Ready brute, ready brake

[Zigpep]

Hello we are setting our rv up to tow and the person we purchased it from had given us a ready brute/ready brake system that is I think a 2006 model. He used a blue ox. Initially I thought the ready brute was probably junk and we would have to buy another system. Non of the rv dealers and the fantastic camping world ( and yes I am being sarcastic) had ever heard of it. However thanks to the people on this forum I discover we actually had a pretty decent system, just could not find an installer. Finally I went to the ready brute web site and they listed authorized dealers. We have chosen a place called DN rv in alabama to install. We know for sure that our system is missing the cable and it may have other parts missing but the dealer assured us he could let us know if it was safe and functioning. I know the previous owner never used it so not sure when it was last used. I do have a few questions,
1- is there anything that we need to watch out for with this system? Anything likely to break or malfunction?
2- does it have enough stopping power in the mountains? We will be using the ready brake. Our tow vehicle weighs 4040 lbs.
3- anyone using one that old? 2006? They have a lifetime warranty so I assume they are well built?
4- does the type of towing system you install have anything to do with the tail wagging effect I hear so much about and if so is this system prone to contributing to that?
It is going to cost us about 1100.00 to set the jeep up to tow so I would like to do this right the first time.
Thanks zigpep

[tropical36]

Zigpep wrote:
Hello we are setting our rv up to tow and the person we purchased it from had given us a ready brute/ready brake system that is I think a 2006 model. He used a blue ox. Initially I thought the ready brute was probably junk and we would have to buy another system. Non of the rv dealers and the fantastic camping world ( and yes I am being sarcastic) had ever heard of it. However thanks to the people on this forum I discover we actually had a pretty decent system, just could not find an installer. Finally I went to the ready brute web site and they listed authorized dealers. We have chosen a place called DN rv in alabama to install. We know for sure that our system is missing the cable and it may have other parts missing but the dealer assured us he could let us know if it was safe and functioning. I know the previous owner never used it so not sure when it was last used. I do have a few questions,
1- is there anything that we need to watch out for with this system? Anything likely to break or malfunction?
2- does it have enough stopping power in the mountains? We will be using the ready brake. Our tow vehicle weighs 4040 lbs.
3- anyone using one that old? 2006? They have a lifetime warranty so I assume they are well built?
4- does the type of towing system you install have anything to do with the tail wagging effect I hear so much about and if so is this system prone to contributing to that?
It is going to cost us about 1100.00 to set the jeep up to tow so I would like to do this right the first time.
Thanks zigpep

I would have no other system for it's performance, simplicity and cost effectiveness, especially when you install it yourself, which I did. We had it a few years now and it's been serving us well all over the country, including the mountain passes of the Rockies. It feels like the rig stops even better with the toad attached and after all you do have four more wheels for braking that's very capable of stopping more than it's own weight.
With the Jeep, I used DEMCO base plates because they were on sale at the time, but now would have no other for this application and doubt if there's anything out there, any tougher, either.
Also used a COOLTECH wiring harness for the JK's lights and feel it's the best out there for these models. For other models, I like using an independent system, wired onto a hitch haul or making up a light bar of sorts for plugging into the toad's hitch receiver.

[Finally_Time]

Let me tell you about the stopping power. I was leaving a pull-through site and suddenly the motorhome stopped. I tried giving it a little more gas, still wouldn't move. I thought "now what" and got out to check if I was hung up on something. I found the little shackle holding the loop of the brake cable had flipped backwards towards the motorhome tightening the cable. The Ready Brute Elite was putting enough pressure on the CR-V's brakes to stop a 28 foot motorhome. Pretty much a testement to the power of the Readybrute and to the CR'v's brakes.

