WagonWheels wrote:
New to owning a motorhome (2003 Foretravel U320 38ft w/tag DP). We selected a 2016 Chev Silverado 1500 4X4 for a toad. The manual for the Chev spells out exactly what one has to do to dinghy tow the vehicle. One of the requirements is to disconnect the negative cable at the battery. No problem? Very big problem if I want to use a supplemental braking system in the Chev. The braking systems that sit in the floor and push on the brake pedal require plugging into a cigarette lighter. Disconnected vehicle battery cuts power to the cigarette lighter plug. Another issue is with the Chev brake lights. The brake lights will not light when the brake pedal is pushed by the supplemental braking system with the vehicle battery disconnected. What are my options? Operate without a supplemental braking system? Purchase/trade for a different toad? Install a supplemental braking system that I am not familiar with? Please help.
Well Sir,
We tow an almost identical truck to yours. It's an '11 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Extended Cab. Now, being an '11, we don't have to disconnect the negative battery cable so, that's not a problem for us.
Since you're piloting a diesel rig, and it has air brakes, I'd highly recommend the M & G Braking system. There is no "Robots" sitting on the floor of your truck, nothing to lift and place, each and every time you want to tow, then you have to find a place for it when you're done towing. Now, cables to hook up to your brake pedal, no plug-ins to your 12v power outlets in the truck, NOTHING.
The M & G system is a one time install and, you're good for the rest of time you own it. All that's needed when you prep for towing is, hook up one, curly cue air line between the coach and your truck. DONE!!
The install of the M & G unit in the truck took me about an hour and a half. The part that goes into the air brakes on the coach, about an hour, total. They are proportional in that, the more you apply the service brakes on the coach, the more the trucks brakes apply.
And, you exhaust brake or, retarder or, Jake brake, have no effect on that system. So, you won't be heating up your trucks brakes while you're exhaust braking it down a long grade.
Now, as for the brake lights on the truck, you can get all kinds of plug and play harnesses for that and you'll have turn signals, brake lights and all you need. If you have any questions and are interested in the M & G, PM me and I'd be glad to help.
Scott
