Flat Tow Vehicle Equipment Recommendations

When you buy RV related products, you can typically buy Good, Better, Best, with probably the one exception of tow bars and brakes. There are several brands of each and each offers different options. I've yet to find the perfect combination. The best you can do is assemble a system that best fits your needs.

That means, you need to take several things into consideration. Will you do your own install, how big/heavy is the toad. What type of motor home do you have. What is your budget. Probably one of the best deals in both price and simplicity is the NSA ReadyBrake. It will work well the coach you're buying and the size of your towed. I own a DP and I'm towing a 6000 pound truck. I found the SMI Air Force One is the more appropriate system for my needs.

So.....take all the suggestions with a grain of salt and concentrate on ones that are similar to what you'll be doing.

Our setup for our JK Wrangler and without a steering lock to be concerned with, consists of the READYBRUTE/ELITE, optional READYSTOP breakaway, Demco base plate and a COOLTECH plug in type wiring harness. The above package contains the READYBRAKE surge brake system as well and I for one, would have no other for simplicity and the best bang for the buck. It's also made of aluminum for less handling weight and rated at 8000lb.
For vehicles that need wiring mods in the way of invasive surgery, I would make up a light bar for the hitch receiver and plug into that for my rear lighting. This is easily done by running a wire cable through the frame to the front and wiring it into your umbilical connector. I've helped with doing this for others and using a hitch haul for mounting the lighting as well. Great addition for hauling extra cargo or your bicycles.

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. Much appreciated.

John

Like others have said, everyone has their own opinion. We have used a Roadmaster Falcon 2 towbar, and use RVI Brake for supplemental braking. Highly recommend both. Good luck!

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We have been flat towing our Cherokee Trailhawk for the last year. Alway used Blue Ox tow bars and base plate. Brake Buddy for our braking system. Easily transferred to any vehicle set up to tow.

Have had only one issue you might want to take note:

The Brake Buddy needs to have a good connection to the battery. There is the one wired inside the arm rest I use ( direct connection, not key dependent). Sometimes you can get a battery low indication on the Brake Buddy when initializing it ( cycle through test to pressurize ). Your car battery is not low, the connection wired to the battery isn't that good and there is a direct battery wiring kit available from Brake Buddy -

http://www.brakebuddy.com/Products/Accessories/12-Volt-Battery-Direct-Kit

Other than that we've had no issues when towing our Trailhawk.

With a vehicle that heavy I would go with a steel tow bar over Al for the added wt capacity. I would look closely at the Ready Brute system due to its simplicity.

We have been happy with our Blue Ox tow bar. We purchased the shield with it that stops the toad from being hit with anything the coach kicks up. We use a Brake Buddy that we can move between the two vehicles we can tow.

We've been very satisfied with our ReadyBrute Elite combined tow bar/brake system from NSA RV Products. We use it with a Blue Ox base plate and a Protect-A-Tow for road debris protection.

Blue Ox. Roadmaster also makes good equipment. Not sure what welding has to do with it. Neither brand requires welding to your tow vehicle.