When it comes to flat towing your vehicle with confidence, having the right supplemental braking system is essential. Not just for safety, but for legal compliance and peace of mind. RVi Series flat tow brake systems are engineered to deliver reliable, hassle-free performance everytime you hit the road. Whether you're a seasoned RV enthusiast or just getting started, this FAQ covers everything you need to know about RVibrake and flat tow brake systems. 

1.) How does RVibrake 3 know when to brake, since it is not connected to the motorhome?

RVibrake3 is an inertia-activated system designed to detect brakings. This allows RVibrake3 to take the weight of the towed vehicle off your motorhome every time it activates.  

2.) What if I set up RVibrake 3 incorrectly in my towed vehicle?

Not a problem. RVibrake3's Audio Assistant will alarm immediately in case of Brake Lock being detected.

3.) Will RVibrake 3 ride the brakes down steep grades?

No. RVibrake 3 applies the brakes in the towed vehicle only when you apply the brakes in the motorcoach. RVibrake3's advanced software adjusts for slope, whether you’re going uphill or down. Downshifting or using exhaust brakes will not engage RVibrake 3.

4.) Will RVibrake 3 wear down my car battery? 

No, it will not. Depending on your towed vehicle's make and model, you may tow for 1-2 days without having to worry about the battery in the towed vehicle. There are two things that can affect your towed battery:  

•  If you have a vehicle that requires putting your key in the accessory position with a high amp draw, we make a product called the Towed Battery Charger Plus that will keep your battery topped off.

• Life of the battery can also affect performance.

5.) My towed vehicle engine is not running. Will RVibrake 3 still have the power to operate the brakes without vacuum assist?

Yes. RVibrake 3 is specifically designed to push with enough force to overcome the absence of vacuum assist. 

6.) Since RVibrake 3 is an inertia-activated system, will I get any unwanted braking on bumpy roads?

No. RVibrake 3 uses the highest level of technology available. The surge suppressor inside the unit will not engage unnecessarily on bumpy roads, bridges, or railroad tracks. 

7.) How does RVibrake 3 interact with my anti-lock braking system (ABS)? 

When the engine of the towed vehicle is not running, the ABS, which is an electrical feature, is not functioning. If the ignition is on but the engine is off, ABS is active. 

8.) How does RVibrake 3 interact with my brake lights when towing? 

Your lights when towing are actually controlled by your lighting kit - which is separate from your braking system. This lighting kit controls your running lights, turn signals, and also turns on your brake lights every time you hit the brake pedal in the motorhome. In essence, your lights on your towed vehicle function no differently than when you're driving the vehicle around. 

9.) What if I only want the RVibrake 3 to perform during panic stops and breakaways?

No problem. Just choose the SENSITIVITY setting of PANIC. Here's how the sensitivity works:

• NORMAL: RVibrake 3 will perform 60-70% of the time you put your foot on the brake pedal in the motorhome. The rule of thumb in NORMAL is, if you feel your chest getting gently pulled forward in a braking then the RVi3 will brake. The harder you feel your chest getting pulled forward the bigger the graph will grow.
• PANIC: RVibrake 3 will only perform in a panic stop. In this type of braking you definitely don't have time to look at the monitor.

10.) My car doesn't have live outlets while in the flat tow mode. How does RVibrake 3 work in these situations?

RVibrake 3 does need live power at all times to operate. If your vehicle does not have live outlets while towing, you'll want to wire up something like our 12v Battery Direct Kit, which is an auxiliary female outlet that wires straight up to your battery and provides a constant source of power. 

11.) Is RVIbrake 3 compatible with electric/hybrid vehicles (like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe)?

Yes, RVibrake 3 is fully compatible with any hybrid or electric vehicle! Because most of these cars utilize 'Active' brakes instead a vacuum system, you'll simply need to make sure to set your RVibrake 3 to the 'Active' mode on your Command Center Tablet. Many of these vehicles also have a high parasitic drain and require a battery charger (such as a Towed Battery Charger Plus). 

12.) Will RVibrake 3 work in my towed vehicle?

Yes, RVibrake 3 fits in all vehicles. 90% of all vehicles have a rise in the floorboard that RVibrake pushes up against. There are another 5% that require the Phantom Bracket Universal Stop Plate (Phantom Bracket included in RVibrake System). Then lastly, there are another 5% that require a custom application. Both of these are provided free of charge. 

13.) Is RVibrake 3 easily transferable between most vehicles?

Yes. RVibrake 3 is small, lightweight, and fully adjustable to accommodate the different needs of each towed vehicle. Setup and removal can both be done in about 30 seconds.

14.) Is RVibrake 3 a proportional system?

Yes. RVibrake 3 is the only portable braking system that is truly proportional. RVibrake 3 installs against the floor pan (the rise in the floor where the driver’s seat is mounted) keeping RVibrake 3 stationary. This allows all the of the force of RVibrake 3 to go against the brake pedal. Other braking systems install against seat cushions, which actually absorb force and create movement upon activation. 

15.) What comes with RVibrake 3?

