Setting up a TOAD

Get a Roadmaster baseplate and the NSA Ready Brute elite towbar/brake.

4 years ago, we had a Ford Flex rigged to tow. All Blue Ox, w/Air Force One braking system, a charge line, & the car's height required a drop adapter for the receiver. The total bill was $4300, of which $1200+ was shop labor.

In addition to saving the labor, we could've saved by shopping parts online, instead of paying retail to the shop. However, after seeing the disassembly & cutting required for the install, I chose to pay a professional to tear into my wife's brand new car.

The entire job took about 12 hours.

Mspinetta wrote:
I just purchased a 2013 Wrangler to tow behing a class A The local RV dealer quoted me $5,600 to install a base plate tow bar brake system etc . When I look ay the partes needed online it looks like thet are adding close to 2K for labor Looking for advice

I just installed a complete system for our Wrangler total cost for everything including bumpers, etc was about $2300, plus about 2 days of my time. Not really two days, but rolling around on concrete isn't fun. But to save the install $ it was totally worth it.

I just posted over in the Dinghy forum complete write-up, pics and links of what I did; Jeep Wrangler ReadyBrake Elite II Setup

There were youtube videos on how to set up our Grand Cherokee baseplate and Roadmaster with diodes brake light wiring. Assume there are some available for your Jeep. It's really not hard if you're somewhat handy.

FYI Do a lot of searching for equipment etc. Your dealer may not be the best choice and is likely the most expensive. And they may have a vendor do the install.

I've been to my tow bar mfg a number of times since 2004 for replacing the worn nylon parts. And I've watched them do installs, they are very very experienced.

Ready Brake which combines the tow bar and brake is popular and less cost. Add magnetic lights for a super easy installation. Numerous posts on it.

Pros and cons to the different types. I've never regretted my adjustable tow bar for hookup. Installing are removing the big box brake got old after a few years so I switched to a permanent brake in the CRV about 2006. The used jeep came equipped for towing. GD has the CRV for college and it's still ready to be towed. I've always had wiring for the lights so just plug in the cord.

Note: Some toads require a charge line, some don't. Base plate installation access can be involved depending upon the vehicle. Access for wiring may be easy or not so much.

If the hourly labor charge in NJ is roughly $150 an hour, I can't imagine it would take 13 hours to complete the project.

Look at Y-Guy’s post.

If a kid can install it, so can I. As simple as that.