AirForce 1 brake system vs Ready Brake
Gents, First off, I've used the Ready Brake system for quite a few years now and for the most part, have been pretty happy with it. That included many years using it with a gas coach. Well, we chang...
Forum Discussion
Wil,
Again, I sincerely appreciate your concern on this issue. I'm not "dead set" on NOT installing a break away. It's just one of those things that has not been on the top of the list. While I (and I'm sure absolutely no one does) don't follow each and every possible news article or, accident review, concerning every motor home towing toad and, did they or, did they not have a "break away" system in use during the time of the accident...across the U.S., I'm sure it does happen from time to time.
For the longest time when towing in our earlier years, we didn't even have ANY braking system for our toads. And that was with a Class C and heavy-a$$ Jeep as a toad. We probably did that for about 10-15 years. And so did all of our other jeeper friends. It was only in the last 10 years or so, that we all decided it was time for some auxiliary braking. So, we looked into many of them out at the time. I chose the Ready Brake.
I set it up on two different jeeps and, a 2011 Honda CRV and, our present toad, a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Extended Cab. I've set them all up the exact same way, with detachable components for the brake arm. I've shown many folks my system and many have adapted theirs to it. It seems that many folks also don't like the cable connected to the brake arm, 24/7.
Anyway, as for the brake light indicator, I also did that several years ago. I did it on our last Jeep, an '04 Jeep Rubicon. Since I'm one of those types that utilizes the stock tail light bulbs for toad lights, I had to develop a plan to oleviate conflicting signals being sent to the tail lights on the Jeep, by both the motor home and, the jeeps own brake light switch.
So, it was very simple to me. All I did was, set up a mini, three way toggle switch in the door jamb of the Jeep. I cut the out-going wire from the brake switch and sent it up to the center post on the toggle. Then, I ran a wire from one side of that toggle switch, all the way to the front of the coach, to an LED I installed on the dash. Now, I also ran a wire from the other post on the toggle, back to where I cut it, near the brake switch.
Now, when the jeep was being towed, I flipped the switch to the forward position and, that lit up the LED on the dash, each and every time the brake pedal was pulled forward by the Ready Brake. Then, when the Jeep was being driven, we flipped it towards the rear which, sent that signal from the jeeps brake light switch, to the jeeps brake lights, just like it's supposed to. That's why I don't like the newer, Ready Brake indicator switch system. It only shows that there's movement in the actuator, due to the inertia force of the Jeep. It shows no actual representation of the brake arm being pulled.
I did it that way because, way before Ready Brake came out with their "signal" system, which is a switch on the actuating lever on the unit itself, I wanted notification that, my brakes in the toad, were ACTUALLY BEING APPLIED. And, because I use the jeeps tail light bulbs, I needed to isolate them from the signal of the brake switch, during towing operations and, the signals being sent from the coaches lighting system.
Believe me, there's ton of gents out there(and even some so called "Techs" at RV repair establishments), that are clueless, even today, about that problem. But, that's a whole 'nother saga/novel.
Anyway, again, I really appreciate your concern. Will I NEVER, install a break away system? That's not what I'm implying here. It's just not been on the top of the list. I'm kind of one of those that trusts the tow bar system and check it, extensively, repeatedly, on an often basis, when we're using it. Does that mean it won't break, nope, not at all. Anything can happen. I have done my own welding, setup, fabrication, alterations etc. for decades and decades and, I trust my work. Do I trust anyone elses? Well.....
Scott
Again, I sincerely appreciate your concern on this issue. I'm not "dead set" on NOT installing a break away. It's just one of those things that has not been on the top of the list. While I (and I'm sure absolutely no one does) don't follow each and every possible news article or, accident review, concerning every motor home towing toad and, did they or, did they not have a "break away" system in use during the time of the accident...across the U.S., I'm sure it does happen from time to time.
For the longest time when towing in our earlier years, we didn't even have ANY braking system for our toads. And that was with a Class C and heavy-a$$ Jeep as a toad. We probably did that for about 10-15 years. And so did all of our other jeeper friends. It was only in the last 10 years or so, that we all decided it was time for some auxiliary braking. So, we looked into many of them out at the time. I chose the Ready Brake.
I set it up on two different jeeps and, a 2011 Honda CRV and, our present toad, a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Extended Cab. I've set them all up the exact same way, with detachable components for the brake arm. I've shown many folks my system and many have adapted theirs to it. It seems that many folks also don't like the cable connected to the brake arm, 24/7.
Anyway, as for the brake light indicator, I also did that several years ago. I did it on our last Jeep, an '04 Jeep Rubicon. Since I'm one of those types that utilizes the stock tail light bulbs for toad lights, I had to develop a plan to oleviate conflicting signals being sent to the tail lights on the Jeep, by both the motor home and, the jeeps own brake light switch.
So, it was very simple to me. All I did was, set up a mini, three way toggle switch in the door jamb of the Jeep. I cut the out-going wire from the brake switch and sent it up to the center post on the toggle. Then, I ran a wire from one side of that toggle switch, all the way to the front of the coach, to an LED I installed on the dash. Now, I also ran a wire from the other post on the toggle, back to where I cut it, near the brake switch.
Now, when the jeep was being towed, I flipped the switch to the forward position and, that lit up the LED on the dash, each and every time the brake pedal was pulled forward by the Ready Brake. Then, when the Jeep was being driven, we flipped it towards the rear which, sent that signal from the jeeps brake light switch, to the jeeps brake lights, just like it's supposed to. That's why I don't like the newer, Ready Brake indicator switch system. It only shows that there's movement in the actuator, due to the inertia force of the Jeep. It shows no actual representation of the brake arm being pulled.
I did it that way because, way before Ready Brake came out with their "signal" system, which is a switch on the actuating lever on the unit itself, I wanted notification that, my brakes in the toad, were ACTUALLY BEING APPLIED. And, because I use the jeeps tail light bulbs, I needed to isolate them from the signal of the brake switch, during towing operations and, the signals being sent from the coaches lighting system.
Believe me, there's ton of gents out there(and even some so called "Techs" at RV repair establishments), that are clueless, even today, about that problem. But, that's a whole 'nother saga/novel.
Anyway, again, I really appreciate your concern. Will I NEVER, install a break away system? That's not what I'm implying here. It's just not been on the top of the list. I'm kind of one of those that trusts the tow bar system and check it, extensively, repeatedly, on an often basis, when we're using it. Does that mean it won't break, nope, not at all. Anything can happen. I have done my own welding, setup, fabrication, alterations etc. for decades and decades and, I trust my work. Do I trust anyone elses? Well.....
Scott