Every RVibrake 3 system comes with the brake itself, a universal Phantom Bracket, and a wired Breakaway System. Additionally, you have the option to purchase the brake with or without our Command Center Kit (which is how you monitor the system or change settings).

Any other items, such as Towed Battery Charger Plus, or Breakaway Wireless Adapter, are extra parts that require an additional purchase. 

16.) Is RVibrake 3 required by law?

It is the law in 49 of the 50 states, and all of Canada. Many people are towing a car behind their motorhomes with Tow Bars or A-Frames. A towed vehicle becomes "dead weight" behind a motorhome and will push on the coach as it tries to slow down or stop. In many cases, the towed vehicle can put so much stress on the motor coach's brakes that they may fade or completely fail. The additional weight of the towed vehicle also greatly increases the distance it takes to stop the motorhome. RVibrake 3 takes the entire weight of the towed vehicle off the motor coach's overburdened brakes. RVibrake 3 greatly reduces your stopping distance by reducing the added weight of the towed vehicle for a safer more secure stop.

17.) What is RVibrake 3?

RVibrake 3 is the smallest, easiest to use, portable auxiliary braking system available. The law requires that a tow vehicle have a braking system when RV towing a car with a Tow Bar or A-Frame system. Unlike other portable braking systems, RVibrake 3 housing pushes against the floor pan (the rise in the floor where the driver’s seat is mounted) instead of the soft seat when activating. This allowed RVibrake3 to be designed as small as possible making RVibrake3 easy to install and easy to stow. 

18.) What if I only want the RVibrake 1 or 2 to perform during panic stops and breakaways?

No problem. Just choose the SENSITIVITY setting of LOW. Here's how the sensitivity works:

• LOW: RVi1 or 2 will only perform in a panic stop. In this type of braking you definitely don't have time to look at the monitor.
• MED: RVi1 or 2 will only perform in a hard stop. In this type of braking you probably don't have time to look at the monitor.
• HIGH: RVi1 or 2 will perform 60-70% of the time you put your foot on the brake pedal in the motorhome. The rule of thumb in HIGH is, if you feel your chest getting gently pulled forward in a braking then the RVi1 or 2 will brake. The harder you feel your chest getting pulled forward the bigger the graph will grow.

19.) How do I know if my original RVibrake is working?

RVibrake 1 and 2's wireless monitor gives you complete, continuous braking information — a glance at the monitor assures you that RVibrake is fully operational. 

NOTE: if the wireless monitor is not plugged in, RVibrake will still continue to work.

1.) I'm getting an error code on my RVibrake 3. What does it mean?

Error codes are designed to tell us exactly what's going on with your RVibrake 3 when something goes wrong. Most of them are very easily resolved in the field, but there are a few that require a brake to be sent into us for a repair. For a full explanation on error codes and what each individual one means, check out the video below:

2.) How should I brake in my motorhome with the RVibrake 3 in my towed vehicle while going down a mountain?

This depends on whether you have a gas coach with hydraulic brakes or a diesel coach with air brakes.

• Gas coach: It is recommended that you use your transmission to assist in braking and feather your brakes to get the RPMs higher to assist in braking. This is regardless of the RVibrake 3.
• Diesel coach: It is recommend that you allow the exhaust brake to handle most of the braking and to steadily hold the brake pedal.

3.) How do I know if my towed vehicle's brakes are VACUUM or ACTIVE?

Vacuum assist vehicles use vacuum to boost the pressure when braking and Active brake vehicles have constant electrical or hydraulic systems to assist in braking whether the engine is running or not. Most hybrid vehicles use Active assist brakes. Most vehicles on the market use engine vacuum (Vacuum assist brakes) to assist in braking. This means when the engine is off, 2-3 brakings of assist are stored in master booster and must be depleted by the RVibrake 3 in setup. To determine what brake type your vehicle has, consult your Manufacturers Owners Guide. 

NOTE: failure to properly set the vehicle selection to the proper setting may cause severe tire and/or vehicle damage.) 

4.) Why do the tires on my tow vehicle squeal on my first 2-3 brakings of the day?

Most vehicles on the market use engine vacuum (Vacuum assist brakes) to assist in braking. This means when the engine is off, 2-3 brakings of vacuum assist are stored in master booster and must be depleted by the RVibrake3 in setup. If you let the engine run during or after installation of the RVibrake 3, then the master boost will store vacuum assist, causing excessive braking for the first brakings of the day. Always unplug the RVibrake3 anytime the engine in the tow vehicle is running.

5.) How do I know RVibrake 3 is working?

The Command Center tablet gives you complete, continuous braking information — a glance at the monitor assures you that RVibrake 3 is fully operational. 

NOTE: if the Command Center tablet or hub is not plugged in, RVibrake 3 will still continue to work. 

6.) What if I think RVibrake 3 is braking too hard, or not hard enough?

Braking force and sensitivity can be modified on the fly from the Command Center tablet in your motorhome. No matter what, RVibrake 3 will always respond with full pressure during an emergency stop. 

7.) I have to disconnect my battery for towing. Can I power the RVibrake 3 with the motorhome from my umbilical cord? 

