So, I am paying a steep price for allowing a small local RV shop install the pull cables on my 14 Jeep Cherokee. After my Brake Buddy's compressor failed, I looked an alternative braking system, and after research here, decided to get the NSA Ready Brake. Figured the lack of electronic, and a simplified mechanical mechanism, It would avert any possible failures.Boy was I wrong. I had my local RV shop install the jeeps 2 cables, the primary brake and the brakeaway which run from the bumper and attaches to the actual brake peddle. It took them 2 days, which was suspect, and I must say it worked fine on our way to New England last week. However on the way back home, my TPS started screaming indicating the Jeeps tire temps were over limit. I stopped to smoking brakes, and hub temps over 450 degrees.It appears the cables kinked in the firewall and caused the pedal to depress. So today the Jeep was towed to the dealer in PA, and so far the estimate is 2K for new calipers, rotors, pads, a broken brake pedal switch (the pedal goes to the floor and locks down in place). Hopefully it won't be much more.At least the dealer is responsive and gave me a loaner vehicle as we are not at home, and in-route.So I am back to the brake system search....I am dumping this Ready Brake, not because it is a bad system, but I don't want to chance another botched install of the cables.I will probably look at getting my Brake Buddy rebuilt and go back to that system as it never failed me in 5 years.My local shop is a small operation, 2 guys...and there is no recourse there as they probably don't have 2 nickles to rub together....so I will pay the price of learning not to use them again. Thanks for letting me vent, and hope everyone is traveling happy, safe and for a lot less than I am spending this week :)

Sorry for your troubles. Sounds like you didn't have the brake light LED on your dash.It would have prevented that.

Big Katuna wrote:Sorry for your troubles. Sounds like you didn't have the brake light LED on your dash.It would have prevented that.We had the LED light on the dash but it just activates when the device is applying the brakes, it didn't indicate the continued brake application.

Interesting read, thanks for the post. My Brake Buddy never gave me any problems either, but I wasn't all that impress with it's braking ability either.

Squealers wrote:Big Katuna wrote:Sorry for your troubles. Sounds like you didn't have the brake light LED on your dash.It would have prevented that.We had the LED light on the dash but it just activates when the device is applying the brakes, it didn't indicate the continued brake application.That's the reason those of us with the older ReadyBrake units that connect the LED to the toad brake light switch recommend connecting the new ones the same way. We can better keep track of what's really going on.

I have evenbrake,and a failure in system caused brake s to lock up ,flat spotted 4 tires.company had no response as to why.Guess its Murphy's Law.

Ready Brake Install Failure = 2K in Costs and Counting!

Jim
Explorer
Jul 26, 2016
Wow, thanks for the heads up. I have always thought that surge brakes were bullet proof but now I know better.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Jul 26, 2016
I was wondering if a TPMS would have alarmed if the brake locked and the tires heated up.
427435
Explorer
Jul 26, 2016
Squealers wrote:
Mark,
It was working fine. We checked it prior to departure. Something happened 25 miles in. I'm thinking a turn put tension on the cables even tho they were set to the proper slack, and jammed the brake peddle.

I'm thinking the culprit was the brake-away cable. But they were both jammed tight and can't be moved in or out. I disconnected the cables from the brake pedal but they are still jammed.

Something had to happen to activate the break=away cable. Strange that the toad pedals won't return to normal if both cables are disconnected.
gmctoyman
Explorer
Jul 26, 2016
So simple even a caveman could do it !
az99
Explorer
Jul 26, 2016
I would sure like to know what went wrong. Either a defective part or an improper install.I have worked with cables like that for over 30 years and they don't just stick. Especially new ones and with enough resistance to hold a brake pedal,with no power assist, depressed to a point of brake damage.
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Jul 26, 2016
Squealers wrote:
,,, Apparently one of the issues with my jeep is the double firewall. That caused the install to be very complex.,,,

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I've performed two installs in my driveway, 1998 Honda Accord and a 2005 Honda CRV, and both were pretty simple and took an hour or so. Both vehicles have double firewall constructed with maybe a half inch gap between. If the installer is making the claim that was a problem it is a bit difficult to accept considering a shade tree mechanic can do it, successfully, twice.

If during installation they kinked the cable conduit they more or less installed a ticking time bomb. Once kinked it will no long support the internal cable and will kinked again which will prevent the cable from moving as what occurred. I suspect they forced the conduit to make an excessively tight bend to clear an obstruction which caused the damage.

The installer should have insurance for just such an event but it will be on you to prove they were at fault which will take time and effort. I would at least ask the installer for a return on what they charged for the work and never go back.
et2
Explorer
Jul 26, 2016
Ahhhh, quality dealer work. I honestly believe it's very far and few between these days. But your experience just goes to show none of these systems are exempt from issues. Your thought of it being less issues to go wrong was just proven incorrect. It's to bad what happened and I'd be pretty mad too.

For many of us we stick with what's worked for us. Not saying any of these systems are better than the other, as you have had two fail.

Good luck in the future.
Squealers
Explorer
Jul 26, 2016
Great points folks! First of all we did have a TPMS which was set to the recommended specifications and it did alert us, but the damage was done. Next time I will lower the TPMS thresholds for the Toad for quicker response time.

I think Dale nailed it. I think they kinked the conduit and forced a doubt that eventually failed. Don't think I can prove it, and it would take considerable time and effort to prove and I've not got that time.

Next step is to find someone who can tie to the LED on my dash that came with the Ready Brake to my brake light activator so I will know if my brakes stick regardless of the device I am using.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Jul 26, 2016
The Blue Ox Patriot system has a monitor on the dash that lights up when the brakes are applied and it ALSO allows you to apply the toad brakes and adjust the sensitivity from the dash of your RV. At any time you can push the button and if you feel the drag you know that your toad brakes are working.
roam1
Explorer
Jul 26, 2016
I would just buy a new cable and install it correctly