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Topic: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else (Read 1456 times) previous topic - next topic

Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

To the assembled wise men and sages i submit this Class A newbie question: Is it more wise to use a surge brake system such as Blue Ox Autostop or ready Brute Elite, if so do you have a preference; or is it more wise to tow with a conventional tow bar?

I have a 97 Foretravel U320 11L Cummings tipping the scales at about 31K#. I will be towing an 03 Acura TL weighs @3500#. I prefer something the old lady can hook and unhook so convenience is a pretty big consideration otherwise she aint gonna do it. Also the huge cost savings of a surge brake system is interesting but not absolutely necessary if the surge brake systems had significant disadvantages. So, if you would please share your experiences with the surge brake systems, good and bad.
97 U320
Build 5099
Victoria, Tx

Re: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

Reply #1 –
Air Force one is what I put on. We have powerful retarders and perpoortional air systems is best.  M and G is the other one that is out there. I chose Air Force one since it did not require cutting the firewall.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

Reply #2 –
Air Force One only brakes the toad when the coach brakes are applied. I slow a bunch with retarder and don't need the brakes on the toad wearing out because of that. I think it fits the bill for us.
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

Reply #3 –
Based on a recommendation from a FT forum member, we had the M&G system installed last fall on our 2002 U320 and 2007 GMC 1500. It worked fine on our first two trips. Old Town Motorcoach did the electrical harness work on the GMC while we had the FT in their shop. Not sure if they are authorized by M&G but certainly capable folks. Just make sure you get an authorized and/or experienced person to do the M&G installation. M&G has a list of recommended shops and I think they do installations at their headquarters in Texas. I can't speak to other systems.
alpapadoc

Re: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

Reply #4 –
We have the Readybrute between our 22,000# 36' GV, Blue Ox Advanta tow bar, and our 2006 Saturn Vue. Love the simplicity of installation (I did it myself in one afternoon) and the consistency of operation. Five years now and no malfunctions and no adjustments.
Works just like a surge brake, only hookup is the short cable with easily attached ends, between the actuating lever on the Readybrake and the loop on the Vue. A carbinier on one end and a spring cotter pin on the other end and not dissatisfied at all with the bar but did notice a change in handling until I got used to it. I had gotten used to the feel of towing the Vue without the increased distance between our lightweight coach and the heavy Vue. (previously we had a '97 Geo Tracker) Added the Readybreak and the added distance between vehicles was noticeable. It felt like the tail was wagging the dog until I got used to it. Now? Don't even notice it back there. Braking? Can't feel the weight of the Vue pushing the coach at all. In fact, don't notice any difference braking whether towing or not.
Readybrake was about $450 and well worth the simplicity and durability. I also like the little red light that comes on when the Readybrake is actuated.
Your 31,000# coach would never notice the weight back there like I did with ours.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

Reply #5 –
I have a Blue Ox cable activated surge brake because it makes me legal where ever I go and is simple to connect.
I have a light on the dash of motorhome which is "on" when the brakes on the car are being applied. I use a bunge cord to reduce the brake force applied to the car brake pedal so that using a little retarder on a downhill does not hold the brakes on.

I do not agree about not knowing the car is there, it depends on how sensitive you are about how your motorhome is performing.
My U320 weighs almost 32,000 lbs when fully loaded, and I can feel the difference between my 2600 lbs Suzuki X90 being there or not. It is not a tail wagging the dog thing for me, I just notice that accelerating and climbing hills requires more throttle. I can also notice if I do not have the brake cable attached, takes more brake pressure and longer to stop.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

Reply #6 –
Thanks all for your, as usual informative replies. Also liked the tip for using a bungee to prevent the surge brake from activating on gentle down hills. Im not sure how you would adjust it- find a suitable slope adjust by feel?
97 U320
Build 5099
Victoria, Tx

Re: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

Reply #7 –
I've attached the Readybrake manual I got with our Readybrake
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

Reply #8 –
Hi Michael
We've been using the readybrake elite on our Honda CRV behind our 40ft u270. Tows great, yes you know it's there, but I wouldn't do it any other way. Love the simplicity of their system, adjust it once when installed, hook up & go. Also have the emergency break away brake.
I installed my first one myself on my Tracker.  But had this one installed on the CRV because of time constraints. Wasn't to bad a job on the Tracker.
Hope this helps. Cheers Ric
Previously:'66 VW Bus"Turtle 1";'65 VW Riviera Camper "Turtle 2";
';'91 VW Syncro Camper"Syn";'92 Barth 30' -"The Big Easy"
Currently: 2000 FT U270 40', #5634 -
"Le Bons Temps"; 2003 CRV
Ric & Leslie
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

Re: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

Reply #9 –
Air Force one is my choice. Have had 4 coaches with them and zero failures. For me simple is good,and never having to work on it is better.
Ahall
2018 ih 45

Re: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

Reply #10 –
Hmmm.
Currently do not have a brake system on the toad (Oregon does not require one for under 3k tow) but am seriously looking to "get legal" in other states
'06.5 Scion xB, wt is only 2400 lbs so do not want a system that will lock up the brakes  every time a little braking is done on the coach.
'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel

Re: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

Reply #11 –
Adjusting the bunge cord to reduce the brake pressure when using the retarder is a trial and error procedure. At first I used a spring, then two springs, then an adjustable bunge, set about three times. Worked well for several years, then sold the Suzuki last summer, so will have to do it again with the Supra.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada
 

Re: Autostop vs Ready Brute vs something else

Reply #12 –
Blue Ox tow bar owners read on.

I've been using a NSA Ready Brake with a Blue Ox tow bar since 2011. I like it, it's simple, it's easily portable and less expensive than others. At the time I owned a 26' Class C  and had just purchased a Jeep Liberty with a Blue Ox base plate already installed. A little haggling and PO threw in the Blue Ox tow bar with the Jeep. The Ready Brute is NSA's tow bar only and the Ready Brute Elite is the ready brake and tow bar package

38 thousand miles without a problem. Until October 2016. The problem cost me just under a coach buck. I had to replace pads rotors and rear calipers on the Jeep. At the time I thought of two possible issues. One, the calipers hung up. Both calipers at the same time, unlikely. Then I thought (as others here have inferred) maybe the retarder was causing the toad's brake to apply. But this happened in western Pennsylvania near the OH and NY borders. Not exactly mountainous terrain. I stopped using the Ready Brake until I could determine what had happened.

I searched the NSA web and I see that they are now selling a sleeve called Sling Adapter for Blue Ox tow bars. Blue Ox tow bars have a PIN that is used to secure the bars in a folded position when not in use. This pin according to the NSA web site can cause the brake cable from the Ready Brake to the brake pedal in the toad to hang up. I now think this is what happened to me.

The sleeve fits over the pin and routes the cable above and away from it. When I obtain the sleeve I will continue to use my Ready Brake.

Ed

Ed and Michele
2000 U295  36'  (Build #5600)
8.3 ISC 350HP.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
2001 Lance Truck Camper (Sold)
2001 Lazy Daze (Class C). RK Floor Plan (Sold)