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AlwaysDreaming's avatar
Mar 26, 2018

NSA Ready Brake (ReadyBrute Elite RV Tow Bar)

I am looking for comments and experiences with the NSA Ready Brake (ReadyBrute Elite RV Tow Bar).

The 2016 Ford Fiesta has power assist brakes as do most cars. The brakes a very hard depress with the engine off. Can this cable really pull that hard?

Any other comments on surge brakes or NSA Ready Brake (ReadyBrute Elite RV Tow Bar) would be appreciated.
Thanks
  • Update: I purchased the N.S.A. ReadyBrute Elite and a Blue Ox Baseplate. I had them professionally installed by Interstate RV, Fort Pierce FL. Very happy so far, Although I have just towed the Fiesta about 5 miles.

    N.S.A. gave me great customer service when they sent me a new sling cable when I called them and told them I had inadvertently pinched and damaged the sling cable. Nice people

    Blue Ox gave very specific instructions and illustrations for installation

    Interstate RV did a very professional installation. I will bring my coach
    there when my warranty runs out.

    Thanks, AlwaysDreaming
  • AlwaysDreaming wrote:
    Did some research on the ReadyBrake/ReadyStop install on a 2016 Ford Fiesta. Running the cable to the brake pedal looks almost impossible. Lots of obstructions.
    Has anyone done an istall on a Ford Fiesta or have had complications running the cable?

    I can see now that Jeeps are good vehicles for flat tow by design or by luck.

    Thanks


    I sent you a pm a while back to offer pics of a 2016 set up with a ready brute. It is not impossible but fairly easy to set up the cable and it works fine. I know, I have one.
  • Did some research on the ReadyBrake/ReadyStop install on a 2016 Ford Fiesta. Running the cable to the brake pedal looks almost impossible. Lots of obstructions.
    Has anyone done an istall on a Ford Fiesta or have had complications running the cable?

    I can see now that Jeeps are good vehicles for flat tow by design or by luck.

    Thanks
  • I have 4 years on ours. Like the system and so easy to hook up. I tow an 04 wrangler and or a 06 Jeep Liberty.
  • Installed the Ready Brake system on our Jeep JK (both brake and breakaway system(. We towed from Oregon to Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho with zero issues. Ready Brake system performed flawlessly and is very easy to connect and disconnect. Highly recommend the system. Also, it is very affordable as compared to other systems. We purchased off of Amazon and saved quite a bit off money. RV dealers were talking about exotic setups and $4500+ for similar setups. Our cost was in the realm of about $1300 and did the work ourselves. Easy peasey.
  • Coming into 3rd season towing using ReadyBrute. Very happy with the system over 15k+ miles - been thru Rockies in CO and mountains of WV with no issues. How can it develop adequate pressure with toad engine off? That 3000 pounds of car pushing forward into the motorhome! Plenty of force to operate the brake! ST
  • We've been using our NSA ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system since 2008 with two different toads. The brake system is very effective, and has no problem applying the toad brakes as needed. If it'll make you feel better, NSA sells an accessory vacuum pump that will provide a live brake system, but I doubt that you will notice any difference. A quick test to see if it will help is to run a predetermined route with a number of stops, noting the "feel" of the braking, and then rerun the same route with the toad engine running to see if you notice any significant difference. If the braking action drastically improves, buy and install the add-on pump.
  • I have been using the Ready Brute Elite Towbar for 5 years towing a 2013 Honda CR-V. The cable doesn't seem to have any trouble pulling the brake pedal hard enough to engage. I forgot to hook it up pulling out of a site once and I could tell the difference immediately. I’ve heard surge brakes don’t work in the mountains, but I’ve gone over Tioga Pass (elevation 9,945) between Yosemite and Lee Vining, Togwotee Pass (elevation 9,544 feet) out of Grand Teton NP, and down 190 into Death Valley without any problems or dragging bakes on the car.

    I use a Blue Ox base plate and NSA’s adapters to connect. I ordered a set of spare hitch pins, cotter pins, and shackle after I dropped a cotter pin on the dealer’s gravel parking lot in the rain and never could find it. Luckily the dealer had a set of pins for a Roadmaster that fit. I also bought the hitch cover and the In-Dash light monitor so I can see when the CRV’s brakes come on.
  • Excellent product and company. I have had 15 years.

    Had it rebuilt once (rear end accident) Easy and fair to deal with.

    My toads weigh around 5k. But you are well under the max so it should work ok.

    You might call NSA and ask their tech support.