General Boards > General Discussion
Types of brakes for towing
LEAH DRAPER:
As you may already know, there is NO cable attached to the brake arm with the SMI.
Jeff Watt:
I received the following response from SMI:
"We recommend that the motor to the adjustable pedals be disconnected or the pedals be moved all the way toward the drivers seat when being installed. This will result in you having to move the pedals all the way toward the seat every time you tow. "
So I am still limited by this unit wrt to adjustable pedals and memory settings....I guess it isn't a big deal.
Otherwise the I like the smi unit because the toad brakes don't come on unless the brakes in the coach (not engine brake) are applied, also from SMI:
"You are correct, the AFO cannot engage with the exhaust brake since it requires air to be applied from your brake pedal to activate. "
I believe with the US Gear (Roadmaster) system the toad brakes come on with the engine brakes. That's ok if they are set up so they aren't trying to brake more than the what the coach is doing; don't need a 4500 lb explorer trying to stop a 40000lb coach :)
Jeff
Jeff Watt:
Follow-up to previous post, in the SMI install manual is the following paragraph which describes use with adjustable pedals.
"Special attention must be given to vehicles with moveable pedals. Check for proper clearance in all positions. When adjusting the cable, be sure that the pedals are positioned closest to the driver’s seat. This will allow normal operation of the adjustable pedals. Be sure to return the pedals closest to the driver’s seat when preparing to tow, or the braking system will not function properly. As an option, the pedals may be moved to the desired position and disabled. Do not depend on the fact that “no one moves them.” "
So I may look into this system more closely as it appears that it works with them provided one remembers to move them forward before towing.
Jeff
Larry Fisk:
Yes Jeff, I just make it part of my routine to move the pedals all the way back when I'm setting up to tow. When I get ready to disconnect the car I just hit the key fob and the pedals return to their preset state. I too really like the fact that the brakes only activate when I am actually braking. It has worked flawlessly for us. I am very happy with the SMI system.
Mike Randolph:
Kieth - you didn't mention what year Explorer you were rigging for towing/brakes. We have a 2012 and 2005 Explorer, both rigged for towing and both 4x4 LTDs. The older one has a neutral tow switch; while the 2012 is just placed in Accessory position (keyless). I use a Brake Buddy as an auxiliary brake. In the past, I've had problems with dead batteries, but on the both of them, have a wire from coach chassis battery to Explorer battery (fused and dioded). While the Explorer itself doesn't have much a draw, I suspect the Brake Buddy cycling off Explorer battery does. The electric feed seems to solve that problem.
MIke Randolph
2006 Patriot Thunder, 45'
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