Community Forums

Old-Biscuit · 08-21-2021, 10:19 AM

Surprised the Jeep Door was unlocked.

AZ RV'r · 08-21-2021, 02:26 PM

This is what can happen if you decide to tow with a bumper that is NOT rated for being towed behind an RV. (possible this could be a tow bar failure)

"RECOVERY" points on a bumper are different than "TOW" points.

I've done some research and only a few bumper manufacturers will state in writing that they are rated to be used for towing, but even more brands have it in writing in their instructions that they are NOT rated for towing.

Somebody might comment soon about how their Amazon bumper is great and they have been doing it for a while with no problems.

It's not a problem.......... till it is. (Ask that guy)

Side note.... I agree with all comments above regarding the need for safety cables, break-a-way switch, supplemental brakes ETC.

gnvrvin · 08-21-2021, 07:09 PM

we tow a 4 door Jeep wrangler
Base plate attached to frame....lets not get into which is best ..but have one
Cables attached to coach frame and jeep frame....
tow bar way exceeds toad requirements
And a a break away system should everything above fail

Could you imaging if you were at freeway speeds in high traffic and should your toad break away???

This was a wake up call for that person and thankfully the person acting was not injured

And come on we all know when the toad is on

be safe be sane and respect everyone,
greg

gnvrvin · 08-21-2021, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Surprised the Jeep Door was unlocked.

Right...last thing i do is lock it.....never know these days on who might jump in

But lucky for he MH owner....

Stay safe All,
greg

BobGed · 08-21-2021, 09:28 PM

Seems pretty simple to me. Regardless if safety cables were being used, if a supplemental break-away device was properly attached to the FRAME of the vehicle being towed that vehicle should have been parked in the middle of the intersection upon disconnection of the tow bar.

AKIQPilot · 08-22-2021, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobGed

Seems pretty simple to me. Regardless if safety cables were being used, if a supplemental break-away device was properly attached to the FRAME of the vehicle being towed that vehicle should have been parked in the middle of the intersection upon disconnection of the tow bar.

Nailed it.

RichKimball · 08-22-2021, 07:38 AM

I haven't ever seen ANY safety cables that attach to the FRAME of either the tow vehicle or the toad. They attach to the hitch of the coach and the removable posts on the toad baseplate....so if the baseplate (bumper...what have you) separates, well...you see what happens.

I confess I don't have a breakaway cable installed on my Cherokee....shame on me

and I have seen two incidents of vehicle separation in just the last couple of weeks....so I will forthwith install the breakaway to my RVi brake unit and Cherokee (which I do use...so there's that).

Everyone says to install the breakaway cable to the 'frame' of the coach...I'll have to search around to figure that out...as most often that cable is also attached to the hitch of the tow vehicle.

But I do chuckle at the ones who say the safety cables are to be attached to frame of both vehicles. I'd like to see pictures of those that claim they do.

BobGed · 08-22-2021, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichKimball

I haven't ever seen ANY safety cables that attach to the FRAME of either the tow vehicle or the toad. They attach to the hitch of the coach and the removable posts on the toad baseplate....so if the baseplate (bumper...what have you) separates, well...you see what happens.

I confess I don't have a breakaway cable installed on my Cherokee....shame on me

and I have seen two incidents of vehicle separation in just the last couple of weeks....so I will forthwith install the breakaway to my RVi brake unit and Cherokee (which I do use...so there's that).

Everyone says to install the breakaway cable to the 'frame' of the coach...I'll have to search around to figure that out...as most often that cable is also attached to the hitch of the tow vehicle.

But I do chuckle at the ones who say the safety cables are to be attached to frame of both vehicles. I'd like to see pictures of those that claim they do.

I have a Blue Ox baseplate with safety cables attaching the baseplate to the frame of my towed vehicle as shown in Option #2 of the attached photo from the Blue Ox installation instructions.

I'm not concerned about safety cables on the motor home side as the receiver assembly is welded to the frame.

BigSkyBob · 08-22-2021, 09:02 AM

I have two sets of safety cables attached to my toad. On set attaches to the hitch/frame of the coach then to the attachment points on the base plates. The other set attach to the back of the base plates then wrapped around the toad frame. The bolts attaching the hitch to the frame of the coach are checked prior to each trip and several times along the way.

RichKimball · 08-22-2021, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobGed

I have a Blue Ox baseplate with safety cables attaching the baseplate to the frame of my towed vehicle as shown in Option #2 of the attached photo from the Blue Ox installation instructions.

I'm not concerned about safety cables on the motor home side as the receiver assembly is welded to the frame.

I understand the safety cable around the tow bar base. My Roadmaster baseplate (and many others that use plates) are simply bolted to an area on the frame on each side. No where to attach any type of cable.

I have seen the type of baseplates that you gentlemen speak of...but not all are like that. AND...your safety cables are still not connecting to the "Frame". My Cherokee prior owner had a BlueOx plate on before I bought....and there was no provision of a safety cable.