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Installed auxiliary braking on Spartan K2 this weekend.

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cycleguy1979

RVF Regular
Joined
Apr 17, 2022
Messages
16
Location
Wittmann, AZ
RV Year
2005
RV Make
Newmar
RV Model
Essex
RV Length
42'
Chassis
Spartan
Engine
Cummins ISM 500 10.8 Liter
TOW/TOAD
2007 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Classic CCSB 4x4 Duramax
Fulltimer
No
Hello everyone. Just want to give a quick heads up to anyone who needs to add the auxiliary braking system to their Diesel pusher for towing a toad.
The parts came from Spartan and cost $550. Kit included air tank, a few valves, 22' of 1/2" air line, and a bunch of brass fittings. Everything has the shark bite type connectors that you just push the air line into.

I built a bracket to mount the tank and brake valve to. Then I installed it just in front of the drive axle, against the wall of the fresh water tank bay. Worked out great. A little nerve racking, but you need to cut into the 5/8" main air line, and also the 1/2" service air line. That's it, just two lines need to be tapped into. So I laid everything out and mocked it all up. Took me all day to put this in, including going under to drill holes, measure things etc. I was probably under there 12 times.

After I got it all mounted, I had to run a 1/2" air line to the rear hitch so I can plug into that to tow. Worked out perfect. Anyone with a moderate amount of skill can do this. The only part you might need help with is the bracketry to mount the tank and valve. Since I have a metal shop this was a non-issue for me. I do stuff like this all the time.

Took it for a rip last night towing my crew cab duramax truck. Everything checks out and works perfect. Hope this helps someone down the road.
 
Nice write up - I was fortnate enough to buy a used coach with this work already done. What toad braking system are you using?
 
I have a roadmaster breakaway cylinder mounted under the hood with all the associated valves. I use an air cylinder that I built a mount for under the front driver's seat. It hooks over the brake pedal and applies pressure as you would if you were driving the truck.

I have about 50,000 trouble free miles pulling this truck behind my other bus. (other than a towbar mount ripping right off the baseplate on my truck, blue ox didn't weld it correctly). It was a handful to get it all stopped but it did happen in 2017.
 

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