For me, I went with the Disc brake setup because the difference in cost was not that great. I needed compltetly new axles anyway and the cost difference between electric and disc was only $318 total for both axles. The biggest cost was the $600 actuator. So I figured that for $900, it was worth the one time that I needed to stop quickly. If I have an accident in the future, I can never say to myself, "If I only was able to stop 10ft shorter." It is worth the piece of mind.
I had a BrakeSmart installed when we bought a new truck in May of '06 as I knew eventually I'd have disc brakes put on our anticipated new (er) Airstream. Because it advertised it worked on both electric and hydraulic. But now Airstream is saying the only controller approved is the Prodigy?
Hensley is telling me their TruContol works with the Airstream disc brakes but Airstream says no.......I'm told the Brake smart will work, but at reduced braking. We have a 2004 34ft with slideout.
opinions?
I had a BrakeSmart installed when we bought a new truck in May of '06 as I knew eventually I'd have disc brakes put on our anticipated new (er) Airstream. Because it advertised it worked on both electric and hydraulic. But now Airstream is saying the only controller approved is the Prodigy?
Hensley is telling me their TruContol works with the Airstream disc brakes but Airstream says no.......I'm told the Brake smart will work, but at reduced braking. We have a 2004 34ft with slideout.
opinions?
We purchased a Brakesmart controller and it has worked great.
We were an early Disc-Brake convertee, about 4 years ago. Airstream was not advocating the conversion then. Actibrake we did not have any information on Actibrake. We started out with another manufacturer (later went out-of-business) Now we have Actibrake. The Brakesmart works great, when we replace our tow vehicle, we may look at TruControl, (I think it may have a colaboration with the old Brakesmart group but I may be mis-informed)
FYI, A friend purchased a new Ford with the built-brake controller, I was designed to communicate with electric hardware, he had alot of major problems with this system working with his disc/Actibrake. The dealer/manufacuter was no help to him so he purchased another brand of controller. That been a year ago so perhaps Ford has address this issue since then.
I should have also noted......I had my fathers '77 31ft unti 1 year ago, and up until a year before that, it had the ExcellaVac Disc brakes. The system finally gave way, and at the time, it did not seem cost effective to put the new discs on a trailer I knew I'd be replacing.
I really miss the discs, and plan to have the new system installed this spring on our 2004 Classic Limited slideout lounge.
Again, Airstream insists only the Prodigy will work........I wonder if that's simply because that's all they've "certified" for the system? ie tested?
Dan
FYI, A friend purchased a new Ford with the built-brake controller, I was designed to communicate with electric hardware, he had alot of major problems with this system working with his disc/Actibrake. The dealer/manufacuter was no help to him so he purchased another brand of controller. That been a year ago so perhaps Ford has address this issue since then.
Did they sync it? I had no problems with mine once it was figured out that the batteries were disconected and the thing needed to be resynced. I was not aware it was done the frst time. Otherwise I would have caught it when the problem happened. I have an 06 with the tow command and it works better than my prodigy did.
__________________
Michelle
I'm not afraid I learned to drive in Washington, DC
Sarah
Ruby, (05 BMW R1200RT) serviced and put to bed for the winter
Daisy, (06 Diesel F-250 w/Tow Command)
Butter Cup, (06 Classic 31 w/dinette, solar) http://Michelles-Adventures.US
We have a 34' and use the BrakeSmart unit without any problems, maybe that is because we have a triple axle and have more than enough brakes! I have heard that folks with single and tandem axles and the BrakeSmart unit combo had some problems.
I also know that Kodiak and Actibrake are introducing a new controller, "Direct Link" - I believe is the name. It was introduced at the RV industry trade show earlier in the month. Everything I hae heard about it is great.
__________________ History doesn't repeat itself, people do!
I was at the Airstream factory in May and in July 2008 in route to and from PA. In May I had an issue with super grabby brakes on the trailer. I mean by barely touching the brake pedal I could nearly smoke the trailer tires. I played around with the Brakesmart controller settings and it didn't do much. However, by the time I got to the factory, brakes were working fine. Factory test drove it and didn't see anything wrong. After we left the factory, brakes worked fine for awhile but I did lose the trailer brakes once. I disconnected the coach batteries as well as the 7 pin cord and the Actibrake computer reset itself. This set seems key if you have a brake issue. The rest of the trip to PA and 2 months later back to the mothership then back to WI resulted is no problems. The factory suggested changing the brake controller to one on their list if the problem occurs again as Brakesmart is not on their list they provided me of approved controllers for with with Active Technologies ActBrake. This surprised me because I had researched it early and concluded Brakesmart was on the list. Here's the list of approved controllers from the factory as of 6-14-07: Tekonsha Prodigy/Drawtite Intella-Stop Ultra; Hayes Genesis; Tekonsha P3; Tekonsha Primus/Drawtite Intella-Stop Digital; 2006 & 2007 Ford/ does not work properly with all 2005 models; Hayes Energize XPC; Hayes Endeavor, Hayes Energize III, Hensley Tru-Control. Comment is made on the sheet that it does not work with Tekonsha Voyage, Drawtite Intella-stop, or Jordan Ultima. They say call Active Technology at 515-285-0195 if your brake controller is not listed before using with Actibrake electric/hydraulic brake system.
I saw a couple posts of Brakesmart owners that may have changed to TruControl controllers with Hydr brakes. If so, please post your results. Thanks.
__________________
Rich
2006 Classic 34 Front Lounge
2004 GMC Duramax CC SB
Hensley Arrow
WBCCI #5401
AIR #4489
As I understand, TruControl purchase the patients of the Brakesmart, the engineerining and it was redeveloped/engineered into the Tru-Control unit with new/their own specfications.
My 03 Excursion had the Brakesmart installed about 2004, it's tapped to o the master cylinder to get the pressure reading. I never once had any problem with the Brakesmart. I really like it since you never adjust the gain, the trailer brakes are applied at the pressure reading of the tow vehicle.
I did have a problem with the new (then 2004) Actibrake. After several cycles and short periods of non use, the Actibrake would go to sleep and render me with no brakes. Actibrake sent out to my Airstream dealer, the revision included a circuit board, this recall fixed the problem. No other failures were had.
Airstream in 2004 had early failures of the Actibrake too (unit going to sleep) and these units were outfitted with the same revision as mine.
I you should contact Actibrake with your serial number and see if your Actibrake could have an issue that you should be aware.
Yes, Brakesmart is not on Jacson Center's list but it's not made anymore. I never had any issue with it Brakesmart on my Excursion and still use it!
I hope you find the answer to your issue, post the resoultion.
Are you serious? There is no contest. Why do race cars use all discs? Why are they more expensive? Ask your insurance co. if it makes a diff.
I have Discs on my rig and a controller and it is as good as it gets. People that want to save money are only taking risk with their rigs. Maybe it will work out but you put alot into the AS that you bot so why do you risk it without the simple upgrade of discs? Kinda like going around on retreads eh? Don't put yourself or your property at risk, you need every advantage you can get, think of it as another form of insurance, except this is paying for the real deal, Your life and property!
Biz
__________________ He didn't expect; he was not disappointed!
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