Community Forums

meddiver · 10-07-2016, 04:03 PM

We are about to travel from Washington State to Florida over the next couple of months. During my pre-flight check I found that my 4 way flashers (hazard Lights) are causing my Toad (2015 F150) to apply the brakes.
I have a Roadmaster Invisibrake system hooked to a 2004 Dutchstar DP. The system is less than a year old. One other thing I noticed is that I had to wiggle the RV connection to get my lights to come on, on my F150.
I cleaned all of the connections and still no luck.

Please help with your ideas and thoughts! I cannot call the dealer that installed it because they are in Florida with a hurricane sitting on top of them.

coupevilleDF · 10-07-2016, 05:10 PM

I suspect your hazzard lights are flashing your brake lights, which is also what triggers the Invisabrake. Not really a problem unless you are traveling with the flashers on. I can't tell you if mine does it since I've never had the flashers on when the car is hooked up.

If you can drop down through Vancouver Washington on your way, stop at Roadmaster. They can make sure everything is wired and adjusted correctly. We had them add the fuse bypass to or CRV and found their services to be friendly and reasonable. Be sure to call ahead.

Honwing · 10-07-2016, 06:43 PM

Agree with Coupevilledf. Had Roadmaster install my Invisibrake and service gas been excellent. Well worth the trip to Vancouver. Wish I could help you but I am in Florida watching a Hurricane go by.

dpinvidic · 10-07-2016, 06:50 PM

The one option I can think of is if you have a 6 or 7 pin toad connection.
Separate the Invisibrake sensing wire, and run it through a spare pin to your center brake light (if you have one).

Doesn't Invisibrake need inertia AND a brake light signal to activate.....maybe change the inertia adjustment.

Regards,

Dan

FIRE UP · 10-07-2016, 08:38 PM

"Doesn't Invisibrake need inertia AND a brake light signal to activate.."

I don't know anything about your braking system but, this is what I would have asked too. I would suspect that, this is not normal. Something is amiss here. The reason I say that is, #1, you're most likely not the only one using that braking system and, it's never been reported on here before, that I know of. Second, what would happen if you were driving and, for some reason, you needed to put on the flashers while going slow up a grade etc? To activate the brakes while climbing a grade, would not be a good thing.

So, again, not knowing anything about your system, I can't be of too much technical help.
Scott

l1v3fr33ord1 · 10-08-2016, 04:00 AM

meddiver-

The usual test routine is:

1) Separate the coach and toad
2) Put a voltmeter on each pin of the coach's connector and check for correct signals
3) Plug the umbilical cable into the coach's connector and check again
4) Jump the ground and one signal pin at a time between the umbilical and the toad connector (I use wires with alligator clips) and check again

The fact that you have to wiggle the toad connector tells me you probably have an internal short inside that connector, one that is creating the symptom you describe. It could be downstream of the connector, too, in a place where chassis steel or a mounting screw has gone through wire insulation.

Although I don't think this applies in your case, I'll note that the SMI Stay-in-Play Duo will exhibit the same symptom if the sensitivity is set too high. Turn the knob about an eighth-turn in the correct direction and that goes away. SMI knew the problem and fix when I called them. I know this may not help you, but it could help a Duo user who stumbles across this thread.

Let us know how your testing goes.

YC1 · 10-08-2016, 07:11 AM

The Invisibrake will detect that both right and left brake lights are being applied because of the flasher being on and should disengage.

However, if you have a plug issue it may not be seeing both the right and left signals.

The Invisibrake is extremely sensitive to poor connections and especially water or contamination in the plugs.

IF you own an Invisibrake, I highly recommend taking apart all of the connectors once a year or more to inspect and tighten.

meddiver · 10-08-2016, 02:18 PM

Thank you all.
I did not think of calling Road Master, not sure why I didn't. I tried all of the items suggested and it did not fix it. I decided to dig into the wiring and found an old wiring harness for towing. Not sure why a new one was put in but there was a second one. I cut all of the ends off and wrapped it in electrical tape, ensuring no other connections would be talking with the RV. This helped a lot. I then called Road Master who gave me some pointers;
1. Clean all of the connections (did prior)
2. Take a small screwdriver and move the 7 pin connectors inward. As some one mentioned the Invisibrake is very sensitive to connection issues.
3. The Hazard lights cause the Invisibrake to pulse 4-6 times until it realizes that it is not the brakes. (this is good to know as I usually use my hazards when I am on steep grades and following the big rigs. I guess no 4 way hazards for me any more.

Thank you all. It appears as my issue has been resolved!