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Frequently
Asked Questions
1.
What is BrakeSafe?
BrakeSafe
applies the brakes in the towed vehicle proportionally to the
brake effort of the towing vehicle.
2.
What does "proportional" mean?
"Proportional"
means that what ever brake effort you apply in the coach, the
same approximate effort is applied in the towed vehicle.
You can apply light pressure for a normal stop, hard pressure
for that emergency stop.
3.
What does "braking ratio" mean?
"Braking
ratio" is a very important term when it comes to towed
braking. It means that the brake effort of the coach be of
the right ratio for the brake discs or drums of the towed
vehicle. If the ratio is not right, over or under braking
will occur. BrakeSafe is engineered to provide the correct
ratio for towed vehicles.
4.
What mechanism applies the brakes in the towed vehicle?
BrakeSafe
offers four types of brake pedal actuators. The BX88161
actuator is an air cylinder that pushes the pedal. The
BX88143 actuator is an air cylinder that pulls the brake pedal.
The BX88139 and BX88140 actuators have hydraulic cylinders, with
the BX88139 pushing the brake pedal and the BX88140 pulling the
brake pedal.
5.
How does BrakeSafe get the proportional braking to the towed
vehicle?
Supplied
in the installation kit are D.O.T. approved tubing and fittings.
We get a proportional air source by installing tee and tube
connector fittings into either the relay valve or one of the
brake actuators. Also in the kit are Quick-disconnects,
self-coil hose and bulkhead fittings. All this is directed
to a pedal mounted air actuator.
6.
How much will BrakeSafe reduce my stopping distance?
It
depends on the weight and condition of the brakes on the towed
vehicle. On the average you can expect to stop in one
third less distance. That means that if your combined rig
requires 300 feet to stop from 60mph, by having BrakeSafe brakes
on your towed vehicle you will stop in 200 feet. There are
so many times that the 100 feet means a lot!
7.
Is BrakeSafe easily transferable from one towed vehicle to the
next?
Yes!
The fitting that was removed to install tee fittings was also
used in installation. Just remove the tee and install the
factory installed fitting. The brake pedal actuator is a
“bolt-on” so it can be easily moved to an alternate vehicle.
The system can be removed in minutes and easily installed in the
new towed vehicle in about two hours.
8.
Can a person with average abilities install a BrakeSafe system?
Yes!
There is only an easy air source to tee and air lines to run.
There are no complicated assemblies. The brake pedal
actuator requires only one hole to be drilled. A person
with average mechanical abilities and common tools can
accomplish the installation.
9.
Do you have a BrakeSafe system to fit my coach and towed
vehicles?
The
BrakeSafe system comes in four configurations. The BX88161
and BX88143 fit all air coaches. The BX88139 and BX88140
fit coaches with hydraulics.
10.
Is a breakaway kit available for BrakeSafe?
Yes!
The Brakelock II (BX88141) breakaway system is installed under
the hood of the towed vehicle. Pressing on the coach’s
brake pedal before towing charges the air reservoir. A
lanyard attaches to the rear of the coach with a small hook,
when the alanyard is pulled out the brakes in the towed vehicle
are applied.
Apollo|AutoStop|BrakeSafe
Pull|ToadStop|BrakeSafe
Push|ToadStop
II
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