Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Break-away Activator on Auxillary Brake System (Read 1012 times) previous topic - next topic

Break-away Activator on Auxillary Brake System

We have had our Brake  Buddy system for more than 7 years without any issues, fortunately.  However in reading over my notes (have kept a log book), I was reminded that I am supposed to "pull the plunger" out of the box secured to the front of the toad (Honda Accord) at least every six months.  Haven't done it in several years, if at all. 

My system has a black plastic plunger about 2" long that ends in a pair of prongs.  When the plunger is pulled out, a signal is sent to the braking system, activating the braking piston.  Well, despite using channel locks on the bracket attached to the bumper, I had a devil of a time getting the plunger to come free.  It took working the plunger back and forth with lots of force to get it to release.  I am convinced that in a real break-away situation the wire cable would have snapped before the plunger came out.

Spraying the inside of the housing and the plunger with Corrosion X appears to have resolved the issue.  The plunger now releases with modest pull on the ring attached to the plunger.  I "dodged a bullet" this time.

Hopefully, this system will never have to be used.

I looked at that break-away box at least a hundred times over the years, but didn't take the time to jerk on the ring to pull out the plunger.  Although most of you have a different auxiliary braking system, many do have a break-away system.  When is the last time you tested it, or at least checked to see if the activator releases easily?  Perhaps I am the only one to have overlooked this little task.

I thought I would share this with fellow FT owners so that they might dodge a similar bullet.



Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: Break-away Activator on Auxillary Brake System

Reply #1 –
We don't have the same system as you do but I've never activated our breakaway system.
 
I figure our breakaway was more likely to come on when it should not and cause a problem than both tow bars fail and both safety cables fail.
___

best, paul
"Thriving not surviving" <(*¿*)>
"the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new places but in seeing with new eyes"
Anon
 
Quote
I looked at that break-away box at least a hundred times over the years, but didn't take the time to jerk on the ring to pull out the plunger.  Although most of you have a different auxiliary braking system, many do have a break-away system.  When is the last time you tested it, or at least checked to see if the activator releases easily?  Perhaps I am the only one to have overlooked this little task.
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Break-away Activator on Auxillary Brake System

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Don Hay –
Although most of you have a different auxiliary braking system, many do have a break-away system.  When is the last time you tested it, or at least checked to see if the activator releases easily?  Perhaps I am the only one to have overlooked this little task.

Our US Gear brake connection scheme requires the break-away to be "tested" each time you hook up or unhook the car.  One plunger is attached to the break-away wire on the towbar, so it stays with the towbar (which is coach-mounted).  There is a second plunger that you use when the car is not hooked up - it stays in place on the car to prevent operation of the aux brake while the car is in it's "natural state". 

(And then there's a spare plunger that resides in my purse in case of vandalism/pranksters.)

I like the idea of an occasional Corrosion-X spritz to keep things healthy  :)

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Break-away Activator on Auxillary Brake System

Reply #3 –
We have the SMI Air Force One with a breakaway connection.  I never even thought about testing it.  Does anyone know if this is necessary for SMI AF1?
 
What a great topic.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Break-away Activator on Auxillary Brake System

Reply #4 –
George,

Each time you remove the breakaway lanyard on the Air Force One you can hear a clunk that indicates the toad brakes have been applied. To verify, you can try driving the car with the breakaway and dummy plugs removed and/or observe the brake lights on you toad.

Re: Break-away Activator on Auxillary Brake System

Reply #5 –
I may look like an idiot, but I've never removed the lanyard.  Should I?
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Break-away Activator on Auxillary Brake System

Reply #6 –
When getting ready to tow, the long 6 ft wire lanyard gets attached to one of the eyes where the safety cables attach to the coach, but could be another fixed position on the back of the coach. Then the white plug end gets inserted into the small rectangular black box on the toad to release the toad brakes. If the car somehow gets separated from the coach during towing, the plug gets pulled away from the toad and the toad brakes are applied. When unhitching, the dummy plug with the short 6" lanyard replaces the longer lanyard.

I carry a spare dummy plug in the toad glove box in case someone pulls out the installed one.
 

Re: Break-away Activator on Auxillary Brake System

Reply #7 –
As much as I like MoT I am very disappointed that this was never explained to us.  Everyone we talked to there was told by us  we have never owned a motorhome, never driven one so tell us what we need to know.  Removing and then re-inserting what is at the end of the short lanyard was not explained and consequently has never been done.  I know this is not the end of the world, but it demonstrates once again just how valuable this forum is to all of us owners.  Rarely does a day go by that someone doesn't remark that they learned something they did not know.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.