Community Forums

MutinyGuy · 07-23-2016, 07:26 AM

when my brakes are engaged in my Toad? I have no visual light that tells me my toad's brakes are being engaged...I have an SMI Stay N Play and would like to have a light somewhere on the dash that would illuminate when I brake the Motorhome...I assume this is would not be too "difficult" to install.
Thanks for your input!

bdickson · 07-23-2016, 07:50 AM

I found the following on the etrailer web site at SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System - Proportional SMI Tow Bar Braking Systems SM99251

Quote:

Built-In Safety Features
Most supplemental braking systems have methods of letting you know you when the system itself is activated, regardless of whether the towed car's brake pedal is depressed. Such setups leave opportunities for false notification. The Stay-IN-Play DUO's system is different. This system's LED monitor connects to your towed car's brake light switch. When your car's brake light goes on or off, so does the notification light. So you can tell whether your car's brake pedal is depressed.

You can install the monitor light on your RV's dash, or you can save time by attaching the monitor light to the back of the rearview mirror of the towed vehicle. This way you can see the light from your RV's backup camera or rearview mirror. The system includes the necessary parts for either installation method.

Note: If the towed car's brake lights do not illuminate when its engine is off, then a stop light switch kit (sold separately) is required for proper notification.

Maybe the warning light was not installed on your toad?

Selah · 07-23-2016, 08:58 AM

The Stay in Play should have come with an LED light and a Velcro strip that allows you to attach the LED to the back of the toad rear view mirror.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 07-23-2016, 09:04 AM

MutinyGuy-

Several of us have use the trailer electric brake pin/wire to carry the brake activation signal between toad and coach dash. If you have a 6- or 7-pin cable and matching connectors on toad and coach it's not too hard to do. If you decide not to do the SMI LED-on-the-toad-mirror thing, let us know and we'll provide details.

MutinyGuy · 07-23-2016, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

MutinyGuy-

Several of us have use the trailer electric brake pin/wire to carry the brake activation signal between toad and coach dash. If you have a 6- or 7-pin cable and matching connectors on toad and coach it's not too hard to do. If you decide not to do the SMI LED-on-the-toad-mirror thing, let us know and we'll provide details.

Yes I would rather have a light on the dash area then have to looks at the camera...
I am in the process of purchasing a 09 WGO Tour so I believe it has a 7 pin socket so could use one of those wires just need to find out where they terminate.
Thanks for any help you can provide!!

MutinyGuy · 07-23-2016, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdickson

I found the following on the etrailer web site at SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System - Proportional SMI Tow Bar Braking Systems SM99251Maybe the warning light was not installed on your toad?

Correct...it was never installed though I still have the light in my bag

wigginsjsr · 07-24-2016, 10:15 AM

I ran a wire from the Duo to my dash and installed a light that shows when the toad brakes are engaged. Works right off the standard wire already on the Duo.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 07-24-2016, 02:19 PM

MutinyGuy-

Here are the instructions in short form.

1) Extend the brake notification light wire from the brake switch to the 6- or 7-pin connector on your toad.
2) Wire it to the "electric brake" pin. I call this the "blue wire." See this link for the pin position for your connector.
3) Find the end of the electric brake controller wire under your dash.
4) Test for continuity between the pin on your coach's connector and the wire under the dash.
5) Add a 12V LED or bulb to the wire under the dash.
6) Connect coach and toad with the 6- or 7-wire cable.
7) Step on the brake pedal in the toad- LED or bulb should light.

There are assumptions buried in this, and you may have some trouble finding the connector under the dash, and there are construction details that can make things very neat (no wire splicing required), but these are the "short form" instructions!

August West · 07-25-2016, 08:56 AM

If you don't want to trouble yourself with running a wire to the head of the coach, SMI has an option for you.
It is called the Wireless Coachlink Notification kit and some dealers will not sell a unit without it.

Dutch Star Don · 07-25-2016, 11:25 AM

"MutinyGuy"......I like having a hard wired light on my dash. You can only have so many RF transmitters sending things around your coach. If you run a tire monitor system, the more RF signals you have, such as the remote light system suggested, can interfere with the tire sensors. As stated, you can use the back up light lead or run a separate lead. I've always found a need for at least a couple of extra wires running the length of the coach, so I just run 3 along the frame and stub them off up front for future use.

When I wire my toads, I use a six pin plug so that I have plenty of extra wires available for things like the dash light. I use one of the domed shape LED lights that you drill a hole and push in. They are available on Amazon. I like that when I hook up the toad, I can step on my toad brakes, see the light come on and know that my system is working before I take off. Here is a photo of mine, located to the left of my rear camera.

August West · 07-25-2016, 11:42 AM

Just an FYI, The new Wireless Coachlink from SMI runs on a 900 mHz signal so it will not get interference from any other coach systems.

MutinyGuy · 07-30-2016, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MutinyGuy

when my brakes are engaged in my Toad? I have no visual light that tells me my toad's brakes are being engaged...I have an SMI Stay N Play and would like to have a light somewhere on the dash that would illuminate when I brake the Motorhome...I assume this is would not be too "difficult" to install.
Thanks for your input!

Thanks for all of the input! I installed the LED light on my toad yesterday that is mounted on the back of the rear view mirror. The biggest issue was doing work under the dash...feel like a contortionist!
Will take the toad over to where I have my MH stored and determine if I can actually see the LED when the brakes are engaged...if it works out OK then great...otherwise I 'll extend the light into the cab of the MH!