Community Forums

mc4fun · 04-18-2012, 05:33 AM

Looks like the 99Tahoe will become our Toad.....
3 companies I have found that make the equipment I will need:
Tow bar
Hook Plate
Brake

My question.....If I am average smart.

can the install be performed by me. Or do I need to pay the money to have Dealer do it......??

RinkersRanch · 04-18-2012, 06:39 AM

Look on line at the products you want to use and see if they have down-loadable install instruction. This is what I did and determined I was able to do the install myself on my '01 Jeep Wrangler. I have no experience with the '99 Tahoe, but the install on my Wrangler was relative easy.

donhoward49 · 04-18-2012, 07:30 AM

I thought that I was average smart and somewhat mechanical. I bought the hidden brackets for the tow bar on an 02 Liberty.. Fallowed directions and could not get the front plastic bumper/grill off the car. So I paid a guy to install brackets, braking system and towing lights. I agree with reading directions to decide, but have an "escape plan" Just in case..

mc4fun · 04-18-2012, 07:57 AM

The Brake systemn looks to be easy. It looks like they are all attached to the Pedal in the Tahoe? Sound right.....

mgscott4 · 04-18-2012, 08:20 AM

checkout etrailer.com. They have videos to show you how to install your brackets. They have good prices too.

Qwert66 · 04-18-2012, 08:53 AM

I did it myself with a BlueOx hidden baseplate and BlueOx 4diode wiring kit on a 2002 Chev Trailblazer LTZ. Their online instructions were all that were required. That is where I found the 3" longer stinger (goes into the MH receiver) option for their Aladdin tow bar so thats what I ordered from rvupgrades.com

Great company -drop shipped the stuff from BlueOx (due to the non-standard towbar) and had it in 3 days - free shipping.

Paid a local body shop $20 to remove the grill and front facia while I watched (took 15 min.) which was solved biggest fear/problem. I took the pcs home in the back and reinstalled them with no tools required as they are simply held in place with 2 bolts and misc plastic push pins.

Food for thought.....from an average mechanical type background.
BlueOx rocks and we saved the quoted $1,100 install price.

Martind4 · 04-18-2012, 10:29 AM

I installed the tow brackets and necessary equipment on our 2004 Jeep Grand Cheroke, just followed the instructions with no problems. We've towed it over 60K miles now so I must have done it right.

okmunky · 04-18-2012, 10:38 AM

Demco baselplates come with a photo instruction manual for YOUR vehicle, not generic. I hired help with lifting as I have a bad back and my front wheels had to come off, but he doesn't read English. The Ready Brute Elite towbar also came with good instuctions. RV dealers want $85-$110/ hour to do this work, but if I can do it anybody can!

SarahW · 04-18-2012, 01:51 PM

Personally I'd choose the ReadyBrute Elite towbar with built-in brake. The one concern I see is that the Tahoe may be too heavy for your hitch, as I'm pretty sure it weighs over 5,000 lbs. Be sure to consider the GCWR for your rig.

mc4fun · 04-18-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

Personally I'd choose the ReadyBrute Elite towbar with built-in brake. The one concern I see is that the Tahoe may be too heavy for your hitch, as I'm pretty sure it weighs over 5,000 lbs. Be sure to consider the GCWR for your rig.

Yes, we are addressing that as we speak.... Thanks Sarah.....

Great info from All, thank you for your replies

dashdriver · 04-21-2012, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

Personally I'd choose the ReadyBrute Elite towbar with built-in brake. The one concern I see is that the Tahoe may be too heavy for your hitch, as I'm pretty sure it weighs over 5,000 lbs. Be sure to consider the GCWR for your rig.

x2 on recommending this setup if you can resolve the hitch capacity thing.

mc4fun · 04-21-2012, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dashdriver

x2 on recommending this setup if you can resolve the hitch capacity thing.

Tanks, got the Tahoe down to 4980 on a certified Scale yesterday. Had to remove the spare tire to get it there. The Coach is well below 21K as we have almost nothing in it and will be traveling with tanks only partially full......

777 Driver · 04-21-2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwert66

I did it myself with a BlueOx hidden baseplate

Paid a local body shop $20 to remove the grill and front facia while I watched (took 15 min.) which was solved biggest fear/problem. I took the pcs home in the back and reinstalled them with no tools required as they are simply held in place with 2 bolts and misc plastic push pins.

Food for thought.....from an average mechanical type background.
BlueOx rocks and we saved the quoted $1,100 install price.

Exactly what I did for a 2010 Subaru Outback.

Actually, I looked around and tried to do the necessary disassembly of the bumper and grill. I became concerned that I might damage some of the plastic trim pieces so I went to a local body shop. The owner has a motorhome and completely understood my mission. He popped off the necessary parts and gave me a couple of reassembly hints.

The Blue Ox instructions were great!

Take care,
Stu

mllk3rd · 04-23-2012, 10:13 PM

I installed the base plates and Ready Brute w/ Ready Brake myself, it's not that complicated just use the instructions and take your time. Maybe get a friend to help. Good luck.