Community Forums

SLK · 08-30-2014, 12:12 PM

We are maybe doing things backwards, but we are getting a '03 Liberty today to use as our toad. I thought, toad first so we could drive it to check out MH's. I was wondering if the, Blue Ox BX7370 Alpha Tow Bar with Autostop Braking System, would be a good option for what we have in mind. It seams like there would be very little to do to hook it up once we find the coach we want to buy.

Appreciate any input, Stephen

**TonyDi** · 08-30-2014, 01:36 PM

Hi Stephen

The Blue Ox BX7370 is a hitch designed for a maximum of 5000lbs. The auto stop feature will not apply the Liberty's brake system. You will need an additional braking system, and one that includes a break away system. There are a lot of threads on this subject. Go to the search tab at the top of the page and type "breaking systems" you'll get plenty of ideas.

Best of luck, and Happy Trails!!

**TonyDi** · 08-30-2014, 01:39 PM

Hi Stephen

The Blue Ox BX7370 is a hitch designed for a maximum of 5000lbs. Put all your gear in the Liberty that you would put in it while travelling, along with full fuel tanks and have it weighed. This will tell you how close you are to the max weight of the tow bars. The auto stop feature will not apply the Liberty's brake system. You will need an additional braking system, and one that includes a break away system. There are a lot of threads on this subject. Go to the search tab at the top of the page and type "breaking systems" you'll get plenty of ideas.

Best of luck, and Happy Trails!!

**TonyDi** · 08-30-2014, 01:40 PM

Hi Stephen

The Blue Ox BX7370 is a hitch designed for a maximum of 5000lbs. Put all your gear in the Liberty that you would put in it while travelling, along with full fuel tanks and have it weighed. This will tell you how close you are to the max weight of the tow bars. The auto stop feature will not apply the Liberty's brake system. You will need an additional braking system, and one that includes a break away system. There are a lot of threads on this subject. Go to the search tab at the top of the page and type "breaking systems" you'll get plenty of ideas.

BTW don't forget about your lights. They will need to be wired to the coaches lights.

Best of luck, and Happy Trails!!

wa8yxm · 08-30-2014, 02:17 PM

I will not argue with the others. As they say the system is rated 5,000 same as the Blue Ox Tow bar I use.. they also make a 10K bar.. Make sure your RV can tow that much by the way,, The hitch rating is one of the limiting facters, Max combined vehicle weight less actual RV weight is the other one.

Auto Stop is a new feature of Blue-OX and frankly I do not know enough about it. It will (Contrary to what others said) help stop your consist (Jeep + RV) in normal towing,, I DO NOT KNOW if there is a break-away system for it yet (And in fact I am wanting to know about that).

Another system you might look at is the Ready Brute with Ready Brake and their break-away device. This one I do know about from reading about it.. I have also looked at the tow bar and they appear well made.. I know this one meets all the brake requrirements.

Next: your Liberty: Jeep makes several versions of this, ONE has a manual transfer case.. Others do not.. YOU MUST HAVE A MANUAL TRANSFER CASE else it can not be towed 4 down.

Finally: You do need to light it up as well (Tail/stop/turn/plate) a good diode kit can handle that. Blue Ox, roadmaster, 3rd parties galore all sell those kits.

SLK · 08-30-2014, 05:51 PM

I bought a 6cyl. Jeep Liberty Limited. It is a 4x4 with transfer case, so I should be good on that point. I thought the tow-bar was good for 7500 lbs. , but I will double check that. The braking system appears to me to be like a surge brake. It is a simple mechanical system, I think. I'm looking at DP's with a 10,000 lb. hitch. What tow-bar rating do I need for a Liberty? Is this a case of, "the bigger the better"?

santees · 09-01-2014, 06:29 PM

The New Blue ox Alpha tow bar BX7365 is rated to 6500lbs

Alfred622 · 09-01-2014, 07:18 PM

Before you purchase, take a look at a Blue Ox baseplate and the Ready Brute Elite towbar with its integrated braking system. I have one and I like it very much. It has served me well on twisty roads in the East, the long flatlands of the midwest, and the steep hills in the Rocky Mountains. I trust it when towing my Honda CRV. Couple that with a diode kit, the emergency brakeaway attachment, and the Protect-a-Tow netting (I got all these at the NSA vendor) and you'll have an excellent setup. Easy to hook-up and detatch, nothing to get stuffed into the car, it just works.

SLK · 09-03-2014, 01:50 PM

Thanks guys for the info. I'm thinking about replacing the Roadmaster EZ baseplate brackets. Just to buy the arms is $150 and they may or may not fit. By the time I buy adapters to go to the Blue Ox system I like, I might as well go Blue Ox all the way. I've never had problems with surge brakes on boat trailers, so I think that system is a good way to go. Some times, simple is better.

Stephen

cwit · 09-03-2014, 04:46 PM

The ready brute elite is a surge system and has a 8000 lb tow capacity. Go blue ox for the base plate. I have an 06 liberty and find this a great system.