Ford's TowCommand Disclaimer for Hydraulic Brakes

[takeachance]

We just bought a new 07 F-250 Superduty with TowCommand for our 07' 30' Classic and this evening I was reading throught he manual and came across the Ford's disclaimer that the Towcommand system are not "verified" to work with Hydraulic Surge Brakes or Actibrakes on the Airstream. I have done a little bit of research on the forums and have heard some say it will, but just want to confirm if anyone has been able to get this configuration to work and if so was there any thing special that need to be done?

Thanks,

Scott

[TIMEMACHINE]

This may help answer your question.

John

[CanoeStream]

takeachance, that sounds like a good tow vehicle choice. We have a number of members happily using TowCommand and recent OEM disk brakes. 2airishuman and thecatsandi are two. Maybe some of these members will see this thread.

Some past discussions that may not go to your question specifically:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...kes-19936.html -- I can't vouch for the continuing validity of the Henschen/Dexter comments in this thread. Question Airstream about your installed axles & brakes.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...tem-27295.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...sic-27779.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...ved-29417.html

[thecatsandi]

the early 05s did not work well. but after a software upgrade in the Actibrake it works fine. My 06 has been flawless. Active technologies has verifed it will work.

[Swanny]

Which year of airstreams does this impact?

I've got a 1990 that I pull with an '05 F-350 and there don't appear to be any stopping problems.

[takeachance]

Actibrake and Airstream
Let me jump in on this one. As the GM of an Airstream dealership I can say with certainty that Airstream is STILL using the Actibrake actuator. Yes, they did decide to go with Dexter axles and disc brakes on the Classics (ONLY the Classics get disc brakes, all others electric drum), but they have a strategic relationship with Actibrake and will continue to use the Actibrake actuator. The Actibrake unit has been successfully tested with the Tekonsha/Ford brake controller installed on the Super Duties (per Actibrake). If you are ordering a Safari or International, you will be getting the standard electric/magnetic drum brakes that have been used for years and the Ford controller works on those as well. BTW, presently you can't order disc brakes on the Safari and Internationals. You have to either have a qualified dealer do the retrofit or take it back to the factory.

David Tidmore
GM Roger Williams Airstream
Weatherford, TX

"Ford in-cab controller vs. Dexter EH-actuator....."

"Dear Sir,
As far as we know the controller works with our electro-hydraulic
actuator. However we had reports that earlier models of our actuators
created on rare occasions an error message on the display while the
brakes kept on working normally. This was resolved with actuators with a
serial number 2000 and above.

Sincerely

Lutz Kolano
Product Design Engineer
Dexter Axle
Phone: 574-296-7361"

I came across the following two quotes from another thread, coupled with your feedback, looks like I should be OK!!

Thanks a million!!

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

the early 05s did not work well. but after a software upgrade in the Actibrake it works fine. My 06 has been flawless. Active technologies has verifed it will work.

I assume this applies to electric/hydraulic disc combos. I have an '05 F-250 and electric only brakes on the trailer and it works flawlessly so far.

If the Ford Tow Command system has been upgraded to handle electric/hydraulic disc combos it has got to be a winning combination. I can't sing enough praises for the Tow Command system on my F-250.

[Sean Michael]

No problems here; I've got the '03 electric brakes and '07 TowCommand combo.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by takeachance

I came across the following two quotes from another thread, coupled with your feedback, looks like I should be OK!!

Thanks a million!!

hi scott

reads like you've culled the proper threads...

my setup is EARLY 2005 and has worked perfectly for 41k+ miles.

the towcommand is UNCHANGED during 2005-2008...

however actibrake has used 2 different reservoirs and at least that many contoller boards in the last 3 years...

so some matching issues have occured.

craftsman had to swap actibrake reservoirs for success with his 06 ford...

this IS an actibrake issue not a ford issue.

the relevant TSB is here for the early error/problem...

http://www.cvsa.org/resourcecenter/d...tin2005-01.pdf

once your truck/trailer brakes are calibrated and working remember...

