M&G Engineering vs SMI AFO

[37driver]

"His comment about the AFO was he gets a number of complaints about the lack of brake pedal adjustment and the loss of vacuum after a number of sequential brake applications. As it was explained when the vacuum is gone the brake booster no longer functions and the servo cannot provide sufficient pressure to effectively operate the toad brakes. Apparently the venturi/pressure unit in the toad under some circumstances cannot keep up the the vacuum demand of the toad power brake booster. This MAY be as a result of incorrect brake application of the coach driver."


I think I would give SMI a call and ask them about this. There is a lot of misinformation floating around about the Air Force One from folks who no nothing about it. Why would anyone complain about brake pedal adjustment when none is required with this system? It's directly proportional to the brake pedal in the coach.

[loisjop]

Originally Posted by RoadNomads

a few Questions; can you explain the critical adjustment on the M&G, also as I understand it the brake lights on the toad is provided by the toad itself by the depression of the servo on the brake pedal.

The M&G requires a bulb kit (or wiring diode kit) for tail, brake and turn signals powered by the coach, a little extra work but seems worthwhile.

Finally, these are the 2 kit requirements and costs:

AFO $999.95 Full kit (brake light only)
$99.00 Toad Wiring Kit (diode interface kit) not really required unless you want full lighting
$Free shipping

M&G $640.00 Base kit
$195.00 Breakaway kit
$ 35.00 Air line
$ 74.95 Alert kit (installs a toad brake monitor in the coach)
$ 53.95 Wiring kit (provides brake, parking, and turn signals)
$ Plus shipping

Comparing the 2 kits with the same capabilities the M&G is more expensive (especially when you add the shipping costs)

I asked the dealer locally about both units and the problems he has seen. He could not provide any negative comments other then the M&G was a pain to install because of having to reposition the master cylinder. His comment about the AFO was he gets a number of complaints about the lack of brake pedal adjustment and the loss of vacuum after a number of sequential brake applications. As it was explained when the vacuum is gone the brake booster no longer functions and the servo cannot provide sufficient pressure to effectively operate the toad brakes. Apparently the venturi/pressure unit in the toad under some circumstances cannot keep up the the vacuum demand of the toad power brake booster. This MAY be as a result of incorrect brake application of the coach driver. Would like to see some comments on this.

Finally, no one where I live wants to install the M&G, this is not the case with the AFO so if I do go with the M&G I will have to do it myself! Or take a trip down to Texas. Being a reasonable mechanic I would not be opposed to working on the Liberty, its screwing around with the Coach air brake lines that gives me the weebee jeebies.

Thanks for all the GREAT comments!
Dan

The critical adjustment is in the M&G unit. When you install it between the vacuum booster and the master cylinder the unit has to be adjusted to the point it will have sufficient travel with the brake pedal to apply the brakes, but not push on the master cylinder when brakes are released.
I have not heard of or experienced an instances where the AFO didn't apply the brakes on the toad. I have observed the pedal on several occasions while the DW operated the MH brakes and never saw a problem.
Like I said in my opinion they are both good units and require pretty much the same set up on the coach side, but the AFO is just less hassle to install or move from one vehicle to another.