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This sleek tow bar can handle your large vehicle, no problem. Heavy-duty but not heavy: arms support their weight while you hook up and swing easily to either side for storage. Integrated safety cables keep your setup organized. Built-in rise/drop.
Features:
Specs:
Note: If you add a hitch extender to your setup, you may need safety cable extensions (sold separately) to reach your tow vehicle's hitch.
If you already have a Roadmaster Crossbar-Style base plate or are planning on getting one, this kit includes the needed brackets to make this tow bar compatible. This crossbar will replace the one on your base plate so the tow bar can connect. All the hardware is included.
The etrailer XHD has a lot of smart features that give you the flexibility to hook up your toad (towed vehicle) to your RV, without the need for your vehicle to be perfectly level or in the exact right spot.
First of all, the arms are self-supporting, meaning that they hold themselves up without your help and won't fall to the ground when you let them go. They also move independently of each other, so you can focus on getting just one arm connected at a time. You'll never be stuck wrestling with a heavy tow bar.
Just slide the tow bar into your hitch and pin it in place. The telescoping arms will extend, pivot, and tilt to the needed length and angle to reach the tabs on your base plate. You can get hooked up and on with your adventure.
Once the tow bar's connected, slowly pull forward and the self-aligning arms will fully extend and lock into the towing position. Double check that the arms are properly latched and you'll be ready to hit the road!
Important: The arms need to be set up so that the storage rod is on the outside of the arm. Otherwise, the tow bar could be damaged when taking turns.
The XHD's arms are longer than average, giving you an above-average turning radius. You're going to be able to get around obstacles and make sharp turns with no worry of clipping the corner of your RV. Maneuver through gas stations and the campsite no problem.
It's important that your tow bar is as level as possible while you're flat towing, with no more than a 3" difference between where the tow bar sits in the hitch receiver and where the arms meet the base plate. It's fairly common for the hitch on an RV to sit too high in comparison to the toad, making it necessary to buy a high-low adapter.
With etrailer tow bars, the rise/drop is built right in, so it's less likely that you'll need an extra adapter. The head joint is also able to tilt up and down so you can make the tow bar level for your particular setup.
Uneven ground and sharp angles can put the arms of the tow bar in a bind and make them stiff and immoveable. Once you get to your destination, the last thing you need is to spend several minutes wrestling, yanking, and kicking at them to get your car disconnected.
Instead, get out of a bind in one easy step. Simply give the trigger on the arm of the XHD a squeeze to disengage the internal latch. This releases the pent-up pressure so you can unhook and get on with your adventure.
Each trigger release latch is positioned on the side of the tow bar arm. This allows for a comfortable yet firm grip, unlike latches that are positioned on the tops of tow bar arms, which can be difficult to grab. This out-of-the-way placement also creates a clean look for the tow bar.
Two straight, vinyl-coated safety cables are integrated right into this tow bar, keeping them from dragging on the ground and getting damaged. They won't get lost or tangled either; your whole setup will be streamlined and organized.
These cables, required by law, will keep your toad behind your RV if there's ever an accidental disconnect while you're towing. The steel S-hooks on each end of the cables connect to the toad's base plate and the RV's trailer hitch, with spring-loaded latches to ensure that they stay connected.
The etrailer safety cables are rated at 14,000 lbs, regardless of the rating of the tow bar. While it's not necessary to have such a high rating, it's nice to know that in the event of an emergency disconnect, these heavy-duty cables will be more than capable of catching your vehicle. If all else fails, these safety cables won't.
The tow bar also offers a convenient storage rod for securing your coiled electrical cord (sold separately). The rod holds your power cord neatly out of the way and up off the ground.
The etrailer XHD is incredibly easy to store on the back of your RV. Most RV-mounted tow bars require you to lift the heavy arms all the way up; they have to be fully vertical before you can secure them in the stowed position. With etrailer tow bars, all you have to do is raise them an inch or two - which you probably would do anyway while unhooking - and swing the arms to either side. When you lower them down again, the locking pin will automatically slide into the built-in tab. They can store to the left, right, or with one arm each way, however is convenient for you.
At etrailer, we're committed to the products we sell, and to helping our neighbors journey. We don't just sell it; we've installed it, we've wired it, and we've towed with it, so you're getting your answers straight from the experts. Our etrailer technicians perform flat tow installations on a daily basis, so they know all about your tow bar firsthand. For the life of your tow bar, our experienced and knowledgeable staff are available via phone, email, and chat to help you with any questions or concerns.
Flat towing can be a much more convenient way to take your car RVing with you than using a trailer or a tow dolly. It'll save you storage space both at home and at the campsite, and it takes less time and hassle to hook up.
To flat tow your vehicle, there are 5 basic components you're going to need: a tow bar, a base plate kit, a safety cable set, tow bar wiring, and a flat tow braking system.
| For the RV | Between the RV and Towed Car | For the Towed Car |
|---|---|---|
| Hitch | Tow bar | Base plate |
| Wiring plug | Safety cables | Braking system |
| Wiring adapter cord | Wiring kit/diodes |
The custom-fit base plate installs on the frame of your toad so you can connect the car to your RV with a tow bar. Hook up safety cables between the vehicles to ensure that the toad does not separate from the motorhome if the tow bar becomes detached. Tow bar wiring syncs your vehicle's signal lights with your motorhome's tail lights, as required by law in most states. Finally, the flat tow braking system - also required in most states - activates the brakes in the toad when you hit the brakes in the RV, making for smoother, safer braking, and preventing wear on your motorhome.
