Items and Costs to Equip Diesel Pusher Motorhome to Flat Tow an Automobile

Question

Question:

I need to know the typical installation costs and procedures. I have a 36foot Diesel pusher...Safari Sahara and I am looking for a new vehicle to tow behind. such as a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, Honda CRV or Chev Colorado. Looking for an easy installation. I understand purchase price is around $400 but I am concerned about the installation process. Please advise.

asked by: Tom W

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

Safe and legal flat towing requires a few components: the tow bar, safety cables, base plates and a lighting/wiring kit for the toad, and a supplementary braking system to operate the toad's brakes. Each of these items is reviewed in detail in the linked article.

Tow bars are not vehicle-specific but we do suggest using a tow bar and base plate from the same maker to avoid the need for adapters. Base plates are vehicle-specific so you'll need to confirm the year/make/model/version of the new auto in order to select base plates.

For the 2015 Cherokee Trailhawk we offer three options in base plates from Blue Ox and Roadmaster that can be seen using the link at right. Roadmaster offers their EZ5 Base Plate Kit # RM-521446-5 that will work well with their motorhome-mount Falcon 2 Tow Bar # RM-520. For safety cables I suggest # RM-643 which are a coiled design and that are shown in the linked video.

For lighting there are many types of products available, from hard-wire diode kits to easy-to-install magnetic light kits like the Optronics # TLL21RK shown in the linked video.

For a supplementary braking system I suggest the Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Proportional Braking System # RM-9400. I have linked a video showing installation in a Cherokee.

In terms of pricing you can see the cost for each item by clicking on the product links provided.

You'll want to check your potential new vehicle owner's manual to confirm it is approved by the manufacturer for flat towing. If the you're looking at Cherokee has 4 wheel drive or the Active Drive II system, to maintain the vehicle's stable steering while being flat towed you will want to install the Mopar accessory kit 68321424AB, available from your Jeep dealer. This kit will prevent the Cherokee's steering from shaking while being flat towed.

expert reply by: Adam R

1

Answer 1

It sounds like you need to obtain a stop light switch signal from the 2015 Winnebago Forza and then have this sent to the center pin on the 7-way in order for the Smart Brake Supplemental Braking System to work properly. If that is the case then I…

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Answer 2

Your brakes lights should be illuminating when the brake pedal is depressed when using the Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles #RM-88400. When using the relay kit, your vehicle's lights should mimic those of your RV. I would check…

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Answer 3

We've had a few customers that have installed the Roadmaster Universal Stop Light Switch Kit #RM-751000 report back to us that they had to paint the firewall area white so that the sensor could see it. So based on the color of yours and what you…

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Answer 4

Yes, your Jeep Cherokee KL can be flat towed; though you did not mention the year of your Cherokee, the KL started in 2014 and each of the parts I recommend for you will be compatible with 2014-2018 Cherokees. There are a number of parts you're…

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Answer 5

When it comes to choosing between the Blue Ox Patriot #BLU37TR and the Brake Buddy Select 3 #HM39524, these systems are extremely similar in their setup and functionality. Both of these systems provide proportional braking in a compact and easy to…

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Answer 6

Both the Roadmaster and Blue Ox tow bars are great options. But if it was my decision to make I would go with the Blue Ox Avail part #BX7420 as we have found that the Blue Ox tow bars are a little easier to connect and disconnect from. Also this tow…

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Answer 7

Gladly! The difference between the Blue Ox Patriot 3 Radio Frequency, Portable Braking System BRK2019 and the Blue Ox Patriot Radio Frequency, Portable Braking System #BLU37TR is that the Blue Ox Patriot 3 RBRK2019 is older, no longer available, and…

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Answer 8

To determine if your motorhome has the Tiffin air brake setup or Freightliner BrakeSync you'll need to look at the rear and see if there's an quick disconnect fitting for your air line. The standard Tiffin air coupler fitting would look like…

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Answer 9

There are a few differences between the Demco Demco Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System w/ Wireless Coachlink Monitor #DM86VR and the Roadmaster InvisiBrake Supplemental Braking System #RM-8700. The biggest difference between the two is…

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Answer 10

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Answer 11

Hey Michael, The Falcon 5250 has direct-connect attachment points that hook onto a crossbar, if you remove the crossbar adapter then you'll be able to go with a direct-connect baseplate like the #RM77ZR (models with tow hooks) or #RM76RR (models…

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Answer 12

Hello Curtis. You can absolutely use an RV mount tow bar with your 2006 Ford E350 Van. For example, the Blue Ox Avail Non-Binding Tow Bar #BX7420 is compatible with any 2" hitch receiver. This could be on a motorhome, van or pickup truck. As…

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