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toad brakes

Yahoo Message Number: 7790
I have the US Gear brake Unified Brake system. A little expensive but it works great. It is a no brainer once installed. Just plug in the electric. connector and go. However I have installed on a 2003 Yukon with adjustable pedals, therefore I must make sure the pedals are all the way back towards the seat. It was installed by Guaranty RV in Junction City. This is the second Yukon that it has been on. Includes a breakaway.,

John Drebickj

2003 Affinity 6194.

Re: toad brakes

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7791
I have a US Gear system. I first used it on a 2000 Honda CRV and I now have it on a 2003 Honda Pilot. It is a little expensive and it takes about 10 hrs. of labor to have it installed. I chose this system for the following reasons:
1. It doesn't break into the coach air system
2. It doesn't break into the car hydraulic system
3. It has boosted vacuum
4. It is permanently installed
5. When you hook up the 7 pin electrical connection for the lights, you also have hooked up the brake system.
6. It has a breakaway system and you do have to install a separate pull lanyard. (15 seconds)

You definitely need to have it installed by an experienced shop. Mine was installed by Jack's RV in Tucson, AZ.

Ken

2000 Magna
# 5811

Re: toad brakes

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7792
Hi John

Excellent post. I was hoping someone had experience with the US Gear Brake System because that was what was recommended to me after my problem with Brake Buddy and I can get it installed at Wagers in Salem (my choice - they are a great area to have work done).
Please answer me this. Is there anything obviously visible inside the car with this system installed and do you have to attach objects to the brake pedal etc. each time you want to hook up. And how difficult to "undue" the system when you've arrived at your destination and want to unhook and use car?

Tom

Re: toad brakes

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7793
Hi Tom,

I also have the U.S. Gear system, it's great.
Nothing shows on the car, there is a cable from the brake pedal back to the firewall. The system hooks and unhooks in seconds. There is a vacuuum plug in the front by the elec. hookup, it is connected to a breakaway cable.

Just look here, everything you would want to know: http://www.usgear.com/unified_tow_brake.htm Merry Christmas

Bill Harris

03 Allure 1st Ave 30912
Datastorm

Re: toad brakes

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7794
Tom:

I have the US Gear Brake on my '02 Intrigue and a Jeep. Took me about 3 days to install it. To be fair it was about 3-4 hours of real work and 2.5 days of planning. The system has made two trips from Homer Alaska to Central Florida and back without problems.
You should see nothing in the car if it's installed correctly. The control unit mounts up under the dash and the braking solenoid gets installed under the drivers seat. The cable* from the solenoid is routed under the carpet or mat to brake peddle. You would have to stick your head up almost under the dash to see the cable attachment to the brake peddle. You can see the added vacuum pump under the hood but even that tends to get lost in the clutter of the engine compartment.

Nothing to hook up or disconnect other than the control and brake-away cable from the motor home to the toad. No brackets, fuses, boxes, ETC. The hardest part is trying to remember where you put the dummy plug that needs to be inserted into the brake-away switch on the toad. (I keep extra plugs in the jeep and the MH)

The US Gear Brake has its own control cable but as it uses only few wires** you may be able to talk your installer into using spare wires in your toad brake/tail lighting cable. That will result in having only one cable between the toad and MH. Makes a nice clean easy to use unit. I like it !!

Good Luck in your search.

Jim Cook
www.al7rv.net

2002 Intrigue 11446

* the cable stays attached at all times.
** CC provided spare wires from the dash area of the MH to the rear of the coach. I used those wires to run the US Gear dash mounted brake controller to the 'tail light' connector for the toad.

Re: toad brakes

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7796
There is nothing visible in the car. There is a solenoid under the seat with a cable hooked up via a pulley attached to the firewall to the brake pedal. To get underway plug the electric connecter, the same one that is for the turn signals, and plug in the breakaway switch. It works. The controller in the MH allows you to adjust the intensity of the toad brakes. Also a green light that lets you know it is working. I was skeptical at first so had someone drive my MH with the toad hooked up and I road in the toad along with the Guaranty Service manager and his tech. Away we went about 20 mph and the MH slammed on the brakes. I watched the brake pedal go down immediately and the toad was stopping also.

John Drebick
affiniuty 6194

Re: toad brakes

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7797
Hi Country Coacher's!!

I was a service tech for 8-9 years and have installed a variety of tow brake systems. The installation of the U.S. Gear is somewhat trying and requires more time. However, after install it is by far the best brake system on the market. A clean look and little hook up is a convenience no other system provides in my opinion. But then again, it's only my opinion. Have great holidays and be well.

Jeremy Smit

Holland, Michigan

Re: toad brakes

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7798
Thanks again everyone for the information on the US Gear System. I think it's going to be the one for us.

Tom

Re: toad brakes

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7815
Hi Ree,

Yes, it sure can. You would have to pay to have it removed and re- installed.

Bill Harris

03 Allure 1st Ave 30912
Datastorm

toad brakes

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 33591
I strongly suggest you consider the SMI Manufacturing braking system.
I looked a very long time for the best system to cover our situation and found SMI the absolute best.

SMI does not advertise in magazines. Most of their sales are generated by personal recommendations from satisfied customers and by sponsoring rallys. They were recently at the FMCA rally and the Good Sam rally.

SMI has dealers throughout the country that perform factory trained installations.

For information and to locate an SMI dealer, call 812-428-2794. When you call, tell them I recommended them!

