Ram 2500 SLT 4WD 4 down towing set up

[Go Dawgs]

Hi all,
I am new to having a diesel pusher and want to set my truck up to be towed. Based on the manual it will tow 4 down. The motorhome I'm getting is a 2006 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40 PAQ.

What are some recommendation for tow bars, base plate, and braking system?

As a side note: on the front bumper it has 2 metal plates with 2 holes each in them. I am assuming these are for tow hooks, but can I bolt an adaptor to it in place of a base plate. It' part of the frame.

[House Husband]

As for tow bars, I suggest aluminum. Steel tow bars get heaver as we age.
If you have LED tail/stop lights on you RAM, then diodes on the wiring is OK. I prefer Bosh relays for the toad wiring. Diodes have 0.6-0.8 voltage drop.


As for braking, I still use a removable Brake Buddy. It's old school but so am I. GRIN Only you can make the braking choice that suits you.

Richard

[theroc]

If you don't plan on doing all the installation and set up yourself, and if you're in Kent, you have one of the best places to have that kind of work done right there in Kent.

Torklift Central is a Roadmaster dealer and has one of the best reputations in the Puget Sound area (if not in the entire state) for towing, hitches, welding, etc. and are experts at toad set-up. They can advise you on tow bars, baseplates, supplemental braking, and wiring for lights.

And being the PNW, I'd strongly suggest Roadmaster equipment. They are in Vancouver WA (they started in Portland but are now in Vancouver) and it's nice to have them close by regardless of who you have install the equipment and especially if you're doing it yourself. They always welcome customers to drop in (or they used to ...I haven't been there for a few years now, however).

Torklift Central ---> website HERE

315 Central Ave N
Kent WA

(253) 854-1832

Google search page for Torklift Central


Roadmaster Inc. ---> website HERE

6110 NE 127th Ave.
Vancouver WA

[theroc]

^

I'm not certain about your question pertaining to using the tow hooks. I'm sure others can shed some light on that.

However, since baseplates are made for that application, I'm going to assume that's the way to go for doing things in a safe and logical manner. Assuming the tow hook idea isn't feasible, here are the baseplate kits for a 2017 Ram 2500:

If choosing Roadmaster baseplates, you'd need Kit #296-2:

Roadmaster 2017 RAM 2500 PICK-UP

Here are the installation instructions for the Roadmaster 296-2


If you choose to go with Blue Ox. their kit is BX1989:

BX1989 Dodge Ram Pickup 2500, 2003-2008 Baseplate

Here are the installation instructions for the Blue Ox BX1989


I didn't see a Demco application for baseplates but again, I'd recommend Roadmaster because of your location.

[Dutch Star Don]

That's a heavy truck! I also tow a heavy truck, not quite as much as yours, but 6100 pounds.

I've towed six different vehicles through the years, five trucks and one Honda CRV. I ONLY use Roadmaster products as you never hear of any issues with them, and I believe they engineer the best base plates.

I use the Roadmaster Falcon 2 10K tow bar.

On my Monaco Diplomat and both of my Dutch Star DP's, I used the Air Force One braking system, now sold by Demco. It uses the air brakes on the coach to give you proportional braking. Your coach has a less powerful exhaust brake versus and engine brake and on the grades, you're going to need some good toad braking. My Diplomat had just an exhaust brake and when I towed my 4 door Silverado, you had to pay attention on steep downhills and start out at the top of the grade and a reasonably slow speed.

[DuaneMiller]

While I don't have a 2500, I do have a 1500 that I set up and installed all the towing "stuff" myself... Most likely, you will have to remove the bumper to properly install the baseplate. Its not a difficult job, just one that will take some time...

You will find that everyone has their own brands that they like and will recommend. I personally like the Demco brands of towing equipment (baseplate and Excalibar-3 Towbar). For the lighting, I used the Curt "plug-n-play" style wiring that plugs in between the truck's tail lights and wiring harness. For braking I use the RVI-3 brake box.

Here is what it looks like behind the bumper of my truck...

[IMG][/IMG]

[theroc]

^ Yeah, I'm sorry.

I didn't initially see a Demco application for baseplates for a 2017 Ram 2500 but unlike Roadmaster and Blue Ox, they have it alphabetically listed under "Dodge" so I missed it.

Here is the page for the Demco baseplates and they list a recommendation for a complete package for his setup if he chooses to go that route:

Demco 2003–2018 Dodge Ram 2500 & 3500 Pick-Up (2 & 4WD)



The main reason I recommended Roadmaster as it's a Pacific Northwest business located in Washington state and I was just going by his profile location as to why he may want to consider Roadmaster. Secondarily, I've only used Roadmaster products for that reason and they've been reliable for us through the years ...never a failure or hang-up. Plus, as I mentioned, their customer service was great during the years we used their products --even when visiting their facility in Vancouver Washington just outside of Portland Oregon. But yes, Demco and their family of products are very popular and used by many here on the forum.

[Go Dawgs]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I've decided to have the work done at Torklift Central near me (thanks Theroc for the recomendation). This is just too important to attempt myself.

[Larry]

I tow a Ram 3500. I used a Roadmaster baseplate, did the install myself. It wasn't a bad install, no need to remove bumper. Use whatever brand you like, but don't buy less than a 10000 lb towbar.