I have a 27' Born Free on a Ford 450. Planning to tow a 2007 Chevy HHR that weighs 3200#. Looking for recomendations on braking system. I have not purchased a tow bar, so would the ReadyBrake system be a possibility?Looking for something simple and inexpensive if possible. Thanks

I wouldn't use anything else.. Have used Blue Ox with brake unit inside toad. Ready Brake is easy to hook-up and unhook, No battery drain on toad....

Here I go again... How about a short car hauler trailer? It comes with electric brakes, gets rid of needing to add complexity to a HHR and lessens the wear & tear on the HHR. Put a hitch on the HHR so you can move the trailer around when you drop it from the Born Free. Then you have a trailer to use for other chores as well. There's a couple of steep grades in the country where you might want to drop the HHR off the trailer and have the wife follow you. Easy to do.

DougE wrote:Here I go again... How about a short car hauler trailer? It comes with electric brakes, gets rid of needing to add complexity to a HHR and lessens the wear & tear on the HHR. Put a hitch on the HHR so you can move the trailer around when you drop it from the Born Free. Then you have a trailer to use for other chores as well. There's a couple of steep grades in the country where you might want to drop the HHR off the trailer and have the wife follow you. Easy to do.While I agree with the trailer idea, one must be realistic. An E450 chassis will either have a 3500 lb towing capacity or 5000 lb. capacity.Even an aluminum trailer plus a 3200 pound car would exceed the 3500 lb capacity, and how many of us can afford even a good used aluminum car hauler?A steel trailer will come close to the 5000 lb. capacity.Would I, personally, worry about it? Probably not. After all, I towed my Jeep (see sig.) with an E350 based Class C.Would I state that somebody else should not be concerned? Of course not.To answer the OP question, the ReadyBrute integrated towbar/braking system is an excellent choice, especially with the breakaway system added.Good luck.

Trailer idea is "out" as F450 capacity is 5,000# and 500 tongue weight for one reasonReady Brute elite is expensive. Anyone added a Ready Brake to a Blue Ox bar?Please keep the suggestions coming as they are helpful

I haven't done it, yet, but I would have absolutely no concerns about using the ReadyBrake with my "el cheapo" fixed-arm adjustable width towbar ($165 for the current model at Walmart, the last time I looked).

Brake system choice | Good Sam Community

Richard179
Explorer
Jul 14, 2013
I just finished my search for a tow bar and brake system and went with the Ready Brute Elite. I just received it and I am very impressed! I went with the Blue Ox base plate which looks great on my CRV. I found towbarsunlimited.com had the best price, and great customer service too! By time you add every thing up Ready Brute Elite was much cheaper, and simpler.
tropical36
Explorer
Jul 14, 2013
Dutch_12078 wrote:
I don't know why you would call the ReadyBrute Elite "expensive". Have you priced a Blue Ox tow bar and separate brake system?

Don't know how much one expects to spend when buying brand new either, but we have less than $2500 in our Readybrute elite, including a demco base plate, breakaway, leather cover and a Cool Tech wiring harness for the Jeep.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2013
I agree with the concept that the Ready Brute Elite is not expensive. You can't compare its price to other tow bars. You have to compare its price to both a tow bar AND a brake system since it is both. When compared to a tow bar and brake system, the Ready Brute Elite becomes relatively inexpensive.
topflite51
Explorer
Jul 13, 2013
Liltippy wrote:
I have not purchased a tow bar, so would the ReadyBrake system be a possibility?

Looking for something simple and inexpensive if possible.

Thanks
Another vote for the ReadyBrake. I use mine with a Falcon II tow bar that I bought used for $200.
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Jul 13, 2013
Simple and inexpensive are mutually exclusive when referring to Dingy Towing. In my opinion they are really non-exsistant. I just bought a Apollo by BlueOx, not so much because it is a great brake system but it is inexpensive. As research has shown, not necessarily good.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2013
I don't know why you would call the ReadyBrute Elite "expensive". Have you priced a Blue Ox tow bar and separate brake system?
brobox
Explorer
Jul 13, 2013
After my Blue Ox snapped in half last year on our trip, I replaced it with a Ready Brute. I couldn't be happier especially after no customer service from Blue Ox. Higher priced tow bars are NOT as good as a Ready Brute with the built in brake system

After 10 years of towing the Ready Brute is the only way I would go again.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2013
If you already had a tow bar, I would recommend a Ready Brake. Since you don't have a tow bar yet, I HIGHLY recommend the Ready Brute Elite. It is what I have.
mowermech
Explorer
Jul 12, 2013
I haven't done it, yet, but I would have absolutely no concerns about using the ReadyBrake with my "el cheapo" fixed-arm adjustable width towbar ($165 for the current model at Walmart, the last time I looked).
Liltippy
Explorer
Jul 12, 2013
Trailer idea is "out" as F450 capacity is 5,000# and 500 tongue weight for one reason

Ready Brute elite is expensive. Anyone added a Ready Brake to a Blue Ox bar?

Please keep the suggestions coming as they are helpful