Your Questions Answered
Have you read all you need to know about the Smart Brake to know that this is a product that you just can't live without? You're not alone. We get calls every day from consumers who have purchased the Smart Brake from us and say that the installation was a breeze and they have never felt more safe and secure while driving.
Below is a list of our most Frequently Asked Questions. If after reading you still have an unanswered question, please go to our Contact Us page or call today! (800) 544-5033
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the size of the Controller Box (not to be confused with the Brake Controller in the Motor Home)?
The Controller Box is 6" x 10" x 3 1/2". It has holes at the base for mounting and has the brake cable and wire harness plug on one end.
Where do I install the Controller Box in my car (not to be confused with the Brake Controller in the Motor Home)?
The engine compartment is the most common location. But, it can be placed anywhere outside the passenger compartment. Under the vehicle is OK as well. It can be placed anywhere that allows the brake cable to reach the brake pedal, the wireness harness to reach the front of the towed vehocle and the power wire to reach the battery. It can get wet but can't be submerged.
I'm not sure what to set my Brake Controller in the Motor Home to?
If it is a Hopkins time based controller, set it to 50% as a starting point. If it is a Prodigy inertia based controller, set it to 6.3 boost as a starting point. You may need to adjust these settings based on driving conditions, load, etc.
Will the battery in my towed vehicle go dead if I am on the road for a long time?
No. The Smart Brake power wire trickel charges the towed vehicle's battery from the Motor Home while enroute.
Does the Smart Brake come with a Break-a-way safety mechanism?
Yes. The Smart Brake includes a teather connecting the back of the Motor Home to the front of the towed vehicle. Should their be a break-a-way situation, this teather is pulled and the Smart Brake applies the brakes in the towed vehicle.
What about turn signal lights for my towed vehicle?
The Smart Brake system will apply the brake lights in your towed vehicle (assuming your towed vehicle brake lights go on even if the engine is not running) but it will not activate your towed vehicle's parking lights or turn signals. There is room in the 7pin female RV plug (from the Smart Brake) on the front of the towed vehicle so wires for the parking light and turn signal wires could be connected.
Do I have to have a supplimental braking system for my towed vehicle if my state doesn't require one?
The simple answer is, no you don't. You will however need a supplimental braking system should you travel through a state that does require one. Some states may not require a braking system but require a means to stop your towed vehicle should there be a break away. Please check our State Towing Laws page for more information about your state.
What does Proportional Breaking mean?
When towing, there are 2 vehicles which have a combined total weight. So the question becomes, how much braking should be accomplished by the motorhome, and how much should be accomplished by the towed vehicle? You want it to be in direct proportion to each vehicles' own weight. The Smart Brake provides proportional braking via a signal adjustment (or gain) to the towed vehicle's brakes from the Brake Controller in the motor home.
What does Progressive Breaking mean?
When the motor home brakes are applied, whether hard or soft, a mirror effect occurs in the braking of the towed vehicle. In other words, the more braking force applied to the front vehicle, the more force applied to the rear vehicle. Other units only have one pre-determined "average" push on the pedal for brake assistance. So what happens if you're in a panic situation, and need ALL the braking you can get? Is one pre-determined "average" push on your towed vehicle's brake pedal going to be enough help? We think that if you're in an emergency and have to stand on the brakes, you'd probably prefer the full force of both vehicles' power brakes to slow you down. With our unit in a panic situation, you will in fact stop faster by using both vehicles' power brakes full force than if you were driving the motorhome by itself.
Contact Us
Thank you for visiting the online home of Smart Brake, LLC. We look forward to giving you more information about our product. If you have any questions about Smart Brake LLC, please feel free to call us today.
Sales / Distribution:
Smart Brake Sales
13565 12th St. Chino, CA 91710
Telephone:
(800) 544-5033
E-mail:
info@thepaintdepartment.com
Technical / Install Support
Ronald Chesnut
E-mail:
ronaldinventor@aol.com
Cellphone:
(562) 201-3817
PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA
Testimonials
"Recently installed a Smart Brake on my 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab truck that I use as a two vehicle. My RV is a 2006 Holiday Rambler Endeavor model 40PDQ. I researched tow brakes and determined that yours had all the features I was looking for in a tow brake. The clincher was that the Endeavor (Monaco product) was pre-wired for your brake controller. I did the installation myself. The brakes work GREAT!!!!! I admit that I was skeptical about your claims that the combination of RV and towed vehicle would stop shorter than the RV alone, but my tests show that to be a true statement. I drove without any brakes for a few thousand miles on the towed vehicle (4000 pounds) and it is a radical difference now that I have the U S Gear system installed. Hookup is only one electric cable (contains the brake circuits plus my towed vehicle lights) and the breakaway cable. Absolutely no hookup is required inside the vehicle! I completely recommend your product."
-R. Braden
"Purchased a Smart Brake system about 1 year ago and installed it myself. Not hard at all to install. It has worked perfectly since the day I checked it out. Very fine braking system. Recommended it to my friend who was checking out various types of other systems. He purchased your system, installed it and he is very pleased.
After working in the design engineering field, I see nothing to change to make it a better working system."
-L. Fisher