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Topic: RnR and my tow bar (Read 826 times) previous topic - next topic

RnR and my tow bar

Just got off the phone with RnR. As they are an NSA Ready Brute installing dealer. I thought I would offer them the opportunity to make some money setting up my car.

First off. They said the NSA system isn't any good and also said that nobody likes them. And besides, it's 'old school' says RnR.

Seems they want nothing to do with the Ready Brute system. They much prefer to install the AirForce 1 or Invisibrake. They in fact said they would only install my base plate, Break Away and wire the car if I bought a new Ready brute tow bar. But that they think that the other tow bars on the market are better  Wow!

Gee, I wonder if they would use the same tactic if it was a second car being setup.

I'm reminded of this, The wife and I met a young gal that just immigrated from Austria 3 years ago that operates a local bakery. While talking she mentioned one thing that she finds odd about our culture. And that is the premise that NEW tech is ALWAYS better than old when it comes to how to solve a problem that needs solving, Even when the old way works.  And you know what. This was a prime example of that from RnR. Their big beef about the NSA system was that it's to 'old school'
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #1 –
Lots of "old school" folks around. 

I did the one on our Wrangler myself, even made all of the base plates.  We took the Cherokee to our local car doctor.  We told him it wasn't a rush job so he worked on it between other jobs over three days.  Put on the Blue Ox base plates, ran all of the brake cables, did all of the lighting and hooked it all up for $250. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
Lots of "old school" folks around. 

I did the one on our Wrangler myself, even made all of the base plates.  We took the Cherokee to our local car doctor.  We told him it wasn't a rush job so he worked on it between other jobs over three days.  Put on the Blue Ox base plates, ran all of the brake cables, did all of the lighting and hooked it all up for $250. 

What got me was the attitude that was on display. And on a product that they are a dealer of!  If they think the NSA is not very good (their words) because it's old school. Perhaps they shouldn't be an NSA dealer.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #3 –
Quote from: bigdog –
Perhaps they shouldn't be an NSA dealer.
Perhaps NSA would appreciate hearing about the dealer's attitude.  Or, they might not care about your treatment, since you didn't buy the tow bar from a "authorized" distributer.  Never know how companies are gonna respond to these situations.  Sometimes depends a lot on who you talk to at the manufacturer, and how much they care about "second hand" users of their products.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #4 –
Could just be a case of Dealer profit:
NSA = $
Invisibrake = $$$$
Air Force 1 = $$$$$
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #5 –
Quote from: JohnFitz –
Could just be a case of Dealer profit:
NSA = $
Invisibrake = $$$$
Air Force 1 = $$$$$

In this case I doubt it. All I told RnR was that I had an NSA tow bar and wanted them (as an NSA dealer installer) to install a blue ox base plate and the NSA brake cable as well as the break away system on my new toad. They refused to install equipment on my toad unless I bought a new tow bar from them.

And what dealer in it's right mind would tell someone that you need to buy the most expensive product they offer or p--s off.

Can you imagine a tire dealer telling a customer that they will not sell you a set of tires if your wheels aren't new and you must purchase new wheels from them?

No matter. If they don't want my money to install those items. I won't force them. There is a local shop that's going to do it. I just wanted and offered an authorized NSA shop the opportunity to do the install.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #6 –
Jerry, could it be a liability issue?
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #7 –
Not sure Richard. But how would it be any different than if a person had owned that tow bar for any length of time then bought a new toad? How would RnR even know the difference? I'm very, very sure that folks who own a tow bar have used them on a new toad.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #8 –
I agree with Chuck a call to NSA might be in order.  I think they would want to know how their recommended installers represent them. 
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #9 –
Could be they are giving their honest opinion.  And it's easy to see the reluctance to install a tow system that includes used components with no service history known.  If part of it should fail there's no doubt they would be on the hot seat. 

I don't see how they would be under any obligation to work on any project or not regardless of the brands they carry.

"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #10 –
Jerry, it is their choice to do the work or not.  Not such a good idea to speak poorly of a good product.  Don't spend too much time fretting about it, there are better things to do with your time.  It is your choice to go somewhere else.  Probably a good idea.  My Auto Doc had never done one of these or the base plates on the Cherokee.  He just figured it out and got it done.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #11 –
When I was a service adviser at RnR, I never heard the 'F' bomb as much as I did,and said I am sorry, for stuff I didn't do in all my life
I'll just leave that right there.
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
Jerry, it is their choice to do the work or not.  Not such a good idea to speak poorly of a good product.  Don't spend too much time fretting about it, there are better things to do with your time.  It is your choice to go somewhere else.  Probably a good idea.  My Auto Doc had never done one of these or the base plates on the Cherokee.  He just figured it out and got it done.

Not going to lose a wink of sleep on this one. My toad is in a local shop as we speak. I was just taken aback by the attitude.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #13 –
Quote from: gracerace –
When I was a service adviser at RnR, I never heard the 'F' bomb as much as I did,and said I am sorry, for stuff I didn't do in all my life
I'll just leave that right there.
Chris

Yet they have done a good job wrenching my coach. Which is another reason I was surprised at what they said. But as Chuck & Roger have said, They are under no obligation to accept my business.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #14 –
I've told clients that a million times. The reason? I refused to accept the liability. Their attitude, though, was b.s. in that they should have explained where they were coming from a little better. It IS odd, though, that they badmouthed a product they were the REPS for. I'd bet, your local wine drinking mechanics will do a perfect job, AND, I'd be telling the powers that be at R&R that, with mouthy, unsatisfied customers (especially with the 'net), the WORD will get around!  ^.^d    Get your butt down here, we're looking forward to finally meeting you guys!  b^.^d  Here is the view  looking at # 13.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #15 –
Used the ready brute with it's brake option on our old toad.  Use same bar with Air Force One on our new one but without the brake option.  Worked well on both.  Keeping the brake option mounted with it disconnected seems to put the toad further back and it tracks within the coaches track.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #16 –
Quote from: mike leary –
I've told clients that a million times. The reason? I refused to accept the liability. Their attitude, though, was b.s. in that they should have explained where they were coming from a little better. It IS odd, though, that they badmouthed a product they were the REPS for. I'd bet, your local wine drinking mechanics will do a perfect job, AND, I'd be telling the powers that be at R&R that, with mouthy, unsatisfied customers (especially with the 'net), the WORD will get around!  ^.^d    Get your butt down here, we're looking forward to finally meeting you guys!  b^.^d  Here is the view  looking at # 13.

I'm itching to get on the road. My Aqua Hot wants a break. Been running it on electric & fuel for a while now to keep everything fluid. Did drain all tanks and pipes. But wasn't fully winterized as we knew we were headed south.
 I'd show you the view here. But you would just get depressed and hang yourself from the nearest Saguaro cactus. Been consistent freezing fog lately. 
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr
 

Re: RnR and my tow bar

Reply #17 –
Fog? Wass that? Here's our friend's view of Puget Sound:
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'