Beware - RVibrake Shadow braking while driving 2020 Jeep Wrangler

[Mike-W]

Earlier this year I bought the RVibrake Shadow and install it on our 2020 Jeep Wrangler. I did the installation myself and it went well. I like the fact that the shadow is in 3 relatively small pieces, so it wasn't hard to find mounting space for them under the hood. Setup and testing went smoothly, and I've been pleased with the way the proportion braking works when towing the Jeep behind our 2021 Georgetown GT5.

After using the system for a few months I discovered what to me is a serious problem. While I was driving the Jeep in town I braked slightly to slow down and RVibrake Shadow came on and stopped me in the middle of the road. It released the brakes when the Jeep stopped and I was able to get off the road and pull the fuse for the Shadow to disable it. The whole experience was a little frightening!

I talked to RVi support and they said that this happens if the car battery voltage drops below 13.2 volts, because the RVibrake Shadow then switches into towed mode and applies the brakes when it senses deceleration. Some newer cars don't keep the battery voltage that high all the time so the Shadow can turn on while you're driving. The fix is easy they said, just pull out the Shadow's fuse whenever you are driving, and put it back whenever you're towing.

I'm not very happy with this solution, since it relies on my memory (and requires me to get under the hood each time I connect or disconnect the Jeep). Also doesn't match their advertising that "With Tow-Mode Detection, once you install it, you never have to think about it again".

I'm planning on installing a relay to turn off the Shadow when the ignition is on so it can't turn on again when I'm driving. Even if your toad doesn't have the new variable voltage alternator charging system I'd suggest doing this so your brakes don't come on if your alternator or battery fails. Take it from me, having your car stop on its own in the middle of the road is no fun!

Mike-W
2021 Georgetown GT5 31L5
2020 Jeep Wrangler

[MrMark52]

It took me a minute to figure out what you were saying -

You had the issue (toad brakes being applied) when you were driving the toad, not when you were “toading” the toad.

And I agree with you - having to remember to pull the fuse or put the fuse back in, with all the other things you have to remember to do when getting ready to break camp, creates another opportunity for things to go wrong.
Not to mention it would be my luck that I would drop or lose the fuse.

If RVi can’t figure out a better solution and you really want to stay with that system, I would put a switch on the dashboard to perform the same function as pulling the fuse does. Then at least if you forget to turn it off - all you have to do is flip the switch and not worry about traffic behind you.

[Mike-W]

Sorry for the confusion... Correct, while driving the Jeep, not towing it, the RVibrake Shadow was applying the brakes, forcing the jeep to a stop in the middle of the street! Fortunately I wasn't on the highway, so I just pissed off a couple of people behind me....

I've had a couple of correspondences with the RVi tech support, and they seem to feel that pulling the fuse solves the problem. I would not recommend the RVibrake Shadow to anyone with a later model Jeep (LJ), but since I've paid for it and installed it I'd like to avoid having to replace it.

My plan is to install a relay in the power line to the shadow that will turn off power to it when the Jeep ignition is on. That should get it set up so there's nothing extra I need to remember to do when towing or driving the Jeep.

[MrMark52]

That’ll work!

[NXR]

Looks like they are trying to clone Demco's Stay-IN-Play DUO except Demco's system requires both a deceleration being sensed AND that the motorhome's brakes are being applied, hence the "duo" part of the name.

Stay-IN-Play DUO comes with an on-off toggle switch as standard.

Ray

[Barneyb]

Originally Posted by Mike-W

My plan is to install a relay in the power line to the shadow that will turn off power to it when the Jeep ignition is on. That should get it set up so there's nothing extra I need to remember to do when towing or driving the Jeep.

That is a great fix for your problem, but imo RVi should provide the fix for the problem not the consumer.
I also have an RVi brake for my Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk but never had a problem.

[Mike-W]

Originally Posted by NXR

Looks like they are trying to clone Demco's Stay-IN-Play DUO except Demco's system requires both a deceleration being sensed AND that the motorhome's brakes are being applied, hence the "duo" part of the name.

Stay-IN-Play DUO comes with an on-off toggle switch as standard.

Ray

I have to say the DUO is looking like a good choice about now! I was persuaded by RVi's proportional braking which sounded good. I got the relay installed today, so there's no power to the Shadow when the Jeep's engine is running. About $40 in parts and a couple of hours labor, but at least I can drive the Jeep without the brakes coming on by themselves!

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Mike-W

About $40 in parts and a couple of hours labor, but at least I can drive the Jeep without the brakes coming on by themselves!

Yeah, that would kind of suck. Imagine trying to explain that to a cop if an accident were to occur.

"But officer, the brakes came on by themselves because the battery voltage was too low for the motorhome braking system!"

"Thank you for admitting the accident was caused by you, sir."

Ray

[Mike-W]

Originally Posted by Barneyb

That is a great fix for your problem, but imo RVi should provide the fix for the problem not the consumer.
I also have an RVi brake for my Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk but never had a problem.

I drove my Jeep with the Shadow installed for several months without any problems, I'm not sure why it happened when it did. I checked the Jeep Wrangler forums for the JL and they say that the alternator is sometimes set to very low voltage (12.7 Volts) when the Jeep control module feels the batteries are fully charged. When that happens the RVi switches to towing mode and starts applying the brake if you slow down. The same thing would happen if your alternator failed, but that's not too likely...

[Barneyb]

Originally Posted by Mike-W

I drove my Jeep with the Shadow installed for several months without any problems...

Mike, I don’t have the Shadow version I have the RVi3 system

[WV Bum]

Originally Posted by Mike-W

Sorry for the confusion... Correct, while driving the Jeep, not towing it, the RVibrake Shadow was applying the brakes, forcing the jeep to a stop in the middle of the street! Fortunately I wasn't on the highway, so I just pissed off a couple of people behind me....

I've had a couple of correspondences with the RVi tech support, and they seem to feel that pulling the fuse solves the problem. I would not recommend the RVibrake Shadow to anyone with a later model Jeep (LJ), but since I've paid for it and installed it I'd like to avoid having to replace it.

My plan is to install a relay in the power line to the shadow that will turn off power to it when the Jeep ignition is on. That should get it set up so there's nothing extra I need to remember to do when towing or driving the Jeep.

I am very dissatisfied with the shadow braking system, when I called about the problem they didn’t want to spend the time. Very rude….

[hilgert]

Yikes!!!

I am about to pull the trigger on a Shadow (it was that or the Stay-IN-Play DUO). I like the ability to control the Shadow much like the RViBrake3 (which is what we currently have), and I am still leaning that way.

We already have a power line from the battery (also connected to the charge line from the coach) to inside the F150 for the RVIBrake3 power, and I had already planned, for the same reason the OP posted, to install a switch and use the line to apply power to the Shadow when towing...big, red switch. While I appreciate the "hands-off" aspect, I just don't trust an automatic in/out of tow mode (kind of like self-driving cars are not...quite...there yet...).

[WV Bum]

Good luck with getting it to connect with hub so you can adjust it . Mine has never worked right. It is not reliable at all. I have called them and they are very rude. I wish I had not pulled the trigger on that unit.

[Wrapped]

Wow, I've had rvi3 brake, battery charger,wireless breakaway and tire patrol for 7,000miles now and any questions or problems I've had where handled quickly and very courteously. One of the best after sales service I've experienced. No I don't work for them or any connections other than a customer.