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Supplemental Braking Systems
Supplemental Braking Systems (SBS) have become an RV industry "hot topic" when you are towing a vehicle behind your RV. Chassis manufacturers provide the total weight that can be driven and pulled for a vehicle. Referred to as the Gross Combined Weight Rating, this term advises the amount of weight your coach's braking system can handle, but doesn't include the weight of what's being pulled.
By contrast, travel trailers typically include backing systems. Thus the concern: Does your RV have adequate braking for the weight being towed? According the late C. Jay Haynor, former technical editor for Family Motor Coaching Magazine, SBS's are marketed by many companies. Mr. Haynor was quoted as saying, "In the thousands of letters I've received, I've never read about a problem that involved too much braking; however, I have received letters discussing inadequate braking. It's an important safety issue that's worth discussing with a reputable dealer to see if additional braking is needed."
Most coaches have a Gross Combined Weight Rating that allows them to tow between 2,000 and 10,000 pounds. But the structural integrity and power of a motorcoach to tow such a weight are only parts of the equation. It just makes sense that if a coach is pulling from 1 to 5 tons behind it, the time and distance required to brake will increase significantly.
Several manufacturers have designed systems intended to mitigate problems associated with braking while towing a vehicle. Before choosing one of them, we suggest that you contact the manufacturer of the towed vehicle to make sure the augmenting brake system doesn't compromise the warranty of the toad-or your motorhome. Also, check with your insurance agent and the department of motor vehicles in the state your coach and toad vehicle are registered, and in any Canadian province you intend to visit, regarding towing requirements. Following, RV technical writer, Lazelle Jones, highlights some toad vehicle braking products offered.
BRAKEBUDDY
(800) 470-2287
www.brakebuddy.com
A self-contained system in a 9-by-9.5-by-10-inch box that sits on the towed car's floor in front of the driver's seat, the Brakebuddy plugs into the cigarette lighter. A metal arm projects forward from the box and attaches to the brake pedal. The 12-volt power supply operates an air compressor that keeps a 50-cubic-inch air-reservoir tank filled with compressed air. Inside the box is a pendulum that senses braking, moving forward to activate a switch, which in turn activates the air cylinder, causing it to receive compressed air from the air tank, which pushes the air cylinder and the arm that's attached to the brake pedal forward. The Brakebuddy features a sensitivity knob that adjusts braking force to suit individual driver needs. Brakebuddy also offers an optional system that includes a remote frequency transmitter. It sends a radio signal to a receiver in your motorhome, illuminating a red light to let you know the Brakebuddy is operating. A Brakebuddy breakaway safety system is also offered.
(800) 470-2287
www.brakebuddy.com
A self-contained system in a 9-by-9.5-by-10-inch box that sits on the towed car's floor in front of the driver's seat, the Brakebuddy plugs into the cigarette lighter. A metal arm projects forward from the box and attaches to the brake pedal. The 12-volt power supply operates an air compressor that keeps a 50-cubic-inch air-reservoir tank filled with compressed air. Inside the box is a pendulum that senses braking, moving forward to activate a switch, which in turn activates the air cylinder, causing it to receive compressed air from the air tank, which pushes the air cylinder and the arm that's attached to the brake pedal forward. The Brakebuddy features a sensitivity knob that adjusts braking force to suit individual driver needs. Brakebuddy also offers an optional system that includes a remote frequency transmitter. It sends a radio signal to a receiver in your motorhome, illuminating a red light to let you know the Brakebuddy is operating. A Brakebuddy breakaway safety system is also offered.
TOAD STOP VAC BRAKE
(800) 4RV-STUF
www.rvstuf.com
Toad Stop's auxiliary Vac Brake works in concert with the toad's original equipment, using vacuum assisted braking from the motorhome or an optional vacuum pump. The Toad Stop Vac Brake provides controlled power-assisted antilock braking and vehicle breakaway protection that will stop the toad in a matter of seconds. Toad Stop claims the breakaway device will stop the vehicle in 15 seconds, at 70 MPH. For emergency backup, the Vac Brake can be disabled from the cockpit in the motorhome by flipping a toggle switch. A manual override button allows the driver to actuate the toad's brakes without touching the brakes on the motorhome.
(800) 4RV-STUF
www.rvstuf.com
Toad Stop's auxiliary Vac Brake works in concert with the toad's original equipment, using vacuum assisted braking from the motorhome or an optional vacuum pump. The Toad Stop Vac Brake provides controlled power-assisted antilock braking and vehicle breakaway protection that will stop the toad in a matter of seconds. Toad Stop claims the breakaway device will stop the vehicle in 15 seconds, at 70 MPH. For emergency backup, the Vac Brake can be disabled from the cockpit in the motorhome by flipping a toggle switch. A manual override button allows the driver to actuate the toad's brakes without touching the brakes on the motorhome.
