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06-13-2016, 06:48 AM
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#127
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Willow Lakes RV & Golf Resort, FL
Posts: 3,163
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Invisibrake DANGER!
Quote:
Originally Posted by YC1
That would be a poor fix for a poor design,. Their input circuitry is too sensitive to stray voltage. It should require a respectable amount of current versus a weak voltage to control their inputs. They may have already modified the circuitry and of course would never divulge that information unless the NTSB forced the issue. I suspect it would only take a couple of load resistors on the front end to make them safer.
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Well there you have it Steve. I've been following this post since last summer. Myron, has the knowledge to go thru this system and analyze it i.e. electrical engineer vs. me, us laymen users of the product. I do know the issue for Invisibrake is compound and not related to just the receptacle. Steve, go back and read thru Myron's modifications. They are multiple. He's altered the system bypassing the "whatchamacallit" thus correcting RM/Invisibrake's inherent dangerous engineering. Maybe, just maybe, the NEW model of Invisibrake has been corrected per Myron's efforts and design. If not, the Invisibrake remains a very dangerous system. I feel fortunate the damage inflicted was just a flat wallet!
__________________
Clay & Pebble
2012 Providence 42 M. Spartan Chassis, 450 ISL
Ford Edge toad, RM All Terrane, TST TPMS, SMI Air Force One, RVM95....
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06-13-2016, 05:58 PM
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#128
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Rainbow Riding
Posts: 18,574
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There is no doubt smarter folks having gone down the road before us is why we're here.
So noted and now carefully watched.
__________________
Steve & Annie (RVM2)
2008 Fleetwood Bounder 38F ~ 325 ISB Turbo ~ Freightliner XC 2014 CR-V ~ Invisibrake / Sterling All Terrain
Sioux Falls, SD (FullTime Since Nov 5th 2014)
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07-05-2016, 07:41 PM
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#129
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: out west
Posts: 1,061
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I was going to buy an invisibrake tomorrow for my new Jeep Wrangler as it is much heavier than my previous Ford Focus Toad. I wont be doing that now after reading all 100 or so post on this subject.
My question is can I use my Road MasterEven Brake system I had installed on my Ford and previous Newmar gas coach? I am now pulling the Jeep with a Beaver Monterey DP.
Thanks everyone for such a great tread on the Road Master Invisibrake.
I will say I have toured the Road Master factory in Vancouver and it is very impressive. Makes me wonder how they could allow this kind of issue with their product.
Thanks again
Steve
__________________
2017 Dutchstar 4369 Spartan Chassis, 2200W Solar, 1200AH Lithium Batteries, Active Air
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Roadmaster Sterling, AF1
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07-06-2016, 06:32 AM
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#130
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Quitman MS
Posts: 2,967
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One of the simplest toad brake system and in my opinion the best is M&G, it is reasonable price and easy to install just hook up the air line to the road and tow.
M & G Engineering - Car Braking Systems: Vehicle Compatibility
__________________
Walt & Will
2000 Dynasty
2017 Ram Big Horn Crew C 4X4 w/ M&G
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07-07-2016, 08:04 AM
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#131
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Willow Lakes RV & Golf Resort, FL
Posts: 3,163
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M&G
Quote:
Originally Posted by walt2137
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I will agree. When forced to change from the faulty RM product, Invisibrake, I contracted with a very long standing RV firm. Small, independent, with years of service in the industry. They install only, M&G or SMI Air Force One. M&G would not work with rig set up. They installed the Air Force One and it has performed flawlessly.
__________________
Clay & Pebble
2012 Providence 42 M. Spartan Chassis, 450 ISL
Ford Edge toad, RM All Terrane, TST TPMS, SMI Air Force One, RVM95....
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07-07-2016, 09:19 PM
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#132
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 38
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InvisiBrake not installed
My thanks to all. Was going to install Invisibrake, but after reading the posts, changed to a Brakemaster instead. Had it installed last week and so far seems to work well.
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07-09-2016, 06:42 AM
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#133
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 233
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We had looked at the the Invisibrake as well as several similar systems. Glad we decided to stay with our Brake Buddy after following this thread.
We have had and used it 12 years now without a single problem with the unit itself. Had it checked out at a rally several years ago and it was in perfect operating condition. I have found that all the salt they use on the roads up here will mess up the break away switch. Generous applications of silicon electrical grease has helped.
__________________
2003 Monaco Camelot (New to us Dec 2014)
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07-09-2016, 11:41 PM
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#134
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Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 14
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Be wary of Brake Buddy!
BennieH
Glad you haven't had a problem with your Brake Buddy yet.
Ours crapped out at five years and ruined a near new set of Michelins. We were on dry pavement on a sunny warm day in Bakersfield CA.
That's what caused us to buy the faulty invisibrake that started this thread.
Good luck!
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07-10-2016, 05:36 AM
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#135
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Willow Lakes RV & Golf Resort, FL
Posts: 3,163
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I'm sorry Steve, I overlooked your question as to your present use of RM Evenbrake system. I don't know, many systems are not compatable gas to diesel. If using the coach air system will be the issue, which you now have access. The M&G or SMI Air Force One would be your best choice. FWIW I would canvass the Beaver owners forum and see what those guys and girls are using. My neighbor has a Beaver and tows a Ford Edge, I believe he uses Brake Buddy? Just don't get info or install from Camping World. Of course that's just my humble opinion.
__________________
Clay & Pebble
2012 Providence 42 M. Spartan Chassis, 450 ISL
Ford Edge toad, RM All Terrane, TST TPMS, SMI Air Force One, RVM95....
