Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dale and Cindy on April 27, 2015, 10:01:34 pm
-
So today we purchased our "dinghy/toad". Yeah, we are so excited!!!!
Our new Car (dinghy) is a 2011 Hyundai Tucson with manual transmission, that can be towed "four flat" (at least that is what our research tells us).
Now what do we do? How do we get our "new" Tucson "tow ready"?
Do we go to a RV Sales & Service here in St. Louis?
-
I love that SUV. You will have a blast with it. I almost bought one a couple of years ago, but I guess Jeep is just part of my soul after driving them for over 25 years.
I had never towed four down in my life until last year. I spent a lot of time on the various forums learning about towing four down. RV.net forums has a special forum for this very category with a lot of really experienced folks on it. I researched various types and brands of equipment. Usually, I do virtually all the work on rigs myself and enjoy it.
I came to the conclusion that if I bought and installed the towing equipment myself, since I have never towed and had no knowledge other than what I had read and discussed, it would be my first experience doing this. Can I follow instructions? Normally, yes. Do I want to be a first timer then pulling a 4000 pound brand spanking new Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk behind my new PC? I can learn to do that. Will I really trust my installation of all the parts and have high confidence I installed everything exactly correct and will it function to its maximum ability in an emergency situation? No!!
So, I went to a highly recommended local, independent RV service technician shop. Three bays and four guys that two had worked on RVs for over thirty years each. I sat down with the guy that owns the place and told him what I wanted to do and how I would use the toad and all the details. He said "Here is what you need". I said how much. It was about $3500 total out the door. I have an integrated brake system, an easy to use towing bar that releases properly and a good hard wired indicator on the PC dash showing the system working. He went over the system several times with me and my wife and then made us hook it all up while he watched. The hitch equipment he installed is really heavy duty and not the Walmart Reese thickness (which is fine for most things and I have used it for decades). Safety first and last.
I didn't tell my wife, because the Jeep was brand new and her baby, but I dropped by and watched them install part of it. I never could have done it properly. They had the whole front off the Jeep and when they finished you could see not a scratch or problem Number One. They did a perfect job.
I flip a switch under the Jeep dash and my towing brake system comes on. Hook it up and off we go. We both check and double check the "hook up" process before we pull out.
Our first tow trip was from Oklahoma City to the mountains of Northern New Mexico, about 600 miles. Interstate, state roads and winding mountain roads, including a 9000 foot pass. No problems whatsoever.
SO, I write all this recent experience to share my conclusions: get good equipment. This is not a place to try to save a few bucks IMO. Have a pro advise you and have a pro install it. Don't allow some Billy Bob at Camping World or somewhere that maybe has a month's experience to take on this job. Safety is just too important to compromise.
Paul
-
Hello Doneworking. . . I can't tell you how much we appreciate your comments and your advice!! There is a RV place here in St. Louis, very close to us, called Byerly RV Center . We are planning a visit to their facility very soon just to talk and get more educated about getting our PC "tow ready". Didn't realize how expensive this job would be though. I'll be checking out that website that you recommended as well.
Again, thanks for your kind reply.
Cindy (of Dale & Cindy)
P.S. We are "done working" too! :)(:
-
Dale and Cindy,
Here is a link from etrailer.com that gives a good explanation about many of the decisions you need to make to get your vehicle ready for towing http://www.etrailer.com/faq-towing-a-vehicle-overview.aspx#towbar
Then as Paul mentioned you can decide to do it yourself or have it professionally installed. I would shop around and decide if you want to buy some of the piece parts yourself or buy everything as a package deal.
Sue
-
Dale and Cindy: First and foremost, congrats on your two new purchases! I agree with Doneworking 150%. Like Doneworking I like to tackle a lot of vehicle work but ripping into a new vehicle is just to complicated these days since they all use new fasteners, etc. that you must have special tools to not break stuff. The only new approach I have utilized on my new Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk was wireless remote lights. In the past I have always hard wired my toads and trust me over the years there is always corrosion and the lights begin to cause problems and todays cars have such a complicated electronic syatem I chose to not cut into the system at all. The wireless light unit just sits on top of the Jeep vie magnets (I placed some Diamond Shield film on the roof so no scratching) and you plug the remote transmitter into the plug on the PC and away you go. You get about 10 hours of constant use out of the AA batteries. yes, it is one more thing to set up but it honestly takes seconds and I just leave them on the vehicle when I am traveling. I would use either Roadmaster of Blue Ox towing equipment, both company's offer great customer support. Good luck.