EVERY time the actibrake brains loose power the system must be recalibrated.

so whenever the 12v system is drained OR the board disconnected...recalibrate.

i've not had to do this once in more than 2 years/41k miles...

enjoy!

cheers
2air'

[thecatsandi]

let me re-phrase that another forums member with an 05 F series had a problem with his Actibrake. My 06 is fine and I under stand 07-08 are fine as well.

[2airishuman]

another relevant tsb is from actibrake on the 05s here...

http://www.activetech1.com/techbullet/tb103.pdf

it describes the simple issue of no trailer brake power at a standstill...


having followed this issue from day 1 with one of the very early disc units....

many threads on this from 2005.

i'm not aware of ne1 that has has issues on the 05 trucks.

craftsman has an 06' and needed to swap actibrake units.

there are occasional single posts on compatibility issues like the one in this thread related to 07...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...igy-32135.html

but with zero details and NO follow up, i discount them.

the issue first surfaced and confusion followed because the ford owner's manual includes a disclaimer...

that proved NOT to be true.

i'm sure takeachance will do the due diligence so as not to take a chance....

enjoy!

cheers
2air'

[takeachance]

If I am on a hill at a full stop with no trailer brake, doesn't that put the stress on the truck brakes or is it not an issue since typically you aren't in that situation very often?

Thanks,

Scott

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by takeachance

If I am on a hill at a full stop with no trailer brake, doesn't that put the stress on the truck brakes or is it not an issue since typically you aren't in that situation very often?

Thanks,

Scott

please elaborate. what do you mean by being on a hill with no trailer brakes?

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by takeachance

If I am on a hill at a full stop with no trailer brake, doesn't that put the stress on the truck brakes or is it not an issue since typically you aren't in that situation very often?

Thanks,

Scott

I think it's like when a tree falls in the woods and no body is around, does it make a sound?

I think as long as you have the brake pedal pressed enough to keep the truck from rolling the brakes are under no more stress than if the trailer wasn't there. Stopping should be the stressful part because that is where the heat is generated. The only stress on the brake system in the stopped situation is in the brake lines and once stopped that pressure is reduced to a minimum...a body at rest tends to remain at rest. You are only applying enough pressure to over come gravity. And even then you have rolling resistance and inertia on your side.

[Jaxon]

Got an '05 30' Classis and a '06 F250 HD Diesel Lariat (4 dr, SWB) and so far, have had no problems with the brake controller... stops just fine, accelerates like a bat outta hell... gotta love that Ford!

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by takeachance

If I am on a hill at a full stop with no trailer brake, doesn't that put the stress on the truck brakes or is it not an issue since typically you aren't in that situation very often?

Thanks,

Scott

hi scott

yea i wondered about this exact issue 2 years ago...

after sorting out the speed/voltage/brake equation in the tsb.

we aren't in that situation often.

i've been at up hill rail/track crossings and prolonged stoplights on grades,

where the trailer brakes would release as described.

the ford holds my 34 just fine.

and fully engages at 10mph or so...

so yes the truck is more than capable of hold/stopping an airstream,

and the trailer brakes are back online at full power at very slow speeds.

some 5th wheel owners DO like to 'lock up the trailer brakes manually,

and then pivot the trailer with the truck at 'near zero' speeds...

when parking.

but nearly no one does this with an a/s...

again the system has been ideal for me,

and i cannot imagine a better/more reliable brake controller with the trailer disc brakes...

cheers
2air'

[takeachance]

please elaborate. what do you mean by being on a hill with no trailer brakes?
__________________
Michelle

Let me clarify...If I am climbing a relatively step hill and come to say a stop sign and have to stop, I am not going to be yanked down the hill or put excess stress on the transmission or truck brakes because there is no brakes being applied to the trailer as a result of the Towcommand not sending anyting to the trailer brakes since the vehicle is stopped. Hope that clears it up, but if no one has had any issues doesn't sound like it will be a problem.

Thanks,

Scott

[thecatsandi]

The tow command will send a brake signal if you are stepping on the Pedal hard enough.

[takeachance]

Thanks again for everyones help, I am taking it out this weekend, so can't wait to hit the road.

Scott

[takeachance]

Tried the new truck with my trailer today, the TowCommand brake controller worked flawlessly! I appreciate everyone's feedback! Heading out Monday, to the beautiful California Coast, can't wait

Thanks again!

Scott