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Is this right For you? Product Expert Mike S says:
Portable unit activates when your RV's brake lights go on and an inertia sensor in the towed car detects deceleration. Delivers automatic, proportional braking to your towed car. Extremely compact unit is easy to install, remove, and store.
Features:
Specs:
A supplemental braking system is crucial when you tow a car or truck behind your RV. Without it, the weight of the towed car can create a safety hazard, strain your RV's brakes, or affect your RV's warranty. Most states require a supplemental braking system.
The Delta Force is both automatic and fully proportional. In dual-signal mode, this system relies on your towed car's momentum as well as your RV's brake light signal to activate. As a result, the Delta Force will automatically activate any time you engage your RV's brakes, so long as there is enough deceleration for the system to detect.
An inertia-sensing, analog mercury switch inside the Delta Force's operating unit is what makes this system proportional. This fail-safe switch reads and interprets changes in forward momentum that occur when your towing setup decelerates. As your RV and car slow down, this switch sends a signal to activate your towed vehicle's brake pedal with an intensity that matches the deceleration of your RV. The result is even braking across your towing setup. Whether you lightly tap the brakes in your RV or apply them hard in a panic situation, your towed car's brakes will be applied proportionately.
When the Delta Force detects a change in forward momentum and the coach brake lights come on, the actuator applies proportionate brake pressure to your car's brake pedal. If the internal mercury switch is powered but there is no change in momentum, the system will not trigger the towed car's brakes. Likewise, if a decrease in forward momentum occurs but there is no brake light signal from the RV, the system will not activate the towed car's brakes. Because the Delta Force is designed to rely on the application of your RV's brakes, there is no false braking when you have the system in dual-signal mode. So you can drive over rough terrain and steep grades without any of the false braking that can lead to a rough ride for you in the RV and that can also wear out your towed car's brakes over time.
Using the dual-signal mode is optional. For a quicker installation, you can set up the Delta Force system to activate based solely on inertia. But it is recommended that you tie into your tow bar wiring to set up the system in dual-signal mode for a safer, more reliable braking system.
The Delta Force allows you to fine-tune the braking sensitivity to fit your personal preference. By adjusting the sensitivity on the operating unit, you get to decide how intense the change in forward momentum must be for the internal sensor to respond. Set the sensitivity low and the Delta Force will only respond when you forcibly step on your RV's brake pedal. Set the sensitivity high and it will respond when you merely tap your RV's brakes.
The Delta Force is smaller than most other portable braking systems, making it easier to position for use and to remove for storage. You can store the unit in your trunk and still have room for groceries. And unlike larger units, you can mount the Delta Force without having to reposition your driver's seat.
The Delta Force is tethered to your vehicle with the included cable. This cable ensures that the unit stays in position, even as the actuator pushes on the brake pedal. This way, the unit won't push against the seat for positioning. As a result, the unit won't slide up your seat and cause failure like other portable braking systems might.
The Delta Force's air compressor powers the actuator so that it will apply pressure to your towed car's brake pedal. To get power for the air compressor, the operating unit will plug into your towed car's 12V accessory outlet.
The Delta Force is easy to install. It requires very little drilling and just some simple wiring.
You will need to drill and cut into your vehicle's firewall to tether the unit with the included stainless steel cable. This tether allows the actuator to work without having to use your seat for leverage. By properly tightening the tether, you keep the unit from moving. You won't need any additional brackets to keep the unit from repositioning.
The pedal clamp holds the actuator in place on the pedal. To adjust the clamp, loosen the center knob and slide the top and bottom brackets up and down until you achieve the correct fit. Once you've tightened the knob to set the clamp in position, you won't need to adjust it again to tow the same vehicle. Simply hook the top bracket over the top of the brake pedal and push the clamp into place on the pedal.
The actuator depresses your towed car's brake pedal when you apply your coach brakes. This actuator attaches to the front of the operating unit with a ball-and-socket joint that allows for all-around flexibility. The joint rotates in a manner similar to the way your ankle rotates as your foot depresses the brake pedal during normal driving. With this flexibility of movement, the actuating cylinder stays perpendicular to the brake pedal no matter how far it is depressed.
Adjustable feet allow up to 2" of height adjustment so that you can level the operating unit on the floor of your towed vehicle. When setting up the feet, make sure that the actuator does not touch the lip of the operating unit.
The Delta Force's CoachLink monitor installs in your RV and lets you keep tabs on the braking unit in your towed car. The CoachLink displays the amount of force used during braking and it continually monitors the connection with the towed car. Visual and audible alarms alert you in the case of a breakaway situation or an error code. You can use the monitor in your coach, along with your GPS, satellite radio, and other electronics without interference because the CoachLink operates using radio frequency. And this wireless monitoring device is FCC compliant.