You never want to power your RVibrake 3 off of the motorhome. The reason is if you have a breakaway, then the RVibrake 3 no longer has power. You need it connected to the towed battery. If you have to disconnect your battery for towing or your stock 12V outlet is bad, you'll need to use something like our 12V Direct to Battery Kit. 

8.) The Audio Assistant on my RVibrake 3 isn't talking anymore. What am I doing wrong? 

Check to see if the red LED is lit on the male plug of the RVibrake 3. If the LED is lit, then we at least know that it's not a dead 12V outlet. Most vehicles have good current flowing through the factory 12V outlet in the towed vehicle, but not all 12V outlets are created equal. Try the other 12V outlets in the towed vehicle as well as a 12V outlet in the motorhome. If you continue to have the issues contact RVi Support.

(Note: If after testing in multiple outlets the Audio Assistant still doesn't come on and you are trying to leave that day on a trip, leave RVibrake 3 plugged into a good 12V outlet for an hour to see if the unit jumpstarts.)

9.) After going down the road, I hit a bump and got the message "Brake Pedal Depressed" on the tablet. What's going on?

This is the cause of one of two things:

• You have a rounded rise in the floorpan that the RVibrake 3 pushes up against, where when it pushes on the brake pedal the RVIbrake 3 goes up the curve and if the towed vehicle hits a bump it slides down. The way to fix this is to put our stop plate behind the RVibrake 3 so that it doesn't have to interact with the curve in the floorpan.
• The back end of the RVibrake 3 is higher than the front and is on a downward slope, and when the towed hits a big enough bump, gravity pulls the RVibrake 3 down. The way to fix this is to contact us for a custom bracket for your stop plate.

10.) After setting up the RVibrake3 on the pedal and running it through the Auto Position, I get the message "Brake Pedal Depressed". What am I doing wrong?

This means that while setting up the RVibrake 3 through the Auto Position process, the brake pedal was held down by your hand or foot and now the brake pedal is depressed.

1.) How long does it take to setup RVibrake 3?

Setup and removal can both be done in about 30 seconds. Setup does need to be done daily, as anytime you stop overnight, you'll need to unplug RVibrake3. You'll also want to unplug and re-setup the brake anytime you start the ignition of your towed vehicle.

2.) Is there any installation to the motorhome?

No. RVibrake 3 is installed in the towed vehicle. The Command Center tablet is plugged in to the 12-volt receptacle of the motorhome to view and adjust RVibrake 3 settings.

3.) How do I pair Command Center to RVibrake 3?

Pairing is simple:

• Plug in and setup RVibrake 3 in the towed vehicle.
• Click ADD DEVICE on the tablet dashboard. This will walk you through the pairing process.
• Boom! You’re done!

4.) Can I setup or change the settings of my RVibrake 3 without my tablet?

Yes, should something happen to your Command Center tablet or hub, you can press and hold the “Auto Position” button for 10 seconds and the Audio Assistant will walk you through changing the settings on your RVibrake 3.

1.) What is RVibrake Shadow?

RVibrake Shadow is the easiest-to-install fully installed braking system on the market. The law requires that a tow vehicle have a braking system when RV towing a car with a Tow Bar or A-Frame system. 

Most installed braking systems rely on antiquated technology, which makes for an expensive and time-consuming installation. In fact, most have to be installed by trained professionals (adding hundreds to your install costs). Many of our competitors' systems are not truly proportional, relying on pendulums or mercury switches to trigger a braking event.

By contrast, RVibrake Shadow was designed to be installed by the end user, at home - no expensive install required. If you can change your own oil, then you can install Shadow. Typical installation for a non-professional takes about 2 hours. Additionally, RVibrake Shadow is truly proportional because it uses an accelerometer to measure inertia & braking (just like RVibrake 3).

2.) Is RVibrake Shadow compatible with electric/hybrid vehicles (like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe)?

Yes, Shadow is fully compatible with any hybrid or electric vehicle! For most vehicles, you have to tap into your vacuum line in order to install Shadow - however, most hybrid/electric vehicles do not have a vacuum line. Due to this, you'll simply skip the vacuum installation steps in the Installation Guide, making sure to cap off the 'VAC' port on the Booster Box. You'll also want to set your settings over to the 'Non-Vacuum' side of things on the Command Center Tablet.

3.) Is RVibrake Shadow required by law?

It is the law in 49 of the 50 states, and all of Canada. Many people are towing a car behind their motorhomes with Tow Bars or A-Frames. A towed vehicle becomes "dead weight" behind a motorhome and will push on the coach as it tries to slow down or stop. In many cases, the towed vehicle can put so much stress on the motor coach's brakes that they may fade or completely fail. The additional weight of the towed vehicle also greatly increases the distance it takes to stop the motorhome. RVibrake Shadow takes the entire weight of the towed vehicle off the motor coach's overburdened brakes. RVibrake Shadow greatly reduces your stopping distance by reducing the added weight of the towed vehicle for a safer more secure stop.

4.) Will RVibrake Shadow work in my towed vehicle?

