I have been looking for a brake for the Jeep. This guy has a SMI Air Force One that he removed from his towed for a good price. It has everything off the car, but doesn't have the Total Coach Protection component that attaches to the bus to get air supply off the rear brakes supply line. Can I do without? I could T off an air line at the back of the bus to supply air to the operating unit that goes in the towed ? No ? Anybody familiar with SMI Air Force One that could advise ?
Thanks.
JC
From what I read on their website, the missing piece isolates the coach air brake system from the toad if a problem occurs.
Putting a 'T' on the rear axle wouldn't isolate the coach.
The system I have draws the air from the tag axle relay valve.
Maybe it's best to order the part from SMI to be in total compliance?
Hi JC call Van, he has installed them, tom...
I installed their system on our Eagle. I would call them and order one, you need it. It's a great system, don't short cut it. ;)
JC surge brake is just a cable to the brake peddle done.
I'll check my stash JC I may have a M-G braking system from a Jeep if I didn't give it away it will only cost you a pail of Canadian honey ;D.I haven't been around the newer A-1 with the vacuum generators but the older one with the Red Dot vacuum pumps were the pits, the MG is straight air
Thanks guys. I will pass on the SMI since it is not complete. I'll have to get something to be legal. It would help stopping in a panic too ;)
Clifford, if you find the M&G, I'll pay you a pail of honey, and some good Okanagan BC wine, and ... and a visit.
I am dead heading a bus from Calgary to Los Angeles starting tomorrow, so I looked on Craiglist along I-15 and saw the SMI in Great Falls MT. Other than that, nothing. I might have to get a new one.
JC
Dave, with your Ready Brake surge brake, do you actually feel the Jeep braking? Is it smooth? The reason I am asking is the pedal is awfully hard to press with the engine off and no vacuum assist.
JC
JC, I found one for a GMC like the Envoy check and see if it will work on a Jeep and I will send it
JC -
Dave and I both have one of these:
http://www.readybrake.com/store/p1/ReadyBrake%E2%84%A2_Towed_Vehicle_Receiver_Style_Supplemental_Brake_System.html (http://www.readybrake.com/store/p1/ReadyBrake%E2%84%A2_Towed_Vehicle_Receiver_Style_Supplemental_Brake_System.html)
It works well on our VW, and I know Dave likes his, because he's the one who "sold" me on this type of supplemental brake.
Because our VW is so light (3100 lbs), I can't tell how well the brake works, but I haven't felt any kind of "pushing" from the car when braking the coach, even in a hard stop. But then again, the VW weighs less than a busload of passengers. . .
If I were to buy it again, I'd go with this model instead:
http://www.readybrake.com/store/p4/ReadyBrute%E2%84%A2_Elite_RV_Tow_Bar.html (http://www.readybrake.com/store/p4/ReadyBrute%E2%84%A2_Elite_RV_Tow_Bar.html)
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Clifford thank you for your offer, but, after looking on the M&G site, I see that yours will not fit a Jeep Wrangler. The cylinder that goes between the master cylinder and the vacuum booster is specific to the vehicle.
JC
RJ, aren't they both the same, only the second one has a tow bar attached to it?
JC
I have installed hundreds of braking systems while at B&B and as John said the M&G is Vehicle specific as well as the most difficult to install. what M&G doesn't tell the DIY's is the movement of items in close proximity to where the master cylinder will be once the unit is installed between the Vac booster and master cylinder moving the whole assy out any where from 8"- 10". The SMI is by far the easiest to install and can be transferred from vehicle to vehicle (toad and coach) . It takes me about 2 hrs to install for the novice 4-6 hours. Still not to familiar with the Flinstones system :o that Dave and RJ are running even though Dave took the time to splain it to me last year LOL!
Say what my M&G only moved the booster out 4 inches
Van, is B&B back in business in a new location yet?
JC
JC
RJ speaks the truth and agree RJ I too would get the attached tow bar one if I had to do over because it is a lot shorter and not as many pins.
