Brake Controllers





Vaca Valley Truck & SUV Welcomes SMI Manufacturing

Makers of Intelligent Towed-Vehicle Braking

SMI's™ Vacuum-Assisted Braking System makes towing a vehicle safer and easier with state of the art braking products. There are many braking systems available today, but as you navigate through our site we are sure you will see the difference SMI makes.

SMI is the only dual-sensing, vacuum-based system. By using the car's own power brakes, pedal pressure is reduced to only 10 pounds in normal stopping. We are

also the ONLY Vacuum-Assisted system that maintains the level of vacuum in the system to provide consistent braking from your towed vehicle.

SMI's Vacuum-Assisted Braking Systems are more efficient, easier to install, and costs less than other braking systems!

  • #1 System for diesel motor homes
  • Exclusively approved air tap method
  • Power brakes of towed active
  • Truly 100% directly proportional and progressive
  • Coach and towed protection in breakaway
  • "Zero" tow read setup time
  • No moving parts
  • Five-Year warranty
  • Exclusive dual-signal activation
  • Steep grades cannot activate system
  • True progressive braking
  • Coach notification
  • Breakaway system
  • "Zero" tow ready setup time
  • Five-Year warranty
  • The last system you will ever buy

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Effective yet Invisible
Air Force One uses a small amount of air from the coach's air brake system to create the vacuum necessary to activate the power brakes of the towed and then applies the towed vehicle's brakes in a truly proportionate manner. As you apply the brakes in the coach, a proportionate amount of air is supplied to the Air Force One system to activate the towed vehicle's brakes. Because Air Force One uses the same air that brakes the coach, truly mirrored and proportionate braking is achieved in the towed vehicle. The Air Force One operating unit mounts under the hood of the towed vehicle, completely out of sight. The brake actuator is also very small and mounts on the brake arm of the towed vehicle. Once installed, the entire system is invisible and always ready for towing with no set up or take down.

Total Coach Protection
Total Coach Protection exclusively with Air Force One is a process that protects the air supply on the coach. To meet federal regulations (FMVSS 121) when using air brakes, the supplemental brake system must protect the towing vehicle air supply. SMI includes the components necessary to meet these important safety regulations. If the towed vehicle separates or the towing system fails, the coach air is protected. Air Force One is the safest air brake system available. No other air-operated system offers this level of safety and control.

Coach Notification
Coach Notification is a vital part of all supplemental braking systems. A signal from the towed vehicle's brake light switch is used to alert you in the coach that the towed vehicle's brakes are applied. Coach Notification, combined with power-assisted brakes, a small operating unit, and 100% proportionate braking combine to make Air Force One the best choice for all diesel motor homes with air brakes.

Fits ALL Towed Vehicles!
No need to ask if Air Force One is compatible with your towed vehicle. Air Force One fits all makes and models – from the largest F-350 to the Hummer H2 and H3 and all hybrids -- Air Force One fits them all. Each Air Force One system comes complete with everything necessary for the installation on every towed vehicle. When you purchase a new towed vehicle, the Air Force One system is simply transferred to the new car without purchasing any new parts. This convenience comes only from SMI and Air Force One

Product Info
No more boxes! That is the cry of our customers. The Stay-IN-Play DUO answers the cry. Duo's small operating unit is installed under the hood so you never know it is there. No messy components scattered in the towed vehicle to complicate things; just a small operating module to control the towed vehicle brakes with no physical connection to the motorhome.

DUO combines the power of air pressure and the gentleness of vacuum to give you the fastest most powerful self contained supplemental brake ever. Duo uses the power and speed of air pressure to activate your towed vehicle brake pedal while creating vacuum for the power brake system. These two features combine to create the only progressive and proportionate vacuum assisted system with total control. Duo requires BOTH deceleration AND coach brake lights to apply the towed vehicle brakes. By combining two separate signals the need for complicated electronics is eliminated, which provides you a more reliable long lasting system. In addition, DUO is the pioneer in user friendly operation; "Just Turn it on...and Tow." This simple technology was first introduced in 2003. Tried and true, DUO does not have to be taken in and out for normal operation of the towed vehicle. Unhook the car and drive off, thats all. No box, no wires, in fact, no physical connection to the motorhome at all.

The Stay-IN-Play DUO system energizes the towed vehicle’s power brakes without the engine running, so you have a soft brake pedal. Once engaged, DUO replenishes the vacuum in the car's power brake system. By replenishing vacuum, gentle smooth pressure is applied to the towed vehicle’s brakes. With the power brakes active, only 10 - 12 pounds of pressure is required to provide a gentle smooth stop.

Activation of the towed vehicle's brakes require BOTH deceleration and the brake lights from the motorhome. Once BOTH signals are present, DUO gently applies the brakes. There is no complicated gain or sensitivity to achieve the proportionate balance of brake effort, it is all automatic. Automatically, once engaged, DUO will apply progressive brake effort in the towed vehicle. Because DUO uses both brake lights from the coach and deceleration, there is absolutely no delay. This becomes critical in a panic stop. Systems that use only deceleration must "think" first, is this a step grade, is this a large bump, or is this stopping? Time translates to feet while towing and in a panic stop, inches are important. No self contained system applies brakes faster than the DUO.

"Coach Notification" is another important aspect of any supplemental brake system. Some claim to have it, but really do not; while others do not really tell you about the position of the brake pedal in the towed vehicle. Without question, the most improtant information while towing is the status of the braking system in the towed vehicle. "Are the brakes applied?" That is the question. When researching brake systems, ask the question, "Do you have coach notification FROM THE TOWED VEHICLES BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH?" Many will claim to have a signal but do not, and others will have a signal from some other source. The only reliable and complete signal must originate from the towed-vehicle's brake switch. If the light is on, the brakes are on, period. What you do not want is a problem while you are towing. Knowing the position of the brake pedal gives you that peace of mind.

Simple on/off towing, the gentleness of vacuum, the speed and power of air pressure, dual signal activation, and reliable coach notification all combine to provide the most powerful easy to use system available today.