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Anyone had an SMI Air Force One installed on a 2014/2015 Jeep Cherok

Yahoo Message Number: 99776
We just purchased a new 2015 Jeep Cherokee Limited.  We are thinking about installing an SMI Air Force One braking system.  For the last 10 years we have had a US Gear Unified Braking System and have been happy with it but have heard great things about the SMI system.  One of our concerns is where to install the big square box that is required for the SMI system and we were wondering if anyone had installed this system on a similar car and where you installed the SMI control box.

Thanks,

Bob and Gloria
'05 Intrigue 11872

Re: Anyone had an SMI Air Force One installed on a 2014/2015 Jeep Ch

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99777
Call SMI. One of their Techs will be happy to tell you the best location. Better still, go to their plant in Newburg, IN & let them install it for you. I'm sure there are other brands that are excellent.....But my choice was Air Force One. Works great on my CC and Jeep Liberty Combo.
D Jean
CC 81072

Re: Anyone had an SMI Air Force One installed on a 2014/2015 Jeep Ch

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99778
Bob. I have the AF1 installed on my Saturn Vue. They were able to mount mine behind the grill that did not flow through the radiator. The box is not very big and is weather proof. We have had our since 2008 and it works great and is easy to hook up.

Jock Vargo

2005 Inspire

51428

Still for sale.

Re: Anyone had an SMI Air Force One installed on a 2014/2015 Jeep Ch

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99779
I installed mine on the inner frame rail near the front on my 2011. Same space available on my 2014. Easily done; took me less than an hour for the whole installation.

Roger Harper
2007 Affinity
#6840

Re: Anyone had an SMI Air Force One installed on a 2014/2015 Jeep Ch

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99780
I don't have the AF1, but my coach is rigged for it.  Previous coach couldn't support AF1 and I installed the SMI Stay-In_Play Duo.  Great company and I'm pleased with the current Stay In Play.  Next toad I'll go with the AF1, no doubt.  I realize that's no help on location of the equipment, but I had to give kudos to SMI :)

Re: Anyone had an SMI Air Force One installed on a 2014/2015 Jeep Ch

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99781
I use the Invisibrake with my Jeep and box fits under driver's seat.
John 2006 inspire

Re: Anyone had an SMI Air Force One installed on a 2014/2015 Jeep Ch

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99782
 
Roy,

Been using the AF-1 for a few years and love it. I think you will to. We have a 2014 Wrangler and I believe they are the same. This is how I mounted the controller. Just used ty-wraps to hold it in place as it is light weight.

Barney

07 Inspire 52059

Re: Anyone had an SMI Air Force One installed on a 2014/2015 Jeep Ch

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99785
Bob,

We install SMI, both systems regularly as well as many US Gear UTB systems. My first question is why AF1 on such a light toad? I recommend the Stay-n-Play on lighter toads and the AF1 on heavier toads such as full size trucks. AF1 is a great tow brake no question, and if that's what you want, do it! But it is a little overkill IMO and the S-n-P would do you a great job and save some cash....

Just my 2 cents!

Jim Lewis

Infinity Coach

Re: Anyone had an SMI Air Force One installed on a 2014/2015 Jeep Ch

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99787
Hi Jim / Bob,

I can tell you why I decided on the AF-1 and I think many others feel the same way. I am sure Jim is aware of everything that follows.

The Sta-In-Play uses two things to operate the brakes in the tow vehicle. It will receive a signal from the motor home that the brake lights are on and it has an accelerometer  in the tow vehicle to sense when the motor home is slowing down. If both of these are present the tow brakes are applied.

The AF-1 receives air pressure directly from the motor home braking system to apply the brakes in the tow vehicle. The only way the tow brakes can be applied is if the brakes are applied in the motor home.

My motor home has a Cummins ISL engine which came from the factory with a two stage Jake Brake. When the Jake is active the brake lights are also turned on even though the brakes in the motor home are not applied. I was told it was the law. (Don't know if it is or not but I see late model 18 wheeler's using their Jake brakes with no brake lights showing all the time. Just sayin.)

Anyway, though very rare it has been known to happen that when descending down a steep grade with the Jake brake active that a system that senses deceleration can apply the tow vehicle brakes without the driver knowing. This of course puts the tow vehicle in the position of trying to slow the motor home and causing the brakes to become very hot or actually destroying them altogether. I have talked with folks that have had this happen to them. Again, very rare.

This is why I decided on the AF-1. That's my story and I am sticking to it.

Barney

07 Inspire 52059

Re: Anyone had an SMI Air Force One installed on a 2014/2015 Jeep Ch

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99789
Barney,

We also have the AF1 and really like it. We had it first installed on our first DP in 2007 at a rally.

We now have two vehicles that we can tow behind the Allure, a 2012 CRV and a 2014 F150. Both have the AF1 and it works flawlessly.

Finding a place for the control box in the CRV was a bit challenging but the F150 had many options. As suggested, I would call SMI and just ask for suggestion on best locations for the Jeep.

Gary

07 Allure 470 Siskiyou Summit

Re: Anyone had an SMI Air Force One installed on a 2014/2015 Jeep Ch

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99791
Barney, that is one of the reasons I want to go with the AF1. Our Intrigue has a CAT C-13 and the brake lights come on when the Jake is engaged. The C-13 can also produce a lot of deceleration when the Jake is on. I have used a lot of inertia brake systems with trailers and Toads and I have never found them to work consistently over all situations. I really like the design of the AF1. I Jim is trying to help me save some money but I kept the last toad for 10 years so the annual cost isn't that much difference between the two systems.

Bob

05 Intrigue 11872

Re: Anyone had an SMI Air Force One installed on a 2014/2015 Jeep Ch

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99817
Jim and Infinity Coach do great work but Barney is right you don't want your toad trying to stop you going down a long grade. I have the M&G system for the same reason. I understand that A F 1 has more flexibility in installation though.
John

08 Intrigue
10 Ford Escape