US Gear unified Tow Brake

Heres how we achieve braking power. We supply a 12 volt vacuum pump that mounts in the engine compartment of the towed vehicle. Each time the Unified Tow Brake is activated, a signal is sent to the Power Module located in the towed vehicle. The Power Module computer engages the vacuum pump to replenish vacuum to the towed vehicles power brake booster. The Power Module also sends a modulated signal to the supplied Electronic Solenoid which is hidden under the driver seat of the towed vehicle. The Solenoid is connected to the brake pedal lever with a push/pull cable that is hidden underneath the carpet. By modulating the current to the solenoid, we can vary the amount of pull on the pedal to slow the towed vehicle to whatever degree is needed. This allows the towed vehicle to deliver the same powerful braking performance while towing, that you would get while driving the vehicle.

Other tow brake units on the market today cut into the brake lines or master cylinder of either the motorhome or the towed vehicle. At U.S. Gear, we feel this approach is not only frightening, but causes some real safety concerns. We therefore designed our unit to steer clear of tampering with either vehicles brakes. Any time the brake lines are cut, the potential is there for air to get in the line, and cause the brakes to fail. In addition, we did not want the installation to void the manufacturers warranty. So, after months of talking with hundreds of motorhome owners and listening to their feedback, U.S. Gear has incorporated all of the features they have been demanding. The Unified Tow Brake monitors and adjusts for both road conditions and terrain ALL BY ITSELF from the motorhomes cockpit. The computer software is the key, and heres how it works...
 

Proportional Braking: When towing, there are 2 vehicles which have a combined weight of x amount. 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. Our unit provides proportional braking via a signal adjustment (or gain) to the towed vehicles brakes from the Remote Control unit.

Progressive Braking: (Often referred to as modulated braking). In essence, this means that when the motorhome 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. The light bar on the Controller labeled Braking Effort indicates your current level of progressive braking. Other units only have one pre-determined "average" push on the pedal for brake assistance. So what happens if your in a panic situation, and need ALL the braking you can get? Is one pre-determined "average" push on your towed vehicles brake pedal going to be enough help? We think that if your in an emergency and have to stand on the brakes, youd 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.
 

Let us greatly simplify matters for you! Install the cable, pulley and solenoid one time, with all elements hidden underneath the carpet and seat. Install the Remote Controller one time on the gear shift/selector lever, or the face of the dash. When youre ready to drive your street vehicle, disconnect the umbilical cord. When youre ready to tow again, reconnect the umbilical cord. The only time you might want to disassemble is if you upgrade to a new motorhome or towed vehicle. No big deal! It can be transferred to any vehicle at any time. Enough said?