http://www.big-rigs-rv.com/