So I'm looking for comments on the following components to mate our FT with a toad. Please focus first on whether these components will work together rather then judging whether these are the best solutions. But, feel free to add alternatives if you can tell me why you think they're better. I'm open to other ideas after I determine if this setup will work.
1. Baseplate - already on vehicle and Blue Ox compatible
2. Blue Ox Ascent Tow Bar - Amazon.com: Blue Ox Ascent Motor Home Mounted (BX4370) Tow Bar: Automotive (https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Ox-Ascent-Mounted-BX4370/dp/B074KK2PWR/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1515174084&sr=8-2&keywords=blue+ox+ascent)
3. Blue Ox Patriot 2 Braking System - Amazon.com: Blue Ox BRK2016 Brake System: Automotive (https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Ox-BRK2016-Brake-System/dp/B01LYA4FEV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1515174128&sr=8-1&keywords=blue+ox+patriot+2+braking+system)
4. Hopkins 56200 Plug-In Simple Towed Vehicle Wiring Kit - Amazon.com: Hopkins 56200 Plug-In Simple Towed Vehicle Wiring Kit: Automotive (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009SIO9ZW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1)
5. Blue Ox Coiled Cable - Amazon.com: Blue Ox BX88206 Coiled Cable with Female Receptor: Automotive (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UC8LZW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1)
So I guess I'm asking two questions:
First - Are these pieces compatible with our FT. Blue Ox Ascent is rated at 7500 lbs and our Toad GVWR is 5420 lbs. The only "connection" I can see that I can question myself is the whether the coiled cable in #5 will mate with the wiring termination on our FT 2" receiver.
Second - I haven't decided on the best solution to provide charging of the Toad battery from the FT. What are the options and pros and cons.
Thanks
Randy
Randy,
I've used this setup on four towed vehicles. Wranglers are very easy to set up. No brake stuff to put in or take out. it has built in proportional brakes. We have Blue OX base plates now, hooks right up to the Brute. Connect and disconnect in five minutes or less.
Ready Brake and Ready Brute Home (http://www.readybrake.com/)
With a 7 blade cable you have an extra line for 12 volts from the coach to the tow. I have never needed it. plus big plugs are more durable.
Amazon.com: Hopkins 20146 8' 7 RV Blade Molded Trailer Cable: Automotive (https://amazon.com/gp/product/B0007LL0CO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Put a plug end on each end of the cable and a socket on the coach and toad.
Lots of ways to do this, I am a big fan of simple.
I run a12V charge cable from my FT to the toad thru thru the 7 wire connection. I would research the braking system more. I am not a fan of hooking up to the pedal with a system like this. I use an older Roadmaster Brake Master System since they are extremely reliable (I've used this on 3 different toads). If buying new, starting over, I would go with their InvisiBrake or something similar.
Roadmaster Inc. - Tow Bars, Braking Systems & RV Accessories (http://www.roadmasterinc.com/products/braking/sys_for_me.html)
If you already have all those components, give it a try.
I use the Air Force One braking system on my Acura with a Sterling tow bar. Happy with the setup.
As for keeping the battery charged, I have no problem as long as I make sure everything is shut off in the car (the key needs to be in the acc position). Black screen on the navigation, auto headlights off, auto wipers off, auto AC off. For when I forget (not so often lately), I carry a spare car battery and jumper cables in the coach. The battery is kept the coach battery bay, connected to the coach house batteries via the jumper cables when in need of charge.
5400lbs. what are you towing?
That was about the weight of my grand Cherokee or mist full sized suvs like Tahoe's too.
Not a fan, AT ALL, of any of the "box with arm" type of tow brakes. First, now you have another "thing" to store. Second, too many things can go wrong with them and cause problems with your toad. You are relying on the driver's seat to hold the box and that things won't shift when traveling. They required 12V power from your toad... Murphy's law....
Personally, on an air brake coach, we would go M&G if it's not too challenging to install on the toad or SMI's AirForce 1 otherwise. If you don't want to modify the toad much, the ReadyBrake/ReadyBrute system would be our next choice.
Do take a look at the Demco Dominator tow bar. Looks like a really nice unit and will likely be our next tow bar. They do have a Blue Ox adapter kit for the towbar to baseplate. We currently have a Blue Ox Aventa LX that we've completely rebuilt, including a new ball shank and if we hadn't gone to that expense, we would have already bought the Dominator.
I don't recall the specifics, but when we had our tow equipment installed on each CR-V, the shops doing the work added a fused 12V charge line through the 6-pin electrical connection between coach and toad.
So I assume the Jeep checked out Randy?
Randy,
I addition to the comments above, one item you may need is a Roadmaster 88400 Brake-Lite Relay Kit. Don't know about the 2008, but on our 2012 Wrangler it was needed to keep the coach's brake lights from overriding the Jeep's turn signals. Without the kit here's what happens with the toad connected:
--when the turn signals in the coach are used without brakes, everything is fine. The turn signals on the coach and the Jeep flash together.