[wannavolunteerF]

My parents had ready brake as my old school dad really liked the way it worked. When they managed to trip their breakaway half a block from the house, the company was really great about talking to me about what they had done and sending a replacement cable at a very low cost. I knew absolutely nothing about the brake, other than helping them order it online and then calling company when they had trouble.

the emergency breakaway actuator is a little box under the hood of the toad that when the cable is pulled sets the brakes on the toad, it stops the toad when it becomes unattached from tow vehicle (MH)

[Zigpep]

Hello, thanks for the replies. We are actually missing the leash cable but the dealer says they will have a replacement in stock. What is an emergency breakaway actuator? And when we go to the installer we will ask about that and the monitoring light. It may already be part of what was quoted to set up to tow. The taillight changes were mentioned in the quote. Sorry about the camping world comment but our local camping world has been less than impressive. Maybe others are better.
Thanks zigpep

[Raymon]

The only suggestion I can make is to be sure to install the monitoring light on the dash of your MH. The light will illuminate whenever the brakes are activated on the toad. The light will tell you if the brakes are working ad if they for some reason would stick on. Night Shift auto, who makes and sells the Ready Brut, also sells the light kit. If I remember correctly, the kit does not cost very much.

You will also have to wire the toad's lights to function when the MH lights function such as brake lights, tail lights and turn signals. There are several ways to wire the toad lights. I wish you the bet.

Ray

[Dutch_12078]

I've been using my ReadyBrute/ReadyBrake setup since 2008 with two different toads. I did my own installations, and the system has worked perfectly under all conditions for more than 40,000 miles. I don't get any "tail wagging", even with the 4" rise adapter my current coach requires.

[punomatic]

Used a Ready Brute/Ready Brake system for several years and loved it. Be careful when folding up the towbar that you don't pinch the cables. (Don't ask me how I know!) I towed through the Rockies and had no problems with the RB system. For my money, it is the best value out there for towing a car. I would use one again in a heartbeat if I needed to tow a vehicle. Be sure you install the emergency breakaway actuator.

[willald]

I'd say you got really lucky. You were left with what is IMO one of the best brake systems you can get. Thats what I have (ReadyBrute tow bar with Readybrake braking system), and I wouldn't have anything else. Have used it on two different towed vehicles, it worked (and still works) great.

Now, for your specific questions:

1- is there anything that we need to watch out for with this system? Anything likely to break or malfunction?

Not really, thats one of the great things about this system - its soo simple, there is very little that can break or malfunction with it. The few things that could possibly break one day, you can in many cases get parts from any hardware store and repair yourself. That is, provided it is set up properly to begin with.

One thing that can wear out over time, and eventually need replacing: After many years of use, the 'leash' cable that goes from tow bar actuator to the towed vehicle will get frayed, worn where it goes through the hole on the tow bar. You can order a new (or spare) cable from Readybrake, though, for a very reasonable price. Or, in a pinch, it would be pretty easy to put together a replacement cable from parts you'd find in any hardware store.

2- does it have enough stopping power in the mountains? We will be using the ready brake. Our tow vehicle weighs 4040 lbs.

Yes! I've towed a minivan with ours, the van weighed just over 4500 lbs. Readybrake handled it fine. And, assuming its installed correctly, it will NOT 'drag' the brakes when going downhill like some may suggest. The actuator is designed with enough resistance in it to preven this.

3- anyone using one that old? 2006? They have a lifetime warranty so I assume they are well built?

Don't have one that old, but yes, they are well built.

4- does the type of towing system you install have anything to do with the tail wagging effect I hear so much about and if so is this system prone to contributing to that?

Maybe, but I'd say its pretty rare that the tow bar would cause this. More frequently, alignment issues with the towed vehicle are the cause for this.

[BarneyS]

Moved to Dinghy Towing forum from Towing.

[vic46]

Not sure that I understand the sarcasm directed at Camping World. A search of their catalog reveals that they DO not stock or sell Ready Brake. I would not expect to get any advise, good or bad, from the staff of a company that does not stock or sell the product you may be inquiring about.

I also find it curious that you selected Camping World for specific identification yet, the "dealers" you referenced went unidentified. Do you have an agenda?

Note: I am not in any way affiliated with Camping World and in fact, I have never been in a Camping World store. There are non in Canada.

[kalynzoo]

Very happy with my ReadyBrake. I had it installed by a auto tech guy because I did not want to drill through the firewall. In the Saturn everything is so close and tight I was sure I would drill into something important. The installer pinched the cable against the brake peddle at a slight angle, the result was after five years of service the cable snapped. I noticed this when I saw the cable hanging free when the car was being used for daily home travel. I pushed a new cable (supplied by ReadyBrake) through the sleeve and straightened the connection myself. All is well. I tow my Saturn over the SoCal mountains all the time and have never had an issue with the ReadyBrake.