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Topic: Help me out here, friends ...  (Read 756 times) previous topic - next topic

Help me out here, friends ...

Not too long ago there was a conversation about a braking system for tow vehicles that is simpler, mounts on the tow bar or receiver hitch and is incremental.  We need one for our Saturn Vue ... the last piece of the set-up.  i have searched to the best of my abiity, and cannot find the thread that contains the name. 

Does anyone remember or know what I am talking about?      Stumped.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #1 –
Was it the " Ready Brute Elite?
ReadyBrute™ Elite RV Tow Bar

Just a guess.. I bought this one and need to install now but about as simple as it gets

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #3 –
Ready brake as others have posted.  I've used one for about 6 years now and they work great.  Simple to install and hookup/disconnect each time.  If you change cars you just need to install another baseplate and a new brake cable.
You can buy them with adapters for BlueOx, Roadmaster, and Demco baseplates.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #4 –
I have read a bunch lately about the ready brake. I do like the ready brake emergency braking system and have and will install in toads. Uses a cable to physically set the tow brake peddle during a emergency breakaway. However the other half of the system that you are asking about are not for me if the use of a retarder or engine braking is to be used. On a long descent while using the retarder the brakes on the ready brake are being applied during the entire duration. This will open the door to overusing and overheating the toad brakes. I want to be able use the service brakes to apply the brakes to the toad only. I do not want unintended brake application during retarder use.. I bet if you contact the Ready Brake manufacturer they will tell you the same thing. No retarder, No engine brake, It's a great system Hard pass for me. IMO
Scott

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #5 –
Quote
On a long descent while using the retarder the brakes on the ready brake are being applied during the entire duration.
This hasn't been my experience. I've used a ReadyBrake on three rigs and three different toads. On each I installed the optional LED tell in the rig's dash. It illuminates when the ReadyBrake is applied. The toad's brakes are not applied in long descents using the retarder.They are applied when I stab the service brake from time to time.

Re ease of installation, drilling the firewall, routing the cable and mounting it through the toad's grille takes some time.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #6 –
That's good to hear they are not being set. The emergency breakaway system is simple to install and reset if required. First hand  install knowledge. Still scared of the use as primary toad brakes. Also was concerned of the additional length of the tow hitch extension to accommodate the brake actuator Mechanism acting as a load multiplier. IMO
Scott

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #7 –
Thank you all!!!  That is exactly what I was looking for!
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #8 –
Quote
Also was concerned of the additional length of the tow hitch extension to accommodate the brake actuator Mechanism acting as a load multiplier.

It certainly does make it longer. 18" longer which is significant. I think the ReadyBrute which combines the brake and tow bar into one unit is probably shorter. I would have bought one of those for sure when I made up this toad if I didn't already have a tow bar.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #9 –
Hi Carol, always ready to help out.

The ready brake system is proportional to the difference in speed between the toad and the coach.  If both are going the same speed there is no toad braking.  If you are using your retarder on a long down hill and maintaining a steady speed there will be very little intermittent braking going on in the toad. And the if the differential in speed is small, very little braking until the toad slows down and then none.

I have had this system or one like it towing Jeeps since the late 1970's.  I have never seen any abnormal brake were or overheating.  We are towing a Jeep Cherokee now, more than 30K miles.  I have our local service guy check the brakes every oil change.  No excess wear at all.

There are mechanical, no need to tap into the coach air lines, no electronics.  Basic, simple, proportional, automatic.  Be sure to connect the toad lights.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #10 –
Carol,

We used a ReadyBrake on our previous CRV and it worked well.  Because the coach had an air operated system we put that on the current CRV.  I still use the ready brute tow bar without the brake connected though.  It is longer with the brake unit fitted and has a side benefit in that it kicks the toad over on turns so it follows the coach better.  Down side is that is pretty heavy.  Try picking one up before buying!

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #11 –
I'll add my Ready Brute/Ready Brake endorsement. I bought mine from Folivier. Not sure what your Saturn's weight is. But our Subaru Crosstrek is a pound or so from the 3,000 lbs line where one is 'required' to have supplemental braking. So I have my brake cable set very loose and the Subaru adds no braking.

The Foretravels service brakes and retarder system have a tremendous amount of stopping power. So it hasn't been an issue for us and the light weight Subaru.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #12 –
Quote from: bigdog –
INot sure what your Saturn's weight is. But our Subaru Crosstrek is a pound or so from the 3,000 lbs line where one is 'required' to have supplemental braking.
Our TOAD is a 04 Saturn Vue, V6, Auto. As I recall, the vehicle weight is around 3200 Lbs. Actually, quite light for a SUV.
Greg & Cathy
2000 U320 4010 DGFE Build #5650
Had: 1999 Tradewinds 7370

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #13 –
Our RAV4 is just under 3000 lbs but not legal for towing without supplemental brakes here in California or in several other states. Here is a map with the weight limits where supplemental braking is required: State and Province Towing Laws

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #14 –
Pierce,

What year and what transmission is your RAV4? Flat towing?
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #15 –
2004 Saturn VUE/Curb weight
3,207 to 3,630 lbs
Image result for 2004 saturn vue weight
Horsepower: 143 to 250 hp
Gross vehicle weight rating: 4,538 to 4,894 lbs
Dimensions: 181″ L x 72″ W x
1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.
 

Re: Help me out here, friends ...

Reply #16 –
Brett,

2005 base model with 5 speed manual. Have to idle the engine for 5 minutes every 300 miles while towing. It's right a 2986 lbs on the data plate. This is the last year for a manual RAV4 in the U.S. Might be possible to get a new/newer one without DOT/EPA in American Samoa as there was a Toyota dealer there so direct shipment back might be a possibility.

The rest of the world gets 6 speed manual RAV4s along with the choice of two turbo diesels. My daughter lives in Brisbane and has a turbo diesel Toyota with manual trans.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)