Anybody use a Reese Towbar?

[mikeleblanc413]

They are inexpensive and rated for a 5000 lb load. Any experiences?

[j-d]

^^^ That Roadmaster Tracker at least connects to standard Roadmaster brackets. I have "XL" series which was their standard for years.

The points I'm trying to make are:

1. Most modern vehicles (Versa, other unit bodies) require a base plate, not just a simple connection to a Bumper or Frame (like a Jeep for example)

2. Any towbar from cheap to expensive has to connect safely to the baseplate

3. Unless the RV owner is a welder/fabricator (or has one who will work at little to no expense), cost of adapting steel items not originally designed to work together will approach or exceed the cost of commercial components

[Solo]

Have not used the Reese specifically but have used the comparable Roadmaster Tracker Tow Bar for over 10 years now on various vehicles. Currently am towing a 2005 Jeep TJ that I custom built the baseplate. I have used Roadmaster's baseplates on some vehicles but generally will manufacture my own for those like the TJ. Alignment while connecting is only a minor issue for us when I compare price vs. functionality. In my opinion, the "rigid" tow bar can be a valid option to at least consider.

[jsikora]

Im looking to do this also. I cannot justify a $1000.00 tow bar to tow the Jeep a few times a year. I thought about just throwing it on the car trailer but really don't want to deal with that at the campground. The plan is to install a new aftermarket bumper on the jeep with mounts for the tow bar (plastic bumper is in pieces..but the winch still works). I have the HF model and looked at the Reese. Both look the same. I also have an old one from a friend that is built out of 2" square tube.

[mowermech]

I towed several different Jeeps for many years with one.
On my last Jeep I had a custom front bumper with a hoop above the winch. I could take the safety chains and tie the towbar to that hoop at the right level to just clear the ball, then using the GOAL method (Get Out And Look!) I could hook the towbar to the coach by myself with no trouble. I never encountered a problem unhooking that towbar. I wish I could say that about my current telescoping Roadmaster bar!
It is amazing what one can do with a little creative thinking!

[mikeleblanc413]

THANK Y'ALL! I'm certainly not against spending money, but why if I don't have to! I'm looking for a product that will do the job at the lowest price.

[Bumpyroad]

OOPS, just noticed the section this post was in. I used a blue ox Aventa II towbar. I would recommend one that stays on the back of the motorhome and has levers to release it.
bumpy

[j-d]

Similar to this one from Harbor Fright:



I'd bet on the Reese brand before the HF one, about same price. The problem isn't on the right hand end of the photo, it's on the left. Unless you're bolting it to a Jeep or one of the very few vehicles with a "ladder frame" chassis where the steel bumper mounts right into "frame horns" then you need a base plate. And if you need a base plate, it has to interface to the bar. BlueOx, DEMCO and Roadmaster all have brackets so each can play nice with the others. I don't remember seeing "REESE" or "Haul Master" on any of those lists.

Negative remark on REESE that probably almost certainly applies to HF was cheap bolts. You could likely have to swap out all the fasteners in either brand.

[j-d]

Mike there's not a thing wrong with "Reese" or another fixed A-Frame type bar AS LONG AS the toad end is properly mounted on the toad. Were I taking a several-day trip to a place I'd stay several months, then hitch the toad up and return home, I'd gladly use one. Jeepers love them and many RVers and car transporters use them.

But it's very difficult to hitch to your coach as driver only no helper spotter and the toad has to be positioned "Just So" to get the coupling on or off the ball. It's like hitching to a trailer that you can't juggle side to side or front to back to get the hitch to couple. Telescoping bars allow you to get within a few inches, couple, and then back away to lock the bars into ...an A-Frame.

[Bumpyroad]

I put a Reese hitch on my Highlander and IIRC my WDH is also reese.
bumpy