Community Forums

mjoh570029 · 05-25-2013, 07:17 PM

We are taking delivery of our new coach next month. Mostly we will be making short trips, but this summer we are heading on a 2500 mile trip and would like to tow my 2004 Wrangler. LazyDays is quoting me $3000 for the installation, including brakes. Is that the going rate? Anything else I should consider? Thank you!

luvlabs · 05-25-2013, 08:01 PM

What does their quote include? It should have a base plate, wiring of the jeep lights, and a auxillary braking system for the jeep. If thats the case, then $3000 seems like a fair price. I think the only way it could be lower is if you did the installations yourself.

vsheetz · 05-25-2013, 08:58 PM

An alternative to buying a base plate it to install an aftermarket bumper and use the D-ring attachment points to connect the tow bar. I have a used Blue Ox tow-bar and brake buddy via Craigslist - self installed - about $6-700.00 all up.

mjoh570029 · 05-26-2013, 06:56 AM

[QUOTE="mjoh570029;1581039"]Thank you both. The price includes everything, including brakes, plates, etc. I assume the expensive part of the labor deals with the tow vehicle and the brakes? Not sure I could do that myself.

PDR John · 05-26-2013, 07:33 AM

Which braking system are they installing? That will tell you more about the labor involved.

mjoh570029 · 05-26-2013, 08:04 AM

Brake buddy stealth I believe

Mean1255 · 06-18-2013, 10:11 AM

I was thinking about getting the Stealth. How did it perform?

Selah · 06-18-2013, 03:23 PM

Had ours done at Lazy Days and they did an excellent job on our CRV. The braking system they are quoting is probably SMI, either AirForce One or Stay-in-Play Duo depending on what type of coach. If that is the case then the price quoted is reasonable and good. They will also install a charging line for the toad, at least they did for ours.

dieseldug · 06-19-2013, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjoh570029

We are taking delivery of our new coach next month. Mostly we will be making short trips, but this summer we are heading on a 2500 mile trip and would like to tow my 2004 Wrangler. LazyDays is quoting me $3000 for the installation, including brakes. Is that the going rate? Anything else I should consider? Thank you!

I tow a wrangler. It cost abt $900 for the base plate and six way plug installed by dealer. My blue ox aventia receiver was another $750 mail order. I dont have a brake buddy for such a small toad and only 5 or 6000 miles a year but as far as I can tell they cost around a grand for a good one. That's $2650 so $3000 is not a big rip in my opinion.

Roger G · 06-20-2013, 08:08 PM

I just set up my 2012 Wrangler fro 4 down. Rough Country front bumper with D rings used on eBay $310. Roadmaster Towmaster NOS on eBay, $225. Used Brake Buddy system on eBay $235. I made my own attachment points in place of the d rings but a machine shop would probably charge you $75-$100 for what I did. Plus $135 for a light wiring harness. New retail for everything I purchased would be around $2500 plus installation so 3 grand doesn't sound unreasonable to me. I just ordered a 2014 36LA today, I was told 10 weeks for delivery so I should see it early September.

spiti01 · 06-22-2013, 06:49 AM

We've got the Blue Ox tow Equipment installed by Lazydays in February this year, for our 2007 Phaeton with air breaks and a Jeep Liberty as tow car.
Total o was 3.500 USD incl. labour & parts.

Howdy from Germany
Olaf

BEC · 07-15-2013, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjoh570029

We are taking delivery of our new coach next month. Mostly we will be making short trips, but this summer we are heading on a 2500 mile trip and would like to tow my 2004 Wrangler. LazyDays is quoting me $3000 for the installation, including brakes. Is that the going rate? Anything else I should consider? Thank you!

I have 06 open road and wrangler in tow. Blue ox and brake buddy. Had battery cut off s/w installed and direct line to battery for brake buddy connect. Allows me to only run brake buddy on battery since wrangler requires key on during tow. Denver to Tucson saves a lot of battery drain. BEC

spiti01 · 07-16-2013, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldug

I tow a wrangler. It cost abt $900 for the base plate and six way plug installed by dealer. My blue ox aventia receiver was another $750 mail order. I dont have a brake buddy for such a small toad and only 5 or 6000 miles a year but as far as I can tell they cost around a grand for a good one. That's $2650 so $3000 is not a big rip in my opinion.

In several US States you have to use a break system on the toad by law. In Florida at Lazydays we had to sign a paper to tow only by using a legal break system.

I'm sure this is a good idea to follow that rules, for your own safety and for other people, too.

I don't like to think about what happens to you or others, in case of an emergency breaking with a 2 tons non-breaked tow vehicle.

Howdy
Olaf

dieseldug · 07-18-2013, 01:21 PM

In Texas where I live the law is brake assist if toad over 4000 lbs. I've only done about 7000 miles with my rig and no serious mountains but haven't noticed any drop off in braking when stopping 18 tons rather than 16 tons, especially with engine brake. I'm upgrading toads later this year so I'll be connecting my brake buddy then. Just have to make a decision on whether to go with a GMC Sierra or a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I'm making my first trip to Red Bay next week so i'm looking forward to it.