When we first started full-time RVing, we knew almost nothing about flat towing a vehicle behind our motorhome. Back then, we were towing a 2013 Jeep Wrangler and needed a reliable supplemental braking system. Thanks to the team at Giant RV, we ended up installing the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO.
Fast forward several years, and we’re now flat-towing a 2023 Ford Bronco using the same system.
After thousands of miles towing both vehicles, the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO has proven to be one of the best investments in our flat-towing setup.
- Why You Need a Towed Vehicle Braking System
- Who the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO Is Best For
- What Makes the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO So Good?
- Stay-IN-Play DUO vs. Air Force One
- Our Real-World Experience: Jeep Wrangler ➡️ Ford Bronco
- Pros and Cons After Years of Use
- Gear We Use in Our Flat Towing Setup
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict: Would We Buy It Again?
- Your Turn: What Brake System Do You Use?
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Why You Need a Towed Vehicle Braking System
Whether you’re towing a Jeep, a Bronco, or anything else, a supplemental braking system isn’t just helpful — it’s required by law in most states and provinces. More importantly, it keeps you safer on the road by reducing stopping distance and wear on your RV’s brakes.
The Stay-IN-Play DUO is a permanently installed supplemental braking system designed for motorhomes with hydraulic brakes. Unlike portable brake boxes that need to be installed every travel day, the DUO stays mounted in your towed vehicle and is always ready to go.
Once installed, all we have to do is flip the activation switch before towing.
Who the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO Is Best For
We think the Stay-IN-Play DUO is an excellent choice for:
- RVers who flat tow frequently
- Anyone tired of setting up portable brake boxes
- Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco owners
- Full-time RVers who want a permanent solution
- Motorhome owners with hydraulic brake systems
- RVers looking for a clean, low-maintenance towing setup
It may not be the best fit for:
- Diesel pusher owners with air brakes (we recommend the Air Force One instead)
- RVers who only tow occasionally
- People uncomfortable with permanent installation
What Makes the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO So Good?
Here’s what sets it apart, whether you’re towing a Wrangler, a Bronco, or anything else:
- Transferable: When we moved from the Jeep to the Bronco, we took the DUO with us.
- Dual-signal activation: Requires both brake lights and deceleration (G-force) to engage — no false braking.
- Vacuum-assisted braking: Activates your towed vehicle’s power brakes quickly and smoothly.
- Permanently installed: No box to set up or remove every trip. Just unhook and drive.
- Compact design: Mounts cleanly under the hood — you won’t even notice it’s there.
- Coach Notification system: An LED in the toad confirms when the brakes are applied.
- Emergency boost: “Panic stop” braking delivers up to 3x the normal force.
Our Recommended Flat Tow Braking System
Ready to simplify your flat towing setup?
The Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO has worked flawlessly for us across two different towed vehicles and thousands of miles of travel.
- No brake box to install or remove every travel day
- Fully automatic, vacuum-assisted braking
- Great option for RVers flat towing a Jeep, Bronco, or similar vehicle
One thing we really like about the Stay-IN-Play DUO is how smooth and natural the braking feels. The system uses both air pressure and the vehicle’s power brake vacuum to provide proportional braking that reacts quickly without feeling overly aggressive.
In real-world towing, we’ve found the braking response to be smooth, predictable, and confidence-inspiring, whether towing our Jeep Wrangler or our Ford Bronco.
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, flip the switch, and drive off; that’s all. No box, no wires, and in fact, no physical connection to the motorhome at all.
Stay-IN-Play DUO vs. Air Force One
The Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO is designed for motorhomes with hydraulic brake systems, which are commonly found on gas-powered Class A and Class C motorhomes.
If your motorhome has an air brake system — typically found on diesel pushers — we recommend the Demco Air Force One instead.
The Air Force One works very similarly to the Stay-IN-Play DUO but is specifically engineered for motorhomes with air brakes. It offers the same type of permanent installation, proportional braking, and easy day-to-day towing experience we love about the DUO.
