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US Gear Unified Tow Brake - Sensitivity
05-07-2011, 05:37 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 13
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Hi,
We are on our first trip with a toad. The toad has a US Gear Unified Tow Brake and I'm unsure of where the sensitivity dial should be set in the RV. Any advice would be great.
Thanks, Chris.
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05-07-2011, 05:47 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 218
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Probably depends somewhat on the size of your toad. I have a Ford Ranger pick up and set mine high , I often wonder if it's doing anything but when I've had people ride in the truck to check they tell me it is.
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Dave
2004 Newmar KSDP 3353
Surrey B.C.
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05-07-2011, 06:00 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 6,933
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Hi ChrisFSB,
My unit is set to #7. In the Rocky Mountains I turned it up to #9. It is never set below #7. This is my personal preference, I have no data as to if there is an ideal setting. My toad's street weight is 5.3K lbs.
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Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910,
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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05-07-2011, 07:18 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner Nor'easters Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MAINE
Posts: 892
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Chris,
As my IT Tech son says, "Dad, It depends".
It depends on your configuration of coach and toad set up. Gary said he is doing well with a 7. I use a 3.5.
You should be able to test the settings as you get use to it. Either by braking with the pedal and getting the feel of the toad pulling back. Too high and you should feel the toad pulling back. If you feel the toad pushing or no strain at all it should be turned up. I think that is how the owners manual reads.
I also use the lever mounted on the unit to occasionaly test the unit. That being said, since it was first hooked up I have never changed the settings.
Love the system.
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Tiffin Allegro Bus, Honda CRV, Tow-N-4 Down, US Gear Unified Tow brake, Blue-OX tow bar, Dually Valve stems, TST Monitors, No Kids-No Pets, Full Time Wanna Be
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05-08-2011, 06:35 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 969
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bdaball
Chris,
As my IT Tech son says, "Dad, It depends".
It depends on your configuration of coach and toad set up. Gary said he is doing well with a 7. I use a 3.5.
You should be able to test the settings as you get use to it. Either by braking with the pedal and getting the feel of the toad pulling back. Too high and you should feel the toad pulling back. If you feel the toad pushing or no strain at all it should be turned up. I think that is how the owners manual reads.
I also use the lever mounted on the unit to occasionaly test the unit. That being said, since it was first hooked up I have never changed the settings.
Love the system.
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I agree with bdaball, each setup is different. I use 5 for my setting and have used 7 on steep grades. I am very happy with the US Gear UTB.
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Del & Lori & Millie, (our miniature Aussie) 2007 Diplomat 40PDQ - 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, US Gear Unified Tow Brake.
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05-08-2011, 10:39 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner Damon Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,085
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It is called "GAIN" not senistivity... Now, How to set it.. This is described IN THE OWNER's MANUAL for the brake system.. I do not know if you can download it.
But you need an observer and a gravel road. and secure everything in the MH.
ON gravel.. You need just enough "Gain" to lock the brakes on a hard stop.
Of course......... I do not recommend making that hard a stop
I kind of did it by guess and by gosh... This I do know however, the setting I used, which turned out to be perfect.... Will not be the setting you need.
But the setting procedure IS described in the manual.
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Home is where I park it!
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05-08-2011, 02:46 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Olympia, Wa and Las Vegas, Nv for the Winter
Posts: 1,075
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I had mine set at 5 with the 3100lb Subaru that I was towing. Now that I've moved up to the Jeep that weighs just a bit more, I'm going to start at 7 and see how that works. I have thought about unhooking before I head down that hill going north on 80 into Pendelton.
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2008 Voyage 38J, W-24, Banks System, UltraPower, SteerSafe, Roadmaster All Terrain, US Gear Braking, Roadmaster AntiSway Bar
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. US Army Ret
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05-08-2011, 08:14 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 13
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Thanks for all the replies. The owner's manual does explain the process, also helpful to have the anecdotal data too on how folks find the system works. Our first 400 mile trip was a success, seems 3 is a good setting for our combo (Winnebago Destination + GMC Terrain).
Thanks all, Chris.
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05-21-2011, 07:19 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1
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Has anyone noticed a burning smell from the toad brakes after driving in traffic when it is a lot of stop and start. I set my gain at 1.7
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05-21-2011, 09:28 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Western WA
Posts: 481
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Use your IR temp gun to check the temperature of the toad rotors periodically when you stop to stretch your legs. Check for consistent temps at all four wheels as well as hot brake odors. This will give you an indication of a too agressive setting.
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'07 Winnebago Journey 34H,
Toad - "08 Ford Taurus X
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05-21-2011, 04:20 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner Damon Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,085
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One problem I had when I first started towing..
IDIOT INSTALLER.. Put the car back together wrong, jammed the brake pedal and cost me a brake job.
NOT US-GEAR's fault however..
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Home is where I park it!
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05-21-2011, 05:23 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Olympia, Wa and Las Vegas, Nv for the Winter
Posts: 1,075
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wa8yxm
One problem I had when I first started towing..
IDIOT INSTALLER.. Put the car back together wrong, jammed the brake pedal and cost me a brake job.
NOT US-GEAR's fault however..
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Who was the installer?
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2008 Voyage 38J, W-24, Banks System, UltraPower, SteerSafe, Roadmaster All Terrain, US Gear Braking, Roadmaster AntiSway Bar
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. US Army Ret
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