How NSA Tow Bars Operate

One of the brands we proudly offer is NSA RV.  In addition to traditional tow bars, the company also produces innovative tow bars like the Ready Brute Elite II (aluminum) or Hercules (steel) that have a built-in surge brake capability.  They also produce a stand-alone surge brake module that you can mount between any tow bar and the motorhome.  

The concept is that when you apply the brakes the motorhome, the force of the towed vehicle against the tow bar causes a lever on the top of the tow bar to move forward.  A cable connected between that lever and, through a conduit running through the engine compartment, the brake pedal.  As the lever moves forward, it pulls on the cable, which in turn applies the brakes in the towed vehicle.

It is a proportional system, meaning the faster you decelerate, the more pressure on the lever, and therefore the more braking force in the towed car or truck.

How to Choose the Right Clevis for an NSA Tow Bar

NSA does not manufacturer any base plates that are vehicle specific, the part of the tow system that connects the tow bar to the vehicle's frame. These are made primarily by the three main manufacturers of dinghy towing products: Blue Ox, Roadmaster and Demco.   Each of these manufacturers has a different connection configuration between the tow bar and the baseplate.

So to connect an NSA tow bar to another manufacture's baseplate, you must purchase the appropriate connectors, called "clevises" to connect your NSA tow bar to the baseplate.  These clevises are made of either steel or aluminum and the metal for the clevis depends on which tow bar you are using, not the base plate.  All base plates are made of steel.

How to Choose the Right Clevis for an NSA Tow Bar

Choose Steel or Aluminum

• Starting in 2020, All NSA aluminum tow bars and steel tow bars require a STEEL clevis: (Ready Brute Elite 2, Ready Brute 2, Hercules, Atlas)
• All NSA legacy (discontinued) Tow Bars 
  • aluminum tow bars require an aluminum clevis: (Ready Brute Elite 1 and Ready Brute 1)
  • If you are using the Ready Brute or Ready Brute Elite, you will need aluminum.
  • If you are using the Ready Brute II or Ready Brute Elite II, you will need steel clevises.

Choose the Correct Configuration to fit your Baseplate

The only difference for base plates is the brand. If it is Blue Ox, choose Blue Ox. If it is Demco Tabless, choose that. 

Here are some images of the various NSA Tow Bar Clevises:

When you have determined which clevis you need to connect your NSA RV Tow Bar to your base plate, give us a call and we will be able to advise you on price and availability.