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05-14-2021, 07:14 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 19
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Toad setup and connection cost
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
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05-14-2021, 07:17 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,813
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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
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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.
__________________
2006 Winnebago Journey
39K
Cat C7
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05-14-2021, 07:30 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Washington State or Western Montana, depending on the season.
Posts: 3,473
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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
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Jim (W7DHC), Diane & Mini Schnauzers, Lizzy & Ellie
2018 Mountain Aire 4047
2014 Honda CR-V 2020 Lincoln Nautilus "toad" w/AF1
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05-14-2021, 08:55 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Wa State
Posts: 363
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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.
__________________
2018 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32sa
2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
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05-14-2021, 09:09 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Coast of Oregon
Posts: 217
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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
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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.
__________________
2013 Tiffin 40 QBH
Escape Hybrid Toad
2 electric bikes and 1 pup
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05-14-2021, 09:45 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 8,954
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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)
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2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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05-14-2021, 09:56 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 609
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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
__________________
1998 Prevost Vogue XL 40' Riveted
500HP Detroit Diesel, side radiator, tag axle, IFS
We have RV'ed in ALL of the lower 48 and into Canada.
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05-14-2021, 10:09 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 528
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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.
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2010 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH
2014 Honda CR-V FWD Ex-L
LA (Lower Alabama)
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05-14-2021, 10:51 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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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.
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2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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05-18-2021, 09:37 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 37
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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.
__________________
One of the "Quiet Professionals"
2020 Thor ACE 30.3
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05-18-2021, 10:21 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Utah
Posts: 5
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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
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05-20-2021, 12:12 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: silverdale wa.
Posts: 1,163
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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.
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Bigdog
2001 National Tradewinds 7390 LTC
2002 Subaru Legacy outback Limited stick
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05-20-2021, 04:16 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 109
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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.
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2020 Newmar Baystar 3414
2021 Chevy Trailblazer
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05-20-2021, 10:53 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 37
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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.
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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.
__________________
One of the "Quiet Professionals"
2020 Thor ACE 30.3
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