Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4 (Read 560 times) previous topic - next topic

Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4

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.
David & Sherry Kendrick
"Gizmo" The Doggy Lama
USAF(Ret) 1971-75; 1979-95 (20 yrs)
2003 U320 F03 [6179] 38PBDS (3/2016)
2016 Chev Silverado Z71 LTZ
Motorcade 17738
--------------------------------------
New Horizons 5W 25' RKS (1/2004 - 3/2016)
2003 Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax
Tent (5-person) White Stag (1972 - 2003)

Re: Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4

Reply #1 –
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
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
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

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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4

Reply #4 –
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.
Dennis & Martha Harrell
2000 Foretravel U320
2014 GMC 4X4 Sierra Crew Cab Pickup

Re: Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4

Reply #5 –
Quote from: WagonWheels –
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.

There are a couple of good air operated systems one is called air force and the other is made by Roadmaster
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Genie915 –
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.
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.

Regards

1997 U295 40 with CAT 3126

Re: Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4

Reply #7 –
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
Ricky Pitts
1994 U280W SBI 
8.3 Cummins
Allison MD 3060
Build 4492
Toad: '14 JKU

Re: Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4

Reply #8 –
I have the same issue with a dead lighter so I put on an Air Force one
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Emit Trap –
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
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.
Ed and Michele
2000 U295  36'  (Build #5600)
8.3 ISC 350HP.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
2001 Lance Truck Camper (Sold)
2001 Lazy Daze (Class C). RK Floor Plan (Sold)

Re: Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4

Reply #10 –
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.)
Kearn
'92 U300 40 ft.  WTBI  6V-92  #4130
GMC Yukon toad
'08 Casita Spirit Deluxe 17ft

Re: Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4

Reply #11 –
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.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon
 

Re: Supplimental Brake System for 2016 Chev 1500 Silverado 4X4

Reply #12 –
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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean