Community Forums

Harleydog97 · 11-25-2013, 08:48 AM

I recently purchased a used DP and it came with a Blue Ox tow bar and and Jack Brake braking system. Does anyone have any information on how to use this Jack Brake? Where to get information?
There is a controller box in the MH next to the driver seat. Cannot find any information on the internet concerning this system. Might it be homemade?

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Any info would be appreciated.

RickO · 11-25-2013, 08:51 AM

Hi and welcome to the forum.

This is a new one on me but I'm sure one of our experts will be along soon to identify it.

It is a good idea to list the year, make and model of your coach in your signature line so folks will be able to give you more precise responses to future questions. You can do this via your "User Control Panel" (user CP).

Best of luck. We're glad you found us.

Rick

Harleydog97 · 11-25-2013, 09:03 AM

Great, thank you for the signature information.

BFlinn181 · 11-25-2013, 09:34 AM

Wow, that is a puzzle. Did you try calling the phone number on the cylinder? Searching for Jack Brake shows hits for Jake Brake. Does the controller in the RV have any clues? How about the flip side of the mechanism in the photo? How about contacting the Hadley Corp to see what info they have? 850 Series Mini Air Compressors | Hadley

Harleydog97 · 11-25-2013, 12:33 PM

I called the number, but it is not in service.

I did find this on another forum: "There was a guy from Scammon Kansas who marketed his "Jack Brake" (no relation to Jake Brake) for around $550.00 but I think he was forced out of business by the "Jake" Brake people because of the name."

That might be why I cannot find any information on this product.

Paul R. Haller · 11-25-2013, 12:46 PM

A Jake brake works by disabling a number of valves in the engine and are usually found on big rigs. This looks like an exhaust brake and works not by disabling valves in the engine but rather by obstructing the exhaust flow out the exhaust system. Does this unit have a butterfly valve inside the exhaust pipe? If so, it's an exhaust brake. Think potato in the tail pipe.
It very hard to disable valves in an engine unless the engine was built expressly to do that. Conversely, sticking a valve in the exhaust flow is easy to add after the fact and work pretty well but not as well as a real Jake brake.
-Paul R. Haller-

BFlinn181 · 11-25-2013, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul R. Haller

A Jake brake works by disabling a number of valves in the engine and are usually found on big rigs. This looks like an exhaust brake and works not by disabling valves in the engine but rather by obstructing the exhaust flow out the exhaust system. Does this unit have a butterfly valve inside the exhaust pipe? If so, it's an exhaust brake. Think potato in the tail pipe.
It very hard to disable valves in an engine unless the engine was built expressly to do that. Conversely, sticking a valve in the exhaust flow is easy to add after the fact and work pretty well but not as well as a real Jake brake.
-Paul R. Haller-

Because this thread was under "Toads and Motorhome Related Towing" and the OP mentioned a tow bar and a controller I assumed this was for toad braking. I can't see the whole object in the photo, but with a small air compressor and a large pneumatic cylinder I thought it is a toad auxiliary brake system. Is there an attachment to link to the brake pedal? Does it have feet to sit on the car floor? If you hook up wires to a 12 v. source does the compressor run? If it has an inertia sensor to apply brakes, take it for a ride on the passenger side floor and see if the cylinder extends when toad brakes are applied. If more than 2 wires are required for hook up, maybe the controller in the MH has the inertia sensor or it wired to MH brake pedal or lights.

Gary RVRoamer · 11-25-2013, 05:26 PM

Agree with Bflinn181 - this "Jack Brake" has nothing to do with engine or exhaust brakes and appears to be for the toad.

I found this item that sheds a little light on it:
JACK BRAKE.(toad brake)..feedback...not Jake Brake - General - RVAmerica.com

However, It does not appear that Henderson's carries this product any longer.

Harleydog97 · 11-26-2013, 09:15 AM

Thanks Gary RVRoamer.
Your link is exactly what I have. The mounting plate must have stayed with the toad from the previous owner. So I dont have all the parts to make this work, nor the instructions.

If anyone is interersted in this setup, they can have it. It is of no use to me.

Think I am going to go with the Blue Ox Patriot.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Spinner · 11-26-2013, 09:54 AM

I would highly recommend M&G, Air Force One or Brakemaster for braking. Why not use a proportional braking system that uses compressed air from your DP? The M&G and Air Force One are one-time install. Nothing to put in or take out every time you hook up. Just plug the air line in when plugging the lights in.

doc · 11-26-2013, 10:32 AM

Spinner, I was going to go with the AF1. Then when getting ready to do the deal, the dealership said they wanted 6.5 hours at over $100/per hours. Brake Buddy got to looking better. Talking with a local 4x4 shop about hooking the toad end of the thing up. I think I can handle the MH end. I have a hard time thinking about paying nearly the same for the install as I pay for the device. Think I might be a tightwad?

JohnFreyja · 11-26-2013, 10:50 AM

Check with another installer. We love the M&G braking system.

Tim&Paula · 11-26-2013, 11:48 AM

I had a local body shop install my base plate since the fascia had to be removed. They only charged 150. They said they would install my brake cable for 50 but I did that myself.

Spinner · 11-26-2013, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc

Spinner, I was going to go with the AF1. Then when getting ready to do the deal, the dealership said they wanted 6.5 hours at over $100/per hours. Brake Buddy got to looking better. Talking with a local 4x4 shop about hooking the toad end of the thing up. I think I can handle the MH end. I have a hard time thinking about paying nearly the same for the install as I pay for the device. Think I might be a tightwad?

Everybody's money has different value to them so you have to decide. I would pay more for AFO or M&G due to the convenience, probably not $650 more. I did the brakemaster install myself and it was very straightforward. After I installed it, I learned about AFO and M&G. Next setup will be one of the latter 2. To me, the convenience of less to hook up (incorrectly) and less to store between uses is worth some $. My advice is really only worth what you paid for it

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