It is really very simple. You drill a 3/8" hole in your firewall of toed. Put a plastic conduit between the bumper and the FW. Incert cable with loop on outside of bumper. Inside cab hook cable to back of peddle with clamp. Hook other end to surge brake done after you set tension to 1 inch of fall in cable. Tighten clamps. All parts provided.
You may want to consider the roadmaster 91xx series system. I used this system on a Jeep and was extremely pleased with it. It takes about 10 - 15 seconds to set or remove the air cylinder for towing or road travel and results in full proportional breaking for the Toad. I know it doesn't help but as an example, there is one for sale right now on the Tampa Bay Craig's list for $100. When I installed mine, I purchased the optional vehicle specific mounting plate for the Jeep (I seem to remember it was $35) rather than use the universal mount. The optional mount fit under the front edge of the seat and was invisible when the Jeep was used normally. The universal mount would have been functional but intrusive.
I towed the Jeep around 7,000 miles with no issues.
I have these bits, may be missing a nut or bolt, but pieces easily found.
make an offer.
i repost in the sale section if not allowed...
i towed/used this in a jeep GC 1997 model. the 9100 does not include the breakaway portion, just so you know :)
what you see is what you get :)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1207.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb468%2Fdphalaska%2FCOACH%2FTOW%2520BRAKE_zpsuroqfeyd.jpg&hash=f5f3f500370e79fff8a00a59420876a49f62c77c)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1207.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb468%2Fdphalaska%2FCOACH%2FTOW%2520BRAKE%25202_zpsls2zmdre.jpg&hash=c887e0e9418724e0caccebdb7f85e26d96742f91)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1207.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb468%2Fdphalaska%2FCOACH%2FTOW%2520BRAKE%25203_zps9taovomv.jpg&hash=e4fb3dbac5c7858b2578549097e2465234a185f7)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1207.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb468%2Fdphalaska%2FCOACH%2FTOW%2520BRAKE%25201_zpsasvno3pk.jpg&hash=2ce4c4c1316a12b3a0f4ea5b8f477457266801d0)
this illustrates the bits that are missing.
https://www.rvupgradestore.com/BrakeMaster-with-Break-Away-Second-Vehicle-Kit-p/14-6087.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImN725re-1gIVDr7tCh3ehAg7EAQYBSABEgJDk_D_BwE&gdffi=d722fab84a06472899ce2a16e4d2ed3f&gdfms=54E6B32B65ED4542BDC3BA6B71EA6E0E (https://www.rvupgradestore.com/BrakeMaster-with-Break-Away-Second-Vehicle-Kit-p/14-6087.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImN725re-1gIVDr7tCh3ehAg7EAQYBSABEgJDk_D_BwE&gdffi=d722fab84a06472899ce2a16e4d2ed3f&gdfms=54E6B32B65ED4542BDC3BA6B71EA6E0E)
http://www.hitchsource.com/roadmaster-brakemaster-proportionate-towed-car-braking-system-for-air-or-air-over-hydraulic-brakes-p-30330.html?pn=8554515604&cn=Shopping_-_Braking_Roadmaster&ag=Roadmaster_Braking_Systems&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImN725re-1gIVDr7tCh3ehAg7EAQYAiABEgK3LfD_BwE (http://www.hitchsource.com/roadmaster-brakemaster-proportionate-towed-car-braking-system-for-air-or-air-over-hydraulic-brakes-p-30330.html?pn=8554515604&cn=Shopping_-_Braking_Roadmaster&ag=Roadmaster_Braking_Systems&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImN725re-1gIVDr7tCh3ehAg7EAQYAiABEgK3LfD_BwE)
(https://cdn3.volusion.com/dxylq.nruds/v/vspfiles/photos/14-6087-2T.jpg?1494835309)
I used the ReadyBrake system with my 5500 lbs Tahoe. Yes, I could feel it. Seems the pull of the Ready Brake will easily pull regardless of the vacuum. It actually was an advantage in a hard brake situation. It helped pull back on the bus.
Now I tow a little Cruze and can't feel anything.
What ever system you get, make sure it has a break-away braking system. Required most places.