US Gear, pre-wired Winnie, and a Suzuki XL-7

[John Mo]

I'm looking to install the combination in the subject. What I have is an older Unified Tow Brake kit with the motorhome harness, which I know I don't need because my Winnebago is prewired for the US Gear system.

I'm pretty sure I can work my way through the install, but I'd love to have some guidance from anyone who's been through it before.

On the XL-7: It's a 2003 model. If you have a Suzuki with the UTB, where was the best place to locate the solenoid and the controller box?

I've been through the instructions and I have the most questions about wiring. It looks like the towed vehicle components are supposed to go directly to the vehicle battery for power, but I was under the impression that with the prewire on the Winnebago, one of the wires was 12-volt to supply the braking system. Any guidance on how the wiring will be different from the instructions due to the prewire on the Winnebago would be appreciated.

Thanks,
John

[hardy1000]

John,

The power for the power module comes from the Toad battery. I installed the Unified Tow Brake on my Monaco and Jeep Wrangler. I mounted my solinoid under the driver's seat and ran the pull wire under the carpet wrather than putting it on the firewall on the passengers side. The hardest task was having enough room to work. The wiring for my MH had an adapter plug that just plugged in to the MH's harness (easy). You are correct, the harness has an extra wire for charging the Toad battery. Some of the older systems did not have that. I had a couple of questions and called US Gear and they answered all of my questions and were very helpful.

[Batman_777]

I recently had the US Gear Unified installed. US Gear said several MH's are pre-wired. Im my case, the Fleetwood MH was indeed pre-wired with a connector plug just under the dash next to the steering column. The kit came with several adapters for various motorhome manufactures. I watched the installer connect the plug using the special Fleetwood adapter and Whalla.. Everything worked just fine. I have been pleased with the US Gear braking system especially with nothing to remove or put in, transferrable, etc. The installer set the brake dash mounted control to just under 5 which he said was typical.

[John Mo]

Thought about it some more... even though there's 12v coming from the motorhome, the braking system still needs to be connected to the battery for the system to function in a breakaway scenario. So the 12v in the motorhome connection is an optional item.

[two-niner]

The 12vdc from the MH is optional only if you have jumper cables to start your towed vehicle.
Are your Suzuki's brake and tail lights powered from the MH or Tow? If your tow is powering the brake and tail lights, sooner or later you'll have a dead tow battery.
I can't say for sure about yours, but our 08 Tour and 06 GV uses the MH to keep tow vehicle's battery charged.(when towing)
You may want to call US Gear to be sure.

[John Mo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by two-niner Are your Suzuki's brake and tail lights powered from the MH or Tow? If your tow is powering the brake and tail lights, sooner or later you'll have a dead tow battery.

That's a good point. I have a separate set of lights powered by the motorhome for tail, signal, and brakes, but... I've noted that the Suzuki's brake lights do light with the brake pedal at all times (I think even with the key out of the ignition).