New to owning a motorhome (2003 Foretravel U320 38ft w/tag DP). We selected a 2016 Chev Silverado 1500 4X4 for a toad. The manual for the Chev spells out exactly what one has to do to dinghy tow the vehicle. One of the requirements is to disconnect the negative cable at the battery. No problem? Very big problem if I want to use a supplemental braking system in the Chev. The braking systems that sit in the floor and push on the brake pedal require plugging into a cigarette lighter. Disconnected vehicle battery cuts power to the cigarette lighter plug. Another issue is with the Chev brake lights. The brake lights will not light when the brake pedal is pushed by the supplemental braking system with the vehicle battery disconnected. What are my options? Operate without a supplemental braking system? Purchase/trade for a different toad? Install a supplemental braking system that I am not familiar with? Please help.
disconnect battery negative terminal - run a dedicated ground from to the battery from the cigarette lighter so that it stays hot. Suggest a quick disconnect for battery, any auto parts store can help you out there
Properly Wiring a Towed Vehicle (http://www.rv-partsplus.com/properly-wiring-a-tow-vehicle)
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring | etrailer.com (http://www.etrailer.com/tbwiring-2016_Chevrolet_Silverado+1500.htm)
Not sure that would work unless the lighter socket was not connected to ground. I believe the battery would seek ground through the dash metal and back feed to complete a grounded battery just with a less gauge wire.
m-gengineering.com Have this on my 2014 GMC. Have the battery disconnect. Have wiring to tail, brake and turn signals through electric hookup to coach.
There are a couple of good air operated systems one is called air force and the other is made by Roadmaster
I second this approach -- if M&G has an application for the OP's vehicle. Need to check their website compatibility list to be sure.
I use the M&G air brake and wiring completely independent of the car (with an additional light installed in the taillight assembly) in my Honda CRV with a couple pluses:
- The car braking is directly proportional to that of the coach. M&G's air cylinder acts just like a miniature tractor-trailer set-up and is super easy to hook up once installed.
- The towing light system in the car is completely independent of the car's electrical system with hots plus ground to and from the coach. No problem disconnecting the car battery, etc. AND no worries about a diode shorting out (yes it happens) to feedback into the car's electronics.
I just installed a Ready Brake yesterday for my Jeep. This unit does not require power from the toad. It is a very simple straight forward mechanical surge brake. Works like a dream. Several folks on the forum have them.
NSA RV Products - Ready Brake and Ready Brute Home (http://www.readybrake.com/)
I have the same issue with a dead lighter so I put on an Air Force one
I've been using Ready Brake for over six years with a class C first and now our U295. Works great and does not use any power.
I tow a 2012 GMC Yukon and use the M & G air system. Works great and is super easy to hook up when ready to tow - just connect the air line between the coach and truck.
Had it installed at M&G in Texas. Took about 2 hrs total (coach and tow vehicle.)
The reason I did not use a ready Brake style is also because the fact that our retarder slows the coach enough I did not want the brakes on the car coming on with the surge braking. Air Force one uses the air so if I am only using th retarder then the tow is not trying to stop the coach.
I use the Brake Buddy with the remote so I can tell when the towed brakes are applied. If on a downgrade with retarder I can remotely change from proportional to the sensitivity settings and prevent towed brakes from dragging. I also have 12 volts coming from the coach to the Jeep. I would not be able to use this system with the battery disconnected unless I put in one of the hand carried jump starter devices and hooked the Brake Buddy to the lighter socket in it.