1st time tow for old Beaver and 5,200 lb Jeep!

[fkloster]

I'm a newbie at towing 4 down. Had a great shop here in Lake Oswego help get me all set up. Using a sterling tow bar and EZ brackets on the TOAD. U.S. Gear Unified tow brake. Universal wiring harnass integrated with brake plug... (slick hook up on front of TOAD) very pleased...

I was nervous in getting the TOAD into neutral but that was pretty clean cut... and i rememberd to release the parking brake! Pulled out of parking lot.... and i really was NERVOUS for a bit.... but beaver camera pointing on jeep clearly showed steering wheel turning nicely with each turn of coach. To my amazment.... the 20 year old caterpillar pulled the portly 5,200 lb jeep with out effort from a stop but you can clearly 'feel' how massive this train is. The whole thing has to weigh in around 38k lbs... maybe 39k! Oh well anyway VERY VERY pleased with control monitor for US Gear unified brake... no set up and no splice on air lines! Thanks for all the help guys!

[go6car]

Glad you had a good experience! Thanks for sharing

[BZam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkloster I'm a newbie at towing 4 down.

Fritz, I know how you feel starting out. I have couple of things I always do.

When I am hooking up I never let anyone watch or talk to me. If they do, like my neighbors, I stop as I don't want to be distracted. After hooking I go around and recheck everything, including that car is in Neutral and parking brake off.

Other thing I always do is pull away and after making a turn I stop and get out and check things over including tow bar, cables and lights.

In 22 years I have seen a few mistakes, like folks driving off with wheels locked and then needing a new set of tires or with parking brake on and needing expensive repairs.

Bob

[fkloster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BZam Fritz, I know how you feel starting out. I have couple of things I always do. When I am hooking up I never let anyone watch or talk to me. If they do, like my neighbors, I stop as I don't want to be distracted. After hooking I go around and recheck everything, including that car is in Neutral and parking brake off. Other thing I always do is pull away and after making a turn I stop and get out and check things over including tow bar, cables and lights. In 22 years I have seen a few mistakes, like folks driving off with wheels locked and then needing a new set of tires or with parking brake on and needing expensive repairs. Bob

Great advise thanks Bob! My DW is on high alert!

[Cat320]

When in doubt...use a check list. I have one laminated for getting the toad ready.

[pamandjerry]

I also am in Lake Oswego. Which shop did you use?

[fkloster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pamandjerry I also am in Lake Oswego. Which shop did you use?

Van Specialties over by Safeway and the old Joes!