Readybrake may not be an option. What to do..
...We've been flat-towing DW's car (Kia Sedona van) for a year now, using the ReadyBrute Elite tow bar with integrated ReadyBrake system. Has worked great, and I've said numerous times when this subject comes up, ReadyBrake is just about the only system I'll have, for several reasons. You just can't beat its simplicity, cost, and the fact it simply works, period.
Anyway, we recently traded my daily driver for a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid, and are in the process of setting it up to tow behind our MH as well. We want to have the option to tow either of them, and actually prefer towing the Fusion, as it is simpler, less trouble prone (no lube pump to deal with like the van has), and much more fun to drive. :)
Wiring and base plates are done on the Fusion. Had to wire a 2nd 6-round plug on back of MH for the Fusion since it needs a charge wire (and does not use lube pump like our van), but that was easy enough to do. Now, time to get supplemental braking set up.
Obviously, my plan is/was to order a 2nd ReadyBrake cable (just the cable that goes on the car) and install it and a 'ReadyStop' breakaway setup on the Fusion.
However, I just got some really bad news, that I still don't want to believe: Brought the Fusion to RV dealer (same one that installed ReadyBrake on our van), had him look the Fusion over to see if ReadyBrake can be installed on it. He says, no can do. Steering column placement, as well as general design of the firewall make it impossible. Waaaaaah! :(
Anyway, I'm working now on getting a '2nd opinion' from another dealer, and have a '3rd opinion' possibility as well I may pursue. I'm a bit suspicious that the technician I talked to first simply did NOT want to do the Readybrake install since it would be a bit more difficult, or maybe was trying to 'encourage' me to spend a ton more $$ with them on one of the 'magic electric box' type systems - RVi, SMI, Invisibrake, Patriot, etc.
I've already talked with ReadyBrake (Night Shift Auto) about this, but basically got no answers from them. They *claim* it should work, and that they have customers with 2013 Ford Fusions using their product. They could not give any more specifics than that, though, other than to point me to some of their dealers/installers in this area. I've contacted those dealers, they couldn't provide any information, either (although one is still looking into it). Thinking about taking the DVD, instructions, etc. for Readybrake to the Ford dealer, and see if they'd be willing to install it (thoughts?)
It absolutely makes me SICK, the thought of having to spend $1k or more and have two different braking systems (one for each vehicle). Especially since I really want nothing to do with the 'magic electric box' type systems. Would almost rather do without supplemental braking with the Fusion entirely, than to get one of those systems, haha!
Sooooo, my question is this: Is there ANYONE, ANYWHERE out there towing a Ford Fusion hybrid, that installed a ReadyBrake system on it? If so, please PM or respond here, I'd love to know just how it was done, where the cable was run through the firewall, etc. It seems like it could be done by running the cable just to the side of the brake pedal arm (same way it was done on our van), but not real sure.
Second question: To those like me, that prefer the Readybrake for its simplicity and really don't want any other system: If you were forced to either buy another system or do without toad braking, which would you do? What system would you get, if any, if Readybrake was simply not an option?
Oh, and before anyone starts down this path: I've read (and read, and read, LOL) all the threads 'debating' about why supplemental brake systems are or are not necessary. Please, lets not let this turn into one of those debates. :)
Anyway, we recently traded my daily driver for a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid, and are in the process of setting it up to tow behind our MH as well. We want to have the option to tow either of them, and actually prefer towing the Fusion, as it is simpler, less trouble prone (no lube pump to deal with like the van has), and much more fun to drive. :)
Wiring and base plates are done on the Fusion. Had to wire a 2nd 6-round plug on back of MH for the Fusion since it needs a charge wire (and does not use lube pump like our van), but that was easy enough to do. Now, time to get supplemental braking set up.
Obviously, my plan is/was to order a 2nd ReadyBrake cable (just the cable that goes on the car) and install it and a 'ReadyStop' breakaway setup on the Fusion.
However, I just got some really bad news, that I still don't want to believe: Brought the Fusion to RV dealer (same one that installed ReadyBrake on our van), had him look the Fusion over to see if ReadyBrake can be installed on it. He says, no can do. Steering column placement, as well as general design of the firewall make it impossible. Waaaaaah! :(
Anyway, I'm working now on getting a '2nd opinion' from another dealer, and have a '3rd opinion' possibility as well I may pursue. I'm a bit suspicious that the technician I talked to first simply did NOT want to do the Readybrake install since it would be a bit more difficult, or maybe was trying to 'encourage' me to spend a ton more $$ with them on one of the 'magic electric box' type systems - RVi, SMI, Invisibrake, Patriot, etc.
I've already talked with ReadyBrake (Night Shift Auto) about this, but basically got no answers from them. They *claim* it should work, and that they have customers with 2013 Ford Fusions using their product. They could not give any more specifics than that, though, other than to point me to some of their dealers/installers in this area. I've contacted those dealers, they couldn't provide any information, either (although one is still looking into it). Thinking about taking the DVD, instructions, etc. for Readybrake to the Ford dealer, and see if they'd be willing to install it (thoughts?)
It absolutely makes me SICK, the thought of having to spend $1k or more and have two different braking systems (one for each vehicle). Especially since I really want nothing to do with the 'magic electric box' type systems. Would almost rather do without supplemental braking with the Fusion entirely, than to get one of those systems, haha!
Sooooo, my question is this: Is there ANYONE, ANYWHERE out there towing a Ford Fusion hybrid, that installed a ReadyBrake system on it? If so, please PM or respond here, I'd love to know just how it was done, where the cable was run through the firewall, etc. It seems like it could be done by running the cable just to the side of the brake pedal arm (same way it was done on our van), but not real sure.
Second question: To those like me, that prefer the Readybrake for its simplicity and really don't want any other system: If you were forced to either buy another system or do without toad braking, which would you do? What system would you get, if any, if Readybrake was simply not an option?
Oh, and before anyone starts down this path: I've read (and read, and read, LOL) all the threads 'debating' about why supplemental brake systems are or are not necessary. Please, lets not let this turn into one of those debates. :)
