Vehicle mounted vs Motorhome mounted tow bar

[CPADWJ]

I recently have purchased a Honda Fit to use as a dinghy with my 26' class C motorhome.
The dealer has given me two options for the tow bar. Vehicle mounted and motorhome mounted. The vehicle mounted option is about $200 less expensive than the motorhome mounted.
What are the benefits and disadvantages of each?
This is my first attempt at towing with 4 wheels down. I have previously used a dolly but look forward to this change.

[Horsedoc]

mower < how long for you to hook up with the A frame? same question to unhook?

[Dakzuki]

mowermech wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
Mr Mowermech, I assumed you would be jumping in here to defend the old A frame. 🙂
bumpy

As the saying goes; "It's a rotten job, but SOMEBODY has to do it!"
The fact of the matter is, the old A-frame towbar works exactly the same as the fancy ones which cost 4 times as much! It may not be as "convenient", but it simply works and does not wear out!
You bet, I will defend it, and present it as a viable option, every chance I get!
If I save one person $700, it will be worth it!

I have an A frame bar for my 2000 Tracker. I must be a bad person too.

[j-d]

Only advantage to the Toad-Mounted Bar that I can see is that it works with a Hitch Ball instead of a Receiver. I wanted to be able to tow with a vehicle that had only a regular hitch or step bumper. Did that once. Rest of the time the thing's been a pain in the butt. Coach-Mounted next time! The weight is OK when we leave it on the Nissan Frontier. Too heavy on the front of the Toyota Tercel we used to tow.

[sfischer]

We tow a Honda Fit. The Fit is very small in the front to begin with and I sure wouldn't want any additional hardware hanging off the front when not connected to the MH. Go with a MH attached system.

[CA_Traveler]

mowermech wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
Mr Mowermech, I assumed you would be jumping in here to defend the old A frame. 🙂
bumpy

As the saying goes; "It's a rotten job, but SOMEBODY has to do it!"
The fact of the matter is, the old A-frame towbar works exactly the same as the fancy ones which cost 4 times as much! It may not be as "convenient", but it simply works and does not wear out!
You bet, I will defend it, and present it as a viable option, every chance I get!
If I save one person $700, it will be worth it!

Good point. My Roadmaster tow bars have been rebuilt a number of times. No cost but if I had to ship it to them that would be costly.

Having said that, however, the solid tow bar is not for me.

[CPADWJ]

Well, I chose the motorhome mounted system.
I picked it up Friday and I am really please with the results.

[mowermech]

Bumpyroad wrote:
Mr Mowermech, I assumed you would be jumping in here to defend the old A frame. 🙂
bumpy

As the saying goes; "It's a rotten job, but SOMEBODY has to do it!"
The fact of the matter is, the old A-frame towbar works exactly the same as the fancy ones which cost 4 times as much! It may not be as "convenient", but it simply works and does not wear out!
You bet, I will defend it, and present it as a viable option, every chance I get!
If I save one person $700, it will be worth it!

[Bumpyroad]

Mr Mowermech, I assumed you would be jumping in here to defend the old A frame. 🙂
bumpy

[mowermech]

rockhillmanor wrote:

CPADWJ wrote:
I recently have purchased a Honda Fit to use as a dinghy with my 26' class C motorhome.
The dealer has given me two options for the tow bar. Vehicle mounted and motorhome mounted. The vehicle mounted option is about $200 less expensive than the motorhome mounted.
What are the benefits and disadvantages of each?
This is my first attempt at towing with 4 wheels down. I have previously used a dolly but look forward to this change.

That's kinda old school. No one really uses that type of tow bar anymore that stays with the toad. Way too many options and prices on the newer tow bars that disconnect from the toad and can totally be disconnected from the MH too.

I'd go with the dis-connectable tow bar. And like Bumpy said you can go real inexpensive with the rigid. I've seen many tow that way also.
You are gonna love leaving that dolly behind! :B

"No one really uses that type of tow bar anymore that stays with the toad."
Is that a fact! Y'know, there are always exceptions. ALWAYS!
My towbar is on the front of the Jeep, held in place by the safety chains. It will probably be there all summer. Yes, it is one of the rigid A-frame towbars. It does exactly the same job as the fancy telescoping expensive units, and does it very well. It has been in use on several different vehicles for nearly 20 years, and has never failed nor needed maintenance or repair!
I am very happy with it, and see absolutely no need to spend $800 or more for "convenience".
It is, of course, purely personal preference!

[tenbear]

Mine stays on the motorhome. I can't think of any reason to drive around with all that hardware on the front of the toad.

[Fishinghat]

We've also had both and we also prefer the type that stays on the back of the coach. It's easier (for us) and the toad has a "clean" front when not connected to the coach.

[gotsmart]

The big difference between a hitch-based tow bar and a car-based tow bar is the the smaller cars, for example: my smart car, are balanced so well that an extra 50 lbs (US) or so in front of the front bumper causes suspension/handling issues. The larger vehicles (jeeps, pickups, SUVs) are more than capable of having a car-based tow bar or even a good 'ol A-frame tow bar.

Like the poster above me said: a lot of it is personal preference. I would add to that:
-can the vehicle handle a car-based tow bar?
-cost: a car-based tow bar is less expensive than a hitch-based tow bar

This is my favorite feature of my tow bar - it all comes off when I don't need it:

[Bobbo]

Personally, I don't want the tow bar on the car while I am driving around sightseeing. It is a personal preference.

[robatthelake]

I have both types. A Demco Excalibar and a Roadmaster Stowmaster!

Both work well while towing.
The Demco Looks better while We are disconnected.
The Roadmaster is quicker to Connect and Disconnect.

Get whichever one You prefer!