Our Real-World Experience: Jeep Wrangler ➡️ Ford Bronco
We’ve now used the Stay-IN-Play DUO on two different vehicles:
2013 Jeep Wrangler JK
- The install was clean and easy.
- Worked flawlessly for years.
- Our only issue? The self-tapping screw used to anchor the actuator cable pulled out. We replaced it with a bolt and fender washer — simple fix.
2023 Ford Bronco (Current TOAD)
- Brake light visibility from the rearview camera is still a challenge (see below), but we trust the system.
- Transferred the system from our Jeep.
- Setup was a breeze thanks to our experience.
- Works just as well with the Bronco — no changes needed.
With Stay-IN-Play DUO, brake lights and deceleration are required, eliminating false or unwanted activations. In addition, with two signals necessary to activate, there is no need for the delay technology found in all the box brakes.
Pros and Cons After Years of Use
What We Love
1. Ease of Use
There’s no clunky brake box to install or remove each time. Simply flip a switch under the dash, and you’re good to go.
2. Dual-Signal Safety
Requiring both G-force and brake signal prevents false activations, especially helpful on bumpy roads or mountain grades.
3. Coach Notification System
While it’s a bit hard to see during daylight through the rearview camera, it provides great peace of mind knowing when the brakes engage.
4. Transferability
We had no issues moving the system from the Jeep to the Bronco, making it a long-term investment no matter what vehicle we tow.
What Could Be Better
1. Firewall Mounting Issue (Jeep)
The original screw failed under load. Use a bolt and a fender washer to avoid future issues.
2. LED Visibility
Those little LEDs on the towed vehicle’s dash aren’t easy to see through the RV’s rearview camera during daylight hours. We’ve met RVers who ran the indicator wiring to the motorhome dash — that’s something we still plan to do.
Gear We Use in Our Flat Towing Setup
Everything we’ve personally used and recommend:
Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO – The Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO has been the heart of our flat towing setup for years. We love the permanent installation, proportional braking, and not having to deal with a portable brake box every travel day.
Roadmaster Sterling Tow Bar – The aluminum Roadmaster Sterling tow bar has been lightweight, easy to connect, and extremely dependable with our Bronco setup.
Blue Ox Tow Bar – Before switching to the Bronco, we used a Blue Ox tow bar with our Jeep Wrangler setup. It served us well for years and remains a popular option among RVers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO work with a Ford Bronco?
Yes. We currently use the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO with our 2023 Ford Bronco and have had excellent results towing it behind our motorhome.
Can the Stay-IN-Play DUO be transferred to another vehicle?
Yes. We successfully transferred our system from a 2013 Jeep Wrangler JK to our Ford Bronco with no issues.
Does the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO require setup every time you tow?
No. Because the system is permanently installed, there’s no brake box to move in and out of the vehicle each trip. We simply flip the activation switch before towing.
Is the Stay-IN-Play DUO better than portable brake boxes?
In our experience, yes. We prefer the convenience of a permanently installed system and not having to set up or remove a portable brake box every travel day.
What motorhomes is the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO compatible with?
The Stay-IN-Play DUO is designed for motorhomes with hydraulic brakes. If your RV has air brakes, Demco recommends the Air Force One braking system instead.
Final Verdict: Would We Buy It Again?
Absolutely. After years of towing with both a Jeep Wrangler and a Ford Bronco, we can confidently say the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO is one of the best flat towing brake systems on the market.
- It’s easy.
- It’s effective.
- It’s dependable.
If you’re looking for a dependable supplemental braking system that’s always ready to tow, the Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO has been an excellent long-term solution for us.
Your Turn: What Brake System Do You Use?
Have questions about flat towing a Jeep, Bronco, or anything else? Drop us a comment — we love helping fellow RVers figure it out.
Already using the DUO? Share your experience and let others know how it’s worked for you!
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Hi. Would you ship STAY IN PLAY DUO (9599006) to Auckland New Zealand at my cost?
Thank you
Hi Eddie, Thank you for your question. I don’t actually do the shipping. If you go through the links on the page to order you should be able to find out if the Stay in Play Duo can be shipped to New Zealand for you. Sorry for any confusion.
Rob