fly2low Posted April 2, 2015 Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 I have a new to me 2008 Dynaquest DQ 340XL. I am setting it up to pull a Jeep Wrangler. I want proportional braking between the RV and the Toad, and have settled on either the M&G or SMI systems which I can plug into the RVs air brake system. My question has to do with going downhill. I can use the engine brake to hold my speed with only occasional taps on the brakes. I am concerned that with the extra weight pushing from behind, the engine brake won't be enough. Also, there are occasions where it is handy to be able to brake the vehicle (trailer or Jeep) being towed without braking the vehicle doing the towing. Thoughts? Your experience? Really do not want to start a debate over whether a braking system for the Toad is necessary - already have my mind made up from towing trailers. TIA Rich Rich and Carol 2007 Dynamax DQ 340 XL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFchap Posted April 2, 2015 Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 I use the proportional air-activated Roadmaster Brakemaster system for towing my 05 Honda Odyssey, which weighs around 4,100 or so lbs. I have used the system for 10 years and a bit over 90k miles, traveling over most of the highest roadways and steepest descents in the US. I have never felt the weight of the toad was hampering the effectiveness of the Jacobs exhaust brake on my coach. Along with appropriate gear selection at the top of a descent, the exhaust brake controls the speed very well, only on the most severe descents requiring an occasional quick/firm stab on the brake pedal to bring speed back down to a desireable level. I have never felt a need to brake the toad w/o braking the MH. Paul (KE5LXU), former fulltimer, now sometimer... '03 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage 40E '05 Honda Odyssey Escapees, FMCA, WIT, SMART http://www.pjrider.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly2low Posted April 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 Thanks Paul Rich and Carol 2007 Dynamax DQ 340 XL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker56 Posted April 3, 2015 Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 I also use the Roadmaster Brakemaster air system with my toad. Going down 6% grades or some less, my exhaust brake has never been able to hold the speed at the same as when turned on. It always gains speed. I have always needed to apply the MH brakes when the RPM gets to 2800-2900 to stop the transmission from upshifting. There is no way to apply the toad brake system without using the MH brakes the same time. But there is no reason for that to be done. As the toad will not get into a tail waging like some trailers can. Full Time since Oct. 199999 Discovery 34Q DP | ISBDatastorm | VMSpc | Co-Pilot Live | Pressure Pro2014 MKS Twin Turbo V6 365 HP Toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medico Posted April 3, 2015 Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 Another Roadmaster Brakemaster user here. The Jeep brakes are engaged when I press a little harder on the coach brakes. This system is SUPER! I would never want another system. My coach does not even realize the Jeep is back there. I have a 2012 Jeep Liberty and it also weighs in above 4500 pounds. The nice thing about a proportional brake system is that the toad brakes are applied as the coach brakes are engaged harder. The further the coach brakes are applied, the more the toad brakes are applied. The Roadmaster system works wonderfully. It's not a cheap system, but you get what you pay for. GS Lifetime #822128658, FMCA #F431170 2012 Airstream Mercedes Interstate Extended Class B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana25k Posted April 3, 2015 Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 We tow a lighter vehicle and use the SMI. Even on Stevens Pass and some others in the east there is never an issue Ron & LindaClass of 20072000 Monaco Diplomat 2005 Honda Element"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt"We can't control the wind, but we can adjust our sail""When man gave up his freedom to roam the earth, he gave up his soul for a conditioned ego that is bound by time and the fear of losing its attachments." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted April 3, 2015 Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 From what I have observed, there are a lot of very good auxiliary brake systems for towed vehicles which do what they claim to do. Back when we first began to tow there were fewer of them so the choices were less complicated. In my opinion, it is wise to get one which someone you know has used and was happy with, but what is really important is that you use something. I have read many satisfied reviews of nearly all of the brake systems that I am familiar with and have seen very few unhappy ones. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted April 3, 2015 Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 We used the SMI Air Force One when towing our Honda CRV. It worked well in all situations. I'm probably about to prove that I don't understand dynamics but to my mind applying toad brakes separately from the air brakes would cause the wheels on the toad to skid. Wouldn't that make a blowout more likely? Linda Sand Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted April 3, 2015 Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 We dont use the air system on our DP for toad braking , instead we use a proportional electric setup by US Gear Unified Brake Systems. The brake controller is adjustable and I have led lights for feedback so I can tell how hard its braking and adjust it if needed. It also has a manual bar for applying brakes to the toad only if you want. I havent tried it yet but with the exhaust brake on the MH and a light touch on the truck's brakes it would probably help on a steep descent . After all the pickup with the RZR on the back is crowding 7000 lbs. I dont believe that a light touch would slide the tires on it. <p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well. IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale P Posted April 3, 2015 Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 Roadmaster air system since 07, has been transferred 3 times now. Of course, when I purchased and installed mine the price was VERY low. Susan & Dale DaGirls Rv 2008 Alfa Gold SoLong ISL 425 Cummins 2015 Ford F-150 XLT Tow / Roadmaster Setup 1600W@45Vdc Magnum Inv/Chg&Solar880AmpHrDaGirlsRv Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly2low Posted April 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 To sandsys I am new to towing a Toad, but being able to brake a trailer separate from the tow vehicle comes in handy when a trailer is starting to sway behind a truck - pulls it back in line Rich and Carol 2007 Dynamax DQ 340 XL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker56 Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 To sandsys I am new to towing a Toad, but being able to brake a trailer separate from the tow vehicle comes in handy when a trailer is starting to sway behind a truck - pulls it back in line Like I posted. The 4 wheel down toad will not ever sway like some one axel trailers can. So no separate brakes needed to stop a sway on a toad. Full Time since Oct. 199999 Discovery 34Q DP | ISBDatastorm | VMSpc | Co-Pilot Live | Pressure Pro2014 MKS Twin Turbo V6 365 HP Toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFchap Posted April 4, 2015 Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 The 4 wheel down toad will not ever sway like some one axel trailers can. So no separate brakes needed to stop a sway on a toad. Agree ...the tow bar hookup for a four wheel toad is an entirely different dynamic than the standard trailer hitch hookup. There are many differences, not the least of which is the absence of trailer weight on the hitch point. Don't waste any time or money worrying about controlling "toad sway". ...it is a non-event. Paul (KE5LXU), former fulltimer, now sometimer... '03 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage 40E '05 Honda Odyssey Escapees, FMCA, WIT, SMART http://www.pjrider.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 When descending a grade your exhaust brake will hold your coach back at a steady speed-IF you begin the descent slowly and select the proper gear in the beginning, even towing 4,000#. Sure you may not be going as fast as you desire, but it will work as designed. Using the towed brakes only will just wear them out quickly, because you are attempting to use the braking capacity of a 4,000# vehicle to brake a 20-30,000# MH, plus the towed. FWIW, I have an M&G air braking system on the Jeep GC. My MH weighs 31,000#, towed weighs 4,300#. Last summer I descended a 10% grade(Canada) without using my service brakes. I was in 2nd gear, exhaust brake on, and traveling about 15-20 MPH beginning the descent. I tried using 1st gear but it required using the accelerator occasionally to maintain 20 MPH. An exhaust brake is most effective at higher RPM=2,000-2,400. 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Z Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 RoadMaster since 03 for me!... Matter of fact!... And since my rig was a prototype build for production kits!... All I had to buy was the tow bar! 2000 Holiday Rambler Imperial 40' DP 2015 DRV 38RSSA 5th wheel 2004 M2 106 MDT It's What You Learn, After You Know It All!... That Counts!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly2low Posted April 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 thank you all for your input Rich and Carol 2007 Dynamax DQ 340 XL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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