-
We just purchased a new new car for a toad as well. One question I have is there seems to be debate over which base plate is better. Not so much on durability etc but on ease of hook up and appearance when not connected. Can any of you give you opinions on road master vs blue OX regarding those points. Ease of install is not relevant as I'm not going to do the install myself being I'm not keen on tearing this car down that far for the install.
-
Done working. I agree on finding someone with good experience to do the work. Where I'm finding difficulty is locating a shop with that experience. Out here I'm finding shops that have been around for years but many times their mechanics have not. It's a great find when you come across a shop as you did. I hope I can find similar.
-
at least on my Liberty and now Cherokee the Roadmaster base plate was great and the mounts on the toad were totally hidden when the base plate was off. the new Roadmaster set up is a twist lock and does not use pins at al anymore so very easy. I have never used Blue Ox but know it is great stuff and I am sure they use basically the same twist lock set up. Not sure you can go wrong with either.
-
ragoodsp - what brand of wireless lights do you have? Found a number on line with mixed reviews, I am currently having issues which I think might be corrison/shorting related. Wireless might be the best long term fix.
We have all Blue Ox and are pretty much happy with them and their support which we have used several times. If considering a portable braking system I advise a through look at on line reviews.
Bob
-
I hated towing and downsizing to a 2400 don't plan on it. Hoping we can find parking for the PC wherever we go. Has anyone else given up towing and feel they made the right decision?
If you must tow, wouldn't consider the older Roadmaster base plate with its heavy brackets and crossbar.
-
Done working, what brand or type of braking did you go with? I ask but I'm going to guess,, invisi brake?
-
I purchased the Blazer wireless light set up, they were like $120.00. If I was to do it again I think I would spend a little more and get a more durable unit. I spoke to a couple wrecker companies that use them all the time when towing trucks and they have had no problems. Time will tell but I just could not cut into my new Jeep wiring.
-
Ragoodsp- thank you.
-
Randal, I'm curious, why did you hate towing?
-
Joseph and all,
Here is my equipment (I think the models are correct. All the manuals/receipts are in the PC in storage, but I am sure this right.
https://smibrake.com/towed-vehicle-braking-systems/stay-in-play-duo.php brake
http://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bars/Roadmaster/RM-520.html tow bar Falcon 2
http://roadmasterinc.com/products/brackets/bracket_type.html#ez E5 base plates. No crossbar needed on mine. My plates just replaced the factory tow hooks that were in the same place.
I couldn't be happier with this combo. By the way, the guy that installed it called me while I was going down the interstate towards New Mexico to ask how it was doing and if I had any questions. Talk about service! Gave me his cell and told me to call him anytime if I had a question or problem, weekends or evenings included. You can afford to pay a little more to a guy like that and call it insurance.
Paul
-
DONEWORKING..... dang it my guess was wrong and I was hoping I'd win something. (WH) I hadn't looked at the brake system you have. I have been considering the road master invisibrake. My toad only weighs 1800 lbs however that doesn't change the cost of the braking system.
-
Joseph, you can't win 'em all!! roflol roflol
Actually, the Invisibrake is very appealing. I took a close look at it and just decided to go to this route. Our Cherokee Trailhawk is off road rated and weighs over 4000 pounds. We pop down the back seat and fill that baby with gear because we boondock in National Forest Campgrounds for weeks at a time. So, we are pulling quite a bit of weight for a 5000 pound hitch and want the most margins of safety we can get in our equipment. How and where you use your rig and toad has a great deal to do with these decisions. We climb up and down a lot of 10,000+ foot passes ever year and I need all the help I can get.
