Ready Brute Elite problem

[halfprice-THOR]

This is a FYI for those with the rbe braking/tow bar system. It's a great system I like it a lot

It comes with an led light that plugs into the tow bar. The light is run under the mh and up to the dash. So when you apply the brakes the like comes on telling you the brake system on the tow bar is activating

The problems is it doesn't tell you when the toad is braking

I never liked that and during the install I run a wire from the jeeps brake lights through the umbilical cord then to the dash

Whenever the jeeps brakes are applied the led light goes on

This way I can tell if the brake get stuck or if they are not working when they should

Did a quick two day trip. Just got home this afternoon

When I left the house the led light was not coming on. I stopped to check and found the cable leading to the brake pedal brake. It broke at the pedal. The stock set up would never had caught this

After getting to our campsite I drove to home depot and bought a new cable

3/32 stainless steel cable non coated. The cable needs to be crimed into place around a horse collar fitting. This store did have a crimper for sale. I had the store clerk who was helping me crimp the cable with the stores crimper

New cable and crimps cost less than $5. Rbe wants $20+$10 shipping for 1

After getting home I went to my local home depot and bought enough cable to make 2 more just in case it breaks again

Also there is another cable on the tow bar that connects to the cable on the jeep. This cable is 3/32 coated cable. I have a crimper at home so no need to buy one

I'll make 2 sets of each so I can change anytime if it should break again

Total cost for 2 sets of each cables was $25

Jerry

 

[EA37TS]

I use a Roadmaster Universal Brake Monitor. Tells me when the JGC’s brakes are applied.

https://www.roadmasterinc.com/products/braking/universal_brake_monitor.php

 

[paulwadley]

Hi Jerry

Good thing you caught it before there was a major problem.


Paul

 

[Tom N3EQF]

I have the same tow system but have my braking LED indicator wired to a separate external switch that monitors the toad's actual brake pedal movement.
When the brake pedal moves toward the floor the switch activates the LED. The power to the LED comes from the RV and the brake arm switch applies the ground connection when activated.

You mentioned wiring your LED to the toad's brake lights, but aren't your brake lights just triggered directly from the RV's brake lights? That's the way my system is setup so that's why I ask.

 

[halfprice-THOR]

I have the same tow system but have my braking LED indicator wired to a separate external switch that monitors the toad's actual brake pedal movement.

When the brake pedal moves toward the floor the switch activates the LED. The power to the LED comes from the RV and the brake arm switch applies the ground connection when activated.



You mentioned wiring your LED to the toad's brake lights, but aren't your brake lights just triggered directly from the RV's brake lights? That's the way my system is setup so that's why I ask.

No. The way I wired it the led light only comes on when the jeeps brake pedal is applied

 

[Mousemate]

I had the ferrule give way years ago but the failure occurred during hard stop (brake lockup) ...I decided to use Swageless fittings.
https://www.google.com/search?q=swe...5i13i30l6.16612j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
also added in a adjustable stainless connector...
https://www.e-rigging.com/three-six...MIsZT_gO6y8AIVVsvICh29JAx9EAQYAiABEgLrp_D_BwE
I also had a failure occur at the pedal due to continuous use.
I decided to make the cable detachable from the pedal.
I have twol wires to the back of the rv to allow me to monitor when the brakes on the toad are applied and also the ready brake is applying