Community Forums

24D · 05-14-2021, 07:14 PM

I am picking up a 2022 LA4551 and have purchased a 2021 diesel Gladiator as my toad. What should it cost to set up? Should I use a RV dealer? Any recommendations, please
Thanks,
Chris

amosnandy · 05-14-2021, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24D

I am picking up a 2022 LA4551 and have purchased a 2021 diesel Gladiator as my toad. What should it cost to set up? Should I use a RV dealer? Any recommendations, please
Thanks,
Chris

Yes, use a dealer, or better yet if you are close to one of the tow bar manufactures service centers, have it done there. You have a 2022 and a 2021 and have more money tied up than all the houses I have ever owned.

Expect $4500 done right, Be glad if they come in at $3000.

TJ · 05-14-2021, 07:30 PM

Having just set up my wife’s 2020 Lincoln Nautilus with all top-grade stuff from Roadmaster (base plate, Nighthawk tow bar, lighting kit, miscellaneous parts, etc.) and a Demco Air Force One braking kit (toad side only), you will be looking at $6K including labor to install. When setting up a vehicle to tow behind a motorhome, it is not the time to pinch pennies. Do it right the first time.

TJ

TJDave · 05-14-2021, 08:55 PM

I've set up three different Jeeps for flat towing. All were fairly easy with just basic mechanical skills and tools.
Currently towing a 2020 Gladiator. Just the parts alone are not cheap, but you can save a lot of money if you install it yourself. Plus, have the piece of mind that it was all done correctly. Pride in ones work isn't what it used to be back in the day.
My tow equipment is listed below in my signature. All in for around $2700.

ClassAboater · 05-14-2021, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

Having just set up my wife’s 2020 Lincoln Nautilus with all top-grade stuff from Roadmaster (base plate, Nighthawk tow bar, lighting kit, miscellaneous parts, etc.) and a Demco Air Force One braking kit (toad side only), you will be looking at $6K including labor to install. When setting up a vehicle to tow behind a motorhome, it is not the time to pinch pennies. Do it right the first time.

TJ

Our Escape hybrid with Roadmaster parts and Airforce 1 installed last October was $5900 all in. It works flawlessly and we are happy with the service center that installed it.

Isaac-1 · 05-14-2021, 09:45 PM

I recently set up our Jeep Cherkokee for flat doing doing a DIY install buying a lightly used tow bar, and a very lightly used Roadmaster Even Brake Braking system. Total cost was a bit under $2,000 and about a weeks worth of afternoon free time.Buying the tow bar and braking system lightly used saved over $1,250 off the cost. (Paid $390 for an 18 month old very lightly used Even Brake which sells for $1,300 on amazon, and $350 for a Demco commander tow bar which sells new for about $850 with Blue Ox base plate adapters)

AZ RV'r · 05-14-2021, 09:56 PM

We have 3 Gladiators, but tow our 2018 Wrangler. Not an "air" system, but all in about $3400

Blue Ox base plate - $600
Blue Ox Avail 10,00LB tow bar - $975
RVI3 braking system - $1250
Installing the wiring for all the lights, breakaway cables and Jeep baseplate. - $575

Wrascal · 05-14-2021, 10:09 PM

My RV dealer provided all parts and labor to setup up my Tiff and CRV.
Initial estimate was about $5500/ 11 hours, actual was about $4800/ 14 hours.

Mr_D · 05-14-2021, 10:51 PM

I'm still in the process of setting up my '21 Wrangler Rubicon diesel. I had all the parts but the baseplate which was just $439. Due to the metal skid plate I had to buy a cut off saw and cutting wheels so Harbor Freight got about $50.

71_340 · 05-18-2021, 09:37 PM

If you have and know how to use basic tools you can do the installation yourself and save a lot of money.

I just set up a Ford Focus for flat towing. I bought a Blue Ox base plate kit from eTrailer (they even have installation videos) as well as one of the light kits that require you to install sockets and bulbs in your tail lights. I also bought a barely used Blue Ox 7335 tow bar and a used Brake Buddy Classic 2.

The installation was pretty easy and took a weekend with a lot of breaks, It cost me under $1500.00 for everything, including a new 7 to 6 light cord.

Stetson75 · 05-18-2021, 10:21 PM

I have a 2019 Ford Fiesta ST that I flat tow. I used the Ready Brute II system. I ordered everything and installed it myself. it includes the lighting kit, the brake kit, the baseplate and the towbar and safety cables and all the accessories. Total cost was $1,800.

I think anyone with basic mechanical skills and some patience can do it. I saved a lot of money over having a dealership install it and it was pretty gratifying.

Stetson

bigdog · 05-20-2021, 12:12 PM

I just changed over to a 2002 Subaru to tow and the base plate alone is $435 and the wiring for the lites and breakaway were another $150 and all roadmaster parts. I already had the Brake buddy and the Roadmaster tow bar and cross piece. The labor for installing the base plate was 4 hours, the wiring was another 4 hours and at dealer prices was over $1000.00 . I had to take the mh in for a radiator leak, which turned out to be a bad top hose and will only be $1800 with a new thermostat, fluids and hose and labor and when I went to hook the toad up found that the tech had installed a 6 pin instead of a 7 blade connector and the toad battery is dying overnight. Back in it goes.

Rwjsim2003 · 05-20-2021, 04:16 PM

We did our 2021 Trailblazer. Night hawk towbar, Demco Duo Play brake system, Roadmaster base plates, Roadmaster battery disconnect and diodes, Dealer charged us $4500.00. So far everything is working as designed.

71_340 · 05-20-2021, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

I just changed over to a 2002 Subaru to tow and the base plate alone is $435 and the wiring for the lites and breakaway were another $150 and all roadmaster parts. I already had the Brake buddy and the Roadmaster tow bar and cross piece. The labor for installing the base plate was 4 hours, the wiring was another 4 hours and at dealer prices was over $1000.00 . I had to take the mh in for a radiator leak, which turned out to be a bad top hose and will only be $1800 with a new thermostat, fluids and hose and labor and when I went to hook the toad up found that the tech had installed a 6 pin instead of a 7 blade connector and the toad battery is dying overnight. Back in it goes.

And those are the exact reasons why I do my own work (unless special tools or diagnostic equipment is required). Totally overpriced and then they still mess up.