Paul
-
Joseph, hated the hookup and driving. Should've had quick connect of lightweight parts, no crossbar, and integral cables and wiring. But still the wife had stophereitus, always wanting to turn around no matter the road and park no matter the lack of space.
BTW, which 1800# vehicle is your toad?
-
Here is the equipment we use for towing our 2013 Honda CR-V with our 2014 2552 PC:
Roadmaster Invisibrake part number 8700 and
Roadmaster All Terrain Non-binding tow bar.
We find these to be very easy to use because there are no braking components to move in and out before or after each trip.
The tow bar is light enough for one person to easily hook up and/or disconnect (much easier than our previous Roadmaster unit that always took both of us "seniors" to manage together). The base plate is barely visible when to tow bar is removed.
We purchased these at Camping World in San Martin, CA and had them do the installation. That very complicated process was done perfectly and we're very happy with the results.
We do plan to add the Roadmaster "Fusemaster" switch to avoid the possibility of discharging the toad's battery while hauling on a long trip.
Bruce and Sharon
-
Randall....We bought a 2014 Bo-Concept smart car that was a dealer demo. Weighs very little, incredible room and perfect for our use. I do understand the stophereitus, goes with being married.
-
Done working.. not sure which brake system I will go with, I imagine which ever I can get the best deal on, their both highly rated.
We don't carry lots of gear. Maria and I have traveled for weeks on a motorcycle carrying only what the saddle bags allowed. I spent years being sent to places around the world with all my gear in a small duffle bag told to do the job and don't leave a mess behind. One learns to travel with less.
-
I want to thank you all for your comments that were extremely helpful to us; and, I also wanted to update you as to what we decided to go with regarding our towing options for our 2011 Hyundai Tucson, manual transmission dinghy.
We visited Byerly RV Center today and we talked to Bill Dougherty, who was very knowledgeable and very helpful about our towing needs. He explained everything to us about the products that they offer. They offered two products, Blue Ox and Demco.
Here is what we decided to go with:
Blue Ox Tow Bar Alpha and Removable Baseplate - BX2329 Baseplate
Blue Ox Patriot Brake System with Breakaway and Alert
We will take our Tucson in next Thursday to get it ready to tow.
Did I mention that we are going to Alaska for a 61 day tour with Adventure Caravans in July? Holy cow. . . . we are just trying to get ready for this Alaska adventure, and if any of you have suggestions or comments regarding our trip to Alaska, don't hesitate to tell us about your experiences.
Again, thanks to all of you for your comments and advice.
Cindy
-
The most important thing I can think of right now is a good quality 12-volt air compressor.
Others will make recommendations and all will be good.
But, if I could take only 1 thing, it would be the compressor.
Second to that, if you know anything about electrics, a VOM, terminals & terminal crimpers, wire, stripper, wire cutter and fuses.
-
Hi Bob Mahon - yes, we have a good air compressor that is always with us to keep the tire pressure where it should be. All the other things you mentioned regarding electronics like VOM, terminal crimpers, wire, stripper, wire cutter . . . . I'm afraid I don't understand, but that is my limitation. Thank you so much for your recommendations!!
-
Flat tire with a compressor won't do much unless you can stop the leak. For tubeless tires Look into a safety seal kit. I have one and have used it on motorcycle tires to large off road jeep tires. My preference is calling triple A. But that's not always possible.
-
Enjoy your Adventure Caravans trip. We’ve been on several and always had a great experience. Going on their Chicago trip this fall and the American Music Trail next year.
-
I have used the portable Break Buddy set up on several toads with zero issues. The new Cherokee has a very thick pedal shaft that the BB clamp will not fit over. I contacted BB and they sent me and adapter that actually attaches to the pedal; I do not find it a good set up at all. The leather seats in the Cherokee and the angle of the front portion of the seat does not lent itself to good contact with the BB and the BB has a tendency to slip/flop around a lot. I would endorse 100% going with a unit that is under the seat or a set up that is far more secure compared to the BB portable unit. That is only if you were going to use it on a new Jeep Cherokee, other nits may work great but be careful with slippery leather. Thanks.