CA Traveler
The Western States
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Joined: 01/03/2004
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DaveMac,
If you start another thread please post the name here.
2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Bob
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DFS
Southern Nevada
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Joined: 04/27/2003
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I have the M&G brake system installed on my towed complete with the M&G breakaway system. The braking system has performed flawlessly for about a year. The breakaway system worked as it should when the cable switch to operate the system was inadvertantly operated. Since there is NO indication to the MH driver, I was unaware that the brekes in the towed were operated and I did nearly $1000 damage to the brakes of the towed. This breakaway system need to have an indication to the MH driver when the system is operated. An alternative would be for wiring (or Radio) be provided to indicate when the towed brakes are operated. I like the fact that equipment does not need to be removed and stored when I use the towed vehicle. I like that the system does NOT operate the brake pedal. This is NOT an endorsement of the M&G system, merely my experience. Each one must evaluate all aspects of each system along with their own likes and dislikes before choosing a brake system. In any case, I do recommend having auxilary brakes for ANY towed vehicle. A special thanks to Pulsar for this thread. I wish that I had seen it before making my decision even though I may not have made any change to my selection.
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04admiral
Lake Orion, Michigan
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Joined: 05/02/2005
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Great info for a newbie like me that is investigating brake systems for my toad.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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While supplemental brakes don't appear to fail very often there are enough posts of damage caused by unexpected applied brakes to make me cautious. And so one of my criteria in selecting a supplemental brake was to make sure I knew when the toad brakes were applied independent of the supplemental brake. Currently I have a light on the toad dash that is activated with the toad brakes only and I can view it with the rear view camera. So the extra light is a double check on when the brakes are/are not being applied. Eventually I'll move that light to the rig dash.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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pulsar,
I'm sure this line under SMI is a typo and you meant until the MH brakes are released.
Quote:In ‘Latched’ mode, the normal mode for all non-proportional auxiliary systems, the toad’s brakes stay on until the coach and toad come to a complete stop.
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Joined: 12/30/2001
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Bob, (CA Traveler)
You are too kind. It was not a typo. Since reading your post, I've tried to resolve how that line got into the post. I cannot tell if Mr. Schuck, president of SMI, misspoke, or I made poor notes. In any event, my notes of a telephone coversation with him state, "until the complete stop." It's probably a matter me taking him too literally. I will also point out that they have changed how they talke about "latched" mode on their website.
Thank you for the correction. I will change it in the summary of SMI's systems.
Tom
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tomsm
FL
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Joined: 06/01/2004
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Tom,
Great topic! I just stumbled onto it today and it was too late to help me since I'm already using the M&G system. Really love this system because it's so easy to hook-up. Nothing to hook up inside the toad, no bleeding down the power brake vacuum, etc. I previously used the VIP system and had no problems with it, but getting it ready to travel on a hot day wasn't pleasant.
Just wanted to comment on your mention of the Blue Ox Alert system. As you stated, the braking system must depress the brake pedal before the Blue Ox can be used as designed. It won't work with the M&G for that reason - the brake pedal doesn't move when the M&G activates. However, if you wire the Blue Ox Alert to the cold side of the M&G breakaway switch, it makes an excellent indicator of breakaway activation! I wired both the trigger wire and the 12v source wire to the cold side, so the Blue Ox isn't even powered until a breakaway occurs. This allowed me to mount it completely out of sight in the front "inards" of the CR-V, since I don't need to connect or disconnect it.
One anamoly with my setup, that works to my advantage, is that once the rx activates in the MH, it stays on till I unplug it from the 12v port. Don't think it's supposed to work like that, but I like it since in a real life breakaway, the MH would quickly get out of range of the TX in the toad. That might allow the indicator light to go off before I noticed it. Again, I think this is a fault in my rx so I hope I don't have to replace it for another reason.
Tom
'04 Journey 36G CAT C7
'04 CR-V
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Sedona_RVer
Sedona, AZ, USA
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Joined: 07/15/2004
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Pulsar, thanks very much for all the great information.
