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newmarpusher · 04-07-2019, 05:59 PM

I just recently converted an SMI Stay N Play to an Air Force One with a kit I purchased awhile ago (Long story why it took me so long)

The Toad pedal actuator, vacum line connection, remote brake light indicator and breakaway switch were already installed and working with the old Stay N Play.

The Air Force One system appears to be working with one concern.

After release of the coach brake pedal, the toad brake pedal SLOWLY releases over a 15-20 second period, leaving the toad brakes “Hanging” longer than seems required.

Is this normal? The Stay N Play system would release the toad pedal immediately.

Spk64 · 04-07-2019, 06:09 PM

That does not sound normal. Make sure the air line is not kinked somewhere on the toad.

newmarpusher · 04-07-2019, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spk64

That does not sound normal. Make sure the air line is not kinked somewhere on the toad.

Thanks I’ll recheck lines but I’m confident there are no kinks in either the line from the front of the Jeep to the Air Force one unit or from the unit to the pedal actuator. In fact I simply unplugged the actuator hose from the old one to the new one so that run has been working for many years.

It almost seems like there should be a release of pressure that isn’t happening fast enough when the coach pedal is released.

Bikinjim · 04-07-2019, 08:51 PM

The AFO control box has an air exhaust port on it. I would make sure that it is not blocked and that you can hear air exhaust from it after releasing the brakes.

newmarpusher · 04-08-2019, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikinjim

The AFO control box has an air exhaust port on it. I would make sure that it is not blocked and that you can hear air exhaust from it after releasing the brakes.

I have the older Non-Demco Air Force one. Do you know where this exhaust port is located?

TIA.

Bikinjim · 04-08-2019, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newmarpusher

I have the older Non-Demco Air Force one. Do you know where this exhaust port is located?

TIA.

The only experience I have is with the current AFO. On the current AFO, the exhaust port is on the left hand side of the control box.

newmarpusher · 04-08-2019, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikinjim

The only experience I have is with the current AFO. On the current AFO, the exhaust port is on the left hand side of the control box.

Thanks. I spoke briefly with Demco this morning. The older units have the exhaust port inside the box. They confirmed that my current operation is NOT correct.

Expecting a call back with further details.

Dutch Star Don · 04-08-2019, 10:55 PM

You may want to check how you installed the two one way vacuum valves in the line running from AF1 to the toad brake vacuum line and the one installed in the toad brake vacuum line. I sounds like one could be installed wrong.

newmarpusher · 04-09-2019, 10:17 AM

Thanks to all those who offered suggestions.

I't working as intended now.

I worked with SMI over the phone and via email and we finally determined that the air lines at the coach connection were reversed.

Ironically, that is the ONLY part of the job I "farmed out" to the local Frieghliner service shop. I had mounted and installed everything else but didn't feel qualified to cut into the air hoses on the chassis.

They had two T's to put in and they reversed them.

Moral of the story, if you want it done right (even if you think you don't know what you're doing), do it yourself.

newmarpusher · 04-09-2019, 07:45 PM

A couple shots of the new TOAD setup.

After 7 years, my old towbar seemed a little schetchy and I had never upgraded my 12 year old SMI Stay N Play braking system to the Air Force One I bought three years ago.

Brand new Blue Ox Ascent towbar, SMI Air Force One Brake system, all new cables and wiring.

Dutch Star Don · 04-10-2019, 10:52 PM

The SMI unit you mount on the coach side has three ports. Before I installed mine, I wrote with a yellow marker what port was used for what. That way, there was no confusion while laying on your back under the coach, connecting the airlines. Maybe your installer needs a yellow marker!

I've installed the coach unit on three different coaches over the past fifteen years. I like to cover the airline, from the unit to the bumper with the split wrap plastic protection (available at Harbor Freight). I you feel comfortable, you might want to inspect the installers routing and slip some split wrap over it for protection. A lot of the airlines on your coach are already covered with the split wrap.

newmarpusher · 04-11-2019, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

The SMI unit you mount on the coach side has three ports. Before I installed mine, I wrote with a yellow marker what port was used for what. That way, there was no confusion while laying on your back under the coach, connecting the airlines. Maybe your installer needs a yellow marker!

I've installed the coach unit on three different coaches over the past fifteen years. I like to cover the airline, from the unit to the bumper with the split wrap plastic protection (available at Harbor Freight). I you feel comfortable, you might want to inspect the installers routing and slip some split wrap over it for protection. A lot of the airlines on your coach are already covered with the split wrap.

Thanks.

The Freightliner service center actually did apply that wrap to the lines they put in. Very nice looking installation, just wrong.

After seeing that wrap, I went back and did the run to the bumper that I had installed myself.