RVibrake Shadow will fit in most vehicles - however, you'll want to take a look under your hood so that you can assess whether you have space for the various components. We do have a 3D viewer on our website where you can view the Shadow and Booster Boxes in actual proportions using augmented reality. 

The only vehicles that will not work with Shadow are vehicles with Hydroboost/hydraulic brakes.

5.) How long does RVibrake Shadow take to install and can I do it myself?

RVibrake Shadow takes about 2 hours to install and is designed to be installed by the end user.

6.) Is RVibrake Shadow a proportional system?

Yes. Like RVibrake3, Shadow is truly proportional. As long as the Shadow Box is mounted forward (using the arrows provided on the Box as guides) and is mostly level, Shadow will accurately measure inertia using its onboard accelerometer, braking accordingly as needed. Like RVibrake3, this does mean that Shadow will not come on during every braking situation - only braking situations where it needs to take the weight of the towed vehicle off the motorhome.

7.) What are the major components of RVibrake Shadow?

There are three primary components: The Shadow Box (which houses the accelerometer, WiFi chip, and "brain" functions of the unit), the Booster Box (which houses a compressor and is responsible for the vacuum/pressure functionality), and the Brake Pedal Cylinder Assembly (which is what physically attaches to your pedal and retracts when a braking occurs).

8.) How does Shadow know when to brake, since nothing is installed on the motorhome?

Shadow is an inertia-activated system designed to detect brakings. This allows Shadow to take the weight of the towed vehicle off your motorhome every time it activates.  

The on/off switch for Shadow is charging voltage coming from your 6 or 7 pin connector at the front of your towed vehicle. Once you plug your umbilical in and start your motorhome's ignition, Shadow recognizes that you're towing. From there, Shadow's built-in accelerometer takes over, measuring inertia and braking as needed.

9.) Will Shadow ride the brakes down steep grades?

No. RVibrake Shadow applies the brakes in the towed vehicle only when the inertia of your stop is severe enough to trigger a braking. A good way to think about this is that if you're braking hard enough to feel your chest pull forward from the G-force, then the Shadow will activate. Anything less than that (such as engine braking or constant braking down a hill) is not enough to trigger Shadow's inertial components. Additionally, Shadow's advanced software adjusts for slope, whether you’re going uphill or down. Downshifting or using exhaust brakes will not engage RVibrake Shadow.

10.) Will Shadow wear down my car battery?

No, as long as your unit's built-in battery charger is properly installed. This built-in feature allows Shadow to charge your battery as you're towing, so you never have to worry about a dead battery again! In addition to being the on/off switch for the unit, the alternator voltage coming from your coach is more than sufficient to charge most towed batteries while going down the road. However, there are some rare vehicles that will require a Towed Battery Disconnect (which Shadow's charger cannot take the place of). If you're unsure whether this pertains to your vehicle, make sure to check out our Specific Vehicle Products page.

If your towed vehicle will be sitting for multiple days without being driven or towed, we would recommend pulling Shadow's inline fuse and stowing it in an easy-to-locate spot. This is because some ancillary components within the Shadow must stay on at all times. The drain is low, but will run the battery in your towed down if left alone for more than a few days. 

11.) My car has electric-assist (Active) brakes. Will Shadow still work if there's no vacuum line to tap into?

Yes, Shadow is fully compatible with Active braking systems. The only brakes that Shadow does not work with are Hydroboost/hydraulic systems. See our article entitled "Is RVibrake Shadow Compatible With Electric/Hybrid Vehicles" for more info.  

12.) Since Shadow is an inertia-activated system, will I get any unwanted braking on bumpy roads?

No. RVibrake Shadow uses the highest level of technology available. The surge suppressor inside the unit will not engage unnecessarily on bumpy roads, bridges, or railroad tracks. 

13.) How does RVibrake Shadow interact with my anti-lock braking system (ABS)?

When the engine of the towed vehicle is not running, the ABS, which is an electrical feature, is not functioning. If the ignition is on but the engine is off, ABS is active. 

14.) How does RVibrake Shadow interact with my brake lights when towing?

Your lights when towing are actually controlled by your lighting kit - which is separate from your braking system. This lighting kit controls your running lights, turn signals, and also turns on your brake lights every time you hit the brake pedal in the motorhome. In essence, your lights on your towed vehicle function no differently than when you're driving the vehicle around. 

15.) What if I only want the RVibrake Shadow to perform during panic stops and breakaways?

No problem. Just choose the SENSITIVITY setting of PANIC. Here's how the sensitivity works:

• NORMAL: Shadow will perform 40-70% of the time you put your foot on the brake pedal in the motorhome. The rule of thumb in NORMAL is, if you feel your chest getting gently pulled forward in a braking then the Shadow will brake. The harder you feel your chest getting pulled forward the bigger the graph will grow.
• PANIC ONLY: Shadow will only perform in a panic stop. In this type of braking you definitely don't have time to look at the monitor.

1.) I'm getting an Error Code on my RVibrake Shadow. What does it mean? 

