RVI Braking System Comparable to Demco Stay and Play

[wayfarer2021]

Following up on my other thread about finding an installer. I found an installer that was highly recommended by Tiffin owners and several others. He is located close to Red Bay, AL, where the Tiffin class A's are made, hence the Tiffin owner's replies. He must be good because the earliest appointment was 27 Jul.

He recommends the Demco Stay and Play or an RVI model that he says is similar to the Stay and Play. Install and forget it. He says the RVI is a little cheaper and easier to install. When looking at the RVI web page I do not see anything equivalent to the Demco. Before I call him back, he is a busy man and I have to leave a voice message, anyone here familiar with the RVI system I am talking about?

[Isaac-1]

Perhaps he meant Roadmaster Invisibrake, as that is the closest competitor tot eh Stay and Play that I know of.

[wayfarer2021]

Ah, you might be right. I might have misunderstood him since I am familiar with RVI brake products and just thought that is what he said.

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

Perhaps he meant Roadmaster Invisibrake, as that is the closest competitor tot eh Stay and Play that I know of.

[wayfarer2021]

I did find this link but most of the links do not work correctly. It appears to be available to dealers only.

https://rvibrake.com/products/rvibra...38059771068591

[johnhicks]

I couldn't figure out how the Shadow works. Maybe it's a controller for a future push-pedal operator.

[rffowler55]

We have the Demco and it works great, but the Roadmaster is probably just as good.

[wayfarer2021]

Same here and it is not shown on their regular site under products.

Originally Posted by johnhicks

I couldn't figure out how the Shadow works. Maybe it's a controller for a future push-pedal operator.

[Phillieagle]

Just purchased one from E trailer. Will install my self after talking with e trailer and the availability of tech support confident on the installation. Also have them available to call. They can be found cheaper though.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

Perhaps he meant Roadmaster Invisibrake, as that is the closest competitor to the Stay and Play that I know of.

One difference is the Stay-IN-Play DUO is proportional while the InvisiBrake is progressive.

"Proportional" applies toad brakes in relation to how hard the motorhome is braking. In reality they can never perfectly match but you get the idea.

"Progressive" applies an increasing amount of braking as a function of time with no regard for how the motorhome is actually braking, just that it is.

From the InvisiBrake manual:

Extended braking protection
To protect the towed vehicle’s brakes, InvisiBrake will automatically release braking pressure after an extended period (approximately 15 seconds) of continuous braking — for example, someone who constantly drives with their foot on the brakes.

The InvisiBrake requires a manual adjustment of the pressure and test drives to determine whether the braking is too little, just right, or too much.

The Stay-IN-Play DUO uses an accelerometer to adjust the braking pressure. There is an initial adjustment to assure the brakes are not coming on too early and then it's automatic from then on.

In practice, users seem to love both systems.

Ray

[wayfarer2021]

Thanks Ray. I was not tracking the progressive vs proportional braking. My only experience was with my fifth wheel. It used proportional braking since the voltage going to the brake magnets varied based on how hard the truck brake pedal was pressed. It did not rely on an accelerometer which I believe the Stay-in-Play and many other systems use.

Maybe others will chime in as I think progressive vs proportional is a significant difference. Not saying one is better than the other just different. I still have plenty of time to choose either one.

Tom

Originally Posted by NXR

One difference is the Stay-IN-Play DUO is proportional while the InvisiBrake is progressive.

"Proportional" applies toad brakes in relation to how hard the motorhome is braking. In reality they can never perfectly match but you get the idea.

"Progressive" applies an increasing amount of braking as a function of time with no regard for how the motorhome is actually braking, just that it is.

From the InvisiBrake manual:

Extended braking protection
To protect the towed vehicle’s brakes, InvisiBrake will automatically release braking pressure after an extended period (approximately 15 seconds) of continuous braking — for example, someone who constantly drives with their foot on the brakes.

The InvisiBrake requires a manual adjustment of the pressure and test drives to determine whether the braking is too little, just right, or too much.

The Stay-IN-Play DUO uses an accelerometer to adjust the braking pressure. There is an initial adjustment to assure the brakes are not coming on too early and then it's automatic from then on.

In practice, users seem to love both systems.

Ray

[NXR]

Originally Posted by wayfarer2021

Maybe others will chime in as I think progressive vs proportional is a significant difference. Not saying one is better than the other just different. I still have plenty of time to choose either one.

I'd suggest watching an install video from Etrailer for both types. An installer I talked to called the InvisiBrake "a very invasive installation". It did seem more complicated with the pully and the cable routing.

I did the Stay-IN-Play DUO on my Equinox and while it certainly is not a five minute job, it's still invisible unless you bend down and look for it.

As I said, I have never read someone saying they intensely disliked either one. As far as braking efficiency, that can only be determined by measuring the stopping distance with controlled testing. I'd guess either one is good enough and far better than nothing.

Ray

[Rwjsim2003]

I have the Demco Duo Play system and it works very well. I like that the toad really only applies brakes in hard brake applications when needed. So far have had it for 6 months and no issues very pleased with installation and ease of use.

[wayfarer2021]

Thanks but why wouldn't you want the toward brakes too apply with the RV brakes? My experience is with 5th wheel trailers and I wanted the brakes too apply whenever I braked in the dually. Seems like less wear and tear on the motorhome. In my case I'm tossing with a small class C vs a large Class A.

Originally Posted by Rwjsim2003

I have the Demco Duo Play system and it works very well. I like that the toad really only applies brakes in hard brake applications when needed. So far have had it for 6 months and no issues very pleased with installation and ease of use.

[Rwjsim2003]

You can adjust to the Duo play gain like you would a Trailer. I do not want my Toad stopping the MH so I back off the gain little and use toad brakes less.