-- when the turn signals in the coach are used WITH brakes, not so good. The turn signals on the coach flash but the Jeep shows only brake lights -- no turn indicator.
The kit fixes that.
Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles Roadmaster Tow Bar... (http://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bar-Braking-Systems/Roadmaster/RM-88400.html)
Amazon.com: Roadmaster 88400 Brake-Lite Relay Kit: Automotive (http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VASGIO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp7JvPir9Ew&t=332s
Use snap hooks on your safety chains/cables and make everything as quick disconnect as possible in case the coach or more likely, the toad catches fire. Quite a few toads have had flat tires that caught fire and then spread to the coach. The big motorhome fire I posted the video on had a BMW with quick disconnects so the owner was able to back away.
Pierce
Still in the early investigating stages but did a quick check with the coach parked on somewhat unlevel ground, but at travel height, and center of 2" receiver is about 15" from ground level. May try and move the coach to level ground tomorrow and measure again but thought I'd check to see if any of you are in a place you can measure your coach at travel height to see how close my 15" measurement might be.
Then measuring the Jeep from ground to the bumper mounting location where the tow bar would attach was 23". This would require an 8" receiver adapter to level.
I have insurance for that. Being based in California, everything is padlocked.
I live in California too. I unlock everything before heading out. I too have insurance but some folks don't. I can't imagine anyone with a toad that catches fire because of a flat tire not wanting to unhook if possible. I had a flat on a toad that no passing car told me about until a trucker finally did. The pavement had eaten through both the tire and the aluminum wheel down to the hub. Bill C had the same experience with his PU truck toad.
I've spent a lot of time getting the coach where I want it and not about to lose it because I can't unhook the toad in a minute or so.
Pierce
Can you repost video link?
Here it is. As a retired firefighter, I've seen small fires grow until they envelope the structure or RV. In this case, it was probably a transmission hose failure that started the fire. In another case, the toad tire caught fire but the owner was unable to disconnect, possibly because the wind was blowing the smoke and fire toward the coach. Below is the video I took with an iPhone.
A little preparation can prevent days or months of stress dealing with an insurance company.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX6sJ91fK-U
Newspaper article and video on above fire: RV fire on Highway 20 in Penn Valley snarls traffic (VIDEO) | TheUnion.com (https://www.theunion.com/news/rv-fire-on-highway-20-in-penn-valley-snarls-traffic/)
Pierce
The final chapter.
We finally completed the installation of components necessary to tow our 2008, four-door, jeep wrangler. We decided to go with the ready brute elite towbar which includes the integrated surge brake system which operates mechanically and independent of the FT and jeep air and electrical systems. The ready brute indicator light was easy to install on the dash using FT's extra wiring running to the rear of the coach. This gives us an indicator to confirm the toad brake operation from inside the coach.
Because our jeep did not have a steering wheel lock we were fortunate to be able to remove the key during towing operation with the result that no jeep battery discharge occurs.
We installed a separate roadmaster lighting kit which includes a separate bulb in the factory tail light and a electrical line connected to the RV 6 pin plug.
Because the rugged ridge aftermarket bumper mounting points weren't compatible we had mounting plates fabricated to fit the existing frame mounting location on the rugged ridge bumper. Because this placed the mounting points above the FT receiver we added a 4 inch rise to ensure level towing.
Test drive today showed that this set up will be not only easy to hook up and disconnect, but quiet and smooth in operation. Now to get it on the road for our seven month trip starting next month.
Thanks to all for help in working out these details.
Randy
That is one no nonsense bumper, well done! ^.^d
Randy,
I really like your set up for the wrangler with the heavy duty after market bumper with tow brackets used for towing and eliminating the need for a separate base plate. I just recently bought a low mileage '99 cherokee xj 4x4 and plan on doing the same thing. Here's a video using a Blue Ox tow bar and a Rock Hard 4x4 bumper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYymVu1zn7M
Jerry
Maybe, because our coach is 29 years old, the big plug connection, being a bit worn, would sometimes not function properly. The towed lights would not stay on or even function sometimes. I went into the plug receiver and spread the metal contacts a bit. Now, when I push the Blue Ox coiled connector end into the receiver on the coach I get consistent, full contact every time. If your plug goes in real easy it is time to spread the contacts enough that you feel a bit of resistance.
I bought the Ready Brake because I already had a Blue Ox Alliant tow bar. First thing I noticed was that I could "feel" the towed influence the coach (2006 Saturn Vue or our previous towed a '97 Geo Tracker). I experimented with and without the Ready Brake and results were the same. The Ready Brake made it feel like the "tail was wagging the dog". I finally got used to it and don't notice it now, but we do really like the reliable, simple operation of the Ready Brake. Possibly, no--probably-- the tail wagging feel was due to our coach only weighing 22,500#, the narrow wheel base, and the leaf spring suspension.