Error codes are designed to tell us exactly what's going on with your RVibrake Shadow when something goes wrong. Some of them are easily resolved in the field by resetting the Shadow Box, but there are a few that require a component to be sent into us for a repair. For an explanation of the most common Error Codes, see below:

• Error Codes 07 & 03: By far the most common Shadow codes, both of these usually mean there is a leak somewhere in the vacuum or pressure lines of the Shadow. Because leaks tend to occur as a result of improper installation, you'll usually see these codes manifest themselves directly after installation or before first-time use. If you receive either of these codes, troubleshoot the leak by using the process described in the video below:

• Error Code 02: The accelerometer in the Shadow Box is not functioning properly. It's possible to reset the Shadow when it's in this state. To do so, you'll want to unplug the charging cable from the back of the Shadow Box and remove the Box from your battery (positive and negative). Then, with it completely detached from everything, hold the positive and negative ring terminals of the Shadow Box together so that they're touching for at least 60 seconds. Once that's done, you can reattach the Shadow to the battery and plug the charging cable back in. It should work at this point. If, for some reason, your Shadow is continuing to issue an Error Code 02 after this point, your Shadow Box will need to be sent in for a repair (or a new one will need to be purchased, if you're outside of warranty). Contact our Customer Service Champions to set this up. 

2.) How should I brake in my motorhome while going down a mountain? How does this affect Shadow?

This depends on whether you have a gas coach with hydraulic brakes or a diesel coach with air brakes.

• Gas coach: It is recommended that you use your transmission to assist in braking and feather your brakes to get the RPMs higher to assist in braking. This is regardless of Shadow.
• Diesel coach: It is recommend that you allow the exhaust brake to handle most of the braking and to steadily hold the brake pedal. 

3.) How do I know if my towed vehicle's brakes are VACUUM or ACTIVE?

Vacuum assist vehicles use vacuum to boost the pressure when braking and Active brake vehicles have constant electrical or hydraulic systems to assist in braking whether the engine is running or not. Most hybrid vehicles use Active assist brakes. Most vehicles on the market use engine vacuum (Vacuum assist brakes) to assist in braking. Shadow taps into your vehicle's vacuum line in order to generate enough pressure to brake (Shadow also works with Active vehicles - see the article "Is Shadow Compatible With Electric/Hybrid Vehicles" for more info). To determine what brake type your vehicle has, consult your Manufacturers Owners Guide.

4.) How do I know Shadow is working?

The Command Center tablet gives you complete, continuous braking information — a glance at the monitor assures you that Shadow is fully operational. 

NOTE: if the Command Center tablet or hub is not plugged in or loses communication at any point, Shadow will still continue to work.

5.) What if I think it’s braking too hard, or not hard enough?

Braking force and sensitivity can be modified on the fly from the Command Center tablet in your motorhome. No matter what, Shadow will always respond with full pressure during an emergency stop. 

6.) I have to disconnect my battery for towing. Do I need to install Shadow differently?

You don't need to install Shadow any differently, but you will need to install your disconnect differently than what is normally recommended.

Normally, when installing a battery disconnect, you want to disconnect the negative post of the battery. We can't do that with the Shadow installed, however, because the Shadow Box's negative wiring will complete the circuit of the battery, essentially making it like you never disconnected your battery in the first place. Therefore, if your Owner's Manual dictates that you need a disconnect, you actually need to disconnect the wiring on the positive side of your battery. You could also choose to disconnect both sides. Installing your disconnect(s) this way will ensure that the Shadow does not complete the battery circuit.

If you have further questions on this, please reach out to our customer service experts.

7.) The lights on my Shadow Box are not working properly. What do I do? 

Some of this does depend on whether you're seeing no lights or just incorrect lights. Either way, however, it's possible to reset the Shadow when it's in this state. To do so, you'll want to unplug the charging cable from the back of the Shadow Box and remove the Box from your battery (positive and negative). Then, with it completely detached from everything, hold the positive and negative ring terminals of the Shadow Box together so that they're touching for at least 60 seconds. Once that's done, you can reattach the Shadow to the battery and plug the charging cable back in. It should work at this point.

If you're still seeing lights that look incorrect (or no lights) at this point, reach out to our Customer Service Champions so that they can assist you with further troubleshooting.

1.) Why do I need Towed Battery Charger Plus?

There are not many things worse than a dead towed battery. Many towed vehicles today have a large current draw on the battery when towing. The Towed Battery Charger + will prevent unseen parasitic loss on your towed vehicle's battery, while providing real-time battery data on your Command Center. It is a great peace of mind product when towing. No more need for charge lines with zero feedback. 

2.) If I own an RVibrake is a Towed Battery Charger Plus required?

No. All models of RVibrake are extremely power friendly. The max amp draw of RVibrake is 8 amps when the compressor runs, which is only a few minutes cumulatively per day. Most of the time, it's running even lower than that. For a frame of reference, your brake lights pull 4 amps. However, if you'd like the ability to monitor your towed battery's performance on the same display as your RVibrake3, the TBC + is a great option. 

It's important to note that TBC+ doesn't supplement or generate any charge on its own - the charge it's pulling is whatever is present at your 6 or 7 pin connector. This means that some vehicles with an extremely high draw may need a higher amperage charger than TBC+ (one such vehicle is the Chevy Equinox from 2018-present).

