Note that the new SMI Air Force One works on the same principle as the M&G (proportional/air), but unlike the M&G, the SMI comes with the dash warning light and the breakaway.
Larry, Debbie, Tiki and Tomi
USAF Retired
2003 36' Country Coach Allure #30856
2008 Tacoma Toad
SMI Air Force One toad brake
Great information, looks like you have done a lot of homework on this one.
I would like to throw one more system into the mix that granted, I just found the thread, but have not seen this one mentioned so far. It is made by SMI, & is called the "Air Force One" system. A link to one source so you can look it over is enclosed.
The wife & I took delivery in early October of a new 2008 40' Holiday Rambler Ambassador. Like most of the other big ones it has air brakes. We moved up from a 35' 5th at the MD RV show. I was convinced from the start that I wanted the brakes to work on the toad, in our case a 2004 4WD Chevy Avalanche that weighs in at just under 6,000 pounds. The original brake unit was selected & ordered thru the dealer before we took delivery so they could put it all together. Turned out when we took the truck up to get fitted for the tow bar & Brake unit, whatever it was we had picked would work with the air brakes on the bus, but NOT with the brake system on the Avalanche. The dealer's folks got to digging around & came up with the Air Force One unit that would play nicely with both, and it has worked out great. You don't even know the extra 6,000 pounds is back there, and that's the way I like it. There is a small indicator light that they added to the dash that lights up when you step on the brake, to indicate that the toad brakes are working, and as far as I know there are no other user adjustments. There is also one small air line & electrical cable that run between the bus & toad. The only setup once you get everything connected is to step on the bus brakes once before you pull off. To my understanding this charges the air cylinder that activated the brake pedal in the toad. We have not been far in it yet, MD weather caught up with us & we had to bed it down for the winter, but spring's coming!!
The service manager at the dealer liked it so much he said they were gonna start recommending it for all of the setups.
thanks for a great place to get info, and hopefully share occasionally!
Great informative post. Thanks. We use the ReadyBrake system along with the ReadyBrute tow bar. When we were ready to tow the Jeep I wanted a simple system and one that wouldn't break the bank. Since I have some DIY abilities, I took a look at ready brake. I spent a few weeks on ebay looking for some Roadmaster Brakets. Found them for $175.00. Next was a wiring harness, I went with Cooltech, 90.00. I bought a Roadmaster umbilical cord for $70.00. All I had to do was to cut off one end of the 6 prong connector and solder on a round 4 to match what I had done on the Jeep. Lastly the towbar. I bought the ReadyBrute complete kit 902.00. It came with the towbar, aux brake, brake away, indicator and brake light switch relay. The ReadyBrute uses the same ends as Demco. The Demco to Roadmaster towbar adapter was around 90.00. For about $1400.00 we did what I think is one of the nicest setups around. The surge brakes work as intended. Haven't had to make an emergency stop yet but a few that were at least "urgent". You can feel the Jeep giving a good pull on the MH.
Rick and Julia...Living Life Without Limits...
2005 Dolphin 5367
2007 Jeep Wrangler Toad.
www.livesafeandhealthy.net
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