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09-08-2013, 07:47 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 75
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Tow Bars
Question:
Why should I pay almost $1000 for this:
When I could only pay ~$100 for this:
They both have about the same capacity and are rated to safely tow my 2004 Jeep Liberty. I realize that they are two different systems of use (vehicle vs. MH mount) but both would serve the same function.
Are all those "bells and whistles" really worth it for the part-time tower??
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09-08-2013, 08:22 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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I towed with a basic A-frame tow bar for many years and thousands of miles. Couple years ago I bought a good used Blue Ox tow bar for a couple three hundred dollars. While the A-frame bar got the job done, the BO bar allows me to connect/disconnect without a 2nd person. And since the tow bar stays with the coach I don't have to worry with a place to safely store it or leave it sticking up on the front of the toad. It is also lighter/easier to handle and connect/disconnect.
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Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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09-08-2013, 08:24 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,232
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If you want to fight it and don't care, get the cheap one. If you want something very easy to hook up, get the nice one.
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09-08-2013, 08:31 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas
Posts: 476
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I've used basic A frame type for yrs. I can think of lots of better ways to blow $900.Besides Jeeps look cooler with a tow bar on the front.
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2000 DSDP, 3883,Freightliner,330 Cat, 07 Jeep Commander 4x4toad.
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09-08-2013, 08:45 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 297
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One big difference between those two tow bars are the Ready Brute has an integrated surge braking system. If you purchase a separate braking system for then the cost is going to be much more than ~$100.
I'm one of the believers that you shouldn't tow without a supplemental brakes.
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Ethan and Lisa
2017 Tiffin Phaeton
2019 GMC Acadia
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09-09-2013, 11:31 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Today? Clayton, North Carolina
Posts: 5,076
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Welcome to iRV2!
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John and Diane (RIP Lincoln, 21 FEB 22) RVM103 NHSO
Fulltimers since June, 2012
2002 Dutch Star 40, Freightliner, Cat 3126, 2004 Element
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09-09-2013, 04:47 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6
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I'm not familiar with the Ready Brute but with most tow bars, you pay more for ease of use and convenience. Easy release mechanisms make it easy to release your tow bar even if you are in a bind. Motorhome mounted tow bars easily store on the coach which is both convenient and also eliminates the need for storing the tow bar when not in use.
This video shows shows just how easy it is to release one of Roadmaster's All Terrain tow bars. It really does make life a lot easier 
(the video also covers some braking info, but the tow bar part is at the beginning and is only about 1-2 minutes long.)
Good luck and safe travels!
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Tiffany Shine
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09-09-2013, 05:09 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Baraboo, Wisconsin
Posts: 1,728
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Short answer is yes.
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Steve & Nancy 
2005 Itasca Sunrise 33', W20 Chassis, Ultrapower, Henderson Trac Bar
2012 Chevy Captiva Sport AWD, ReadyBrute Elite Tow Bar, Blue Ox Base Plate, Protect-A-Tow
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09-10-2013, 06:26 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 467
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I love my Roadmaster Allterrain. Hookup is easier than that video. Not that it happens to anyone else but I've gotten part way into a turn that I couldn't complete and had to back out. You know those wonderful curved exits from parking lots. Well, under 30 seconds I'm unhooked, it's folded up with lines wrapped, DW is moving the toad and I'm backing up to take the long way. Get positioned, DW pulls it up, I hook it up, she backs up to lock it then finishes setting it up while I hook up cables. Easy peasy.
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Terri & Maria, Staci, Penny, Bailey and the rest of our Norwich Terriers
2019 Newmar Ventana 4369
2015 Ford Edge Titanium
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09-10-2013, 06:42 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 1,202
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We have used a Reese A frame tow bar for many years on 4 different coaches and have had no problems with it. I can hook it up by myself in about 5 minutes. We have friends that have the Blue Ox system and they certainly work just fine, but for us, the extra dollars were better spent on fuel. BTW, many years ago we purchased a used Brake Buddy with brake away for ~$200.00. We have had no problems with that either, and it makes it convenient when we switch from the wife's Vue to my pickup. Just our opinion of course.
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Jim and Lynda, (Sophie, Jake, attack trained killer Shi-Tzus :-))
2003 Fleetwood Expedition 38N 2005 Saturn Vue
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09-11-2013, 08:30 AM
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#11
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 52,437
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elf
One big difference between those two tow bars are the Ready Brute has an integrated surge braking system. If you purchase a separate braking system for then the cost is going to be much more than ~$100.
I'm one of the believers that you shouldn't tow without a supplemental brakes.
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I totally agree!  
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Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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09-11-2013, 08:56 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Fulltime/ SE Minnesota
Posts: 3,083
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As stated, each will work, one just a bit more easy to hook up and unhook.
__________________
08 Foretravel Nimbus 40 ft tag axle / 1000 watts of solar
2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn Hemi 4x4
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09-12-2013, 11:20 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: N.H.
Posts: 68
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before you pay that much for any tow bar check craigs list,bought my (like new) roadmaster stowmaster 5000 for $100.00.
good luck Rick
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09-12-2013, 05:11 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: AB
Posts: 7,587
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rick h
before you pay that much for any tow bar check craigs list,bought my (like new) roadmaster stowmaster 5000 for $100.00.
good luck Rick
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Question,
How do you know it was "Like New"? Did you take it apart to see what condition the lock pins are in? Do you know that the previous owner had not used it to Back Up and thereby compromised the locking pins and arms?
Like New can be deceiving. Unless you are a person that understands how the device works and what can cause it to fail, I suggest buying a new one that is installed by a qualified person that can explain the do's and don't s
It's not always about the cheapest way out. Safety does have a roll to play.
IMHO,,,
__________________
2019 Unity LTV CB, pushed by a 2013 Honda CRV, BlueOx Baseplate, Aventa Bar & Patriot Brake
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