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03-21-2018, 02:57 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 287
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Install Pricing Sanity Check
My RV dealer is quoting the following for labor only:
Install Air Force: $1774
Install base plate and tow bar: $1400
Their labor rate is $130/hour so it looks 13.5 hours for the brake system and another 10.5 hour for the base plate and tow bar.
The TOAD is a Jeep Wrangler JL. One of the new models.
My initial reaction was sticker shock. But to be fair I’ve never had this done before. We are moving from a tow dolly so I have no context.
As background, I’m not mechanically inclined so I don’t see doing this myself.
I’d like to hear opinions and recommendations from those of you who have been down this road.
Thanks,
Rod
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03-21-2018, 03:10 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,450
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cyclist922
I’d like to hear opinions and recommendations from those of you who have been down this road.
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I would get another estimate. Let us know your location and someone will give you a referral.
In my area Temecula California, I would suggest Ranch Muffler & Truck Accessories Auto Parts Temecula. All the best.
__________________
George R. - Fulltiming since January '03
2007 Newmar Mountain Aire 3991
2012 Chevy Malibu LT1
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03-21-2018, 03:13 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Foretravel Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Home is Where WE PARK IT...
Posts: 6,007
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DO NOT EVEN Consider using a Campnig World shop....for anything....
__________________
Retired truckdriver,
'02 Foretravel... "This Shack will do"
being pushed by an '06 Scion xB
SKP's of Box Elder, South Dakota
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03-21-2018, 03:23 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 6,393
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In my opinion you are getting ripped off.
__________________
Wayne & Roberta
08 Winnebago Destination 39W Gas UFO Workhorse Chassis......It's really weird being the same age as old people. I thought getting old would take much longer.
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03-21-2018, 03:30 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 532
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I can’t comment too much on the labor since I don’t have the same tow vehicle as you but that does sound a little high on labor. I did install my baseplate and brake light wiring myself on a Jeep Liberty and it may have taken me 10 hours but I had never done it before plus I did it in a gravel driveway and no air tools. Does the labor include time for brake light wiring? If not sounds really high.
I would look for a shop with a lower labor rate that installs hitches, trailers and the like. They are used to dealing with vehicle mods of this type. The baseplate should be pretty straight forward just make sure you find someone that understands the braking system install (safety first).
__________________
2002 American Eagle 40M
ISL400 / Spartan MM
2003 Jeep Liberty/2019 Jeep Trailhawk
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03-21-2018, 03:33 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,342
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I would definitely get another opinion. I had the base for a Jeep but decided to go with an aftermarket bumper instead so never installed it but I did read through the instructions and from that and looking at it guessed no more than 3-4 hours tops to do.
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03-21-2018, 03:33 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 532
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X2, avoid CW.
__________________
2002 American Eagle 40M
ISL400 / Spartan MM
2003 Jeep Liberty/2019 Jeep Trailhawk
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03-21-2018, 03:40 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 6,393
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The complete install (base plate, braking system and lights) on my CRV took 13 hours. Have a friend who just had a complete install (parts and labor) done on his CRV for $3900.
__________________
Wayne & Roberta
08 Winnebago Destination 39W Gas UFO Workhorse Chassis......It's really weird being the same age as old people. I thought getting old would take much longer.
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03-21-2018, 03:57 PM
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#9
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 23,914
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They must be using a blind, one armed man to do the installs. The base plates can be completed by ANY competent person in about three hours. The AF1 is a little more tricky when mounting the unit on the motor home. The first time I installed the newer, more sophisticated AFI unit on the motor home, it took me about three hours. Mounting in the car is about 2-3 hours.
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
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03-21-2018, 04:39 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 287
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Thanks everyone, keep ‘em coming.
We are located in the Columbus Ohio area. But I’d be willing to drive a bit for this install.
—Rod
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03-21-2018, 05:25 PM
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 19,417
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Install Pricing Sanity Check
When I did my first install which was AF1 and Blue Ox Base Plate on a Suburban. Took me about 8-10 hours.
Coach side was more involved with the AF1 as the extra tank and valve needed to be mounted and tapped in to the air system in 2 locations.
Suburban required removal of several body panels to mount base plate, then mounting AF1 components then adding in the wiring for tail lights.
Even with all this work your estimates do seem a little high.
At one time you could get the AF1 installed in Evansville, which is where the SMI/AF1 originated. Also I have seen a company mentioned in northern Indiana that does installs. Someone on here may have that name.
__________________
Steve
2002 Newmar Mountain Aire 4095
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03-21-2018, 06:31 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,283
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Did the entire install in 2 days for $860. $0 cost labor, towbar, aux brake bought off craigslist. Only the baseplate I paid retail for.
__________________
Full Timers.
2015 Fleetwood Discovery 40E on a Freightliner XCS chassis with a Cummins ISL9 pulling 1 and/or 2 motorcycles, '07 Honda Accord OR a 17' Runabout Boat.
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03-23-2018, 07:31 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 22
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Install Pricing Sanity Check
I just had the same work done, except it was on a Wrangler JK Sahara unlimited. I used a local, long established hitch shop that is also a dealer for Demco and the Air Force One. They installed a Demco tabless baseplate, the Air Force One with breakaway, and all ofthe toad light wiring and diodes. They did NOT sell me the tow bar as I was able to secure it on my own at a much better price. I did bring it to them, and they did all the set up on it.
They charged me for 16 hours of install at a rate of $65 per hour. I think your stated costs are very high. My total bill, labor and parts was $3,200 plus state sales tax.
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03-23-2018, 07:38 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,094
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UFO Pilot
In my opinion you are getting ripped off.
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Ditto. I was just quoted by a reliable shop: $1000 labor to install AF1, baseplate and wiring.
__________________
Marc and Jill, Wellington FL
2013 Entegra Anthem 44SL
2018 Lincoln MKX
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