MaxBrake Install

[richardcoxid]

Grizzly

I was concerned about the vibration of the relatively heavy transducer assembly at the end of the 8 inch long supplied brake line causing it to work harden the steel with the possibility of an eventual fracture. Then there is the “problem” of kinking the line when trying to bend it, replacing it with a flexible brake hose just made sense to me, probably over kill though. For me it was just the $ cost vs. potential benefit.



The bracket is just a small piece of 1/8th thick aluminum screwed to the fire wall pinch weld and then a small “U” bolt holding the transducer.

I also forgot to mention that I purchased the Max Brake and a tail gate assist device from- Plug It Right



May you have fair winds and following seas.



I will have to change my signature now!

 

[HBarlow]

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .

I think that the software change included the ability to lock the trailer brakes... thus a parking brake mode.

Jerry

Using trailer electric brakes as a "parking brake" would be a very bad idea.

The brake magnets would be quickly overheated and burned out and the current draw would discharge batteries.

 

[DaveHess]

Jerry: I have the "A" on mine also. I did find that if I run the manual lever the "A" changed to "M". I assumed A for Automatic Mode and M for Manual Mode. Didn't see this in the instruction manual.

 

[JSooter]

Yes, I noticed the M as well.

I did not bother asking for an updayed manual, but maybe an updated version will be available on their website soon.



I have to say, the controller worked great pulling a 10,000 pound trailer. I liked the gain setting of about 30 better then their recommended 40 something.



I think this will be well worth the investment.



Jerry

 

[odinjunior]

That "reminder" would have been nice to know before the purchase.

I agree... .

 

[Bob Cochran]

I heard it rumored that everybody in here does not need or want instructions or installation manuals we are that good!!! Sorry could not resist. JOKING!!!!!

 

[Vettdigger]

I installed my Maxbrake on Friday, it only took about 30 minutes. You do need to use a flare nut wrench, makes life a lot easier. Can't wait to hook up to my 28' car trailer and try this out. I have had a Tekonsha controller for years. Tom:

 

[MGreer]

I'm in the process of installing the maxbrake and have a question. When I thread the fitting into the master cylinder(finger tight) the connection for the hydraulic transducer line is pointing straight down. Is this normal? It doesn't seem like the fitting would turn another 180 degees.

Thanks for any help.

 

[RVTRKN]

It shouldn't mater, it is just a solid state pressure sensor that changes the voltage signal that the Maxbrake reads, but there should be info, if that is not recommended in your literature.

 

[MGreer]

The pictures i've seen with the brass fitting installed show the connection for the supplied metal line is at the top position. My concern is that when I thread the brass fitting in finger tight, the hole for the metal line is pointing straight down. Can I turn the fitting far enough until the hole is on top without stripping the threads.

It just seems to me thats a long way to turn the fitting.





Thanks

 

[HBarlow]

The T fitting doesn't have to be oriented any particular way as long as you can connect the flexible line to the transducer without interference with the master cylinder or other nearby plumbing and route the wiring harness rearward to the firewall.

Normally, you can rotate a new threaded fitting pretty far to line it up as needed without stripping any threads. I don't have sufficient mechanicing skills to offer any more precise information than that. If something ends up damaged it would probably be the brass T fitting and replacing it wouldn't be a killer. Perhaps a real mechanic with experience will offer advice on how to rotate the fitting as far as wanted without stripping threads.

 

[MGreer]

I went ahead and tightened the fitting up and got it pointing straight out towards the front. I ended up taking the fitting out and putting the oem line back in. I noticed in a few pictures with the fitting installed, you can only see one thread on the brass fitting that isn't in the the master cylinder. When I got mine real tight thare was still two to three threads showing.

I'm starting to wonder if I have a fitting with messed up threads. When I recieved the controller, you could hear the fittings rattling around inside.



Thanks

 

[MGreer]

I went to the garage and got the fitting and started looking at it with an eyepiece. A lot of the threads have damage and the area that makes the seal has three chunks of brass missing. I will call Southwest Wheel monday and see about getting a new fitting.

The thread with the most damage is the third one from the end. Thats probably why I have so many threads showing.





Thanks for the help.

 

[tempforce]

my brake came with the wrong t fitting. so we cut the brake line and flared the cut ends and installed a sae t fitting for the brake sensor. i mounted the control on top of the dash within easy reach. to make adjustments while driving or to tap the trailer brakes if i get a big gust of wind.

there is no comparison between the electronic contollers and the hydraulic /electric of the max brake.

i can only compare the max with the manual hydraulic/electric brake controllers of the pre 80's. but the difference is that the trucks anti lock system still works with the max.

cc

 

[JLandry]

Trip Report

Just finished a 2 week - 2,400 mile trip from WA state to the Death Valley CA area and back towing our Northwood Arctic Fox 25R travel trailer (~8000 pounds loaded) using the MaxBrake controller.



All I can say is WOW! What a huge improvement over the Prodigy P3 controller which I'd been using for a couple of years. When the MaxBrake gain setting was adjusted to my liking (28 turned out to be perfect for my particular setup) I could hardly feel the trailer when braking. With the gain set just right, there's no feel of being pushed, dragged, nor any change in the feel of the braking during a stop sequence.



And I also love how simple the MaxBrake is. It's true "set-it-and-forget-it" installation and use. In fact it's easy to forget it's even there. There's no complicated settings or menus to try and remember how to use, and there's no need to temporarily disable it when backing up (like I had to do with the Prodigy P3).



