What Braking System is Needed When Flat Towing if Motorhome Has Air Brakes

Updated 01/18/2026 | Published 01/14/2026

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer XHD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Blue Ox and Curt Base Plates - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 10.5K

(192)

$949.71

Demco Air Force One Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Air Brakes - Proportional

(508)

$1329.00

Question:

I have the air brake system on my newmar motor home to activate brakes on my toad which is 2026 ram 1500 tungsten. What do I need to buy to make the toad work with existing system on the motorhome?

asked by: James C

Expert Reply:

Hey James, since your motorhome has air brakes the supplemental braking system you would want is the Demco Air Force One part # SM99243 which is designed to tap into the vehicle's air brake system to determine how hard to apply the vehicle brakes. What tow bar and base plate kit do you have on your Ram?

expert reply by: Jameson C

Scott J.

1/16/2026

DEMCO Air Force One. I also tow a Ram half-ton, works wonderfully. My coach already had the air brake outlet on the back, so ib my case, I didn't need to do anything with the coach. DEMCO sells a toad-vehicle only version if that happens to be hour situation as well. Installation on the Ram was easy, I had budgeted all day for it, but I was done in a couple of hours. Pros, Air Force One supplies the vehicle vacuum system so it applies power-assisted braking, not dry brakes like a robot. It also applies progressively in response fo the sensed air pressure. The air pressure powers the cylinder pushes the brake pedal down.. so there are no radio signals or anything like that to rely on. Cons, I only have seen one. There is an indicator light that is mounted behind the rear view mirror on the pickup on the pickup. It indicates when brakes are applied, but I cant see it during the day due to glare off the windshield, and the red color is fairly invisible to my night vision camera at night. They really should include a dash indicator for the coach.

Bobby C.

1/16/2026

@ScottJ, you can fix that con with the wireless monitor that Demco makes. I bought mine included with the Air Force One, possibly they make it as an accessory. It’s both visual and audible (that part can be turned off). It works perfectly (as does the AF1). You’ll wonder why you didn’t buy it in the beginning.

Jameson C.

1/18/2026

@ScottJ Sounds like you'd be interested in the Coachlink part # SM99945 which puts a monitor up in the interior of your tow vehicle like you are wanting. This is what Bobby down below is referring to by the way as well.