Towing Question May 15, 2024, 11:04:37 pm I have the Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo braking system installed in the toad, with the Demco Wireless CoachLink alarm in the RV cab. I noticed when towing this last time that I wasn’t receiving any feedback from the alarm when braking. I did test the system before towing by pulling the breakaway cable and things seemed to be operating as designed. Frankly, I’m not sure if the toad was actually braking or not. Any suggestions on what to check for?
Re: Towing Question Reply #1 – May 16, 2024, 12:53:28 am I can feel the effect of our toad's braking when decel is enough to trigger them, and it is just a Honda Fit! If you can't feel that with the subi, then definitely find the problem with the wireless notifier...Steve
Re: Towing Question Reply #2 – May 16, 2024, 12:59:17 am Quote from: HiLola - May 15, 2024, 11:04:37 pmI have the Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo braking system installed in the toad, with the Demco Wireless CoachLink alarmFrankly, I’m not sure if the toad was actually braking or not. Any suggestions on what to check for?Never installing a Wireless CoachLink, not sure where to start. I dislike wireless devices due to the difficulty of troubleshooting, preferring a hardwired brake-on indicator light, located on the RV's dash. Wires are much easier for me to trace and determine how and why things operate and hiow to repair. You should feel the brake activate if you brake firmly or harder., the brake activatioon sensitivity is adjustable at the control box mounted under the dash of your Subi. Check the Demco owner's manual.Braking power is somewhat adjustable by moving the location of the brake pedal cylinder up and down on the toad's brake pedal arm.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Towing Question Reply #3 – May 16, 2024, 09:51:10 am Quote from: HiLola - May 15, 2024, 11:04:37 pmI have the Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo braking system installed in the toad, with the Demco Wireless CoachLink alarm in the RV cab. I noticed when towing this last time that I wasn’t receiving any feedback from the alarm when braking. I did test the system before towing by pulling the breakaway cable and things seemed to be operating as designed. Frankly, I’m not sure if the toad was actually braking or not. Any suggestions on what to check for?In my experience Demco have been very helpful when I have called them to troubleshoot.
Re: Towing Question Reply #4 – May 17, 2024, 03:19:38 pm Another kudos for Demco. I also prefer the hardwired brake alarm vs. the wireless. I can feel the effect of the Jeep's brakes activating, and particularly their release at stops. The wired light and the feel of the motion of the Jeep tells me that the system is working.The wire that connects the piston/cylinder on the pedal in the Jeep and the attachment to the firewall broke while I was on a trip. I called Demco and they had an upgraded replacement in about two days, no charge. They also made some suggestions on the installation that were helpful. That is great service.Harold
Re: Towing Question Reply #5 – May 21, 2024, 12:04:34 pm Is there a way to test the brakes without actually towing?As a test, I hooked up the power cord to the RV and the toad. I turned on the Demco switch that is mounted in the toad, turned the toad ignition switch on, and had the RV engine running. When I pressed the brake in the RV, the toad brakes didn't operate.However, when I pulled the emergency brake away pin, everything operated as designed. What am I missing?
Re: Towing Question Reply #6 – May 21, 2024, 12:45:56 pm Not sure if this is safety approved, but I had someone ride in the towed vehicle passenger seat for a few short test drives when I was first setting up our system (not Demco). An alternative would be to put a video camera (a phone maybe) recording the brake pedal on a test drive.In most cases, the toad brake system won't engage unless the stop is quick enough. There is a setting where you can adjust what quick enough is. Our toad brake system very seldom engages in typical driving. Most are momentum controlled, so I'm not sure how you would replicate that without actually moving. Rich
Re: Towing Question Reply #7 – May 21, 2024, 12:58:38 pm Quote from: HiLola - May 21, 2024, 12:04:34 pmIs there a way to test the brakes without actually towing?As a test, I hooked up the power cord to the RV and the toad. I turned on the Demco switch that is mounted in the toad, turned the toad ignition switch on, and had the RV engine running. When I pressed the brake in the RV, the toad brakes didn't operate.However, when I pulled the emergency brake away pin, everything operated as designed. What am I missing?This is from the Demco installation manual:Kendall
Re: Towing Question Reply #8 – May 21, 2024, 03:08:40 pm Hi Kendall; The brakes on your towed are insufficient to stop your motorhome. To prevent this from trying to happen, the towed won't apply the brakes right away. A small delay is built in, except when the break away switch activates the brakes. So stop and go, bumper to bumper conditions probably won't activate the towed brakes. Also the brakes are proportional. I think the aux brake system in the towed has a 'G' sensor to detect strong braking of the motorhome. I remember somewhere that this has to be adjusted initially. So just stepping on the LD brake will light the toad brake lights, but not operate the brakes.RonB 1 Likes