Money well spent... I just wish I'd bought one sooner!



John L.

 

[THoltz]

Seems like a good concept, but there are several posts with issues which need attention by Maxbrake. Examples: outdated users manual for programming, damaged fittings, IMO poorly designed brake line extension. The end user should not have to bend the extension line to make it fit. Someone else mentioned he had a concern with the trannducer bouncing around on the end of the 8" brake line, seems like this might be a weak link in long term reliability. Anyhow, just my opinion on how a designer/fabricator might employ a desire for continuous improvement to make a good product a great product.

 

[Bob Cochran]

So in your opinion this product should not be purchased or used because of the design problem you have noted? I am currently using the Jordan as I believe in the KISS principle. In reading your post this product not worth the price until those issues correct? So when the Jordan stops working what unit should I replace it with? I have very seldom found an after market addition to be able to install as you seem to subscribe to to make a great product. Even direct factory replacement OEM parts. Kind of a challenge that makes life interesting. Seems the posts you mention concerned some but was corrected and installed with no safety concerns. While I agree the poor threads on the fitting should not have happened it was not a significant problem.



Here is an example when I purchased the Jacobs exhaust brake to replace the exhaust elbow the bolt holes was not threaded. I merely tapped them and went ahead with the install. Sure was a pain for sure. Could have returned and got a replacement of course but why it was an easy fix though I did notify Jacobs about the problem but did not want to wait. It is all part of the fun when we fix and modify our trucks. One of the reasons for TDR is to share the problems and solutions. I have seen a lot worse problems and gotten awesome/innovative solutions to them. IMHO What was your solutions to the problems posted from your first hand experience when you installed your MaxBrake?



Thanks for you help I always look forward to help to make easier?

Seems like a good concept, but there are several posts with issues which need attention by Maxbrake. Examples: outdated users manual for programming, damaged fittings, IMO poorly designed brake line extension. The end user should not have to bend the extension line to make it fit. Someone else mentioned he had a concern with the trannducer bouncing around on the end of the 8" brake line, seems like this might be a weak link in long term reliability. Anyhow, just my opinion on how a designer/fabricator might employ a desire for continuous improvement to make a good product a great product.

 

[Dutch & Di]

We're with you John. We've been using our max Brake for 16 months and really love it. We share the driving and we're fulltime RV'ers. I'm the one who has a hard time "coming up off the money" but I agree with you, it was money well spent. We had researched several others before finding this one that met our needs perfectly. Diana

Just finished a 2 week - 2,400 mile trip from WA state to the Death Valley CA area and back towing our Northwood Arctic Fox 25R travel trailer (~8000 pounds loaded) using the MaxBrake controller.



All I can say is WOW! What a huge improvement over the Prodigy P3 controller which I'd been using for a couple of years. When the MaxBrake gain setting was adjusted to my liking (28 turned out to be perfect for my particular setup) I could hardly feel the trailer when braking. With the gain set just right, there's no feel of being pushed, dragged, nor any change in the feel of the braking during a stop sequence.



And I also love how simple the MaxBrake is. It's true "set-it-and-forget-it" installation and use. In fact it's easy to forget it's even there. There's no complicated settings or menus to try and remember how to use, and there's no need to temporarily disable it when backing up (like I had to do with the Prodigy P3).



Money well spent... I just wish I'd bought one sooner!



John L.

 

[HBarlow]

Seems like a good concept, but there are several posts with issues which need attention by Maxbrake. Examples: outdated users manual for programming, damaged fittings, IMO poorly designed brake line extension. The end user should not have to bend the extension line to make it fit. Someone else mentioned he had a concern with the trannducer bouncing around on the end of the 8" brake line, seems like this might be a weak link in long term reliability. Anyhow, just my opinion on how a designer/fabricator might employ a desire for continuous improvement to make a good product a great product.

It's obvious that you are not an owner or user of a BrakeSmart or MaxBrake brake controller. I think you are exaggerating very minor details reported by others who have bought and installed one. You may be looking for reasons to find fault with one, not a satisfied owner reporting a minor inconvenience.

My BrakeSmart product and components were perfect out of the box. I don't know about MaxBrakes other than what I've read. The important point about either is every single owner who has one will tell you the improvement in trailer braking provided is almost as dramatic as installing wheels on a wagon.

I believe the line from T fitting to transducer is intentionally a flexible or easily bendable tube to allow some flexibility in mounting. The transducer only weighs ounces so it doesn't really matter how it is suspended.

In summary, if you pull a heavy trailer buy either a BrakeSmart if you can find one or a MaxBrake. You'll bea happy owner. One trip towing and you'll be back singing the praise for your new trailer towing experience.

 

[JLandry]

... IMO poorly designed brake line extension. The end user should not have to bend the extension line to make it fit. Someone else mentioned he had a concern with the trannducer bouncing around on the end of the 8" brake line, seems like this might be a weak link in long term reliability.

I actually liked being able to bend the brake line extension exactly the way I wanted to suit my installation. I used a simple tubing bender like this:

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To eliminate any concern of metal fatigue in the brake line extension from vibration, I secured it using a trick common in the aviation maintenance world where constant vibration is a problem. I made a standoff from a zip tie and short piece of rubber tubing. The zip tie passes through the short piece of rubber hose and then around the brake line extension tube and a hydraulic hose running beside it. Everything is held firm without excessive rigidity. You can see this in the picture below just prior to the brass fitting on the brake line extension.

Have a great day,

John L.