Tiffin Allegro RED Brake Pedal

[The Renegade]

Went and test drove a Tiffin Allegro RED a few weeks ago and something happened which was kind of embarrasing but time to let it out to see if it has happened to anyone else or just me.

I left the dealership parking lot and was headed to a busy 4 way intersection. As I got close and needed to start braking, I reached over with my right foot and could not find the brake pedal. I kept searching but could not find it. Yep right out into the intersection I coasted and a couple cars had to dodge me. The brake pedal is identical to fuel pedal and both are floor mounted. Not sure if I was only catching half way up on the brake or what. Test drove the Newmar Ventana LE and it had a regular pedal as my truck.

Made it through the incident with no horns blowing and no fingers getting thrown at me but just wanting to know if any one else has had similar problem with brake pedal and does it go away after driving for a while?

[RedRover37BA]

We picked up our Red in October. First time I drove it had a bit of an adjustment to get used to the location of the brake pedal but after a few miles of driving it was fine. Best of luck with your RV decision!

[cvd]

How did you get out of the parking lot without having pushed the brake pedal a time or two. Thinking about it, wasn't your foot on the brake when you released the parking brakes?

[alank]

I'll agree with what you said about the truck style pedals. There's no difference in the feel of them so it's hard to tell which one you're on, two years now and I still don't like them. Wish my chassis would have been ordered with the automotive style pedals. I've made some modifications on mine so they aren't so bad, but still don't like them.

[UTTransplant]

Getting used to the truck style pedals was a pain, but after 7000 miles and 8 months I have no problem. You will get used to them.

[JohnH12]

Originally Posted by alank

I'll agree with what you said about the truck style pedals. There's no difference in the feel of them so it's hard to tell which one you're on, two years now and I still don't like them. Wish my chassis would have been ordered with the automotive style pedals. I've made some modifications on mine so they aren't so bad, but still don't like them.

How did you modify the pedals?

After a short period most folks get used to the floor mounted pedals.
Press the go pedal low, with your toes and the slow/stop pedal high up with your whole foot pressing at the top.

[The Renegade]

Originally Posted by cvd

How did you get out of the parking lot without having pushed the brake pedal a time or two. Thinking about it, wasn't your foot on the brake when you released the parking brakes?

Yes I hit the brakes to engage transmission and release air but never had to hit them again till the intersection. Its kinda hard to explain how they work but they are really close together and identical. As far as just reaching over with your foot as normal its really difficult to feel the pedal. As I was test driving I kept letting off fuel and making sure I could find it. I know it sounds dumb but its something to get used to for me.

[alank]

Originally Posted by JohnH12

How did you modify the pedals?

After a short period most folks get used to the floor mounted pedals.
Press the go pedal low, with your toes and the slow/stop pedal high up with your whole foot pressing at the top.

First off let me say I'm a two foot driver, left on brake, right on gas. OK, I know that is not considered correct, but I'm not going to change, so flame away.

My pedals stand too straight up, not a comfortable ankle angle while driving. To help with this I have trimmed a 2x4 to fit across the pedal bases and attached it to the pedal pins. Painted black and all fancied up so it looks it may have been meant to be there. I rest my heel on it and this results in a much more comfortable position while driving. Others here on the forum have reported of having done the same type thing.

My pedals are to the right of the steering column and even, can't tell if you're on the fuel, brake or in the middle pushing on both. I like resting my heel on the floor (my 2x4) and rotating my foot from the fuel to the brake without lifting my foot or leg. Much less effort and quicker reaction time if needed.

Shortly after we got the coach, I fabricated a tab on the right side of the fuel pedal that clamps on, across the back of the pedal. When I rotate my foot to the right and hit the tab, I know my foot is properly centered on the fuel pedal. I have done the same thing on the left side of the brake pedal. Rotate your foot to the left and hit the left tab, no question what you're going to push down on.

In town where there can be a lot of brake/fuel action, I can operate with my left foot on the brake although it's a rather awkward position. Which shoes I'm wearing at the time also affects how easy it is to do this.

[The Renegade]

Originally Posted by alank

First off let me say I'm a two foot driver, left on brake, right on gas. OK, I know that is not considered correct, but I'm not going to change, so flame away.