VIP TOW BRAKE
(800) WARNS RV
www.towbrake.com
The VIP Tow Brake is an electrically-operated system that uses a high-speed electric actuator mounted in the toad between the floorboard and the brake pedal. The 6,000-RPM electric motor that drives the actuator is powered by the toad's own battery. The coach's electrical system provides a continuous trickle charge to the toad battery, ensuring that it remains fully charged and ready to power the electric actuator. A control module in the motorhome includes a mercury switch that senses braking action, sending a signal to the toad.
(800) WARNS RV
www.towbrake.com
The VIP Tow Brake is an electrically-operated system that uses a high-speed electric actuator mounted in the toad between the floorboard and the brake pedal. The 6,000-RPM electric motor that drives the actuator is powered by the toad's own battery. The coach's electrical system provides a continuous trickle charge to the toad battery, ensuring that it remains fully charged and ready to power the electric actuator. A control module in the motorhome includes a mercury switch that senses braking action, sending a signal to the toad.
The VIP Tow Brake operates automatically, or via manual operation that allows the driver to apply the toad brakes without applying the motorhome brakes. It also features breakaway protection that automatically actuates should the toad become detached. A green light on the unit indicates correct system operation, a red light lets the driver know when the toad's brakes are on, and a flashing red light and buzzer indicate a breakaway situation or disconnection in progress. To use the toad for transportation once a destination is reached, simply pull two pins and put the cylinder-shaped electric actuator unit somewhere else, such as the back seat.
TOW-V-AIRE
(888) 464-1105
www.tow-v-aire.com
The Tow-V-Aire kit works with either gasoline- or diesel-powered coaches, because the system is contained on the toad and derives its electrical power from the coach's brake-light circuit and battery. The Tow-V-Air kit consists of an air cylinder that's attached to the toad's brake pedal with U-bolts and wing nuts. A portable power unit that can be set just about anywhere in the toad contains a 12-volt air compressor by Schrader/Bellows, two solenoids, and an air tank or receiver that holds and supplies 120 psi of air pressure. There are two solenoids, one for regular braking and a second one to support a breakaway situation. An air line with a quick-connect fitting snaps to the air cylinder that's attached to the brake pedal of the toad. This air cylinder is held in place by a removable pin, facilitating removal when you're ready to drive the toad.
(888) 464-1105
www.tow-v-aire.com
The Tow-V-Aire kit works with either gasoline- or diesel-powered coaches, because the system is contained on the toad and derives its electrical power from the coach's brake-light circuit and battery. The Tow-V-Air kit consists of an air cylinder that's attached to the toad's brake pedal with U-bolts and wing nuts. A portable power unit that can be set just about anywhere in the toad contains a 12-volt air compressor by Schrader/Bellows, two solenoids, and an air tank or receiver that holds and supplies 120 psi of air pressure. There are two solenoids, one for regular braking and a second one to support a breakaway situation. An air line with a quick-connect fitting snaps to the air cylinder that's attached to the brake pedal of the toad. This air cylinder is held in place by a removable pin, facilitating removal when you're ready to drive the toad.
When the solenoid for regular braking receives a brake-pedal signal from the motorhome, it releases compressed air to the stainless-steel air cylinder that's mounted on the toad's brake pedal. As soon as the signal goes away, the solenoid stops the flow of compressed air to the air cylinder in the toad, and the toad brakes are released. A breakaway switch is mounted on the front of the toad with a small steel cable attached to the motorhome. Should the toad break away, the cable pulls a switch, and compressed air pressure is applied to the toad brakes.
AUTOSTOP BRAKING SYSTEMS
(402) 385-3051
www.aemfg.com
Designed and built by AutomaticTowing Products' Blue Ox Division, AutoStop Gold is unique in that it's designed to utilize an adjustable spring mechanism that activates a toad's brakes. The design allows you to adjust the spring for various activating pressures, thus accommodating different toad weights (up to 5,000 pounds) and different driver braking habits. A cable runs from the adjustable spring mechanism, enters the towed vehicle through a small hole in the floorboard, and wraps around the brake pedal, activating the towed vehicle's brakes as the cable tightens when the motorhome's brakes are applied. AutoStop models currently available work in conjunction with the Aladdin, Demco's KarBar, Aventa and Aventa II, plus all ball-mounted tow bars.
(402) 385-3051
www.aemfg.com
Designed and built by AutomaticTowing Products' Blue Ox Division, AutoStop Gold is unique in that it's designed to utilize an adjustable spring mechanism that activates a toad's brakes. The design allows you to adjust the spring for various activating pressures, thus accommodating different toad weights (up to 5,000 pounds) and different driver braking habits. A cable runs from the adjustable spring mechanism, enters the towed vehicle through a small hole in the floorboard, and wraps around the brake pedal, activating the towed vehicle's brakes as the cable tightens when the motorhome's brakes are applied. AutoStop models currently available work in conjunction with the Aladdin, Demco's KarBar, Aventa and Aventa II, plus all ball-mounted tow bars.