I have a Blue ox patriot system as well as blue as tow bar and base plate. I had found there customer service to be very good however when I contacted them about the Patriot locking up the brakes during normal braking they went silent. I am out $700.00 for new tires!! and have a brake unit I can not trust. Do not recommend.
WTC.
Kit Carson wrote: Thanks for all of the replies. I have looked at the Ready Brake, but no one in my area installs it.
..How many places have you checked with about installing it? Have they all just flat out said they refuse to install it?
Its a pretty straight-forward installation, any mechanic or RV shop should be able to install it for you, no problem. Several people on here did it themselves. Every RV dealer I've talked to about it (3 different ones) all said they'd be happy to install it for us.
I bet you can find a good mechanic or RV shop that will install it, if you wanted to.
I have to agree 100% with mowermech about the Readybrake. Love the fact that there is ZERO electronics to fail or go haywire on you, nothing to have to put in and out of the towed vehicle. Real simple design, it just simply works. And, it is considerably less expensive than all the others when you get the package that includes the tow bar and everything.
Ours (Readybrake and ReadyBrute tow bar) came yesterday, have an appointment with RV dealer to have it installed next week. Base plates and lube pump went on earlier this week, we're just about ready to go...
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2012 FR Georgetown 351DS on F53 (V10) Chassis Our Rig
I have used the Brake Buddy (BB) for 3 years and am very happy. Installation is measured in seconds - and I have had no significant problems.
I would carefully investigate mechanical devices like the Ready Brake. First of all, they are not simple. You need to physically run a wire through your toad's grill and engine firewall to hook it up. With a BB, you simply place the unit in front of your driver seat, press the AutoStart button, and in a few seconds you are ready to go.
My biggest concern with the Ready Brake: No reliable feedback mechanism telling you that your toad brakes have been triggered. Your toad brakes may have be activated by the Ready Brake cable - but you just do not know. Modern inertial units, like the BB or Patriot, send a wireless signal that tells you the toad brakes are active.
The breakaway switch on the Ready Brake is somewhat questionable. When triggered, it slows the toad only until the safety chains snap or the tow hitch itself disconnects. After that, your toad is freewheeling! I doubt this breakaway system is actually legal in most states - no matter what the manufacturer suggests. When the BB breakaway switch is triggered, your toad brakes remain engaged until the BB is turned off - and you get a dashboard alarm.
To be fair: Ready Brake does offer a 'wired' indicator dash light. You can fish a wire throughout the length of your coach. Once connected, this light will illuminate, telling you the mechanical arm on your hitch has moved forward. It can't tell you when toad brakes are not working (for example, when cable tension has slackened) or when toad brakes have locked up (for example, when cable tension is too high). More importantly: The indicator light does not come on in the event of a total breakaway. There is no alarm. Just a light that says the hitch arm has moved.
----
Happy Ford F-53 Class A Owner (2008 Gulf Stream)
2010 Ford Fusion Toad (with 6 speed manual transmission - the only way to tow)
Brake Buddy Vantage, Blue Ox Aladdin Tow Bar,
TST RV 507 TPMS, Power Master Voltage Controller
I am looking at the Patriot also. I like the ReadyBrake Brute, but I already have a good towbar. Need a baseplate and lighting system. The 2009 Jeep Liberty manual insists that the battery must be disconnected so I plan to run the brake light using an additional bulb in the tail light. I am hoping that I can run an additional wire to provide power for the Patriot.
I looked at the ReadyBrake Supplemental which hooks between the receiver and the tow bar, but I am afraid of the extra 15" that causes. Plus you do have to drill a hole.
jdubya wrote: I am looking at the Patriot also. I like the ReadyBrake Brute, but I already have a good towbar. Need a baseplate and lighting system. The 2009 Jeep Liberty manual insists that the battery must be disconnected so I plan to run the brake light using an additional bulb in the tail light. I am hoping that I can run an additional wire to provide power for the Patriot.
I looked at the ReadyBrake Supplemental which hooks between the receiver and the tow bar, but I am afraid of the extra 15" that causes. Plus you do have to drill a hole.
Just have to get the prices together.
I switched from the Blue Ox Apollo to Ready Brake. Yes there is an additional 10" I believe, but no more box on the floor and no need for power. I prefer the Ready Brake. Not sure what you mean by the need to drill a hole.
Steve,Kathy,Josh & Morpheus the Basenji
2004 40' TSDP Country Coach Inspire DaVinci
350 Cummins, 3000 Allison
2008 Wrangler X Rubicon/Blue OX Tow Bar/Ready Brake
Kit Carson wrote: Thanks for all of the replies. I have looked at the Ready Brake, but no one in my area installs it. I think my decision is made to go with the Patriot system. I am using Blue Ox towbar and base plate already. Thanks again and happy travels....
Just completed our maiden voyage using READYBRAKE. Install couldn't have been simpler and if you're that mechanically declined, then perhaps a friend or a friend's teenage son could help you out. Seriously, as I'm sure someone can drill you a couple of holes and run the cable.
You'll also need to purchase the tow bar adapter for your Blue Ox bars and suggest you talk with Vince at TOW BARS UNLIMITED.
* This post was
edited 07/15/12 05:51pm by tropical36 *
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Model 6350 on a 1997 Chevy P32
Chassis_7.4 Vortec Engine_4L80E Tranny_slide_tag axle.
I have used the Patriot for 2 years now and a couple of thousand miles. It works great in my Jeep Wrangler. No problems with my seat hight. No malfunctions. I picked the Patriot after talking with a Blue Ox rep at my local RV dealer. There is no maintenance for the Patriot. Setup is really quick and simple.
After using the Patriot and Blue Ox system with our Fusion Hybrid for the last month and about 1500 miles all is working as it should. Big trips are ahead. So far I would recommend this set-up.
Have used the Patriot system in our 2001 Honda Accord and towed approx. 12000 miles with no problems. Very simple to install. Just follow the directions each time you place it in the toad.
Currently:
2010 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH Powerglide Chassis
Current Toad: 2012 Honda Fit Sport, M/T Prior:
2004 Arctic Fox 29 5-E 5er
1994 Chev 2500HD, 7.4L, 4.10
1994 Jayco 3250RLR 5er
1990 Chev 2500, 350, 3.73
1992 Terry 27' TT
1991 Terry 19' TT
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