Re: Towing Question Reply #9 – May 22, 2024, 07:14:05 am My toad was a 2009 Honda Fit Sport (thanks for the recommendation, Andy!) equipped with the Stay-in-Play Duo. I wired an LED to the dash on both the LD and Class A.The Demco instructions and the other help so far are correct. I add the following:1) If memory serves, one way to adjust the controller to the maximum sensitivity without an accomplice is to turn off the controller, set the knob all the way "down," connect the umbilical and then turn on the coach emergency flashers. Finally, turn on the controller. The Duo will start moving the toad brakes in time with the lights on the coach. Loosen the knob, move it up until the synchronized movement stops, then about 1/8-inch more.2) That said, I found the maximum sensitivity setting applied the toad brakes a bit more harshly than I liked, so I reduced the sensitivity.3) Once over 20 to 25 mph I could feel the toad braking the coach, using the highly-tuned "butt sensor" planted in the driver's seat. As mentioned, the brake release seemed more noticeable than the application.4) Each day before setting off (that is, stationary) I would pull the breakaway switch pin. I would check for three things: a) vacuum unit running (making noise), b) toad brake lights illuminating, c) toad brake pedal moving to the full brake-applied position. More than once this test alerted me to a failed cylinder cable. [I took to carrying a spare.] I'd replace the pin and be on my way.5) If I could, I'd arrange an in-motion test as soon as possible after leaving. A common place to do this would be on an entrance ramp to the highway. Accelerate to above 30 mph and give the coach brake pedal a stiff mash. I'd look for the LED to light and for the familiar sensation of the toad braking force via the "butt sensor." If both confirmed braking force, it was off to the races.6) Finally, if you want extra braking at speeds below 20 to 25 mph, set the Ford Tow-Haul function "on." This compensates somewhat for the lack of toad braking at low speeds. I did a lot of East Coast urban/suburban traffic driving, and the Tow-Haul was excellent at slowing the coach to prevent accidents when the surrounding cars sought to take advantage of the "hole" I left in front of the coach.Sorry for the long post, but I'm not sure I can remember all this stuff much longer, being a "mature" ex-RVer now.Mark H. 3 Likes
Re: Towing Question Reply #10 – May 22, 2024, 09:03:04 pm Quote from: HiLola - May 21, 2024, 12:04:34 pmIs there a way to test the brakes without actually towing?As a test, I hooked up the power cord to the RV and the toad. I turned on the Demco switch that is mounted in the toad, turned the toad ignition switch on, and had the RV engine running. When I pressed the brake in the RV, the toad brakes didn't operate.However, when I pulled the emergency brake away pin, everything operated as designed. What am I missing?Greg, the system requires hard deceleration to activate. Pulling the pin bypasses that. The decelerometer is built into the box with the switch in your vehicle. I can't think of a way to test it without towing. With the car in neutral on flat ground, see if you can push it at all with the pin pulled. If not, it is working.The decelerometer sensitivity needs to be adjusted so the system only activates when braking the rig hard. Try adjusting it first for high sensitivity to see if the wireless indicator shows it working. If not, the indicator may be faulty. You should feel the toad brakes kick in when activated.Steve 1 Likes
Re: Towing Question Reply #11 – May 23, 2024, 01:21:12 pm Thanks for everyone’s input! I also received a call from Mike C. and he reminded me of the decelerometer and the requirement for the toad to be actually moving to operate. Obviously, I need to reread the manual. I’ll give an update after taking the suggestions offered. Thanks!
Re: Towing Question Reply #12 – September 16, 2024, 09:49:19 am Here is a follow-up to how I tested the braking system. We hooked up the toad and drove the rig about a mile from our house to a quiet commercial area that has a nice wide, straight stretch with room to turn around at the end. Once arriving at the area, I got in the toad and had DW accelerate to 35mph, then hitting the brakes rather firmly. We did this a couple times. Both times, the brakes did apply in the toad so happy to confirm the braking system works. The wireless alarm, however, needs some tweaking as it didn't alarm until the very end of the braking. I'm going to call Demco to see what adjustments need to be madeEdit: Just called Demco and they explained to me that the Wireless Coachlink alarm has a 7-second delay before it alarms. That explains why it didn't alarm until towards the end. In the past, I could have sworn that it came on sooner but perhaps I'm just confused. 1 Likes
Re: Towing Question Reply #13 – September 17, 2024, 12:00:42 pm Quote from: HiLola - September 16, 2024, 09:49:19 amEdit: Just called Demco and they explained to me that the Wireless Coachlink alarm has a 7-second delay before it alarms. That explains why it didn't alarm until towards the end. In the past, I could have sworn that it came on sooner but perhaps I'm just confused. The Demco CoachLink Manual confirms the 7 sec. delay. I also have a CoachLink which I installed in an empty cubby hole in my 2019 Dash. I like it because I can see it out of my peripheral vision when driving and not have to look up at the camera screen to see a light in the Jeep.Kendall
Re: Towing Question Reply #14 – September 17, 2024, 01:54:16 pm Quote from: RIMRIDER - September 17, 2024, 12:00:42 pmThe Demco CoachLink Manual confirms the 7 sec. delay. I also have a CoachLink which I installed in an empty cubby hole in my 2019 Dash. I like it because I can see it out of my peripheral vision when driving and not have to look up at the camera screen to see a light in the Jeep.Kendall [attach type=thumb]38895[/attach] [attach type=thumb]38897[/attach]Thanks for that as I missed that note in the manual. Funny, I slid the CoachLink in the exact same cubby in our 2017 as you did (great minds think alike). 😉 I found a 12 volt power source behind the dash so it energizes when the key is turned on. It’s not permanently mounted but just held in by friction.Is it just me or are those LED lights on the CoachLink unit extremely hard to see? I can’t really make out the lights on the toad vehicle.
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