Once you have the unit tailored to your towed car, you can quickly and easily set it up when you're ready to tow. Just position the Delta Force on your floor, hookup the tether cable, and attach the pedal clamp.
Delta Force's control touchpad is located on the operating unit. This touchpad lets you manage your brake settings. To begin setup, push the "initialize" button. The system will run digital diagnostics on the internal air tank, compressor, actuator, tranDemco SBStter, and pedal connection. Use the "select" button to toggle through to your towed vehicle style. There is even a braking profile that allows for a hybrid car's continuous-power-assist brakes.
Once you have your braking profile set, you can adjust the sensitivity by turning the gain knob at the bottom of the unit. Then, you can also choose the "boost" option to increase the sensitivity an extra 15 percent.
During towing, keep your towed car's running lights on and the operating unit plugged into your car's 12V outlet. To ensure that there is sufficient power in your towed car's battery to operate the Delta Force for the duration of your trip, a charge wire is included. With the charge wire, you can connect the coach's wiring to your vehicle. Just run the wire from the running light circuit on your RV to the towed car's battery to maintain a charge.
The included breakaway system ensures that your vehicle will come safely to a stop if it accidentally detaches from the RV while being towed. A switch mounts to the front of the towed car. This switch - which is wired into the operating unit - includes a pin that connects to your RV's hitch receiver with a breakaway cable. If the car separates, the cable pulls the pin from the switch, causing a signal to be sent to the operating unit to apply your towed car's brakes.
Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars (15 Customer Reviews)
Portable unit activates when your RV's brake lights go on and an inertia sensor in the towed car detects deceleration. Delivers automatic, proportional braking to your towed car. Extremely compact unit is easy to install, remove, and store.Works well, small and easy to install. I especially like feature that cannot apply brakes unless brake lights on tow vehicle illuminated.
James - 06/08/2022
It sucks, I would like to have my money back, I had it on two vehicles didn’t perform on either one.
The remote to control the amount of breaking on tow vehicle doesn’t work sometimes it beeps sometimes it doesn’t, never has shown the breaking power. I had this system installed by a professional at his shop. It’s junk in my opinion. I would not recommend this product to anyone. It dangerous. Since you contacted me for my review/opinion . You want a satisfied customer? Send me a refund.
Sierra K - 09/28/2021Performs well in a 2021 Chevrolet Spark. Videos on installation were NOT very helpful. It is easier and better to route all wires for power outlet, battery shutoff, and brake control cord through the firewall on the passenger side just above the air conditioner drain hose. All these wires can then be routed alongside the tail light wiring up to the battery area. Do NOT try to pass wires through firewall grommet behind the battery - it appears to be impossible and it’s just a bad location for securing the wires in the pedal area.
I really like the size of the system. It is extremely easy to store and I can use it in my toad for three long days of towing without it running my toad's battery down.
I had a couple of problems. First the gain adjustment is not fine enough to set the brake system just right (more a personal preference). The radio range for the monitor in the coach would not reach my toad at about 40' away. I had to route the antenna wire to the rear of my coach to get reception. After about 8 months of use it started leaking. I contact SMI and they repaired the leak and even upgraded the radio system to a 900mhz system to fix my range issue at no cost. SMI backs their warranty claims and put the extra effort to make sure the customer is happy.
Works good. For some reason though not sure if it was my error but second time using it wouldn’t let go of toad brakes. Before I realized it wore down all pads , front rotors and front calipers
The original install was fairly easy. But I found the adjustments difficult to perform and extremely sensitive. A couple of times it locked up the brakes on the tow vehicle and I dragged it a good distance. The only way I could fine tune the braking force was to have someone drive the coach while I sat in the passenger side of the tow vehicle and adjusted the system. I got it to work and used it on a trip from San Diego to Yosemite and up to the Reno area.
fairly easy installation in a full size GMC pickup. however, the floor has a large hump in front of the seat, which requires extending all 4 of the screw legs to keep it level. unfortunately, this makes the unit too top heavy. and after applying brakes, it ends up "riding the brake pedal" which keeps the brake lights on. made multiple tension adjustments that made no difference. so far, i've been unable to get the unit to respond in "dual mode". it works with proportional inertia when stopping suddenly or hard. at least if I get pulled over, I can show it's installed.
Working on installation today. Not real happy with the fitment of the brake pedal clevis, seems loose but will see if it stays.
The people at etrailer were fantastic
I haven't tried the brake unit yet, but the installation was simple and straight forward.
I will be installing this on Friday, Aug. 14th, the videos have been very helpful in preparation, and this looks like a very high end system.
Install a bit tricky cause the install manual is thin on details. Once installed it was easy to setup and operate.
It's quirky and needs lots of power.
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