lostdog
Jacksonville, FL
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Joined: 04/06/2007
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ReadyBrake for sure. Simplicity rules for me.
Chuck n Terri
2011 Georgetown 378TS in FireMist
2010 Wrangler Toad
Rica, the old cat
Max E. Dog, the puppy dog
Kirby, the old dog, passed but not forgotten
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ryanallie1
Magalia, Calif
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Joined: 04/12/2005
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Hi All.
We have the SMI for our Honda CR-V also. We also did not want to have a Brake Unit on the floor of our CR-V. No Hassels, putting it in and out, just a flip of the Switch. Its nice to have "Full Power Brakes" on the Toad when you need it. Makes a big differance on Down Hill Runs and for Emergeny Braking. Would do it again in a heart beat. Good Luck. Happy Travels. Dan & Jill
1998-33.5 Rexhall, Rexair SL. 460 EFI. F-53. 7.3 MPG. TST TPMS. HWH Levelers. 5.5G Gen. Convection/Microwave Water Purifier/Water Softner. 2 A/C's. Alarm Systems. Honda EU2000i's W/Kit. Steer-Safe. CR-V W/SMI System. FMCA #F414397 Nam-Vet, 66-67-68&70-71
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ThunderingQuiet
In Your Mind
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Joined: 12/20/2007
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gswcgi wrote:I have an SMI in my 2000 Nissan XTerra, have towed it for 40,000 miles never a problem. Very responsive company to deal with. I did not want a box on the floor. Would buy another SMI product in a heartbeat!!
We've had our SMI Air Force One for about 2 years. The system works great, absolutely nothing gets in the way of my feet when drive the car. I CAN feel a difference in stopping when driving our motor home with the SMI unit.
Someone made the comment about 'no invasion of the MH to install'. SMI has considered that...
SMI wrote:
Total Coach Protection
Total Coach Protection exclusively with Air Force One is a process that protects the air supply on the coach. To meet federal regulations (FMVSS 121) when using air brakes, the supplemental brake system must protect the towing vehicle air supply. SMI includes the components necessary to meet these important safety regulations. If the towed vehicle separates or the towing system fails, the coach air is protected. Air Force One is the safest air brake system available. No other air-operated system offers this level of safety and control.
Dale wrote:
My concern with the AF One is the vacuum line while the RoadMaster has it's own pump system. Will the AF One system still work effectively if vacuum is lost?
To answer your question - Yes it will, because SMI has it own vacumm pump (mounted under the hood on the toad) for the toad brakes that is run from the air brakes of the motor home.
As for proportional braking...
SMI wrote:
Air Force One uses a small amount of air from the coach's air brake system to create the vacuum necessary to activate the power brakes of the towed and then applies the towed vehicle's brakes in a truly proportionate manner. As you apply the brakes in the coach, a proportionate amount of air is supplied to the Air Force One system to activate the towed vehicle's brakes. Because Air Force One uses the same air that brakes the coach, truly mirrored and proportionate braking is achieved in the towed vehicle.
I did not want to deal with any 'box on the floor' to be my supplemental breaking system. I too "Would buy another SMI product in a heartbeat!!"
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Bea PA
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Joined: 12/28/2000
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We had a Brake Buddy for 90,000 miles and traded for a Patriot when we got a new Blue OX towbar, other one had towed for 100,000 and time for new. We like these portables although takes 5 mins to set up because we have 3 diff cars with baseplates.
Bea PA
2004 Winnebago Journey
2008 Saturn Vue
1998 Venture Van
Brake Buddy/Remco Pump
2003 Gold Wing 1800 recently triked (Big Red)
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Mike Hohnstein
Germantown, Wi
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Joined: 01/04/2004
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I vote for M&G, true simplicity and effectiveness. None better.
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Goldencrazy
madison wi
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Joined: 06/21/2007
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Towed last week using an Even Brake. First time as I also tow a smart car but now also tow the grand cherokee from time to time. Friend who installed an air force one gave me the even brake. A bit of wiring and it was good to go. Pretty easy to install and you can adjust to desired sensitivity. Of course free was a good price.
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southpark
SoCal
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Joined: 02/21/2005
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Just wanted to say I really enjoyed the testimonials in this thread, especially about the SMI product. Thanks for the info gang.
Question though: if there is separation, how does the SMI stop the toad? And I'm not trying to be argumentative suggesting it can't, just didn't know and too lazy to look it up right now. Thanks.
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footz
Sacramento
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Joined: 05/17/2011
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Thanks to you all. I went with the Invisabrake and really like it. No putting it in and taking it out, just hook-up the hitch and lines and you're gone. An added benefit is that it gives the battery a trickle charge while your towing. Be safe!
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dashdriver
Colorado
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Joined: 07/28/2009
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Another vote for Readybrake here. Simple and cost effective. Oops...guess I was too late. Never mind.
1999 HR Navigator 42DSS
2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (4Dr)
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Jack&Kay
Santa Rosa, Ca
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Joined: 07/02/2002
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I had one of these, (InvisaBrake) systems put in my Honda so we could tow it. Seems pretty straightforward to me, but it seems they are not all that popular. I wonder why? Cost and/or the installation?
Jack & Kay
2007 Tiffin Allegro 28DA
Ford Chassis V-10
Blue Ox Tow Bar to a 94 Honda Accord
FMCA #F341229
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