Community Forums

dalley · 11-24-2024, 04:40 PM

We have a Entegra Esteem 27U and are going to purchase a Jeep Wrangler for as TOAD. has anyone used the brake system built into tow bar? I do have mechanical background, so it seems maybe risky. I know from before with with my Jayco Camper it was pretty straight forward with brake system as it was "married" to my F250 breaking system. Am I over thinking this? any insight is good

wildtoad · 11-24-2024, 05:46 PM

If you’re looking at the NSA Ready Brute Elite, it simply works. I’ve had the Ready Brake on a Roadmaster Tow bar pulling two Jeeps. A Wrangler and a Gladiator. Easy to run a wire from the bumper to the brake pedal of the Jeep. No power required at the Jeep while towing.

brobox · 11-24-2024, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalley

We have a Entegra Esteem 27U and are going to purchase a Jeep Wrangler for as TOAD. has anyone used the brake system built into tow bar? I do have mechanical background, so it seems maybe risky. I know from before with with my Jayco Camper it was pretty straight forward with brake system as it was "married" to my F250 breaking system. Am I over thinking this? any insight is good

I have been using the Ready Brake with Brute tow bar since 2014, through 3 MH's. I wouldn't have anything else after a Blue Ox tow bar snapped in half on me.

R.M.A · 11-24-2024, 08:49 PM

I just had a Brakemaster installed.
Completely separate from the towed, no battery no nothing. One air line from the rear service chamber on one of the brake cans. Very simple and proportional.

Mark

JohnArch · 11-25-2024, 07:18 AM

I also use the NSA RV Products Ready Brute tow bar with built in ready brake.
I tow a F150 and have not had any issues what so ever. This is the only tow bar I have ever used so no help on similar products although, while at Middlebury for service, I did speak with an RVer who pulled in and had is Blue Ox crumble. Do not remember the circumstances but I did see the tow bar - not good.

dalley · 11-25-2024, 08:36 AM

Thanks for the inputs. It seems safe to utilize the Brute Elite package and less complicated for installation.

DarkSideJeep · 11-25-2024, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalley

We have a Entegra Esteem 27U and are going to purchase a Jeep Wrangler for as TOAD. has anyone used the brake system built into tow bar? I do have mechanical background, so it seems maybe risky. I know from before with with my Jayco Camper it was pretty straight forward with brake system as it was "married" to my F250 breaking system. Am I over thinking this? any insight is good

I suppose the ready brake system works although a mechanical system like this seems risky to me since proper operation depends on proper adjustment of the components. Another concern for me is the longer drawbar putting extra stress on the hitch. I had a problem with the hitch and frame bending because of a long drawbar I used to accommodate a hitch mounted Bicycle rack which makes me doubly concerned about anything that increases the length of the drawbar.

Callbob · 11-25-2024, 09:07 AM

Another satisfied user of NSA tow bar and ready brake. It works well simply put. 3500 miles from Colorado to Arkansas and back through Texas to home before heading to Arizona for the winter. Takes very little time and effort to get it adjusted properly but peace of mind knowing there is no electronics to possibly fail. Maybe with a DP with air I would go with something that runs off air like Airforce I think it’s called. My rig is in my sig line..

wildtoad · 11-25-2024, 09:16 AM

On my setup the only thing that needs adjustment is the pull cord from the brake lever to the connector on the bumper of the toad. Do it once and forget it. Instructions included.

Dan has a point about the added length though. I’m can’t speak to the stress issue, but I do know if using something other than the Elite towbar you may need some safety chain extensions, and make sure your electrical cord stretches.

K7JV · 11-25-2024, 09:23 AM

We have an Esteem 27U, as well. We have the Roadmaster towbar on it and we went with the Demco Stay-In-Play brake system in our GMC Acadia. It is an inertia operated system, and we've been happy with it for three years, now. The car previously had the Demco Air Force One system in it, as we were towing it with a Class A diesel pusher coach that controlled the brake system in the "toad" with coach braking air. The Demco Stay-In-Play let us keep much of what was already in place. But the Demco system is a good option, in our opinion.

Be careful about how much weight you put aft of the rear axle, such as your towbar. As you load the back of the coach two things happen. You add MORE weight to the rear axle than what you added to your coach, AND you also take weight off of the front axle. This is because the weight you add in the back will move the center of gravity aft. So the rear axle sees the additional weight that you took off of the front axle due to the CG shift, PLUS it sees the additional load you added to cause the shift in the first place. Our coach, under normal recreational travel loading conditions, is right at if not slightly above the placard ratings on the rear axle. Same goes for the tires and wheels. You can overload the tires on the rear axle on the 27U very easily. Just be aware. Load your coach and weigh it on a certified truck scale and see what you have. It is worth your time.

Unplanned Tourist · 11-25-2024, 10:04 AM

After switching from a Brake Buddy to a ReadyBrake braking system 3 years ago, I have no regrets.

It's so quick and simple to hook up or take off, and nothing to store away when the toad is unhooked other than the tow bar.

The added bonus is proportional braking and uses NO electricity other than the brake lights on the toad when making a little harder than normal stop. I consider myself to be a fairly conservative driver and usually when I have to stop, the toad doesn't push hard enough to apply the brakes. It needs to push harder than 250 pounds before the brakes start to apply.

bevandtomH · 11-25-2024, 10:23 AM

Echo everyone else on the NSA Ready Brake. Just works..and well.

Vato · 11-25-2024, 06:18 PM

NSA Readybrake 10 years... no issues or complaints

Once your cable is adjusted is done.

I strongly suggest a toad brake activation light on your coach dash with what ever type you chose.

Eliminates any concern with when (and if) your toad brake pedal is activated.

Unplanned Tourist · 11-26-2024, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vato

NSA Readybrake 10 years... no issues or complaints

Once your cable is adjusted is done.

I strongly suggest a toad brake activation light on your coach dash with what ever type you chose.

Eliminates any concern with when (and if) your toad brake pedal is activated.

Instead of a dash light, I just T'ed into the brake pedal switch wires and have a removable LED light on the dash of my toad. I can see when the brake pedal is pulled by the ReadyBrake. Nice bright light shows up in my rear camera. One less thing to unhook if I'm in a hurry.