Toad braking system what do you use?
 

Toad braking system what do you use?

Started by Scott & Heather, March 12, 2019, 10:39:19 AM

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Scott & Heather

I'm interested in either the invisibrake or SMI Air Force One. Which one do you recommend? Money is not a factor.
TOAD is a 2015 Ford Expedition Limited EL 4x4. Weighs almost 7,000 lbs with my gear.
Scott & Heather
1984 MCI 9 6V92-turbo with 9 inch roof raise (SOLD)
1992 MCI 102C3 8v92-turbo with 8 inch roof raise CURRENT HOME
Click link for 900 photos of our 1st bus conversion:
https://goo.gl/photos/GVtNRniG2RBXPuXW9

Van

I have a fancy for the SMI for ease of installation, then there are others.
B&B CoachWorks
Bus Shop Mafia.
Now in N. Cakalaki

Paso One

Hi Scott I have the Air Force One and like it lots. :)  Good thing money is no object. :D
Lots of extra's in the AF1 kit should fit your bus and toad.
68 5303 Fishbowl 40'x102" 6V92 V730 PS, Air shift  4:10 rear axle. ( all added )
1973 MC-5B 8V71 4 speed manual
1970 MC-5A  8V71 4 speed manual
1988 MCI 102 A3 8V92T  4 speed manual (mechanical)
1996 MCI 102 D3 C10  Cat engine 7 speed manual  (destined to be a tiny home )

Scott & Heather

So the AF1 is truly proportional. Where are you guys tying into your air lines on the bus?
Scott & Heather
1984 MCI 9 6V92-turbo with 9 inch roof raise (SOLD)
1992 MCI 102C3 8v92-turbo with 8 inch roof raise CURRENT HOME
Click link for 900 photos of our 1st bus conversion:
https://goo.gl/photos/GVtNRniG2RBXPuXW9

eagle19952

I know you did not consider it, but I would look at the Roadmaster 9100.
Simplicity pays off.
Tried and true works
My .02 cents.
Good Luck with your decision :)
Donald PH
1978 Model 05 Eagle w/Torsilastic Suspension,8V71 N, DD, Allison on 24.5's 12kw Kubota.

Bill Gerrie

I use M&G brake system. Nothing to remove or install each time we hook up. I get the air from the rear brake system.

dtcerrato

Same here on the M&G. We needed to go with the M&G 2.0, the standard M&G wouldn't fit our Jeep. Everything is under the hood, only a small cable to the brake pedal. System also has a breakaway feature. Tapped into the rear relay valve for bus air. We like the setup but have yet to road test it. USA parts of aluminum & brass vs plastic.
Dan & Sandy
North Central Florida
PD4104-129 since 1979
Toads: 2009 Jeep GC Limited 4X4 5.7L Hemi
             2008 GMC Envoy SLT 4x4 4.2L IL Vortec

jmblake

I'll 3rd the M&G brake system. Simple hook up plus has the breakaway feature.
Jason

sixtyseven

Same here.  M&G.   Been using it for 15 years now on 3 different toads.  Love it !
You can go to their website and make sure it will work on your toad, if not, you can use the 2.0 like Dan has.
Joe 
Oregon
1985  Prevost  8V92TA   HT740

Van

Quote from: Scott & Heather on March 12, 2019, 02:33:48 PM
So the AF1 is truly proportional. Where are you guys tying into your air lines on the bus?
On the AFO you tee into the air supply and the applied pressure line 1/4" line to the reserve tank, 1/4" to the quick connect on rear bumper. The AFO can be moved from one vehicle to another, M&G is vehicle model specific. Both units have a break away system. AFO unit has the reserve tank mounted to the coach with just a thin control box easily mounted any where under the hood of the toad, M&G reserve tank is mounted under the hood in addition to to an actuator mounted between the Master cylinder and the vacuum booster. both are very effective in regards to braking. I have installed hundreds of each while @ B&B Coach and prefer doing the AFO because of the space saving size of the unit and ease of set up. The M&G if you go that route requires a more detailed set up and testing after installation.
B&B CoachWorks
Bus Shop Mafia.
Now in N. Cakalaki

luvrbus

I been using the M&G for years no complaints on 2 Jeeps,Lexus,Chevy pickup and GMC Envoy,M&G is a good family owen business in Texas to deal with lol you talk to one of the owners when you have a problem 
Life is short drink the good wine first

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM

As you will read in the April issue of Bus Conversion Magazine, I chose the Roadmaster BrakeMaster system for towing my Jeep for all of the reasons mentioned in the magazine.  I have since changed to the Roadmaster Invisibrake system for my Lexus which I will write about in a future issue of BCM because it doesn't take any work to hook up.  It operates the brakes by reading the brake signal on the toad, which is activated by bus brake lights.  I love it.  Check it out at www.http://roadmasterinc.com.
1999 Prevost H3-45
Gary@BusConversionMagazine.com

dtcerrato

M&G 2.0 is not vehicle specific and the reserve air for break away is on the towed (toad) vehicle.
Dan & Sandy
North Central Florida
PD4104-129 since 1979
Toads: 2009 Jeep GC Limited 4X4 5.7L Hemi
             2008 GMC Envoy SLT 4x4 4.2L IL Vortec

TomC

I have the Invisibrake. Once you have it adjusted, it works well. My big concern was to have break away braking and be legal. Even pulling my car (3750lbs), my bus is not over weight (34,750lbs with 36,000lbs GVW). And it can easily be transferred to the next car. Plus, no air lines going to the bus. Good Luck, TomC
Tom & Donna Christman. 1985 Kenworth 40ft Super C with garage. '77 AMGeneral 10240B; 8V-71TATAIC V730.

Scott & Heather

All this is great awesome
Info. I'm
Digesting it. The invisibrake sounded good but it's not truly proportional so it does take constant adjusting right? Still leaning towards the AFO but there's a lot of votes for the M&G. More shopping...sigh.
Scott & Heather
1984 MCI 9 6V92-turbo with 9 inch roof raise (SOLD)
1992 MCI 102C3 8v92-turbo with 8 inch roof raise CURRENT HOME
Click link for 900 photos of our 1st bus conversion:
https://goo.gl/photos/GVtNRniG2RBXPuXW9