My pedals stand too straight up, not a comfortable ankle angle while driving. To help with this I have trimmed a 2x4 to fit across the pedal bases and attached it to the pedal pins. Painted black and all fancied up so it looks it may have been meant to be there. I rest my heel on it and this results in a much more comfortable position while driving. Others here on the forum have reported of having done the same type thing.

My pedals are to the right of the steering column and even, can't tell if you're on the fuel, brake or in the middle pushing on both. I like resting my heel on the floor (my 2x4) and rotating my foot from the fuel to the brake without lifting my foot or leg. Much less effort and quicker reaction time if needed.

Shortly after we got the coach, I fabricated a tab on the right side of the fuel pedal that clamps on, across the back of the pedal. When I rotate my foot to the right and hit the tab, I know my foot is properly centered on the fuel pedal. I have done the same thing on the left side of the brake pedal. Rotate your foot to the left and hit the left tab, no question what you're going to push down on.

In town where there can be a lot of brake/fuel action, I can operate with my left foot on the brake although it's a rather awkward position. Which shoes I'm wearing at the time also affects how easy it is to do this.

I understand exactly what your saying about the tabs you made and thats a great idea for this problem.

[JohnH12]

Originally Posted by alank

First off let me say I'm a two foot driver, left on brake, right on gas. OK, I know that is not considered correct, but I'm not going to change, so flame away.

My pedals stand too straight up, not a comfortable ankle angle while driving. To help with this I have trimmed a 2x4 to fit across the pedal bases and attached it to the pedal pins. Painted black and all fancied up so it looks it may have been meant to be there. I rest my heel on it and this results in a much more comfortable position while driving. Others here on the forum have reported of having done the same type thing.

My pedals are to the right of the steering column and even, can't tell if you're on the fuel, brake or in the middle pushing on both. I like resting my heel on the floor (my 2x4) and rotating my foot from the fuel to the brake without lifting my foot or leg. Much less effort and quicker reaction time if needed.

Shortly after we got the coach, I fabricated a tab on the right side of the fuel pedal that clamps on, across the back of the pedal. When I rotate my foot to the right and hit the tab, I know my foot is properly centered on the fuel pedal. I have done the same thing on the left side of the brake pedal. Rotate your foot to the left and hit the left tab, no question what you're going to push down on.

In town where there can be a lot of brake/fuel action, I can operate with my left foot on the brake although it's a rather awkward position. Which shoes I'm wearing at the time also affects how easy it is to do this.

I like the idea with the tabs.
Pics would be great.

As far as the 2x4, I had a problem with my heel catching on the tile so I put a piece of 1/4" plywood to cover the gap between the tile and pedals. I also put a small piece of rubber mat down with some double sided tape to make it all smooth.
We're headed to Red Bay this weekend and the tile/pedal gap is on the list for them to look at. It seems to me that the tile should extend closer to the pedals.

[The Renegade]

Originally Posted by JohnH12

I like the idea with the tabs.
Pics would be great.

As far as the 2x4, I had a problem with my heel catching on the tile so I put a piece of 1/4" plywood to cover the gap between the tile and pedals. I also put a small piece of rubber mat down with some double sided tape to make it all smooth.
We're headed to Red Bay this weekend and the tile/pedal gap is on the list for them to look at. It seems to me that the tile should extend closer to the pedals.

John,
Please check out all options for us while you are in Red Bay please sir and give us an update when you can. After doing some more research i know there have been others who have talked to the factory about this so maybe they have some options by now.

[Winemaker2]

Mine are also nearly identical but the brake is just to the right of the steering col and I find it helps to use that as a "stop" or location indicator making sure I can sense the col when shifting foot from accelerator to brake.

[alank]

Here’s the tabs I added to the Freightliner truck pedals. Sure wish the chassis would have been ordered with the automotive style pedal setup, but that was done way ahead of my involvement.
Sorry, thought I got the picture upright, but you’ll get the idea.

[Dutch Star Don]

I did something similar on my Diplomat. It had regular pedals, but there was a big gap between the throttle and the center console (DP). I added a nice looking block to the side of the center console. When I came off the brake, I just slid my foot over to the right until I hit the block. I knew I was now centered over the throttle.

The same can be done with the truck style brakes. Making a bracket to fit the pedal is a good way to go, but may be difficult for some to design and attach. I would just do the same thing with the brake pedal and place a block to the left. It could be securely mounted to the steering column or bolted to the floor.