MaxBrake - RV-Dreams Community Forum

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

MaxBrake

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

From what I can find using a search engine for Maxbrake and BrakeSmart, both of those are brake controllers, Maxbrake being for electric over hydraulic brake systems.

A "Jake brake" is an engine compression brake where the system uses the engine for braking instead of the brakes. A somewhat related product to the engine compression brake is the "exhaust brake" which somehow uses exhaust "back pressure" for braking purposes. Those two products are nothing like the systems that you mentioned.

Our Mobile Suites fifth wheel uses the electric over hydraulic system. DRV has gone to using Carlisle systems to control their braking system. They recommend that we get a component that will let their system work with Ford's integrated brake controller.

Hope this is of some help.

Terry

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry, right I realize they are two different type of braking systems. The maxbrake uses hydraulic sensor off of the master cyl to send a signal to the trailer electrical brakes thus TV and trailer brakes working together in unison. I was wondering if someone who has that system feels like they still need to add and exhaust brake to keep things under control on a down hill run.

Thanks
Flyone

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

I went to a seminar at an RV resort for the Brake Smart many years ago. I was very impressed with the test results and the stops shown on the video they showed. The videos were "before and after" demos on a Motorhome and Fifth wheel setup. The Brake Smart made for very short stopping distances compare to the before stops.

I was very close to buying one to add to my old truck. Didn't do it but several other folks in the seminar did buy.

My new truck has an exhaust brake which I find is great for keeping the speed down on steep grades and very helpful in making quick stops. It gives me great confidence in the ability to avoid an accident in case of a panic stop.

There is a 6% grade that is 10 miles long and winding with lots of traffic, the exhaust brake will hold my truck and 15,000lb 5th wheel at 55MPH going down the grade. I never have to touch the brakes.

The Brake Smart and MaxBrake won't hold the truck going down hill, they will make it easier to stop the truck. That is why I didn't buy one. My problem with the old truck was that by the time I got to the bottom of this 10 mile long 6% grade, even in first gear, I would have no stopping power, because the brakes were so hot. I would have to hit the brakes about 20 times to keep from over revving. I used the extreme braking method but would still have overheated truck and trailer brakes. So the Brake Smart would have had little affect where I needed the most help. I needed to keep the speed from going up while going down hill.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

If I read your original post wrong, I'm sorry.

This whole question will depend upon how much weight you will be pulling. The fifth wheel that Jo and I have is rated at something like 18,500lbs GVWR. For that, I wanted to make sure that the vehicle that I used to tow it would be capable of handling that weight. If your trailer weight is enough to worry you about the stopping power of your combined unit should the trailer brakes fail, then I would look at other options.

I also looked at MDT's to insure that my tow vehicle could safely handle the weight on the downhill side of a mountain pass. Being uncertain of the capability of a Ford F450, I wanted something that had the "jake brake" type system. Nothing I could find in an aftermarket system, including the "exhaust brake" type system was made for the 6.4L diesel in the Ford.

I was advised to check out the type of transmission that was in the F450 to see if the transmission was designed to do the same thing. The Ford has a transmission with a "tow/haul" feature that reconfigures the transmission in that mode to work like an engine brake when used. A number of F450 owners who are also towing heavy trailers have told me that the "tow/haul" type transmission works very well in controlling the trailer on the downslopes.

Now, all of the above said, in an emergency stop, the "tow/haul" type transmission may not help at all. For that, even an engine brake would be limited in its ability to help a panic stop.

Perhaps this is more helpful for you.

Terry

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Flyone, You need the exhaust brake to slow you going down hill so you use your brakes as little as possible.The brake system is a good thing to have to get you slowed down safely in normal and panic situations.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Absolutely add a retarder, especially with your TV. An exhaust brake will keep you from overworking the electric brakes. When electric brakes get hot, they quitcha. Then, you have nothing except immediate and fervent prayer.

Terry was correct when he said the jake brake and exhaust brake were kind of similar. A Jacobs Retarder (Jake brake) changes the valve timing and opening, providing downhill speed retardation. An exhaust brake will close the turbo exhaust, allowing the diesel engine to become a compressor, retarding speed. The Allison transmission (Chevrolet), the Aisin (Dodge) and Torqueshift (Ford later models) retard by locking torque converters and downshifting the transmission to retard downhill speed, thereby saving the electric and service brakes until REALLY needed.

Another thing to remember, if service and electric brakes are required for downhill, get on them hard, reduce speed 20 or so miles per hour, then relax the pedals, allowing the electric brakes to cool. If the speed increases above where you are comfortable, get on them hard again. The absolute worst method is to feather the brakes to hold speed at a certain point.

Maxbrake and Brakesmart are often compared (see http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439/maxbrake-brakesmart-and-other-brake-controller-questions-62163.html ) for a discussion about it. Looks like (according to some information) that Brakesmart is no more.

Personally, I have had good luck with a Prodigy. Dirt simple installation and operation. Works well in my estimation. WAY LESS money than Maxbrake.