Tom Sims
05 Magna

toad brakes

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68175
We currently have a brake buddy system on our toad, and am not satisfied with it. I have talked to a fellow here who has a M & G brake system, which is run off the air brakes of his coach. He swears by it. It is easy to hook up and since it runs off the air brakes of the coach brakeing is all one motion and very smooth. Has anyone had any experience with this type of brake system.
Tom

2005 Inspire # 51177

Re: toad brakes

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68177
Tom,

You need to check with M & G to be sure they have an adapter that fits toad. I tow a Saturn Vue and M & G did not make an adapter due to the space limitations around the master cylinder.
I chose the SMI Air Force One for my braking system. Uses the coaches air brake system much like the M & G. One of the features I like about the SMI product it can be used on another vehicle if you decide to change your toad. You would not be able to do that with the M & G as it is attached to and made specific to the master cylinder.
I have had mind for three years without any issues, work very well, and is easy to connect.

Jock Vargo
2005 Inspire
51428

Re: toad brakes

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68178
Tom

We have one on our '05 Silverado 1500 4WD which we tow carrying our Harley Ultra. It is by far the simplest unit to use (and install if you have the space under the hood). I installed the system myself when we bought the truck new. The hardest part of the install was crawling under the MH to get to the brake air lines.

Don Krahling

'01 Intrigue #11238

Re: toad brakes

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68179
Tom,

You can't beat the M & G system. I bought one, installed it myself on our 06 Jeep Liberty and it works great.

Tom

Trans-Specialists/Lifeline Batteries
01 Magna 5999

www.trans-specialists.net

Re: toad brakes

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68182
I use an M&G after many years of using the Roadmaster air system. While the Roadmaster allowed me to have one unit that fit from vehicle to vehicle I decided when I got my new 2010 Jeep Wrangler I would go to the M&G. Definately like the M&G as its easier to connect. M&G will "buy back" your unit if you change vehicles. They do sell reconditioned units, if they have any in stock for your vehicle. Call them and ask.

bill 'n barb, poconos of pa, 1998 cc prevost 40'xl #30365

Re: toad brakes

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68185
TOM. My experience has been excellent over 30,000 miles BOB 06intrigue. 12047. Honda Element

Re: toad brakes

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68189
Hi Tom,

We just had our M&G system installed at there shop in Athens, TX a couple of weeks ago. Our toad is a Chevy HHR. We are extremely pleased with its performance especially in emergeney braking situations. It is also very easy to hook up and there is no box inside the passenger compartment. We would definitely recommend.

Marta

07 Allure 31501

Re: toad brakes

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68191
I had the M&G system installed on my '07 Rubicon at the FMCA Pomona show a couple years ago. I haven't had to make a "panic" stop yet, but it seems to work fine. Hook up the air coupler and the breakaway wire and your ready to go. As someone else mentioned, they don't make a unit that fits all vehicles, so you wold have to ask if they make one for your toad.

Dan 06 Intrigue 11936

Re: toad brakes

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68192
Tom -

We also had a Brake Buddy.. We had the M & G installed in Oregon (I believe it was at Hitch Pro) and my husband is very pleased with it. Much easier to hook up.

Kathy

2000 Allure #30536

Re: toad brakes

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68194
We've towed our Honda Element over 50,000 mi with it and it works very well and easy to use. In our case the toad stayed the same and we had it moved from our last rig to the current rig.
Only problem we had is when the dealer we bought the rig from moved the system (they were/are an authorized US Gear installer) they connected it without the brdige (rectifier/diodes) and screwed up the cruise control on the rig. Once we had that corrected it has not been a problem.
Our last rig as a much smaller gas MH and we had the sensitivity set to about 7; on the current rig we have it set as low as it will go as the rig's brakes are more than adequate to stop the little Element behind us so the braking system works more for emergency braking in our case.

Re: toad brakes

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68196
I am a happy US Gear Unified Brake System owner, with over 75,000 miles.

--

Lee Zaborowski

07 Intrigue 12153, Cat C-13
---------

Re: toad brakes

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68201

Tom:

I also think M&G is one of the best, elegant designs out there. Had it on our 2000 Jeep GC and it worked flawlessly for several years. Plus there is nothing to install/remove inside the car every time you connect or disconnect..
Unfortunately our newer JGC doesn't have the space to install the M&G but I want the air brake type action. Fortunately Roadmaster (the tow bar maker) also has an air brake system but a very different design. The only thing you need to install each time is the cylinder that attaches to the brake pedal and a bracket on the floor. No heavy, big boxes to mess with. We've been using that for 2 years and it works fine although I like the M&G much better as there is no need to install anything inside the car when you get ready to tow. In addition, there are some who complain that the pressure on the brake pedal can cause stress cracks in the firewall - I consider that ridiculous as any design that weak would fail under heavy use of any kind and in today's world result in lawsuits right and left.
I still have the M&G, it is in perfect shape - check with the company to see if it will fit your car. I have the complete kit including instructions available for less than half new cost if you are interested. FWIW I installed both systems myself with no problems, ever. If you are not comfortable dealing with brake systems have a pro do it.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: toad brakes

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68202

Jock,

Minor disagreement on what you said - the M&G does come in several models but they are not different for every car/toad out there. There is significant interchangeability but you must check with M&G, they are not universal.
I could have installed the same unit on our later model Jeep GC but a fender support was in the way and I refused to cut it no matter how good the M&G is. The bottom line is if you have air brakes they are a much better solution than bulky electric boxes. Any brand using the air system is better IMHO. Whichever one fits go for it.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: toad brakes

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68206
Tom,

I have had the M & G braking system for 10 years and highly recommend it. I hooked up the hose to the system to the coach air system (behind the passenger side rear tires) and my son put the part behind the master cylinder on a Blazer. When we traded the Blazer for a full size GMC 4WD pickup just moved everything to it.in 2002. I have never had a problem with it and I do as much driving in the mountains of CO, WY, and MT as well as the Blue Ridge Mtns as possible.

Do call M & G to see if they have something to fit your toad.

Gene Merryman
2000 Allure