Does anyone have more experience with the ReadyBrake system? I have a 1988 28' Winnebago Superchief and I want to tow a 1989 Toyota PU truck 2 wheel drive. I can't afford the $4,500 quoted from my RV dealer. The ReadyBrake System would be less then $2,000 if I do the installation myself. The ReadyBrute™ Plus Tow Bar Kit (Self Locking) w/ Readybrake is attractive since it has the brake built into the tow bar. This is apparently a propotional braking system. My only concern would be on extremely steep decents. Any comments and experience about the ReadyBrake surge brake system would be appreciate. The other advantage is there is no box to store when I'm driving the PU. Thanks
Daniel Higgins
Sedona, Arizona
1988 Winnebago 27ft SuperChief
Chevy 454, SteerSafe, New Bilsteins, Michelins
Henderson Bell Cranks, Front Sway Bar, Rear Trac Bar
http://www.optimalhealth2000.com/rv
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Joined: 12/30/2001
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Daniel (Sedona_RVer)
Your post would get more attention in a separate thread. Most of the readers of this thread are those who are looking for a supplemental system as opposed to those who already have one.
There is a current thread about ReadyBrake.
Have about had it with ReadyBrake
You could ask questions there.
Tom
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Bugle Boy
Chesapeake, VA
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Joined: 05/21/2005
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I have just had the M & G brake system installed on a 1998 Newmar Mountain Aire 37.5 ft. tag axle, Ford 460 gas engine. I required the optional air compressor to convert my RV hydraulic brake fluid to compressed air to operate the toad brakes. The toad is a 2001 Jeep Cherokee 4 door[not a Grand]. I have about 30 miles on the set up and all is working as it should. The stopping ability seems to be slightly better than with no toad. I have a tendency to downshift from 4th[OD] to 3rd direct approaching lights in traffic and can see a noticeable improvement in stopping performance.
The system is completely proportional, and that is very, very important to me. It's not a real big deal, but now when I put light [or heavy] pressure on the RV brakes I have the "stopping power" of 10 disc brakes all working together.
The compressor tray with tank is mounted on the inside of the rear frame with an air line quick disconnect in a welded bracket within 6 " of the unit.The rearward mounting also allows me to simply reach under the bumper and open the small tank drain valve to let any accumulated moisture drain out without having to actually get under the RV.
The steel brake line to the air compressor is from a "T" at the rear driving wheel at the point where the hydraulic steel line goes into the flex line to the disc brake calipers.The tag axle also has disc brakes, but the "T" is at the drive line brakes. A flexible Teflon [?] line goes from the quick disconnect at the rear bumper of the RV through the grill of the toad direct to the M& G supplied device at the brake master cylinder.The compressed air directly loads the brake system on the toad in proportion to the amount of pressure I place on the RV brake pedal.
When the toad is in regular use, we have coiled up the flex line back through the grill and into the engine compartment in a Velcro strap secured near the brake cylinder away from all heat sources. A mechanical rod goes through the supplied M&G cylinder unit and allows the toad brakes to work as normal,when not in toad mode.[flex line open ended and "breathing" so as not to compromise the system].
I am scheduled on an over 1000 mile trip in 3 weeks and will be glad to report my feelings on the new brake system upon my return.
The unit was installed by a truck fleet repair company where the owner has a motor home and does have some RV customers. This installation was their first for this set up and they read everything carefully and proceeded slowly. The total time suggested by M& G was 4 hours and my system installation was 6 hours. It would have been a bit less if I had a Diesel RV [ air brakes, eliminating the bolt on air compressor system].A few hundred dollars cheaper, too.
So far , I am pleased with the unit and the mechanic was impressed with the quality of the machined M&G components and also the fact that all fittings and parts were supplied for both the toad and the coach.......even down to a packet of lock tite material. My only cost for parts was for steel approved brake lines not supplied due to the difference in coach lengths from rear brakes to air compressor mounting point. So far, so good.
Bugle Boy
Warren
Bugle Boy
1998 Newmar Mountain Aire 37,5' Tag axle
460, Banks, Blue Ox Aventa towbar
2001 Jeep Cherokee w/ M&G Brake System
Wife Carol & Old English Sheepdog "Darby"
"One day chicken, next day feathers"
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