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08-08-2016, 06:03 PM
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#136
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3
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I was just alerted to this thread on Invisibrake - now I'm a nervous wreck! We bought the Invisibrake new and had it installed by our RV dealer on our Fiat Abarth in June of 2013. We have used it for probably 15,000 + miles of towing without any problems.
We have just traded our Abarth in and have bought a 2016 Jeep Cherokee Trail Hawk. Tomorrow we are off to the RV dealer to have the Invisibrake removed from the Fiat with the intention of having it installed on the Jeep this Fall. I will certainly talk with our dealer and Service Manager and see what info I can glean from them.
Before Invisibrake, we used Brake Buddy for 6 years - also without any issues. We just found it a nuisance moving it in and out of the driver's compartment every time we wanted to use the toad. BB was used in our Toyota Highlander and physically would not fit in the Fiat Abarth hence the switch to Invisibrake.
If I learn anything of interest from our RV dealer, I will pass it along for others. We have been dealing with the same RV dealer for 17 years and so far they have stood behind and/or remedied any problems we have had with RV's or towing systems.
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08-09-2016, 04:52 AM
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#137
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Willow Lakes RV & Golf Resort, FL
Posts: 3,163
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Not to be an alarmist but regardless of the information your RV dealer provides, maybe he or she has not experienced issues, the folks on this post have had or continue to monitor, alter, or have eliminated the RM Invisibrake system. If you've read all post you'll see at the beginning I was touting the system saying " I used the Invisibrake for 4 1/2 years and it's never given me a problem." Well two weeks later in the mountains it fried my brakes and rotors on our Ford Edge while NOT hooked to our bus. I also feel the system was responsible for further electrical damage by making "toast" out of the Fords main computer system. Thank our angels it was covered, just barely, by warranty or we would have chucked out another thousand dollar bill. Forewarned is forarmed.
__________________
Clay & Pebble
2012 Providence 42 M. Spartan Chassis, 450 ISL
Ford Edge toad, RM All Terrane, TST TPMS, SMI Air Force One, RVM95....
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08-09-2016, 07:06 AM
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#138
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 11,385
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I am currently testing my unit on a very long trip. I removed the diodes from my 2012 Ford Edge and bought a set of lights that I mounted on my tow hitch. Actually I used a receiver that I had so the tow ball is still usable.
What this does is it prevents any voltage leakage across the diodes.
I also moved the socket on the car much higher to help eliminate any water intrusion.
While going through the system the socket on the RV was pulled for inspection as well as the pigtail. I did replace the car end of the pigtail because it was showing signs of rust etc.
Being from California originally leaving a pigtail hanging on the hitch of the rv was not an issue. In Florida it is constantly wet so I am now keeping it stored between uses.
We have traveled about 2000 miles so far with no issues. Since I am so concious of the issue I keep an eye on it. I do have a dash indicator light to show when they are on.
I cannot recommend enough using separate bulbs if possible. Place your socket on the toad as high as possible. Shoot the front and inside with WD 40 to help keep moisture out. Take your pigtail apart at least once a year. If there is any sign of rust or corrosion, replace the plug and cut the wires back 1/2 inch. Leaving stubs on the old plug makes installing the new plug easy.
REMOVE THE FUSE OR UNPLUG THE INVISIBRAKE WHEN NOT IN USE: Nothing like having it activate while in a rainstorm while driving it. It is really hard to power through the brakes and get it to the curb.
__________________
Certified Senior Electronic Technician, Telecommunications Engineer, Telecommunications repair Service Center Owner, Original owner HR 2008
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08-12-2016, 02:28 AM
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#139
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Bonney Lake, WA
Posts: 140
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Interesting, We have Invisibrake installed by Camping World on Ford Edge, behind Itaska Ellipse 40TD. Works well with no problems.
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03-17-2017, 08:45 AM
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#140
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Cypress Texas
Posts: 60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YC1
Unless they have modified the design, any water intrusion in the socket on the front of the toad, moisture on the diodes, moisture or dust and dirt with moisture on the umbilical cord, or the socket on the rv, CAN LEAD TO brakes locking up.
Here is what I believe happens. Running light voltage leaks across the contacts and then either holds the brakes on OR in extreme cases it can ACTUATE the brakes.
As an example: Driving in heavy rain the other day with the Invisibrake, it decided to self activate. Our headlights were on so voltage was present in the front socket. I know for a fact the socket was spotless because I had to chase issues recently and had every connector apart.
You can imagine how dangerous it was to have to put my foot to the floor to get enough power to get to the side of the road. We were in the middle lane and had to get to the side. Just got lucky.
If I had my tools the brake system would be rusting along I4 in Florida now. I crawled over the back seat and unplugged it.
Let me premise all of this with the fact that I am a Senior Certified Electronic Tech working on specialty vehicle systems now for 40 years.
After a few e-mails from the company and their last one suggesting I fill the front socket with silicon to seal out moisture I can assure you I will not be using this brake ever again. It has a treacherous sensitive input circuit that could be easily modified.
I am thinking a major recall and perhaps the NTSB should check out the danger of this thing.
Ok, there I said it. There have been too many folks with brakes and tires needing replacement.
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We are looking at a 2014 CRV to possibly buy tomorrow and it has the invisibrake installed. How difficult would it be to uninstall, my husband is very handy with pretty much everything.
Thanks in advance and thanks to everyone for all your posts and this thread.
On the go
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