3.) How do I pair my Towed Battery Charger Plus?

• Power on the Command Center tablet and hub. To power the tablet, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds. To power the hub connect it to the provided USB charger or press the power button. NOTE: See the Command Center User Guide for more info.
• Make sure the LED on the TBC+ is flashing by plugging in the umbilical to the RV and towed and start the motorhome’s engine. You can also start the engine of the towed and shut it back off.
• On the tablet, click Add Device from the tablet Dashboard.
• On the new screen, enable TBC+ by toggling the on/off slider to ON. At this time, the tablet will walk you through pairing.
• You will be asked to pair to TBC+ by taking a picture of the QR code on the back of this User Guide. Note: Keep this User Guide in case of possible re-pairing in the future.

NOTE: Pairing is not required for Towed Battery Charger Plus to work and perform.

4.) How does Towed Battery Charger Plus actually charge the battery?

The Towed Battery Charger is specifically designed to work a 6-pin connector on the towed. A 6-pin umbilical has the 4 pins you need for the light system, as well as a pin for electric brakes and a 12V hot pin. When the Towed Battery Charger is installed, the motorhome is running, and the umbilical is plugged in, the towed battery stays topped off. 

Note: The TBC+ will only work if the pin it is attached to is correctly wired to the motorhome's alternator. If your hot pin is wired to a generator or house battery, your charger will not work properly.

5.) Is Towed Battery Charger Plus difficult to install?

No. The Towed Battery Charger is a one time install that takes about 15-20 minutes to install.

6.) I have a 4-pin umbilical, will the Towed Battery Charger Plus work?

Yes and no. The Towed Battery Charger cannot get a hot 12V from the motorhome through a 4-pin umbilical. In order to bring the correct 12V to the bumper of the towed for the Towed Battery Charger to tie into, you'll need to either:

• Get a wire and splice into the wires behind the 7-pin connecter on the bumper of your motorhome
• If you have a diesel pusher you can tie into the engine battery.

7.) I have a wireless light system. Can I still use Towed Battery Charger Plus without a wire harness?

Yes. You'll need to create an umbilical that brings 12V and a ground from the motorhome to the towed vehicle's bumper in this scenario. In order to bring the correct 12V to the bumper of the towed for the Towed Battery Charger to tie into, you'll need to either:

• Get a wire and splice into the wires behind the 7-pin connecter on the bumper of your motorhome
• If you have a diesel pusher you can tie into the engine battery.

8.) My towed vehicle's manufacturer requires that I pull fuses for towing. Does the Towed Battery Charger Plus keep me from having to pull these fuses?

We always recommend that you follow what the owner's manual says to do for towing. In many cases the Towed Battery Charger will provide enough charge to overcome not pulling certain fuses.

9.) What if I have to disconnect the battery on my towed vehicle for towing? How do I install the Towed Battery Charger Plus?

If you have to disconnect the towed vehicles battery for towing, then it is recommended to disconnect the negative and positive terminal. Failure to do so could cause damage on the towed vehicle. The easiest way to do this is with 2 of our Towed Battery Disconnects. 

1.) Why is my towed battery dying even though everything is hooked up and installed correctly?

There can be a few reasons why the battery is dying. You could have a bad cell in the towed battery, too much current draw from not pulling fuses, 12V might not be running from the motorhome batteries to the 7-pin at the rear bumper, there could be a blown fuse, or the Towed Battery Charger Plus could be defective. Try the following troubleshooting steps:

Check the light on the RV side of the Towed Battery Charger Plus

With the motorhome running and TBC+ connected, check the light on the "RV" side of the charger.

GREEN: 13 volts (flashing = charging | solid = not charging)
YELLOW: 12-13 volts (flashing = charging | solid = not charging)
RED: Below 12 volts (flashing = charging | solid = not charging)

If you see a green light on the RV side of the TBC+, the power source is sufficient. 

If you see a yellow light it may still charge, however,  you're likely pulling power from an insufficient source. Check the power source on your multi-pin connector with a volt meter and verify that (with the motorhome running) it shows 13+ volts. If you do not find a hot 13+ volts, then the umbilical may be bad.

Test the umbilical

Plug in the umbilical into the motorhome's 7-pin.

Using a multimeter, touch the negative lead to the ground pin and go around the pins.

If you see hot 13+ volts, then we know the umbilical is good and can proceed to test the TBC.

Check for proper ground at the towed vehicle

Make sure the TBC+'s ground wire (smooth wire) is securely fastened into the ground pin on your 6/7 pin connecter at the towed vehicle. 

Test the Towed Battery Charger Plus

Check the fuse on the positive (textured) wire of the TBC Plus. If the fuse is good, proceed to test the TBC.

With the umbilical unplugged from the towed vehicle and TBC Plus attached to the towed battery, check the light on the towed vehicle side of the TBC+

FLASHING BLUE: Above 12 volts 
FLASHING YELLOW: 11-12 volts 
FLASHING RED: Below 11 volts 
SOLID RED: Error

Plug in the umbilical to the motorhome and the towed vehicle and start the motorhome.