Average Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (113 Customer Reviews)
This sleek tow bar can handle your large vehicle, no problem. Heavy-duty but not heavy: arms support their weight while you hook up and swing easily to either side for storage. Integrated safety cables keep your setup organized. Built-in rise/drop.etrailer has been just what I need it as a first time tower of a Rv tow car there experience and courtesy of helping someone with no experience has been a huge relief with something so important there help was invaluable all the way through Thank you so much
Very easy to use and handled as well as I expected.
See my review on the hitch. Great syste m.
Very well built.
First, this bar is extremely heavy, which makes transporting and maneuvering cumbersome and difficult. Secondly, I had issues with this unit from the get-go. I did not receive the correct bolts to attach the Roadmaster clevis to the arm ends. The instructions clearly state that a clevis bolt was to be installed with the XHD unit, but it was not in the hardware bag. I had to call customer service (which was so/so, almost like the person didn't believe me) and had the bolts sent to me. I received the bolts but long story short, they were too short. They did not come out of the bottom of the locknut and any attempt to torque them to the point they did protrude, caused the forks of the clevis to bend, which is too much stress on such an important piece. I did not feel it was safe to either have the bolts not protrude, or force them to protrude. Then came the days-long process of trying to rectify the situation. I called customer service and attempted to explain the problem to the rep. She didn't really want to hear my problem and I was quickly rushed off the phone and directed to call Roadmaster for support, which I did. Roadmaster, of course, has nothing to do with this bar, or problem (pictures were sent to RM) and I was directed to call eTrailer back. I spoke to another person and she was a little more helpful. However, during our "conversation," I could hardly get a word in (I was spoken over and interrupted constantly.) I was told that #1.) the first person I talked to had no idea what she was talking about #2.) Demco manufactures these parts, not Roadmaster, #3.) Essentially the correct length bolts don't exist in the parts catalog. At this point I am starting to get upset with my experience and just wanted a tow bar that worked. I was convinced to but a Roadmaster branded tow bar to avoid any more issues (Blackhawk All Terrain) which I found to be strange, I figured the margin on the eTrailer branded products would be higher, but I digress. Since there is no exchange program with eTrailer, I had to purchase the Blackhawk outright. I was given a UPS label to send the XHD back, but I had to wait to receive the Blackhawk to reuse the box, which is not a huge deal, a minor inconvenience at this point. As of today (4/26/24) I am still waiting for a refund on this unit which I was assured it would be on it's way once the tracking number showed that it was picked up by UPS, but this is not the case. In conclusion, the XHD seemed like it would be a decent product if they can get the hardware right (at least for the Roadmaster system) it's just heavier than most tow bars I have had experience with. eTrailer.com customer service can also use some work, I was not happy with the service after the sale I received. Oh, and the final kick in the tail, the Blackhawk does not come with safety cables. If this were my company, I would have thrown those in for the inconvenience, but I was offered nothing for the trouble this has caused, no discount on the Blackhawk, cables or anything. I will do all I can to avoid buying from etrailer again and will direct others to the same.
I'm not sure there could be anything better for the tow bar to do. I love the ease of hooking and unhooking in less then 2 min. and the cable holder for the light hookup cable and air hookup so they can't drag on the ground. The release levers work great for taking the tension off the bars to unhook and the storage of the tow bar on the back of the RV works great. All and All I could be happier
1st tow bar I had to send back, due to chip powder coating. 2nd two bar came a week later Great job etrailer. It was easy to do a return and get a replacement. etrailers whole team was great getting me what I wanted. I replaced a 10-year-old tow bar and wanted to replace it with their new XHD you can tell its LBS is higher than my old tow bar.
The tow bar looks good. However, it was missing the large bolts to hold the blue ox adapters onto the tow bar. The hardware kit was not complete. Also, the instructions on attaching the blue ox adapters were NOT CLEAR at all. I think the bar will be very good once I get the missing parts shipped to me.
The tow package has been working very well and makes hauling my F150 a breeze.
Very rugged tow bar. You will need this cover: Roadmaster Tow Bar Cover
Item # RM-055-3 because the arms don't lock in the short position so they just slide out to the extended lock position when stowed without a cover.
Finally had a chance to use the new tow bar, we traveled 1,800 miles, this was to replace a older Avail Blue Ox). i like the design that it holds the safety cable up off the ground and no coils to mess with, for a lower cost than the rest i seen with at least a 10K rating, this tow bar is easy to work with and due to design and does NOT flop around when connecting it.. there are pros and cons with everything, over all this design is very nice. the bottom bar is lower than the top by design, once i installed this and got it perfect level one arm goes down a inch the other goes up a inch, the big con for me is here is no cover for the shafts as the Avail has, i sure i can find and buy some some where to help protect them, other than that this tow bar is a winner and can pull 10.5K, also the XHD is the same as the name brand just for less cost.. would recommend this to any one who needs and wants a HD tow bar..
Very much like the Etrailer XHD tow bar. Works great.
The pins used to hold the arms bent and needed to be repaced not a cheap buy. Hard to place the arms in the right position to carry behind the RV when noy towing.
We use this tow bar on 6 vehicles that gets used multiple time each month I pull a 3/4 ton Ford , Ez to hook up and well built, we are very happy with this tow bar, I would buy again without thinking twice about it.
Works great and well built. Definitely a good choice for the price
Great product, etrailer stood behind it.
Painted parts have peeled away, and the polished shafts have rusted and corroded superficially.
etrailer has Excellent customer service !!! Bailey went above and beyond to make sure that my order was received when needed.
Light weight and easy to use, no issues at this time.
have not used it yet
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Brooke M.
6/6/2023
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