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air force one braking system

I am using the air force one braking system.
Does the AF1 activate with the retarder without applying the brake peddle?
I am thinking the retarder has no effect on the toad braking while on long descents in the mountains.
This is something I was thinking about this morning instead of sleeping.
Thanks for your input.
Ron Clark
Sherwood,Arkansas
1999 U 295 40 foot Build # 5550
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Motorcade # 18173
FMCA # F485593

Re: air force one braking system

Reply #1 –
I believe that you are correct that the brakes are not applied when you are using the retard.

I do not have the light hooked up to show when the toad brakes are applied. Some do and they should be able to verify one way or the other
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: air force one braking system

Reply #2 –
On mine, the retarder does not activate the AF1 brake system.  When someone is following me, they see the coach brakes lights but not the tow'd brake lights.  I have an audible alarm that also confirms this.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: air force one braking system

Reply #3 –
You need air from the brake pedal. It is attached to one of the brake cans so the retarder does not affect it.
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: air force one braking system

Reply #4 –
The toad brakes will only come on when the air brakes are applied. The Air Force one has nothing to do with the retarder.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: air force one braking system

Reply #5 –
As has been said yes you have to apply brake in order for the toad breaking system to come on.
Easy enough to do I don't think you have to apply a lot of break I'm not sure how proportional it would be. It's a good question. But I have yet to ever want some pretty steep grades now feel like jeep was causing any problems being towed. And I use the retarder a lot and the brakes rare. Which is kind of good when you think about it because over time it will save wear and tear on the Jeep's brakes. I did upgrade my tow bar to a 10, 000 lb Roadmaster tow bar. The previous one I had was only rated for 6,000 and the Jeep weighs around 5, 000 I believe so I was never comfortable with that towbar from the previous owner.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: air force one braking system

Reply #6 –
Thanks for all the replies, since I was correct my question is would the, ready bruit, or some other type of braking system with the surge type be better for use in the mountains?
Before I got a Jeep Gladiator I was towing a Ram 2500 diesel truck. That's a lot of extra weight for the retarder.
Thanks again for the info.
Ron

Ron Clark
Sherwood,Arkansas
1999 U 295 40 foot Build # 5550
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Motorcade # 18173
FMCA # F485593

Re: air force one braking system

Reply #7 –
Ron I actually really do prefer your current setup over the others because I'm always worried that the towed brakes could overheat on long downhills were your running the retarder and having towed brakes come on with service brakes let's you control there duty time with the service brakes. Just be aware of your retarder temps and adjust speeds and rpm according. Your dodge weighs about 7200 lbs if equip like mine. Tow limit on your coach is 10k
Scott

Re: air force one braking system

Reply #8 –
I'm with Dsd that I don't want my Toad brakes or when I'm towing a trailer that the brakes for either come on unless I'm applying
the brakes.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: air force one braking system

Reply #9 –
Quote from: dsd –
Ron I actually really do prefer your current setup over the others because I'm always worried that the towed brakes could overheat on long downhills were your running the retarder and having towed brakes come on with service brakes let's you control there duty time with the service brakes. Just be aware of your retarder temps and adjust speeds and rpm according. Your dodge weighs about 7200 lbs if equip like mine. Tow limit on your coach is 10k
Scott
Dsd
I hadn't considered that the toad brakes could be on most of the time going down hill. That's the reason I ask all the dumb questions. I swapped the Ram for a Jeep Gladiator so I am not towing that much weight.
Thanks for the input.
Ron
Ron Clark
Sherwood,Arkansas
1999 U 295 40 foot Build # 5550
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Motorcade # 18173
FMCA # F485593

Re: air force one braking system

Reply #10 –
I need some help while hooking up the air for Air Force one I bumped the electrical plugs that goes into the top of the valves and they fell apart is there any place to get new ends for these plugs
Thanks
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: air force one braking system

Reply #11 –
Well I was fortunate to find the cables on eBay  AL919347  they are not replacements but I can solder the new cable ends on and
use the heat shrink with glue to  make a water proof connection and solve this problem.
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR