Community Forums

BlackJeep22 · 07-10-2016, 01:44 PM

I just purchased a 2016 Coachman Concord 300DS (Class C) motorhome. I'm planning to eventually tow my 2008 2dr Jeep Wrangler.

Anyone have any opinions about the ReadyBrute Elite tow bar?

Also thinking about going with the Blue OX baseplate.

Thanks in advance,
SP

Tayter1 · 07-10-2016, 03:23 PM

Have been using Ready Brute for 3 years and love it! I have the version with the surge brake and it has worked flawless. I would recommend it.
I pull a Ram 1500 with a motorcycle in the bed. V10 in camper class A 35' and pulls easy.

jharrell · 07-10-2016, 03:38 PM

I have the ReadyBrute Elite with the Blue Ox baseplate for my 2016 Wrangler. Setup works great, just towed it 5000 miles out west with no problems.

You will need to tweak the brake cable tension off and on to keep just enough slack but not too taught. No big deal just make sure the tow bar is stretched it can fool you if its compressed slightly making it look like there is too much slack, you get used to it.

Overall the system seems simpler and more reliable than the alternatives which is why I choose it.

docj · 07-10-2016, 03:59 PM

I've used my ReadyBrute to tow >55,000 miles over 5+ years and have been very satisfied. We've used it with a 2009 Malibu and a 2014 CR-V with no problems. In both cases we had Blue Ox baseplates.

After 4 years of use I sent it back to the factory during the winter to have them refurb it. No charge other than for shipping.

cwit · 07-10-2016, 04:08 PM

One great system easy and fast to set up. Can be on the road in about 5 minuets setup time.

britcon · 07-10-2016, 07:15 PM

Install of the Blue Ox baseplate is pretty straightforward on the Wrangler as well. Suggest you get the one with the removeable tow pins / saves your shins when walking around the front of the Jeep when not connected to MH.

vsheetz · 07-10-2016, 08:06 PM

ReadyBrute is very good.
As for baseplate, one from Currie is popular as it tucks up well for off-roading. Better, is to install a aftermarket bumper and tow from the bumper - no baseplate to affect approach angle, get hung up, damaged etc. Rockhard is a popular supplier of bumpers with towing connection built in. Blue Ox makes bolt on brackets that can be used with most any aftermarket bumper (this is what I have). Or you can purchase have fabed adapters that attached to D ring lugs (I did this on previous Jeep, but moved to the bolt on brackets for current jeep so as to not have to remove/replace the D-rings themselves).

stevemoores · 07-12-2016, 03:46 PM

If you're ever thinking of going with an aftermarket bumper, consider towing from that.

I have a Bestop bumper with very substantial D-Ring holes. NSA made some adapters and it tows like a charm.

I needed a riser for my hitch, since the bumper was about 6" above the hitch.

Steve

jtermini30 · 07-12-2016, 04:52 PM

We purchased the Ready Brute this year for our RAM 1500 and it's great. It's a small business with great customer service.

2009 Fleetwood Expedition 38F
2014 RAM 1500 Quad Cab Ecodiesel Toad
2013 Scion XB Toad

Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forumk

pixguy · 07-14-2016, 06:18 PM

We've used the ReadyBrute tow bar brake combo since 2010 and 25,000 miles and never an issue. We towed a CRV using a class A and now a 2016 Winnebago Navion.
Love the system.

StevL · 07-14-2016, 07:03 PM

Question; how do the surge brakes work when going down long steep grades? Are the brakes on the toad applied all the way down?

Steve

Easyrider · 07-14-2016, 07:15 PM

If both the RV and the towed vehicle are going the same speed the brakes are not applied. The only time the surge brakes activate is when you are slowing down and the towed vehicle pushes against the RV. So if coasting down hill, the surge brake does not activate, because both vehicles are traveling the same speed. If you apply the RV brakes then that means the RV is trying to go slower than the towed vehicle and so the surge brake will activate as your towed vehicle pushes against the RV, just as you would want it to. Once everything is going the same speed again, the surge brakes are deactivated, basically the same amount of time you have your foot on the RV brake pedal.

StevL · 07-14-2016, 07:20 PM

Yep I have that part, just wondering if you geared down or used an exhaust brake while traveling down a steep grade. Seems like the toad would be braking all the way down, I'm I missing something?

Steve

Easyrider · 07-15-2016, 05:11 AM

The surge brake has enough resistance to compressing and activating the toad brakes that we rarely see them come on, but we don't have the same engine braking that a diesel has. When ours do come on it's for a second or two, and then they are off again. I guess my thoughts is you have a brake system on the toad to help slow everything down, so I'm wondering what if any concern there would be about them activating going down a hill?