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Toad Braking

Yahoo Message Number: 70448
Hi All,

In the process of installing a new Towed Brake System in our car. I am considering the SMI Air Force One or the M&G Brake. Please let me know your thoughts and experience with each. Also will need to install in Calif. Any ideas on installers.

Thank you and happy trails.

David

2007 Allure

Re: Toad Braking

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70450
David

We have had the Air Force One for 3-4 years and love it. Unlike other air activated systems I've seen, this one comes standard with an emergency break-away system and since it fits any vehicle, it can be moved to another towed (but not easily). Unlike others I've seen, it also activates and uses the towed's power brake system instead of a "hard pedel". It is easy to use and basically invisible to the casual observer.

Larry, 03 Allure, 30856

Re: Toad Braking

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70451
Have had the SMI Air Force for three years now. It's a great system and they can help you with any problems or installation questions you have. The installation is not that complicated. The coach part gets a little dirty, but other than that it's pretty straight forward. Mine is installed in a 2009 GMC Acadia.
If you do it yourself, give it a full day and a half. If paying someone, figure on a full day of labor.

Rob

2002 Intrigue #11480

Re: Toad Braking

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70455
I've had the M&G installed in my 07 Wrangler Unlimited for 3 years now. No complaints, seems to work fine. I haven't had a panic stop, so it hasn't been tested hard yet. The M&G doesn't fit all vehicles, so be sure and check with them before buying one. They have a list of dealers/installers on their website, www.m-gengineering.com.

Dan 06 Intrigue 11936

Re: Toad Braking

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70456
David,

I have had the M&G system installed on my toad for the past two years with zero problems with it. My criteria was that it that it be a proportional braking system that is easy to set up and remove while traveling. This literally requires me to attach/detach an air line and a breakaway cable and it's done. The M&G website, http://www.m-gengineering.com/, does a good job of showing the system. I had the company install mine at their facility in Athens, TX., but there is a list of installers on their website. I have also seen where a number of folks have installed it themselves. After watching the installation process, I would have someone knowledgeable install it. I view it as too important to take the chance of me screwing it up. The system won't fit all vehicles and the website has a list of vehicles that are approved for installation.
I've never read a bad review of either system and don't believe you will go wrong installing either. If I were doing it again today, I would install another M&G system.
Dan

2000 Magna #5788
Dan Siedschlag
2000 Magna #5788

Re: Toad Braking

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70465
I've got the SMI AFO on my '06 Jeep Liberty. I didn't install it myself because I swore off crawling under, in, and over vehicles a long time ago. I travel close to Evansville, IN, so I had SMI do the install. It did not appear to be difficult but I know they did it much faster than I could have.
I bought my system in 2007 and installed it on my Winnebago. At that time they ran a wire to the coach dash that activates a light when the brake pedal in the toad is depressed. When I had the coach side installed on my CC, I had them do the same except I had a wire I could use already on this coach. I really like the positive feedback that the toad pedal is depressed.
So, with my set up I attach a break away cable, an electrical plug, and the air line. Total time for brake hookup can't be more than a minute or two.
The AFO comes standard with a break away system so when you compare prices, keep this in mind.
The important thing you are doing is putting the braking system on the toad and I don't think you can go wrong with either system.

pete

2000 40' Magna #5892
Pete
 2000 40'  Magna #5892  CAT C-10

Re: Toad Braking

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70468
David,

We installed the Air Force One in our 7000 lb Tundra three years ago. It doesn't get any better than this.

D Bradley

04 Intrigue #11830

Re: Toad Braking

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70471
Hi David,

We had the M%G system installed in January at their factory in Texas on the way to CA. The system works very well on our Chevy HHR. We did have a pretty severe stop situation in El Paso on the way home and the system really helped.

Below is a list of their dealers.

http://m-gengineering.com/Dealerlist.html
Marta

07 Allure 31501
 

Re: Toad Braking

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 70497
We had the Roadmaster installed on our towed almost two years ago. This is a very well made system that looks like it will last for many years. It has worked flawlessly. However, it is not particularly easy to take on and off the brake peddle. I picked Brake Master because that is who made our tow system.

Bob Nuttmann 2002 Affinity