Community Forums

eestork · 08-12-2017, 09:16 PM

How elaborate hookup for a honda CVR? Trailer supply said most people get the best rig and it is $4-4500. IS THIS TRUE?

Mr_D · 08-12-2017, 09:20 PM

That's about right if you take it to Camping World and pay for everything new and all the labor. You can find a used towbar for $200 - $400 on Craigslist or the for sale section here. Used brackets can be found but they're harder to find as most people leave them on the vehicle.
I bought a '14 CR-V from a friend that was supposidly all set up, but I found so much wrong with the "professional" installation that I redid everything but the actual bracket install. The good thing about it was that I got it last year with only 6030 miles on it, but still ended up having to rebuild the brakes due to the less than stallar install and setup.

rinker5959 · 08-12-2017, 09:26 PM

$4500???? You can have a brand new custom enclosed trailer built for less than that.

Winemaker2 · 08-13-2017, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eestork

How elaborate hookup for a honda CVR? Trailer supply said most people get the best rig and it is $4-4500. IS THIS TRUE?

If you are a DIY type you can save around half of that easily.
Base plates fir Honda $300-$400.
Wiring kit $50
Lots of used tow bars & brake systems out there for $400 ea.
I have my parts and getting ready to do my '14 CRV. It takes some time but it isn't all that hard. Online instruction and videos are available for various yr CRVs.

hydro45640 · 08-13-2017, 06:13 AM

Talk directly with Roadmaster Hitches, They will advise you with everything that you need and ship it to you. 800-669-9690.

dnbgould · 08-13-2017, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydro45640

Talk directly with Roadmaster Hitches, They will advise you with everything that you need and ship it to you. 800-669-9690.

Have to add a "warning" to this suggestion. I called Roadmaster to order tow bracket and hitch for my 2013 Kia Soul. They told me exactly what I needed but the bracket was out of stock and would take 2 weeks to manufacture.
I was fine with that as I'd called several weeks ahead of when I planned to tow. 2 weeks later and no word on my order from Roadmaster I called and was told the bracket wasn't scheduled to be manufactured for another 3 1/2 weeks. By the time it was ready and shipped I would have a couple days to get everything installed.
I cancelled the order and asked them to help me find the parts I needed from one of their distributors. They told me they didn't know what parts their distributors ordered...how is that even possible?!
Spent 5 days calling every distributor within 50mi and finally found one with parts on hand. Got the parts installed only to find I DID NOT have everything I needed even though I bought exactly what Roadmaster was going to sell me direct!
I'm less than impressed...and can't even provide feedback on their website because it's "offline temporarily"...for 3 weeks!
Just a tale of caution...

Waiter21 · 08-13-2017, 07:55 AM

Quote:

... most people get the best rig...

"Best" has different meanings to different people. i.e. Drop the car off at CW and tell them install the most expensive systems on the car. Then yes, $4,500 is probably a good number, and was the best for CW and may be the best for you.

As mentioned, if you are a DIYer, you should easily be able to find a new or used base plate, tow bar, and brake kit for less than a grand. If you purchase a collapsible bar, inspect it carefully, consider doing an overhaul on it (new bushings , etc).

IMPORTANT - When you search for base plates and tow bars, be aware that one manufactures base plate may not be compatible with a different manufactures tow bar. Look specifically at how the tow bar attaches to the base plate. Many offer optional adapters / pins for compatibility.

To me, "Best" means, will it do the job safely, Can I do it myself, can I do it for the lowest cost.. These are the two "best" that I've found on two of my toads:

Honda Civic - I found a used base plate for $100, I bought a new straight tow bar (non-collapsible) for $75. Total cost $175

On our Saturn Vue - New Demco base plate $300, used Blue-Ox tow bar (collapsible) $100. Used brake system $150. Total cost, $550

The collapsible bar is easier to hook up / disconnect to the MH than the non-collapsible and can done by one person.

The non-collapsible is more robust, but requires two people to hookup. To hook up, I attach the bar to the Civic, then I hold the hitch end up by the chains while DW drives the Civic to center the hitch over the ball. I can hookup myself in a pinch but requires suspending the front of the bar over the MH ball by tying it to the ladder while I drive the Civic.

jacwjames · 08-13-2017, 08:21 AM

I went through the same thing, I went to Camping World just to get a ball park for a complete setup. I was floored at the estimate.

Started doing some research and decided I could do it myself. First found a used Blue Ox 10K lb rated, cost ~$250. Updated the attachment points to the newest style. I did buy a new base plate and installed, not bad, took my time, I think the cost was $300. I decided to just add separate turn/brake light bulbs instead of tapping into the Jeeps wiring. Works good but learned you can't tow 3 days straight without running engine some to recharge batteries. I bought and installed the Brakemaster brake system with break-a-way system. Again not bad to install and works well, and easy to put in/ take out for travel, a couple minutes.

Even doing the work myself and buying a used tow bar it still cost close to $1500.

Glenn and Kathy · 08-13-2017, 10:22 AM

All I can say is shop around. I paid installed price of $850 for a new baseplate and wiring. I already had a FalconII hitch but added a Ready Brake installed for $240. Not sure of cost of a ready brute hitch, but should be about equal to the FalconII and ready brake. So I figure I've got about $1590 in my hookup. Anyway by looking around you should easily beat that $4500 quote by almost $3000. All work on the truck was done by a shop that specializes in hitch and towing equipment.

Glenn

hohenwald48 · 08-13-2017, 10:30 AM

I have a Wrangler and not a CRV but I got the tow bar for $500 on Craigslist (Ready Brute Elite), installation cable $59, light wiring harness $49, Currie tow plate $200. Did all the install myself so it cost me a little over $800 and that includes the toad brake system. Craigslist is your friend. Heck, for the additional $3700 I'll come install it for you.

If you can't DIY then phone a friend. Heck, for $3,700 I'll come install it for you.

MSHappyCampers · 08-13-2017, 04:03 PM

I would recommend the NSA ReadyBrute Elite towbars with built-in ReadyBrake, their breakaway kit, Blue Ox baseplate, and wiring kit. Your total cost of materials will be about $2200. Total installed cost should be less than $3000.

AudiDudi · 08-13-2017, 05:10 PM

I got a quote from an RV place in Casa Grande for 9-10 hours at $95/hr to install a Ready Brake Elite (base plate and all wiring) I'm sure they would also charge sales tax, something those of us from Montana try to avoid

dsurette · 08-13-2017, 08:13 PM

We bought our baseplate and autostop towbar, had it installed and set up for under $2800. This was in Chattanooga, TN. I went to an independent RV dealer. I would not go to Camping World to have this done.

LarryinID · 08-15-2017, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eestork

How elaborate hookup for a honda CVR? Trailer supply said most people get the best rig and it is $4-4500. IS THIS TRUE?

I just rigged up a Jeep Patriot, including $950 brake buddy, for about $2,000.

Bought Demco baseplate and towbar on line for about $700. Had local one-man auto shop install baseplate and wires for $350.

Bought brake buddy through Amazon and wires from etrailer.com. Two wires: one for tail light/blinker and one to hook toad to motorhome,

All working really nicely.