Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > MOTORHOME FORUMS > Toads and Motorhome Related Towing
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-15-2021, 11:33 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 2
Need advice on towing a car behind RV

I need advice on towing a car. The car is a Chevy Tracker 4X4 Auto 3,000 lbs.
What the best set up for towing. The RV is rated at 5,000 lbs.
Chris123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 04-15-2021, 12:43 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Kahoona's Avatar
 
National RV Owners Club
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Conch Republic
Posts: 2,533
We have experience with that because we full timed towing one for a year. You will hardly even know it is back there. The curb weight, with all fluids and fuel, is under 2300lbs so no worries.
Ours came with a Road master fixed arm base plate. It is always there below the bumper. Blue OX is the same. There is also one with removable arms. They bolt on to the front of the frame. Not hard to do.

We had a Blue Ox tow bar but again either brand works. Ours is similar to this


https://www.carid.com/blue-ox/blue-o...vehicle=122005


Best not to get the kind that goes over a hitch ball because they are hard to attach.
The tow bar will come with safety cables


You are going to need brakes for the Tracker. Almost all states require brakes and this will also put the brakes on if the toad comes loose from the RV. We use a brake buddy. Depending which one you get you will need to do some simple wiring to supply it with power. It will be easily removable when not in use.



You will need to make the lights work. You can use a simple magnetic light set that plugs into the RV with a long cable. You can also install wiring to make the existing brake, stop and parking lights work when towing. Kits are available. Takes more effort but works better.



Here is where it becomes tricky. The Brake buddy does not specifically need to be connected to the RV but it will draw down the battery pretty quickly unless you provide 12v power from the RV to the included battery charger which you can install. The RV has a power outlet as part of the 7 pin plug on the rear. Unless you plan to stop and charge the trackers battery at least daily you will need to install a 7 pin socket on the front of the Tracker and get a cable to connect it to the RV. This cable will then get connected to the Tracker's lighting system also. One plug for everything.



This is how we did it. I did the work. You can have it done. There are other ways. This may be the least expensive and also a safe one. It will also be moveable to the next toad. You MUST read the instructions in the book carefully. It has to have the trans and transfer in the right settings. It has to be stopped every 200 miles or so and be started to oil moving around. This is one of the most fun toads you can have. It can climb anything. You will have people in campgrounds stopping and pointing at it. If you are going off road it is great. If you are going to do serious off roading there are things you can do to make it work better and hold up longer.
__________________
33' 2008 National Tropical on a Freightliner chassis.We tow a 2001 XJ (Cherokee) RVM#189
Kahoona is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2021, 12:13 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Martian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Independent Republic of Horry
Posts: 560
Backing up with the toad connected is not your friend.
__________________
2018 Ram 1500, 2020 Cougar 22RBS
Just the 2 of us and 2 Jacks on the roam.
Meet us at Olympus Mons. Gone Traveling.
Martian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2021, 02:31 PM   #4
Senior Member/RVM #90
 
MSHappyCampers's Avatar


 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,766
Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

I would recommend the NSA ReadyBrute or Hercules towbars with built-in ReadyBrake!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
MSHappyCampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2021, 06:33 PM   #5
"Formerly Diplomat Don"
 
Dutch Star Don's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 24,076
You can spend a LOT of money setting up a car for towing...you need base plates for the car, so you can attach the tow bar, you need a tow bar, many states require you have a braking system and lastly, you need to wire in taillights.

There are soooooo many tow bars and braking systems, it can make you crazy trying to figure out which one. Since your car is so lightweight, a good system is the one mentioned above....Ready Brute/Ready Brake by Night Shift Auto (NSA). You'll still need the base plates (check Craigslist, you might get lucky) and wiring. But if you buy the Ready Brute, the braking system is built into the tow bar, saving money and some installation time.
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
Dutch Star Don is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2021, 10:30 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Kahoona's Avatar
 
National RV Owners Club
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Conch Republic
Posts: 2,533
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don View Post
You can spend a LOT of money setting up a car for towing...you need base plates for the car, so you can attach the tow bar, you need a tow bar, many states require you have a braking system and lastly, you need to wire in taillights.

There are soooooo many tow bars and braking systems, it can make you crazy trying to figure out which one. Since your car is so lightweight, a good system is the one mentioned above....Ready Brute/Ready Brake by Night Shift Auto (NSA). You'll still need the base plates (check Craigslist, you might get lucky) and wiring. But if you buy the Ready Brute, the braking system is built into the tow bar, saving money and some installation time.

I like the concept used in the Ready Brute. It looks similar to the built in brakes on many U Haul trailers. I couldn't find anything explaining how it provides Break away protection though. Do you know how that works?
__________________
33' 2008 National Tropical on a Freightliner chassis.We tow a 2001 XJ (Cherokee) RVM#189
Kahoona is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-19-2021, 12:28 PM   #7
"Formerly Diplomat Don"
 
Dutch Star Don's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 24,076
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kahoona View Post
I like the concept used in the Ready Brute. It looks similar to the built in brakes on many U Haul trailers. I couldn't find anything explaining how it provides Break away protection though. Do you know how that works?
Here's their break away kit.....

https://www.readybrake.com/store/p5/..._Away_Kit.html
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
Dutch Star Don is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
advice, tow, towing



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Advice on safely towing a car behind RV - especially changing lanes jschmelzer Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 19 11-05-2017 02:18 PM
I have several questions related to towing a car behind my RV Bren10 Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 28 02-01-2017 09:35 AM
Towing a car with Blue Ox behind a motorhome and add a bike rack to the hitch. leidybg Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 19 02-29-2016 02:04 PM
Do you need insurance for a car dolly? Also does a car dolly need a license plate Grandcanyon Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 6 05-30-2015 12:21 PM
Towing car behind 5er Smooth Sailn Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 25 10-13-2011 08:43 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.