Community Forums

hohenwald48 · 08-26-2021, 08:19 AM

I tow a 2017 JKU and I've had a Ready Brute (aluminum) tow bar for about 5+ years. I love the tow bar/brake system nd maintain it regularly with grease where appropriate and bolt checks.

However, it just seems to get more and more "loose" as time goes by. Is this normal and do they simply wear out at some point? It seems that all the bolt holes are wallowing out a little and the totality of all the connections is resulting in a seemingly shaky system.

I used a $150 Roadmaster tow bar on my TJ for about 15 years with to noticeable wear at all.

I wonder if their steel version would hold up better.

Scepter40 · 08-26-2021, 10:52 AM

I would imagine it would. I have recently acquired an old Blue Ox Aventa II that is steel and likely has close to 65K on it based on the miles on the coach and that it's been out of production since the coach was new. Holes egg shaped, bolts worn, and pins worn. I did a quick search and it doesn't appear that there are individual parts that are replaceable so you may need to go to a different bar.

F4Gary · 08-26-2021, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

I tow a 2017 JKU and I've had a Ready Brute (aluminum) tow bar for about 5+ years. I love the tow bar/brake system nd maintain it regularly with grease where appropriate and bolt checks.

However, it just seems to get more and more "loose" as time goes by. Is this normal and do they simply wear out at some point? It seems that all the bolt holes are wallowing out a little and the totality of all the connections is resulting in a seemingly shaky system.

I used a $150 Roadmaster tow bar on my TJ for about 15 years with to noticeable wear at all.

I wonder if their steel version would hold up better.

You could always plan your next trip through Iola, KS and stop by the factory and let them go through your towbar. It's pretty much free.
They replaced all the old Allen head bolts with new grade 8 hex head bolts and greased it all up.
Didn't charge me anything and I'm not even the original owner.

MSHappyCampers · 08-26-2021, 11:36 AM

I suspect that may be the reason they came out with the Hercules steel towbars! I bought the ReadyBrute Elite towbars in 2012 and haven't noticed any significant wear, although we haven't put as many miles on them as some of you guys!

Bikinjim · 08-26-2021, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

I tow a 2017 JKU and I've had a Ready Brute (aluminum) tow bar for about 5+ years. I love the tow bar/brake system nd maintain it regularly with grease where appropriate and bolt checks.

However, it just seems to get more and more "loose" as time goes by. Is this normal and do they simply wear out at some point? It seems that all the bolt holes are wallowing out a little and the totality of all the connections is resulting in a seemingly shaky system.

I used a $150 Roadmaster tow bar on my TJ for about 15 years with to noticeable wear at all.

I wonder if their steel version would hold up better.

I would recommend that you not let the tow bar get too loose as it can affect your brake sling cable adjustment significantly. My RBE got really loose as you are describing and I found that the looseness of the tow bar will allow the car to move forward or backward during towing. If you happen to adjust the cable with the car all the way forward it may become too tight when the car moves back under acceleration or pulling uphill. I shipped it back to NSA and they went through it and tightened it up and found and replaced the failed spring/shock assembly under the lifetime warranty. Most people love the RBE but they do experience wear and may need maintenance/repair from time to time.

F4Gary · 08-26-2021, 12:41 PM

I've always wondered, how in the heck to you guys ship this big heavy thing to NSA? How much does this even cost?

twojayhawks · 08-26-2021, 01:22 PM

If you saved your original packaging it's pretty easy to send it back. I used my last ReadyBrake for almost 14 years & sent that one back twice. UPS wasn't that much plus they eat the return freight.