Community Forums

Think · 06-09-2014, 01:23 PM

I have been an RV'er for many years and have had a class "C" since 2009. Late last year my wife and I purchased a 35K Bounder. We have now decided we want to tow our vehicle with us on trips. Here is my question, there are so many different tow setup a to choose from I am just totally frustrated on making a choice. Would you kind, experienced people please give me some input as to what you think the best tow bars,baseplate, and brake systems are. I am not sure if I would prefer the brake buddy style or the invisibrake style brake system. This will probably be the only tow car we will ever use so it doesn't matter to me about having to move it to a different vehicle.

Thanking you in advance.

Terry
2013 Bounder 35K
2014 Honda CR-V

rtdavew · 06-09-2014, 04:01 PM

We are very happy with our ReadyBrute and ReadyBrake set up. I especially like the ReadyBrake set up. It is the very simple and works great. We tow a SmartForTwo with a Sprinter based LTV.

ChasA · 06-09-2014, 05:11 PM

First thing is to find determine what vehicle you want to tow and that it is towable 4-down. Also tell us what chassis your Bounder is on. I personally do not like surge brakes(ie ready brake). No reason, just an ingrained prejudice. I recommend systems that utilize the car's power brakes and that can be made ready to go by just plugging in a cable or air hose. This would be SMI Air Force One or Stay-N-Play, or M&G system (limited vehicles), Roadmaster Invisibrake, and probably a couple of others

Gary RVRoamer · 06-09-2014, 05:55 PM

First of all, no need to get all twisted up. You will hear a lot of preferences, but they all work reasonable well. Much of the difference is merely convenience, and even some of that is personal opinion on what is easy vs a pain. I like the Blue OX Aventa LX or the Roadmaster All Terrain towbars for their ease of use, but they are also the priciest. There are several good brake units and SMI's Air Force One is excellent. So is the Stay & Play. However, Invisibrake, RVI Brake and Brake Buddy all woprk well too. If you have a diesel coach with air brakes, the M&G is a fine choice and so is the Brakemaster (I've been using that one for 8 years). Don't get all bogged down in the progressive/proportional/whatever debates and don't get overly concerned about somebody's scare story. The internet is full of mole hills masquerading as mountains.

If you are going to install the base plates and/or brake yourself, I suggest you download the install instructions and decide for yourself which you can handle. Any reasonably hand person can do both, given time and the tools. A buddy and some cold beverages also helps!

**NLOVNIT** · 06-09-2014, 06:08 PM

You'll get lots of opinions on this, all depends on the user. We like our Brake Buddy Vantage (has proportional braking) & Roadmaster Falcon 2 towbar system. We got a good price on the system from our RV dealer, so that's what we went with. Does real well with our Jeep.

Lori-

spritz · 06-10-2014, 07:56 AM

KarKaddy SS by Demco love it. Can haul many different vehicles. Check this option also.
Tim

mikeh2obury · 06-11-2014, 04:17 PM

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purchased a stowmaster on the hitchfinder website for 1/2 price and the owner tossed in all the cables and hardware. I purchased and installed the roadmaster removable towplate on sale from Camping world and installed 4 lead run with bulbs that i drilled into my rear light housings. I can use a 4 x6 or 4 x 7 adapter and hook it to any rig. Hookup with light inspection is less than 5 minutes. I considered the towbuddy systems and am glad I decided on the flat tow. No fuses to pull and no drain on my toad battery.

93 Southwind
2001 Saturn SC2 toad

Stealth01 · 06-12-2014, 04:52 PM

We tow a Honda CRV four down (have for the past 12 years). Not saying the best... but rather what's worked well for us...

Tow Bar: Roadmaster Sterling All Terrain with matching Roadmaster base plates.

Braking System: Over the years we've used several... IMO the RVI Brake2 package is hands down the simplest and the best we've used with integrated TPMS! And I believe what both Spartan and Freight Liner state: Do not cut into the chassis air system!!

Okrver · 06-12-2014, 05:00 PM

We use a Blue Ox tow bar and base. Using for 15 years great unit..

Gadget63 · 06-12-2014, 05:19 PM

We bought the ACME EZtow almost 2 years ago to haul our KIA RIO and we are still loving it. The DW and I have it down to a science and can load and secure the toad in just about 10 minutes or less. We find it follows nicely and after almost 10000 miles the tires still look brand new. When at a campsite, it disappears underneath the MH therefore not taking up any additional space. It's light enough to maneuver by hand and quite well made.