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Topic: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility? (Read 676 times) previous topic - next topic

AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

So we dropped off the brand spanking new CR-V at Danny's RV in Denton, TX for baseplate and aux braking installation this morning.  Charles, the manager, called later to ask where we wanted the AF1 indicator light placed.  We decided to hold off until the coach is there with the toad so we can test out different locations for best viewing.

For those with an AirForce One braking system, where did you place or would you recommend placing) the LED indicator light for best visibility in the OEM rear camera (especially those who tow a CR-V). 
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: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #1 –
Although we don't use the AirForce One, we do use the SMI Stay-in-Play Duo which uses the same LED indicator.  I ran the wire for it to the front of the motor home and positioned it at the lower edge of the dash.  That way when it lights, I know it immediately.  If I had to rely on seeing those 3 LEDs light up in the rear camera monitor it could be on for a long time before I ever noticed it.  You had that type of notification with your US Gear system and if you are like me, anything less is simply not good enough.  You already have the necessary wire configured in the coach since it was connected to the US Gear controller.

Monti
2015 Born Free Triumph Royal 4x4
Previous:  2000 U320 3600

Re: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Michelle –
So we dropped off the brand spanking new CR-V at Danny's RV in Denton, TX for baseplate and aux braking installation this morning.  Charles, the manager, called later to ask where we wanted the AF1 indicator light placed.  We decided to hold off until the coach is there with the toad so we can test out different locations for best viewing.

For those with an AirForce One braking system, where did you place or would you recommend placing) the LED indicator light for best visibility in the OEM rear camera (especially those who tow a CR-V). 
I would say that the best place for it is to wire it into the coach dash... I plan to do that. In bright sunlight, it is all but invisible even with our HD back-up camera. The initial install used velcro that came with the unit to mount the light on the rear view mirror. The velcro glue melted and the thing came off the mirror, leaving a glue-snot trail on the dash after a very short time. I plan on using a couple of the extra wires from the extra wire bundle and adding an LED of our choice as far as brightness and color goes... just my two cents.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Monti –
I ran the wire for it to the front of the motor home and positioned it at the lower edge of the dash.

You had that type of notification with your US Gear system and if you are like me, anything less is simply not good enough.  You already have the necessary wire configured in the coach since it was connected to the US Gear controller.

Brilliant!  Simply Brilliant! 
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: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #4 –
I have a jeep and I have the same issue and put it on the rear mirror. It has not fallen off and I can see it in the camera but wiring it up to the dash is a great idea.
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: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Monti –
Although we don't use the AirForce One, we do use the SMI Stay-in-Play Duo which uses the same LED indicator.  I ran the wire for it to the front of the motor home and positioned it at the lower edge of the dash.  That way when it lights, I know it immediately.  If I had to rely on seeing those 3 LEDs light up in the rear camera monitor it could be on for a long time before I ever noticed it.  You had that type of notification with your US Gear system and if you are like me, anything less is simply not good enough.  You already have the necessary wire configured in the coach since it was connected to the US Gear controller.
Excellent idea as I don't see the LED on the toad mirror at all.  Good Question Michelle. One I was going to ask also.  ^.^d
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Monti –
...ran the wire for it to the front of the motor home and positioned it at the lower edge of the dash...

I don't have AF1 but do have the indicator light wired to the lower left side of the dash positioned below the vent.  Easy to spot when it activates but not irritating.
The selected media item is not currently available.

Mark & Mary Benko
Former coach: 2005 U295 3823
Jeep Cherokee, Honda Fit

Re: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #7 –
Great thread, leads to question.

We have the SMI duo, the LED on the toad is very visible, on the rear view mirror that I learned to tile upward and the newer LED uses red rather than the white of the older LED.  So easy enough to see. I set mine to only apply the toad brake in pretty hard stop, I can see it then if i have to take time to look back.  But I do not ride along looking at it to see if on.  Would be good to be able to have it seen in the normal course of just cruising along.

SO....how to get that LED up to the dash?  Someone mentioned wiring already in place?  The way mine plugs into a unit in the toad cabin, I would have to run the wire with the LED back out of the toad to the dash, right?  Or some other way?

thanks....really good topic

mike
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Michael & Jackie –
SO....how to get that LED up to the dash?  Someone mentioned wiring already in place?

Monti recalled that we had the US Gear brake as our previous tow brake - that system has wiring which goes to a controller mounted in the coach dash area.  That's the wiring already in place for our specific situation (yay!), but it's not OEM to the coach.

As an added bonus, our US Gear installation had a 12V toad charge line run from the coach through the 6-pin umbilical hookup, so Danny's will make use of that for a charge line for the new toad as well.
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: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #9 –
As an alternative to AF-1 light and for all who use other types of tow brake, consider an inexpensive vehicle specific Roadmaster stop light switch bracket and run a single wire from toad to motorhome dash.
This is an INDEPENDENT indicator that brake pedal is being pressed.  If toad brake has a problem, the brake mechanism may not indicate brake is being pressed.  And if a braking system thinks it has let off brake pedal, but is still dragging brakes (a common problem) motorhome dash light will let you know.  Install any size motorhome dash lamp wherever you want.
This is what we used for our Jeep:
http://www.roadmasterinc.com/pdf/751449.pdf

Re: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #10 –
I have the AF1 and they gave me a wireless system that activites a beeper in the front of the coach when the brakes are applied.  I don't have to be looking for a light that I may miss.  The beep is loud enough that I installed the receiver and antenna unit inside the cabinet above the driver.  I have learned to ease off the brake just slightly at stoplights so the beep goes off.  It requires 12V power so I got a small converter plug and used the outlet in the overhead that the TV uses.
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #11 –
BTDT

Toad brake system
Rick

Re: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #12 –
Mine is wired to the toad's left front turn signal light. works great.  I can always see it from the rear camera.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
...consider an inexpensive vehicle specific Roadmaster stop light switch bracket and run a single wire from toad to motorhome dash...
This is what I use but did not name in my previous post.
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Mark & Mary Benko
Former coach: 2005 U295 3823
Jeep Cherokee, Honda Fit

Re: AirForce One Toad indicator light placement for best rear cam visibility?

Reply #14 –
I installed the Air Force One but did not use the LED supplied by the manufacturer.  I installed a dash mount red LED light in the dash of the Coach that is energized by actuation of the brake light switch on the towed vehicle.  The light only comes on when the brake pedal in the "toad" moves far enough to engage the brake light switch.  I rarely see the light come on; never on gentle coach braking but only on hard coach braking.  The light never comes on when using only the retarder because with the Air Force One the "toad" brakes are only energized by the coach brake system.  I appreciate being able to brake with the retarder only, knowing that the "toad" brakes are not actuating and I also enjoy knowing that the brake pedal on the "toad" is not engaged when we are moving down the road.
Gary
Gary Vanhoff
1998 U320
3600 WTFE
Build No. 5342
2007 HHR Toad
Spokane Valley, Washington