brake system for towed

[lostagain]

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

[Stormcloud]

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?

[lvmci]

Hi JC call Van, he has installed them, tom...

[Dreamscape]

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. 

[Dave5Cs]

JC surge brake is just a cable to the brake peddle done.

[luvrbus]

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  .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   

[lostagain]

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

[lostagain]

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

[luvrbus]

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

[RJ]

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

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

FWIW & HTH. . .

[lostagain]

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

[lostagain]

RJ, aren't they both the same, only the second one has a tow bar attached to it?

JC

[Van]

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 that Dave and RJ are running even though Dave took the time to splain it to me last year LOL!

[luvrbus]

Say what my M&G only moved the booster out 4 inches

[lostagain]

Van, is B&B back in business in a new location yet?

JC