RV Tow Bar Review: Ready Brute Elite with Ready Brake 

We love how easy it is to set up the tow car - we've seen other people who have to mess with their braking system, etc and we don't have any of that.

Did you add the optional led on the dash?

@@davidrounds3245 yes we did, but only because it was included in the package we purchased. I wouldn't buy it separately as I don't feel it's necessary.

@@steveporter3655 Thanks for the quick response. That is what I was thinking.

You gave up too easily. There IS a lot of pull - but everything is designed to handle it. Your car by regulation, must be able to stop using its brakes if the power assist fails. That's what this system does. It works!

They provide instructions on how to set the cable and once you get it set up, you have someone in the vehicle (or set up your phone to get video) to make sure the brake pedal is being depressed when stopping

LAD What system do you use to accomplish this? How is it working out?

Well you'll have to wait and see whether or not I keep my promise to Kait ;) The Roadtreks we're also very nice and we like what they are doing. I think with the big sliding door on the side and the back two open, you wouldn't feel claustrophobic but you may if its raining and you have to stay in the RV.

Yes, kind of narrow walk thru, I like your Newmar way better! Especially arriving to a site in bad weather!

You're very welcome!

We're the Russos hi just added this tow bar. where can I get the women’s work gloves?

..me too..

Hey Terry - I snaked the brake cable through the engine compartment and then it comes in through the firewall by the brake pedal. The cable gets attached to the brake pedal and then you do the same thing for the ReadyStop break away cable. The rear lights are controlled with the CoolTech wiring harness.

Glad you liked it! Do you carry a spare?

+Dorky Thrifters Fulltime Family you're welcome!

Thank you!

Well I am very mechanically inclined and did everything myself. I found it to be an easy install but a pain to try and route it through the engine bay. The install is very different from vehicle to vehicle so some may be more complicated than our Jeep.

@@Weretherussos Did you install the optional led on the dash?

Well, this tow bar has the auxiliary brake integrated into it so you don't need a separate braking system.

It was this bumper weretherussos.com/rock-hard-4x4-patriot-aluminum-bumper-review/

@@Weretherussos Soooo... we now have the RH 4x4 Aluminum bumper, we went with a winch and some offroad lights etc. ($ burning a hole in my pocket I guess). I'm ready to go onto the Ready Brute website and order the whole enchilada pkg. It asks about a bulb kit or a diode kit??? which do I need for my 2017 JK 2 Door Sport, or...do I need either of those at all?? What did y'all do for the wiring kit to make the brake/turn lights work? Thanks in advance, we know y'all are busy and APPRECIATE your tales from the road too! Trying to get ready to towed for 4-11 April!! Best regards Steve

PS: ALL SUBSCRIBERS TO THE RUSSO's, SHOULD HELP SUPPORT GREAT VIDEOS LIKE THESE (and more), BY FOLLOWING THIS FAMILY ON PATREON...You'll deff be glad you did! 🇺🇸🎉🎊🍻

lol - you and you're sci-fi brain! I hope the tow bar doesn't become self aware if it does, we may need to give Arnold a call ;)

Haha..."It is not a TUMOR"!!

Yes you do. Everything is covered in this article: weretherussos.com/how-to-flat-tow-a-jeep-wrangler/

Absolutely.

Yes, most, if not all the RV's we've seen come with the receiver.

+Marc Benton It is 👍. We wrote a post about it if you want more information weretherussos.com/rock-hard-4x4-patriot-aluminum-bumper-review/

Thanks! How hard was it to install the brake cable (drilling threw the firewall and routing the cable)? I have a 2016 JKU and looking to do the same setup. Also, since you are selling the RV, are you going to be selling the tow bar? :)

Hey there again! :) I feel like an idiot and have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to fix this issue the easiest way (I assume its an issue anyway) and it looks like you could have possibly had the same issue because of where your cable goes into your bumper (not centered). I have a Ready Brute Elite Tow Bar and Blue Ox Base Plate and on the Base Plate, the wiring plugs in the middle so I cannot put the Ready Brake cable directly in the center. So, I drilled a hole maybe 1" to the right and thought that would be ok and hooked it up. I did it that way because I saw that even on NSA's site, they had done it that way on an installation. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Bld8oFxj63o.html The problem is my cable is rubbing the black piece that moves up and down when you hit the brakes and has rubbed some of the coating off the cable so far (and that was with a 10 mile trip). Did you guys have this issue and whats the best way to fix it (without drilling a hole in the middle of the bumper above where the wiring connects)? Here are some pics: i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/ghoticov/20161115_145745_zps07c5no5k.jpg ]i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/ghoticov/20161115_145736_zpszr3dsqf0.jpg i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/ghoticov/20161115_145727_zpszdapuvzh.jpg Thanks! Marc

Hey Marc! We did the same thing and drilled the hole off center. We noticed that the coating had rubbed off right away and freaked out thinking that the cable would get screwed up. Well we called NSA and spoke to them and they said it's not an issue, the coating is more there for looks. Well 15k miles later, the cable is fine - I'd actually suggest taking the tape off you put on there as it might screw something up...just leave the cable bare and you'll be good.

Oh ok, whew! So I guess your cable coating is pretty much gone by now, huh? lol Thanks for the reply, it helps my anxiety. :) I did read where some people put some plastic tubing over the cable so that the cable rides inside the tubing rather than rub on that piece and they said it works well.