Ronp

Our 493 mile trip to Florida with CMax as "toad" was OK. I had pulled fuse #9 to kill the vacuum pump and left the CMax off and in neutral. every time I opened the door it told me to "shift to Park". I hoped the EvenBrake would not lock the brakes. The first few stops, there was grabbing, not as bad as before pulling fuse 9. DW drove the first 150 miles. I was driving when got off at the SR200 exit in FL - I must have hit the brake a little too hard and the CMax brakes locked up. We dieseled up our Pulse and disconnected power from the EvenBrake. The CMax is much heavier (1000 lbs) than our Jetta wagon, more effort to get it rolling. At least we didn't have to make panic stops The last 150 miles to The Villages was uneventful. As soon as we pulled over and shut down the Pulse, I immediately got a text from Ford, "04:53 PM: R&L C-Max's 12 volt battery is low. Please plug the vehicle in." I had tried to use the taillight wire to use the BrakeBuddy battery maintainer. As soon as the taillights went off, within a minute I got the text. I had not locked the doors. Finally, the start button worked. My ScanGauge showed two codes. My AllDataDIY.com couldn't find the codes. I searched to net and finally found the codes: P1A1B Brake system control module - forced engine powered drive mode - P258B Ford Vacuum Pump Control Range/Performance A couple days later, we drove the scenic route to Frostproof avoiding dozens of traffic lights, without installing the EvenBrake. Any town with more than two traffic lights is to crowded for me! Total trip 600.3 miles. The CMax odometer did not clock miles.

I removed Fuse #9. The supplied fuse puller didn't want to fit, finally I jiggled enough to get it out. I drove around our driveway and immediately got a brake warning "Check Brake System". My ScanGauge reported two stored codes and wouldn't tell me the codes. The brakes seemed to work fine, maybe not in a panic situation. Put it back in the garage. I'll hook it to the motorhome at the break of day tomorrow. I measured the levels of the tow bracket and tow bar. Now I'm within 2", maybe because I didn't pump the rear airbags to my not scientificly 45 psi. I'll post a report after we get to Florida.

Thanks for the response. I might have read the first link. The third link is very useful, especially the part: "Drawbacks: Most work with "dead pedal" only Will not work with hybrids or other vehicles that have continuous power-assist brakes Requires that you deplete the dinghy's vacuum before towing, every time To deplete vacuum, pump brake pedal repeatedly so that resistance builds up Actuator may need repositioning - box can "crawl" up seat, affecting leverage on brake pedal Roadmaster's Stop Light Switch Kits can be used to ensure proper positioning." I had never heard of "continuous power-assist brakes". I had installed RoadMaster's stop light switch from eTrailer. A few years ago, I got a surprise at the first stop sign (brakes locked), when I forgot to deplete the vacuum on our '04 VW Jetta TDI Wagon. I located fuse 9 and will remove it when we leave Saturday for 500 miles back to Florida. I hope nobody will blame me if the nasty weather in the Carolinas follows us south. I expect to get OBD warnings when I replace fuse 9. I should be able to reset with my ScanGauge (with the TPMS upgrade). I'm about 3 1/2" lower than the tow bar. When we traded motorhomes, the Jetta did funny things when braking. I had to buy an 8" drop adapter. I'll cheat a half inch.

We tried a test tow with our 2013 CMax Energi, using a RoadMaster tow bar and RoadMaster EvenBrake. The brakes kept locking up! 2006 vintage EvenBrake was set at lowest force and lowest sensitivity. I had read this forum and might have missed the part about the electric vacuum pump. I expected the battery to drain quickly. During the 10 mile test tow, the EvenBrake monitor showed the voltage dropping and it shut down below 11.7. (Perhaps the extension cord from the back 12 volt outlet slipped loose.) I found fuse #9 and plan another test drive with #9 removed in hope that the brake lock ups will not happen. I will install a Brake Buddy battery maintainer. The 7 way connector on our 2010 Fleetwood Pulse Dodge Sprinter chassis does not have a live 12 volt line. I have DRLs on, so all marker lights are powered, including the "toad". I hope I can tie the battery maintainer to the tail light line and not blow the Motorhome light fuse. I'm hard of hearing and asked "DW" to listen when I pressed the brakes several times. With the start button not pushed, no pump sound. In accessory mode, there was pump sound. I had downloaded a manual to my iPad. It had different RV procedures from the printed manual. Ford's website had three options. What appeared to be the newest was actually obsolete. Now, I have the latest version.