Community Forums

akeyzoo · 10-01-2013, 11:50 AM

Folks,
Background. MH is an American Revolution. Spartan Chassis, 400HP C9 with Allison 3000 and a 15,000 LB towing capacity.

TOAD-to-be is a 2002 Ford Excursion Diesel, 7.3 4WD.

Here is my plan, is it a good one? I am handy and resourceful and intend to install everything myself.

Blue-Ox 10,000lb tow bar setup and receiver plates. Aventa LX is the unit I am considering.

Air Force One braking setup. I like the install and forget all hidden aspect of this, plus safety and proportional braking.

Remco Driveline disconnect. I understand this may be the controversial item as some find this setup finnicky. I don't mind a few quirks and know of nothing else that would allow me to flat tow my excursion besides dropping the driveline.

Brake light integration. No idea here, havent researched solutions yet, but would like an integrated plug and drive solution.

Thoughts??

Chris

waroland · 10-01-2013, 05:42 PM

I put the exact package on my Revolution and CV-V. I found the tow bar on Craig's List brand new. I purchased a diode block kit for the tail lights and turn signals and wired it in myself. The brake lights are taken care of by the AF1. The AF1 came with a break-away switch. I love the ease of hook-up, just a air hose, light cable, safety cables and break-away cable.

Steve N Sal · 10-01-2013, 05:53 PM

Sounds like a good plan to me and if you feel confident on doing the installation, go for it. Mine wasn't as complicated but I worked my way thru it. Good Luck

Mekanic · 10-01-2013, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akeyzoo

Folks,
Background. MH is an American Revolution. Spartan Chassis, 400HP C9 with Allison 3000 and a 15,000 LB towing capacity.

TOAD-to-be is a 2002 Ford Excursion Diesel, 7.3 4WD.

Here is my plan, is it a good one? I am handy and resourceful and intend to install everything myself.
......
Remco Driveline disconnect. I understand this may be the controversial item as some find this setup finnicky. I don't mind a few quirks and know of nothing else that would allow me to flat tow my excursion besides dropping the driveline.

Brake light integration. No idea here, havent researched solutions yet, but would like an integrated plug and drive solution.

Thoughts??
Chris

If you have a transfer case lever why the drive line Remco Driveline Disconnect? wouldn't placing the transfercase in neutral do the same thing?

And on the brake lights, couldn't you run some wires from your RV trailer plug to the brake light bulbs to a connecter under the front bumper of the Ford then you would just need to make a short harness to got form plug to plug.

Medico · 10-02-2013, 07:13 AM

I do not know about the Excursion, but most 4 WD Jeeps are towed in Park once the transfer case is placed in Neutral. The Excursion may be FT AWD???

akeyzoo · 10-02-2013, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mekanic

If you have a transfer case lever why the drive line Remco Driveline Disconnect? wouldn't placing the transfercase in neutral do the same thing?

And on the brake lights, couldn't you run some wires from your RV trailer plug to the brake light bulbs to a connecter under the front bumper of the Ford then you would just need to make a short harness to got form plug to plug.

Mekanic,
No way to put my transfercase reliably in nuetral. No lever, just switches. This system on my rig is not flat towable safe without disconnecting the driveline.

Waroland,
Where did you "tie into" the wiring for the turn signals. I forgot that I can ignore the brakes as the AFO is pressing the pedal ;-)

Chris

brobox · 10-02-2013, 03:24 PM

I have been using the drive shaft disconnect for 3 years and it is absolute JUNK!. After the first year, it has failed on every trip where parts have to be ordered and and sent next day air to continue on. Last month, the yoke bear froze up and I had to disconnect the drive shaft to get home. That was the LAST trip for the disconnect. The parts costs are ridiculous!, $54+$16 shipping for a small bearing We are shopping for a new toad now. Almost every moving part on my disconnect has fail, and some twice. The disconnect has ruined the last trip for me. Good luck if you decide to go that way...I wish I would have listened to others.
If you go that way, buy parts & brake cleaner and silicone spray by the case when it's on sale. You will have to use it every time you engage and disengage the disconnect.

Mekanic · 10-02-2013, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akeyzoo

Mekanic,
No way to put my transfercase reliably in nuetral. No lever, just switches. This system on my rig is not flat towable safe without disconnecting the driveline.

Waroland,
Where did you "tie into" the wiring for the turn signals. I forgot that I can ignore the brakes as the AFO is pressing the pedal ;-)

Chris

I pitch that electric shift system in favor of the OEM lever style shifter.
(probably cheaper than that fancy disconnect, and MUCH more reliable )

You said it best, switches=Not reliable.