Community Forums

TBray · 04-03-2016, 09:21 AM

For starters, we "upgraded" from a 44 year old Airstream to our Fleetwood. I have a deep appreciation of brake controllers, trailer brakes, and how much fun it is to get them set correctly.

My first goal is to have a reliable braking system without completely voiding the warranty on my new Wrangler. I have looked at most of the systems and at the moment both the Unified Tow Brake and the Stay-In-Play systems look good since both pretty much rely on just the brake signal.

Regardless of the system, how do they get adjusted so the brakes on the toad don't lock up trying to stop the RV or not doing anything because they are set too soft? How do you test this, either before a trip or during it?

I know that the toad brakes are secondary to the RV compared to the Airstream where they were a major component of the system. But I am used to having the controller accessible and being able to test that the brakes work properly and adjust them as needed.

Thanks

l1v3fr33ord1 · 04-03-2016, 09:35 AM

TBray-

The Stay-in-Play Duo uses an inertia sensor in addition to the brake light signal. You adjust the sensor via a lever on the control box, in the toad.

Here's a link to the product page at SMI.

avid_dk · 04-03-2016, 01:58 PM

RVi brake works well for many and no worries about anyone altering your brand new Wrangler. It has a wireless controller that allows you to test and change the settings from the motorhome.

TBray · 04-04-2016, 06:35 AM

I have looked at most of the brake units and really haven't ruled any of them out at this point.

My first concern is how to tell if the system is set up correctly. Are there indications that the brakes are working correctly, not too light and not too aggressive?

With the camper on the back of the pickup, it was very obvious when it wasn't set up correctly. With the weight of the toad being only 15% of the coach I would expect that if the brake setting is too light it wouldn't be particularly identifiable. The same could be said if it is set too aggressive.

USMCRET · 04-04-2016, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBray

I have looked at most of the brake units and really haven't ruled any of them out at this point.

My first concern is how to tell if the system is set up correctly. Are there indications that the brakes are working correctly, not too light and not too aggressive?

With the camper on the back of the pickup, it was very obvious when it wasn't set up correctly. With the weight of the toad being only 15% of the coach I would expect that if the brake setting is too light it wouldn't be particularly identifiable. The same could be said if it is set too aggressive.

In all honesty, I cannot tell the difference with or without the toad. I'm sure there is a difference, but it is very slight.

FRR2EYW · 04-04-2016, 07:34 AM

Towed a Wrangler behind our Expedition for a couple of years and used the RVI Brake. You will know how aggressive the toad brake is being by paying attention to what you feel inside the rig, watching the display and playing with the brake test. We used medium sensitivity and the medium SUV setting. Worked well for us and I like the display inside the rig.

Hikerdogs · 04-04-2016, 08:43 AM

Another product that may be of interest id the Roadmaster Brakemaster:

Roadmaster Inc. - Tow Bars, Braking Systems & RV Accessories

It uses the air from your coach braking system to activate a cylinder in the towed vehicle. It's truly proportional in that the harder you press on the brake pedal in the motorhome the more air goes to both the coach and the toad brakes.

We have used the 9060 system on our 2 gas motorhomes. About the only difference is that the gas coaches require a compressor to supply air to the toad, and a proportioning valve in the coach hydraulic brake line to ensure the correct pressure is applied to the toad brakes. We've never had a braking issue and have used the system to tow our Jeep over 100,000 miles.