Towing Chevy Tahoe

[roncapt]

I am towing a Chevy Tahoe with a 2005 Monaco diplomat...This dighy tows just fine, the problem is the braking. I am using a Brake Buddy set at it's highest level and am towing with the Tahoe in "Park" and the ignition off.

If I have to make a fast stop it takes way too long and I can even smell the brakes burning. I just want to know if I am doing everything correctly and if there is anything else I can do to improve the braking.

[roncapt]

1234567890

[whodo]

roncapt
I assume that the Tahoe is 4 wheel drive.
If I have to make a fast stop it takes way too long and I can even smell the brakes burning.
When you make a fast stop do you feel the Tahoe pushing you or does it feel like it is slowing its own self?
When you say you can smell the brakes, are you speaking of the brakes on the Tahoe or the Monaco MH?

[roncapt]

Thanks for the reply...Yes, it is a 4WD.

I might feel a little pushing but not enough to really notice. The last time this happened I could smell the motorhome brakes right away.

Later on with the Tahoe far away from the MH I still noticed a burnt smell also coming from the Tahoe.

I was wondering because the engine is off maybe the power brakes don't operate as they should? I read there is some kind of pump you can install on the Dinghy brake system...Any thoughts about this.

Thank again.

[whodo]

I am sure you are aware that the Brake Buddy system requires you to pump down the power brakes vacuum so that you are actually using the toad brake system as a manual brake system.
Adding a vacuum pump system would defeat the design operation of the Brake Buddy system.

I would suggest going to the following two web sites and reading from the experts in the toad braking field. "SMI" & "VIP"

Now "SMI" makes a brake system that does use a vacuum pump system so that you are actually using your toads brakes as designed by the manufacture. They also make this system for Coaches that have air brake systems. http://www.smibrake.com

"VIP Tow Brake" has a excellent web site for comparision of different systems and how well each works in a given application.
http://www.viprv.com/index2.html

[roncapt]

No, I wasn't aware that the Brake Buddy required the pump down of the power brakes vacuum...I can't seem to locate any information on that. Any suggestions? Thanks again for your input.

I am sure you are aware that the Brake Buddy system requires you to pump down the power brakes vacuum so that you are actually using the toad brake system as a manual brake system.
Adding a vacuum pump system would defeat the design operation of the Brake Buddy system.

I would suggest going to the following two web sites and reading from the experts in the toad braking field. "SMI" & "VIP"

Now "SMI" makes a brake system that does use a vacuum pump system so that you are actually using your toads brakes as designed by the manufacture. They also make this system for Coaches that have air brake systems. http://www.smibrake.com

"VIP Tow Brake" has a excellent web site for comparision of different systems and how well each works in a given application.
http://www.viprv.com/index2.html

[whodo]

roncapt
If you go to http://www.brakebuddy.com/index.php then click on support and then instruction manuals and click on Installation Manual and then scroll down to paragraph 12 you will find the vacuum canister bleed down instructions.
*Here is a excerpt from par. 12 of the instructions.*

12. Push the red “Test” button located on top of your BrakeBuddy 5
times (Figure 9) to: (a) make sure the unit is working and adjusted
properly; and (b) to remove the vacuum stored in the brake vacuum reservoir of the towed vehicle. If your power brakes are not “vacuum assist”, please contact BrakeBuddy customer service.
WARNING: Any time the towed vehicle’s engine has been started you must push the test button 5 times after shutting the towed vehicle’s engine off. This removes the vacuum out of the vehicle’s brake system. Failure to drain the towed vehicle’s brake vacuum will result in excessive brake tire wear.

[stevesandidge]

right on the money there whodo.....by any chance are you a rv tech? cus ifn ya aint ya should be! lol

[whodo]

right on the money there whodo.....by any chance are you a rv tech? cus ifn ya aint ya should be! lol

Dealer & Manufacture in a previous life, retired now, but still have a lot of connections and friends in the manufacturing end of RV components and after market acc. Still active an belong to several of the trade groups just to be able to stay current with new trends & ideas.

[roncapt]

My brake buddy does the 5 times automatically...Do you mean I should activate the start button 5 times? This would pump the brakes 5 X 5 = 25 times. Thanks.

roncapt
If you go to http://www.brakebuddy.com/index.php then click on support and then instruction manuals and click on Installation Manual and then scroll down to paragraph 12 you will find the vacuum canister bleed down instructions.
*Here is a excerpt from par. 12 of the instructions.*

12. Push the red “Test” button located on top of your BrakeBuddy 5
times (Figure 9) to: (a) make sure the unit is working and adjusted
properly; and (b) to remove the vacuum stored in the brake vacuum reservoir of the towed vehicle. If your power brakes are not “vacuum assist”, please contact BrakeBuddy customer service.
WARNING: Any time the towed vehicle’s engine has been started you must push the test button 5 times after shutting the towed vehicle’s engine off. This removes the vacuum out of the vehicle’s brake system. Failure to drain the towed vehicle’s brake vacuum will result in excessive brake tire wear.

[roncapt]

Sorry, I just re-read Par 12 and yes, it say to push the red start button 5 times. You sure have been a lot of help and I want to thank you once again...You are one of the people that make RVing more pleasurable.

My brake buddy does the 5 times automatically...Do you mean I should activate the start button 5 times? This would pump the brakes 5 X 5 = 25 times. Thanks.