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Country Coach Owners Forum

Country Coach Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums => Country Coach Archive => Topic started by: Larry Hanson on April 10, 2004, 11:36:44 pm

Title: Tow car braking system
Post by: Larry Hanson on April 10, 2004, 11:36:44 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 9254 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/9254)
I know that there have been a lot of posts on this matter, but I recently purchased a toad that I believe will be permanent for a few years and I would like to step up to the air-brake actuated system rather than the surge type that I have been using.
Does anyone have great success with an air actuated system and would recommend one?
I'm concerned about ease in hook-up and adjustment of pedal pressure.

Thanks in advance.

Larry
Intrigue
10762
Title: Re: Tow car braking system
Post by: Candace And Dale Hollick on April 11, 2004, 12:21:04 am
Yahoo Message Number: 9256 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/9256)
Larry, try US Gear or M&G. Jeff Fine has US Gear and he said you need a good installer and and after that it is a piece of cake to hook up your toad. Dale and Jeff
Title: Re: Tow car braking system
Post by: Lyle Wetherholt on April 11, 2004, 10:20:12 am
Yahoo Message Number: 9258 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/9258)
Quote from: Larry Hanson"
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Larry,

I have used the M&G system on two coaches and have found it very reliable and easy to hook-up. I recommend you also have the optional break-away system installed. If you are good with a wrench you can do it yourself. I had M&G do the first one and I did the second. If you are unsure they will recommend someone in your area to do it for you.
If you have questions e-mail me at lylewet@... (lylewet@...) Lyle, 04 Intrigue

Quote
I know that there have been a lot of posts on this matter, but I
recently purchased a toad that I believe will be permanent for a few years and I would like to step up to the air-brake actuated system rather than the surge type that I have been using.

Quote
>

Does anyone have great success with an air actuated system and would
recommend one?
Title: Re: Tow car braking system
Post by: Don S. on April 11, 2004, 11:49:51 am
Yahoo Message Number: 9259 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/9259)
Larry, we have been using a M&G system for the last 60,000 miles. I investigated all the air operated brakes out there and decided that the M&G was the best. Everything is under the hood and all it takes is an air line from the coach to the toad. I also have the breakaway addition but if I had it to do over again, I might not install it.
Thre are some vehicles that the system will not fit on so it would be best if you called the factory to see if a M&G will fit your application. There is also a M&G web site: www.m-gengineering.com

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427

Quote from: Larry Hanson
> I know that there have been a lot of posts on this matter, but I
recently purchased a toad that I believe will be permanent for a few years and I would like to step up to the air-brake actuated system rather than the surge type that I have been using.

Quote
>

Does anyone have great success with an air actuated system and
would recommend one?

Quote
>

I'm concerned about ease in hook-up and adjustment of pedal

pressure.
Title: Re: Tow car braking system
Post by: HefinAV@aol Com on April 11, 2004, 12:27:28 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 9260 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/9260)
Hi, Larry,

Just another vote for M&G braking system from a satisfied user. After installation, hooking it up doesn't get any easier!

Mark, '03 Intrigue, #11625
Title: Re: Tow car braking system (M&G and small problem)
Post by: Henk J Bots on April 12, 2004, 10:52:42 am
Yahoo Message Number: 9265 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/9265)
I have M&G installed on a Jeep Liberty.
I am very happy with the ease of connecting and disconnecting,a nd I like that the breaking power is proportionate with the coach.

I do have one problem. When I drive the Jeep by itself sometimes it appears that the power breaks aren't working. This has happened only a couple of times, typically after driving without breaking for a good distance. After hitting the break once, everything is fine again.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I have been in contact with an M&G tech, and he thinks it may be a leak in the vacuum system. After tightening the bolts, it is still happening.

Kinda scary the first couple of times, as you need to push the breaks harder, luckily, that's a natural reaction when it appears they're not working.
Title: Re: Tow car braking system (M&G and small problem)
Post by: Don S. on April 12, 2004, 01:14:24 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 9269 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/9269)
Your problem is not caused by the M&G brake if it was installed correctly. There is a procedure that must be followed to get the proper clearance on the rod that runs through the brake cylinder that makes a mechanical contact from the brake pedal and the master cylinder. If it only does it sometimes, then I would suspect a leak in the vacuum system. With the engine running, have someone step on the brake pedal while you listen for a leak. This can also be done with the engine off but you only get a couple of brake applications before the vacuum chamber is depleated.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427

Quote from: Henk J\. Bots
> I have M&G installed on a Jeep Liberty.
I am very happy with the ease of connecting and disconnecting,a nd I > like that the breaking power is proportionate with the coach.
> I do have one problem. When I drive the Jeep by itself sometimes it > appears that the power breaks aren't working. This has happened

only a

Quote
couple of times, typically after driving without breaking for a good > distance. After hitting the break once, everything is fine again.

Has anyone else experienced this? >

I have been in contact with an M&G tech, and he thinks it may be a > leak in the vacuum system. After tightening the bolts, it is still > happening.

Kinda scary the first couple of times, as you need to push the

breaks

Quote
harder, luckily, that's a natural reaction when it appears they're

not
Title: Re: Tow car braking system (M&G and small problem)
Post by: Henk J Bots on April 12, 2004, 02:45:22 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 9271 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/9271)
Don, thanks for the feedback. It only happens occasionally, and I have to drive without braking for dozens of miles. If it is a leak, it's a very slow one that I have not been able to hear. It also occurs more easily when the wether is cooler, making the leak theory more likely.

Quote from: dons2346
Title: Re: Tow car braking system (M&G and small problem)
Post by: Don S. on April 12, 2004, 10:41:45 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 9274 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/9274)
Henk, after thinking about this a little, I have another theory. When you installed the M&G, did the installer take the hydraulic lines loose from the master cylinder? If so, there is a possibility that air got into the lines. That will also make a pedal feel mushy.

Don

Quote from: Henk J\. Bots
> Don, thanks for the feedback. It only happens occasionally, and I

have

Quote
to drive without braking for dozens of miles. If it is a leak, it's

a

Quote
very slow one that I have not been able to hear. It also occurs more > easily when the wether is cooler, making the leak theory more

likely.

Quote
>

Quote from: dons2346"[/quote
Quote
>]
>

> Your problem is not caused by the M&G brake if it was installed > > correctly. There is a procedure that must be followed to get the > > proper clearance on the rod that runs through the brake cylinder

that

Quote
makes a mechanical contact from the brake pedal and the master > > cylinder. If it only does it sometimes, then I would suspect a

leak

Quote
in the vacuum system. With the engine running, have someone step

on

Quote
the brake pedal while you listen for a leak. This can also be

done

Quote
with the engine off but you only get a couple of brake

applications
Title: Re: Tow car braking system (M&G and small problem)
Post by: Henk J Bots on April 14, 2004, 04:41:20 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 9292 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/9292)
I don't know what the installer did.
But if there is air in the hydraulic lines, wouldn't the problem be less intermittent (and not based on driving a longer distance without using the breaks)?

Thanks for brainstorming with me on this issue. At least nobody else reported a similar problem, thus it is likely an isolated case.

Quote from: dons2346
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