What Is Needed To Flat Tow A 1987 Toyota Pickup

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Question:

I have a 1987 Toyota pickup 2WD. and interested in the roadmaster tow bar for my truck so I can tow my truck behind my cabover camper. can I use a roadmaster tow bar for this truck and how hard would it be to install and which one do you recommend to get

asked by: John S

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Expert Reply:

To flat tow a vehicle you need 5 basic components and possibly a few other items to conform these 5 items to best fit your specific combination of tow vehicle and vehicle being towed.

1) Tow-Bar 2) Base Plates, that are vehicle specific 3) Safety Cables 4) Wiring Solution, something to tie the two vehicles indicator lights to the vehicle being towed 5) Supplemental Braking

For your 1987 Toyota Pickup we have the Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit, # 1117-1. This will require a tow bar that mates with the older crossbar type baseplates. If you want a coupler type tow bar that mounts to a 2" ball, I suggest the Roadmaster StowMaster, # RM-501. There is also a version for a 2-5/16" ball in part number, # RM-504. My preference and what I suggest, is top use a non-binding type of tow bar with a motorhome mount, the Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar, # RM-522. This will also require the Crossbar Assembly for Roadmaster Motorhome Mounted Tow Bars, # 910021-00.

Safety Cables, the Roadmaster 64" Single Hook, Straight Safety Cables, # RM-645. Cables connect your RV to your towed vehicle and provide extra safety in case the tow bar fails and your towed vehicle becomes disconnected from the RV.

For indicator lights you can use the Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles, # RM-152-98146-7. This complete kit includes everything you need to connect your RV's tail, brake, and turn signal lights to your towed car. Diodes prevent feedback and wire your car to operate as a combined system. Includes a 7-way to 6-way straight adapter cord. Or a removable tail light kit such as the Custer Wireless LED Tow Bar Light - Weatherproof - Magnetic Base, # LIW-LDTL-7B.

For supplemental braking that is now required by law in all states, I recommend the Brake Buddy Select 3 Portable Supplemental Braking System, # HM39524. The Brake Buddy Select 3 is a proportional braking system that applies your towed car's brakes with an intensity that matches your RV's braking action. The built-in inertia sensor detects when and how your rig slows down, and it then engages the actuator arm to press your car's brake pedal with an intensity that matches that slowing action.

Please be sure to review your vehicle specific owners manual for manufacturer's instructions on flat towing your truck. This is generally found listed under "Recreational Towing". I have linked a few help articles and product review videos below for additional information including one on high/low adapters. Once your towed vehicle has the base plates properly installed and ready to make the tow bar connection to the tow vehicle, you will need to ensure the connected tow bar sets at +/- 3" of being level. Excessive tire wear and suspension damage may otherwise occur as the towed vehicle may not properly track.

expert reply by: Michael R

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Answer 1

The Brake Buddy Select 3 Portable Supplemental Braking System part #HM39524 will not allow you to apply the brakes on the towed vehicle separately. Instead like you mentioned it uses a proportional sensor to apply the brakes when the towing vehicle…

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Answer 2

The Excali-bar tow bar is made by Demco and there are some adapters that will allow you to use other manufacturer base plates, such as Roadmaster, with Demco tow bars. What you will first need are the base plates for your 1986 Toyota 4Runner. You can…

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Answer 3

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 4

Hey there Jeff, thanks for the question and I can definitely get you all the parts needed to flat tow your 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 behind your motorhome. I'll go ahead and list everything out for you to make it easy to order. - Base Plate Kit:…

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Answer 5

The first thing you'll need to flat tow your 2015 Chevy Malibu LS is a base plate kit like the Roadmaster part #RM-523178-5 that is a confirmed fit. In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible tow bar, safety cables, lighting,…

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Answer 6

Hello John. The #C96JR tail light kit for the 2023 Jeep Gladiator will indeed work with a Brake Buddy brake System Such as part #HM39524. So, if you plan to use a portable brake system, that is definitely what I recommend, and you do not need to get…

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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

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 9

Hey Dave, The Curt Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles #C96JR would not be intertwined or interfere with the Blue Ox Patriot #BLU37TR. This wire harness is simply plugging into the motorhome and Gladiator tail lights to copy the light…

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Answer 10

You have a good eye Richard, as there is not a difference between the etrailer and Demco base plates that fit your 2024 Ford Maverick: - etrailer Invisible Base Plate Kit e64FV - Demco Tabless Base Plate Kit #DM77YV Both will fit your '24…

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Answer 11

The Blue Ox Patriot Portable Braking System - Proportional #BLU37TR, uses a 12V powered remote that wirelessly connects to the 12V powered braking unit. This wireless remote has an inertia-based sensor in it that can sense the braking of the towing…

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Answer 12

There is one key difference between the Blue Ox Patriot 2 Portable Braking System part BRK2016 and the Blue Ox Patriot 3 Portable Braking System part #BLU37TR. The difference is an extra safety measure built into the Patriot. The Patriot #BLU37TR has…

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What Is Needed To Flat Tow A 1987 Toyota Pickup

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