Check the light on the towed vehicle side of the TBC+ again.

NOTE: The Towed Battery Charger Plus is not compatible with the Chevy Equinox from 2019-present.

2.) Why do I not have any lights on the Towed Battery Charger Plus?

There are a few possible causes of this:

If you're seeing no lights whatsoever on your TBC+ and you've already checked out the video below, try these two resets to see if you can get your blue light to start blinking again:

Soft Reset

• Disconnect your umbilical harness running from the motorhome to your towed.
• Pull the charger's inline fuse and hold it out for at least 60 seconds. This timeframe is critical.
• Re-insert the fuse and check for a blue flashing light. If you see nothing, move to the next reset.

Hard Reset

• Disconnect the TBC+ from your battery - both the positive and the negative wire.
• Hold those two ring terminals together so that they're making constant contact for at least 60 seconds.
• After that timeframe, reattach the charger to your battery. If your blue light is still not blinking, please reach out to CURT Customer Service.

1.) Why do I need the Breakaway Wireless Adapter?

Breakaway Wireless Adapter installs near your towed vehicle's battery and connects wirelessly with RVibrake, eliminating the frustration of drilling through the firewall in your engine compartment. This saves time and difficult yoga positions under your hood and steering wheel. You can install the Breakaway Wireless Adapter in about 2 minutes versus 30+ minutes without it. You are also going to prolong the life of your breakaway and your brake because you are not plugging something in every time.

2.) If I own an RVibrake is the breakaway wireless adapter rquired? 

No. All models of RVibrake 3 and RVibrake 4 come with a wired breakaway system. We do recommend using the breakaway wireless adapter, however, because it is extremely convenient. 

3.) Does breakaway wireless adapter come with the wired breakaway system as well?

No, since we provide a wired breakaway system with every RVibrake3 and RVibrake 4 sold, it does not come with BWA. If you need a wired breakaway system, you'll want to purchase that separately along with your BWA.

NOTE: Breakaway wireless adapter does require a wired breakaway system to function. It does not take the place of that wired component. The primary purpose of BWA is to prevent you from having to run the wired breakaway system through your firewall.)

1.) What is the tablet’s battery life?  

The Command Center tablet has a battery life of up to 2-3 hours.

2.) How many products can the tablet handle?  

The Command Center has unlimited product expansion. As new "Works with Command Center" products hit the market, then you simply connect them to your Command Center.

3.) How does the Command Center Network prevent communication issues?  

Command Center's encrypted Wi-Fi network allows each product to relay data on behalf of other products to the tablet. Through a mesh network, if one product is having trouble communicating to the Command Center hub, then another "Works with Command Center" product will help that data reach the hub. 

4.) How do I pair the Command Center tablet and hub?  

Command Center tablet and hub are paired at the factory. You do not have to pair them unless instructed by a tech support rep.

5.) What does it mean if a product is a “Works with Command Center” product?

This means that your product can be paired to and operated by the Command Center tablet and hub. 

6.) Can I use my own tablet instead of yours?

No, we currently don't have a standalone app that can be downloaded on third-party devices. You'll need to use the Command Center Tablet to monitor any of your RVi products. 

7.) Where can I find out what products are Command Center compatible?

Every product will have a  “Works with Command Center” or "Official Command Center" product label. And you can always check the Command Center page.

8.) Why do I need the Command Center hub if I have the tablet?

The Command Center hub is the translator for all Command Center products, allowing the tablet to control, change settings, and view performance of the products.

9.) How do I level my RV using the Command Center RV Level?

• Power on the Command Center tablet and hub.
• Unplug the USB cable from the hub and place it on a flat floor surface in the middle of the RV
• Point the triangle "F" towards the front of the RV.
• The RV Level app will give instructions on which side of the RV needs to be raise until the RV is level on all four sides.
• Boom! You're done!

NOTE: If the jacks are fully extended, but the RV still isn't level, start over by retracting all jacks and repeat the leveling process above.

10.) Do I need to calibrate my RV Level?

No. The Command Center hub is calibrated at the factory. Only calibrate if instructed by an RVi tech support.

11.) Does the Command Center hub have to be plugged in to level my RV?

No. The Command Center hub has an internal battery to allow for leveling.

12.) Where should I place my Command Center mount in my RV?

It depends on your setup:

• Motorhome + Tire Patrol:  If you are using a motorhome and towing a vehicle with the RVi Tire Patrol, the recommended placement is the rear of the motorhome.
• Motorhome (without Tire Patrol): If you are using your Command Center in a motorhome, without the RVi Tire Patrol, then place the hub wherever it makes the most sense for your RV.
• Trailer: If you are using your Command Center in a travel trailer or fifth wheel, the recommended placement is the front half of the RV.

12.) How long does the hub need to be powered before it will start transmitting and communicating with the tablet?

From a dead battery, the hub has to be plugged in for a minimum of 15 minutes, using the RVi USB cable and charger provided, before it will start transmitting.

13.) What is the light and button on Command Center for?  

