What's the best braking system for a Class A?
I know that a TOAD needs a good breaking system but am unable to find much information on them. What do you use?
Forum Discussion
Our coach has Air Brakes and we use SMI Air Force One for the following reasons:
- Once installed, connect and disconnect to Toad is simple (i.e. one air-line and safety cable)
- True proportional braking.
- Unaffected by engine braking (does not come on when activating exhaust or Jake brake.)
Note: 1) Surge brakes may be applied while going downhill when using engine braking because the Toad is pushing the Coach. Long steep mountain passes could be a problem.
2) Some engine brakes activate the Coach brake lights and because many Toad brake systems use the Coach brake light circuit to activate them, the Toad brakes could be applied while ascending a hill.
- The Toad brakes are isolated from Coach brakes if the air-line to Toad is severed*
- Does not rely on electricity to apply the Toad brakes
- Activation air cylinder in mounted to Toad brake pedal (eliminates cable kink problems)
M&G brake is a close second but *does not have the Coach to Toad isolation safety feature and charges extra the brake away kit.
Main disadvantage is that it is not portable. If you have multiple Toads, each toad requires brake box to be installed.
- Once installed, connect and disconnect to Toad is simple (i.e. one air-line and safety cable)
- True proportional braking.
- Unaffected by engine braking (does not come on when activating exhaust or Jake brake.)
Note: 1) Surge brakes may be applied while going downhill when using engine braking because the Toad is pushing the Coach. Long steep mountain passes could be a problem.
2) Some engine brakes activate the Coach brake lights and because many Toad brake systems use the Coach brake light circuit to activate them, the Toad brakes could be applied while ascending a hill.
- The Toad brakes are isolated from Coach brakes if the air-line to Toad is severed*
- Does not rely on electricity to apply the Toad brakes
- Activation air cylinder in mounted to Toad brake pedal (eliminates cable kink problems)
M&G brake is a close second but *does not have the Coach to Toad isolation safety feature and charges extra the brake away kit.
Main disadvantage is that it is not portable. If you have multiple Toads, each toad requires brake box to be installed.
