Ventana owners, which towing gear did you get and why?

[Bremer Speck]

My wife and I are preparing for retirement and will go full-time in, of all times, in the Northeast, in December. To make things worse, before we head South, we are going to Canada to spend Christmas with family. And then we will turn the wheel and head South. But all that is besides the point.
The point and question is, which brand and model towing gear (and brake?) did you get for your dinghy? We just ordered a Lincoln MKX to be towed wheels down behind our Ventana. Personally, I want the best my $10 can buy and am looking for recommendations. Thank you in advance for all replies! Cheers, Ronald

[deanjeep]

We use Blue Ox tow bar which I've been very happy with. I went with a brake buddy for the toad. The nice thing about the brake buddy is that there's really no installation and it's portable so if you get a new toad you can use it in that one. One recommendation is when you have the base plate for your tow bar installed on the toad, have them run a wire from in your wiring harness that will keep the battery in the toad charged as you pull it.

[Mr_D]

I bought RoadMaster, friend bought Blue Ox. We're both happy although I don't think he tows anymore. I like RoadMaster because they do a full analysis of ALL stresses involved (Finite Elemental Analysis) using the same software that NASA, Boeing, and others use. From an engineering standpoint the extra crossbar on a RoadMaster bracket adds extra strength. Plus RoadMaster is less than 15 miles from home although I've never needed anything but a checkup.

["007"]

Bremer, if your going to be driving over salt roads make sure you lube all your compartment door latches if not you will be having a problem opening your doors once in Florida.
Just washing the under carriage of coach will not get all the salt out.
May want to use battery spray over battery connections, Gen cables, starter wires any wiring 12V that maybe exposed under chassis.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007" Bremer, if your going to be driving over salt roads make sure you lube all your compartment door latches if not you will be having a problem opening your doors once in Florida. Just washing the under carriage of coach will not get all the salt out. May want to use battery spray over battery connections, Gen cables, starter wires any wiring 12V that maybe exposed under chassis.

I went through an lubed mine, THEN they started sticking, before I lubed them they worked fine! I even opened the one bad one up and cleaned and relubed it, still had to release it with a screwdriver, this last trip out it worked fine.......... go figure!!

[GaryKD]

Hi Bremer Speck,
I've used Blue Ox Aventa LX (10K lbs rating) Go to Blue Ox Towbars.com | Towbars | Towbar Accessories | Electrical Wiring | Carriers | Bike Racks | Braking Systems and read about their products.. The auxiliary brake is from USGEAR ( U.S. Gear RV Performance Products ).

With Blue Ox get the 10K lbs rated safety cables. With the USGEAR, Have the tech wire the USGEAR brake through the same umbilical as the toad lights. USGEAR has a feature that charges the toad battery from the coach.

All this means is that there is a mechanical hookup of the tow bar and one cable to connect from the coach to the toad. That is all and that is what I like.

[Davebr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bremer Speck My wife and I are preparing for retirement and will go full-time in, of all times, in the Northeast, in December. To make things worse, before we head South, we are going to Canada to spend Christmas with family. And then we will turn the wheel and head South. But all that is besides the point. The point and question is, which brand and model towing gear (and brake?) did you get for your dinghy? We just ordered a Lincoln MKX to be towed wheels down behind our Ventana. Personally, I want the best my $10 can buy and am looking for recommendations. Thank you in advance for all replies! Cheers, Ronald

Ready Brake is simple and a no brainer to hook up and use. I have a Ventana and thats what i have.

[Davebr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bremer Speck My wife and I are preparing for retirement and will go full-time in, of all times, in the Northeast, in December. To make things worse, before we head South, we are going to Canada to spend Christmas with family. And then we will turn the wheel and head South. But all that is besides the point. The point and question is, which brand and model towing gear (and brake?) did you get for your dinghy? We just ordered a Lincoln MKX to be towed wheels down behind our Ventana. Personally, I want the best my $10 can buy and am looking for recommendations. Thank you in advance for all replies! Cheers, Ronald

Here is a link for you

Readybrake RV Tow Bars and RV Surge Braking Systems for Car Towing - NSA RV Products

[Perry White]

I had a Brake Buddy burn up in my wifes brand new 2010 Explorer. Not pretty. Was last Oct and can still smell it.

[Spikester]

I use a Roadmaster Towmatic All Terrian with an Even Brake. Liked the engineering and manufacturing on the Roadmaster Products. Am very happy with the performance of both products. I also use a Tow Defender rock shield, only drawback is that I have to use reciever extension to keep Tow Defender from dipping onto the exhaust pipe when making sharp right hand turns.

Spike