Ready Brake Ready Brute Elite Tow Bar

[Larryr201]

Anyone with first hand experience (good and Bad) with the Ready Brake Ready Brute Elite Tow Bar system. Beginning research for setting up my first RV and tow vehicle. I plan to tow 2014 Honda CR-V with Navion with MB3500 chassis

[avan]

As an alternative, you might look at the Blue Ox Auto Stop system. It's the same and also works great.

[Larryr201]

Thanks everyone "good stuff" I'm new to the RV lifestyle and just enrolled in forum as well. Love the input and advice from seasoned RV'ers
Larryr

[Big_Katuna]

Hiker_01 wrote:
I've had mine for over a year now. Really like it. Some "down-sides" to consider in your planning.

a) Because of what it is designed to do (absorb kinetic energy and convert it to breaking), it is much heavier than many towing systems. Also, does not "fold-away" and stow attached to motorhome. This means when you disconnect your toad, you also have to disconnect and stow your tow bar.

b) I have found it to be a bit tempermental when disconnecting (this may be true with all tow systems). You have to be pretty well lined up when pulling the pins, otherwise they are impossible to take out.

Otherwise, I like mine. I like the concept, and even though it is a bit of a pain in weight, I'm pretty sure it will last a long time.

I have had one for about 12 years on three toads. They work very well.

I disagree with a few things in this replay.

The tow bar is mostly aluminum and is not heavy. There are steel tow bars that weigh much more.

The tow bar DOES store on the RV. You tilt it up, the cable bracket slips into a clovis and you hinge the tow bar sideways and secure the chains. I have never taken mine off unless I am putting the scooter carrier on.

[golfknut]

We have used our ReadyBrute Elite Tow bar to tow our Honda Fit for over 7 years and several thousand miles. I like it very much. Simple hook-up and simple operation.
I'm not sure what Hiker 01 means by this following statement.

Hiker_01 wrote:
Also, does not "fold-away" and stow attached to motorhome. This means when you disconnect your toad, you also have to disconnect and stow your tow bar.

Our towbar folds up nicely while attached to the motorhome and we cover it with a cover purchased from NSA.

[Captain_Happy]

I've had mine for well over 5 years, and it still works. Installed it myself in a Ford Ranger. I already had a Blue OX tow bar, just had to buy the Ready Brake unit and the cable kit.

[Hiker_01]

I've had mine for over a year now. Really like it. Some "down-sides" to consider in your planning.

a) Because of what it is designed to do (absorb kinetic energy and convert it to breaking), it is much heavier than many towing systems. Also, does not "fold-away" and stow attached to motorhome. This means when you disconnect your toad, you also have to disconnect and stow your tow bar.

b) I have found it to be a bit tempermental when disconnecting (this may be true with all tow systems). You have to be pretty well lined up when pulling the pins, otherwise they are impossible to take out.

Otherwise, I like mine. I like the concept, and even though it is a bit of a pain in weight, I'm pretty sure it will last a long time.

[ronfisherman]

I tow my Chevy Captiva with one. Great tow bar. I have put about 30k miles with no problems. I use a turnbuckle to adjust cable length. Also have piece of plastic tubing over cable where it goes threw bracket that hold bars when not in use.
Lots of info over in the Dinghy Towing forum on the Ready Brute Elite.

[loggenrock]

Great choice! We tow Suby Forester with Prism on Sprinter chassis using ReadyBrute Elite. So far maybe 6000 miles or so over past year. No big box to wedge on floor (counts when space and weight are considerations...), easy hookup, actually less costly than other systems, too. Since it is mechanical, not electrical, no battery drain on toad, fewer issues to go wrong. Has worked very well - towed thru CO Rockies last summer - sufficient braking on descents. For additional opinions, search on www.irv2.com - lots of satisfied users there! ST