Newbie Q - Purchase Tow equipment before buying MH?

[airick1010]

Probably a stupid question, but I haven’t found a clear answer yet. I don’t have a RV yet, but I do have a Jeep Wrangler and am researching purchasing a Motorhome (probably class c) and can use my Wrangler as a toad.

I’ve been considering purchasing a tow bar, base, breaking system, cables, etc... to have them ready to go, but is that even wise? Should I know what motorhome I have before I buy this equipment or do most tow bars and cables hook up to most motor homes?

I assume I should look at this equipment after buying a Motorhome. Again, probably a stupid question

[MSHappyCampers]

As far as I know all motorhomes use the standard 2" receiver for the towbars so it shouldn't make any difference either way.

Personally, I would wait. JMHO

[Spdracr39]

I would not put the cart before the horse. All that equipment should work across the board but whatever coach you choose needs the tow capacity to handle your Jeep. There's no reason to rush into it.

[Rob Hentges]

I just set me Wrangler up last month and recently towed it from NJ to VA and back again. Wow, it towed like a dream. I did not even feel any difference compared to not towing it. If you have a stock front bumper, I highly recommend the Currie baseplate. They go for about $270, but I found a used one for $180. It looks great and works great. I also wired a Hopkins wiring harness to the Jeep. It’s basically plug & play. I was able to pull the wires through the Jeep frame for a super clean install.

[cwit]

Check out the ready brute elite tow bar before you buy.

[Isaac-1]

I assume you are going to make sure whatever motorhome you buy is rated to pull the weight of the Wrangler, which can exceed the towing capacity of some motorhomes depending on exact model.


Having said that the Towing side equipment is going to be mostly the same, though there are a couple of things you might need to specific to your motorhome. For example you may have a 6 pin or 7 blade trailer connector on the motorhome side of the umbilical cable, most modern motorhomes use the 7 blade style, most TOAD's use the 6 pin, though some motorhomes will also use 6 pin. So you will need to buy a umbilical cable that matches your setup 6 to 6 or 6 to 7 style. Electrically powered braking systems can be used with all types of motorhomes, though generally speaking air driven braking systems are only used with diesel pushers (though some brands offer compressor units to allow them to function with gas motorhomes).


In some rare cases you might also need a long shank tow bar, also if a drop hitch adapter is needed the offset will depend on the height of the motorhome hitch and height of the baseplate.