AirForce 1 brake system vs Ready Brake
Gents, First off, I've used the Ready Brake system for quite a few years now and for the most part, have been pretty happy with it. That included many years using it with a gas coach. Well, we chang...
Forum Discussion
Very good points, Scott, most of which I agree with. Definitely something to be said for a system that will work directly off of your coach's air brakes like the AF1 will. Its just a question of whether that type of system is worth its significant extra cost. Thats a decision only you can make for yourself.
Only two things you mention here, that I'm not sure I agree with:
..If you can truly get into a new 10,500 lb rated tow bar AND an AF1 system for only $100 more than what a Readybrute Elite with Readybrake would cost, then I'd say go with the Air Force 1 system. However, I'm not quite following your 'advance mathematics', and not sure I follow how you get that the price difference is only $100?
A Readybrute elite with Readybrake can be had for $1175 with free shipping at hitchsource. Air Force one is $1149 with free shipping from same place. And, if you went with the AF1, you'd still have to buy a tow bar which is going to be at least another $600-800 (probably more, since you're talking about going to a 10,500 lb rated tow bar).
Where exactly are you getting a new tow bar with 10,500 lb rating, for around $200? :)
My guess is that you're not, and are comparing buying a Readybute Elite to just buying an AF1 and keeping your existing tow bar. Indeed, in that case the price difference isn't much, but its not really a fair apples to apples comparison that way. With a more realistic comparison, the price difference is much, much more substantial, more like $1000 like I already mentioned.
I wondered the same thing, Scott, when I bought our Readybrake years ago. I have found, though, at least in our case, there is not (undue wear on toad brakes).
I have watched very closely our toad brake light indicator whenever we are going down mountain inclines, and tranny is in tow/haul mode holding low gear, engine howling at 4000+ RPM to keep the speed down. We do that quite a bit, and we tow pretty heavy toads - a 4,600 lb minivan initially, and now a nearly 4,000 lb Ford Fusion hybrid. In all our trips through the mountains watching that brake light indicator, Not ONCE have I EVER seen it come on going down inclines, except when I hit the service brake.
Soo, that leaves me wondering if 1 of 2 things is true:
1. NSA has improved and tightened up their newer units, and new ones aren't as prone to engage the brakes unnecessarily.
2. Your Exhaust brake is applying more 'stopping' power than a Torqueshift tranny and V10 dropping down in low gear would, just enough more to cause your RB actuator to engage where mine is not.
Anyway, good luck whatever you decide. Definitely interesting to learn what you mentioned about how the RB is actually made inside. I'm a big fan of the 'KISS' principle (keep it simple), so I'm actually glad to know the Readybrake actuator is that simple. :)
Will
Only two things you mention here, that I'm not sure I agree with:
...using advance mathematics, the price difference hovers around $100. That's not all that much difference.
..If you can truly get into a new 10,500 lb rated tow bar AND an AF1 system for only $100 more than what a Readybrute Elite with Readybrake would cost, then I'd say go with the Air Force 1 system. However, I'm not quite following your 'advance mathematics', and not sure I follow how you get that the price difference is only $100?
A Readybrute elite with Readybrake can be had for $1175 with free shipping at hitchsource. Air Force one is $1149 with free shipping from same place. And, if you went with the AF1, you'd still have to buy a tow bar which is going to be at least another $600-800 (probably more, since you're talking about going to a 10,500 lb rated tow bar).
Where exactly are you getting a new tow bar with 10,500 lb rating, for around $200? :)
My guess is that you're not, and are comparing buying a Readybute Elite to just buying an AF1 and keeping your existing tow bar. Indeed, in that case the price difference isn't much, but its not really a fair apples to apples comparison that way. With a more realistic comparison, the price difference is much, much more substantial, more like $1000 like I already mentioned.
The Ready Brute or, even just the Ready Brake, as has been stated, is a "surge brake" and, being such, CAN cause undue ware. Does it in fact? Well, who's to tell. Based on how worn my unit is, it's applying the toad brakes considerably more than it should. Hence, the reason I'm thinking about another type of braking system.
I wondered the same thing, Scott, when I bought our Readybrake years ago. I have found, though, at least in our case, there is not (undue wear on toad brakes).
I have watched very closely our toad brake light indicator whenever we are going down mountain inclines, and tranny is in tow/haul mode holding low gear, engine howling at 4000+ RPM to keep the speed down. We do that quite a bit, and we tow pretty heavy toads - a 4,600 lb minivan initially, and now a nearly 4,000 lb Ford Fusion hybrid. In all our trips through the mountains watching that brake light indicator, Not ONCE have I EVER seen it come on going down inclines, except when I hit the service brake.
Soo, that leaves me wondering if 1 of 2 things is true:
1. NSA has improved and tightened up their newer units, and new ones aren't as prone to engage the brakes unnecessarily.
2. Your Exhaust brake is applying more 'stopping' power than a Torqueshift tranny and V10 dropping down in low gear would, just enough more to cause your RB actuator to engage where mine is not.
Anyway, good luck whatever you decide. Definitely interesting to learn what you mentioned about how the RB is actually made inside. I'm a big fan of the 'KISS' principle (keep it simple), so I'm actually glad to know the Readybrake actuator is that simple. :)
Will