• GENERATION 1: The orange LED light indicates that Command Center is charging when the charger is plugged in. The button is a reset button for troubleshooting purposes. In order to reset the hub, the USB must be unplugged.
• GENERATION 2: On our new model of the hub there are two LED lights. There is a Blue flashing light that indicates the hub is connected/paired with the tablet. The other LED light is either green, yellow/orange, or red, indicating the charging status. The button is now used to turn the hub on or off.

14.) What is the hub's battery life? 

The Command Center hub has a battery life of up to 10-12 hours. 

NOTE: From a dead battery, the hub must be plugged into good power for a minimum of 15 min before it will start transmitting to reconnect to the tablet.

15.) Do I need to calibrate the hub before I use it to level my coach?  

No, the hub is calibrated at the factory. However, if you want to use your hub for leveling in another position other than instructed, you will need to calibrate the level. There is no guarantee that it will level correctly on anything other than a flat surface on the floor. 

1.) Why does my tablet die even though it's plugged in and charging?

f you are using the RVi charger and USB cable, and the power source isn't keeping up with the power demand, this typically means that the outlet you are using is not providing enough current flow. The tablet needs about 900 mAh when both screen and wifi are active. It is recommended to use an outlet with output power of 5V/1.5A.

However, there are 3 things to check:

• Try another (brand new, not used) USB cable in the same outlet.
• Try another charger in the same outlet.
• Try the RVi charger and USB cable in 110v outlet.

NOTE: It is our experience that when plugging the RVi USB cable into a direct USB port on the RV's dash area, that there is not enough current supply to power the tablet or hub.

2.) My tablet won't connect to my Command Center hub. What should I do?

Follow these simple steps:

• Make sure the Command Center is plugged in and the flashing blue LED light is lit (if it is not, either plug the Hub in or press the power button until the lights come on).
• Make sure that your Tablet's software is up-to-date. You can check if it is by going into your yellow 'Settings' app, then down to the 'Software Update' tab (WiFi required to update).
• If both of the above are on/updated and the Hub still will not connect, try taking both devices outside to a relatively open area and restarting both of them there. It's usually easiest to restart the Hub first, then the Tablet.
• If the two devices still fail to connect, try to repair the Hub to the Tablet. To do this, you'll need to the QR code for your Command Center. Go into 'Add Device' on the Tablet and toggle 'Command Center Hub' to the 'On' position (if it's already on, toggle it off, then back on again). Follow the steps on the screen to scan in the QR code.
• If the Hub still will not repair after this, then the issue is likely something software-related on the Tablet's end and we will need to factory restore your device. To do so, follow this link for a video with step-by-step instructions: https://youtu.be/9VU6X_03wZk
• If your Tablet and Hub will not repair after factory restoring your Tablet, please contact CURT customer service.

3.) I lose connection to some of my RVi products while I'm driving. What's going on?

Because we're using WiFi, there are times where devices can lose connection. This will never affect the performance of your RVibrake3 or RVibrake Shadow. However, these connection losses should be very few and far apart. If you're experiencing routine disconnection, then it's likely that our Hub is experiencing interference from an external device.

Most of the time, our Hub can be anywhere in the middle-to-rear of the RV - however, if you're seeing disconnection, we have to get more specific. One of the biggest sources of interference is an RV's inverter. This is only an issue if the Hub is plugged in. So, to start with, unplug your hub while you're traveling and place it on the bed in the back of your RV. This isolates the Hub as much as possible. Travel this way for several hours to see if it improves your connection. If it doesn't, we still want to keep the Hub unplugged, but we'll want to try some other locations. Ideal locations to try would be areas away from other electronics/appliances. Additionally, getting the Hub up high (near the ceiling) can also be very helpful. 

If you've tried these alternate locations (at least 2-3) and are still experiencing disconnection, contact our Customer Service Champions. 

NOTE: If your Hub serial number is between 28690-36429, there may be a firmware update we can perform to improve your Hub's connectivity. Please reach out to our Customer Service reps. They'll be able to tell you if this update is available for your specific Hub.

4.) When I plug Command Center in, I don't see any lights come on. What happened? 

Follow these steps: 

• If the LEDs are not lit, make sure your power outlet is live. If it is live and the LED is still not lit, cycle power on the hub using the on/off button. After powering the hub back on, the LEDs should light indicating transmission/power.
• If the outlet is live, you’ve reset Command Center, and the LEDs are still not lit, try another charger or see if the charger can charge another device like the tablet.
• If you've followed the above steps and still aren't seeing any lights, reach out to our Customer Service Champions - it's likely something with either the Hub's USB port or battery has failed.

5.) Why does my hub not transmit even though it's plugged in and charging?

If you are using the RVi charger and USB cable, and the power source isn't keeping up with the power demand, this typically means that the outlet you are using is not providing enough current flow. The hub needs about 525 mAh when active. It is recommended to use an outlet with output power of 5V/1.5A.

However, there are 3 things to check:

• Try another USB cable in the same outlet.
• Try another charger in the same outlet.
• Try the RVi charger and USB cable in 110v outlet.

NOTE: It is our experience that when plugging the RVi USB cable into a direct USB port on the RV's dash area, that there is not enough current supply to power the tablet or hub.