Community Forums

mycoolbeans · 08-30-2015, 10:37 AM

I have read some forum posts from about March 2014 to June 2014 concerning user problems with the Roadmaster Invisibrake. The issues with the brake appear to be related to moisture problems with diodes and plus problems with moisture in the socket plugs. Given that it has been slightly more than a year since these issues were reported, has Roadmaster done anything to address the problems? I am thinking about getting an invisibrake installed. However, I am not interested in creating problems for myself. Any advice would be helpful.

Gormleys · 09-04-2015, 01:53 PM

I've had mine installed since before the issues were reported and have not had any problems with moisture. I have mine installed in the trunk. I think getting a good installer or doing it yourself is the most important.

dtucker3usa · 10-30-2015, 08:19 AM

Just had the invisi-brake installed on our 2001 vw bug. No problems what so ever while towing the vehicle. After unhooking the bug from the motorhome though, every time you hit the brake the invisi-brake comes on and cycles on making it impossible to drive. I unhooked the wire from the battery and since then no problems so far. Any idea what would cause the invisi-brake to be powered by the bugs system? I talked to Camping World where I had it installed and they have no idea without looking at it. Any advice from anyone who has had this problem would be appreciated.

coupevilleDF · 10-30-2015, 05:51 PM

I am not an expert here but do have about 1200 miles on our recent install. Our only problem has been the notorious dead battery issues on the CRV.

Since the Invisabrake is triggered by the brake light from the towing vehicle, it sounds to me that they miss - wired it and the bug brake lights are triggering the brake. We would never have that problem because they put separate bulbs in the tail light housing, keeping those circuits separate.

dtucker3usa · 10-31-2015, 07:16 AM

So far so good with unhooking the wire from the battery. We drove the bug about 20 to 25 miles and the invisi-brake hasn't activated. I'm planning on returning to the shop that did the install when we get home and have them recheck the wiring. I agree, I think they have it wire wrong and the DW left the install instructions at home so I can't trouble shoot it myself. Hopefully no more problems with it. It did a fantastic job while hooked to the motorhome.

cmb3231 · 11-04-2015, 05:52 AM

dtucker3usa: You can get the manual and install instructions on line at Roadmaster. Regarding the battery issue, I was told by my installer that they can wire your plug from the MH so that the Toad battery is charged while driving but you must have your MH lights on. This is one of the features of the Invisibrake. This was done on mine and I have had no battery issues on the CRV. I also increased the size of the CRV battery to the next size up as mentioned on this forum.
I love Irv2.
Mike

YC1 · 11-04-2015, 07:01 AM

They have not resolved the problem to my satisfaction. I have removed mine.

Honwing · 11-04-2015, 11:09 PM

Works great on our 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Had it installed at Roadmaster Factory in Vancouver, WA. Great tech support. With the hidden brackets it is hard to tell it is a toad.

Mr_D · 11-04-2015, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmb3231

dtucker3usa: You can get the manual and install instructions on line at Roadmaster. Regarding the battery issue, I was told by my installer that they can wire your plug from the MH so that the Toad battery is charged while driving but you must have your MH lights on. This is one of the features of the Invisibrake. This was done on mine and I have had no battery issues on the CRV. I also increased the size of the CRV battery to the next size up as mentioned on this forum.
I love Irv2.
Mike

Shouldn't need to have the RV lights on to charge the battery. Although I can see why they might wire it that way. I wired a charge line in on the Dutch Star. Ran a 10GA wire from the shut off switch in the engine compartment through the main plug and to the battery in the towed. Did put a 30 amp resetting fuse at both ends though. Worked fine but both ends were hot all the time and probably why they want to have the lights on to charge. With the present rig the dealer wired the MH end in since they assured me it was already done and I found it wasn't. I'm glad I didn't do it as they used the wiring already in place with relays.

dtucker3usa · 11-05-2015, 05:31 AM

Thanks for the responses. We aren't having a problem with the towed battery charging when hooked up to the motorhome. The problem comes after we unhook it from the motorhome, when applying the bugs brakes from inside the car the invisibrake cycles on causing the bugs brakes to activate. The way my invisibrake is installed it charges the towed battery when hooked up to the motorhome.

YC1 · 11-05-2015, 12:43 PM

Measure the voltage on the connectors on the brake device. Do this with the headlights on and off, then have someone or prop the brake down and do the same test with the lights on and off. Those voltages will tell exactly what is going on.

mel s · 11-05-2015, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtucker3usa

Just had the invisi-brake installed on our 2001 vw bug. No problems what so ever while towing the vehicle. After unhooking the bug from the motorhome though, every time you hit the brake the invisi-brake comes on and cycles on making it impossible to drive. I unhooked the wire from the battery and since then no problems so far. Any idea what would cause the invisi-brake to be powered by the bugs system? I talked to Camping World where I had it installed and they have no idea without looking at it. Any advice from anyone who has had this problem would be appreciated.

dtucker3usa
Adding an ON/OFF switch in the 12V power wire to the Invisa-Brake will solve that problem.
Simply turn it ON before you tow your toad and OFF before you drive your toad.
(BTW even Camping World should be able to add a switch without screwing to much up).

YC1 · 11-05-2015, 02:57 PM

Masking or hiding a problem by unplugging it or installing a switch might be hazardous. My humble opinion of course. If the switch gets bumped on or left on and your brakes come on at 70mph are you or other drivers prepared for the emergency? It happened to me in a severe rain storm. It was almost impossible to power the vehicle to the side of the road. Had I not floored it I would have been stopped in the middle of the freeway in very dangerous weather. Thank goodness it was not my wife driving. She might not have realized what was going on and not powered through the emergency.