These RVers are putting others in danger
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2024
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✅ VIDEO DESCRIPTION
Fulltime RVer Liz Amazing shares how SOME RVers are engaging in risky towing behavior while driving down the road.
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⏰ Timecodes
0:00 Intro
1:16 Towing safely
2:47 Risks of driving a Class A motorhome
3:29 Safety breakaway cable
3:42 Flat towing
3:51 Pros and cons of towing with a tow dolly
4:11 Pros and cons of towing with a trailer or box trailer
4:29 Be sure your vehicle is flat towable
5:28 How expensive is it to flat tow
5:53 Downsides of a Patriot braking system
6:22 The benefits of a Roadmaster Invisibrake
6:51 Hitching up a flat tow vehicle
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Liz is a fulltime RVer who hit the road in 2018, after dreaming about this life for 26 years. This channel provides entertaining and informative RV tips and tricks if you are thinking about living the RV life fulltime, part time or just on weekends.
✅ All Rights Reserved. These videos are for entertainment purposes only. Liz is not a travel or RV expert. She shares her RV tips and tricks that work for her. It is important to do your own research to find what works best for you. Liz is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
#RV-safety #towing #towingcar
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Keep in mind diesel pushers have exhaust brakes. They also have brakes that are over kill.. about not having a engine in the front for protection. No big deal the generator is there instead.. mag netic tag lights 150 bucks done
Right on Liz as I’m a commercial driver safety is important to me I’m glad you’re doing it right I’ve seen a lot of accidents over the 40 years by people short cutting and putting other’s in a dangerous situation thanks
Thanks for the support, Corey!!! Be safe out there.
If you want to stop as quick as possible. If you want to stop quickly without that towed car or boat visiting you inside your vehicle. If you want to stop without seeing your towed car/boat running off a cliff or into oncoming traffic hitting other travelers......use a tow brake.
Yes, yes, yes! THANK YOU!
Tow brakes are insurance!
I have seen so many towed cars in ditches and drifting away from the Motorhome because they just simply disconnected somehow while being towed. Also, if you don't have that brake and your pretty new Jeep or truck or whatever drifts away and people are hurt, and your vehicle is totaled. Well think of it this way, your insurance carrier is going to see that you didn't have brakes installed on the towed and will tell you to have fun paying for that BS! You just gave them a way out of paying for any damage to your car and you will likely be sued for liability to anyone who is hurt. That is going to hurt badly, in so many ways! You may lose everything!
Unless you're talking about something different anything that's on a trailer can still come off even if you have brakes on your trailer or towed vehicle.
@@TF856 You are correct, but if you don't have brakes on the trailer, then the trailer can float into oncoming traffic. Imagine you're just driving down a two-lane highway with your two toddlers and someone's trailer came lose and floated into your lane and kills one or both of your kids? I have seen them float across into the ditch on the opposite side of the road, more times than I would like to admit. Extremely dangerous in my opinion!
Blows my mind. If people only knew what semi trucks have to go thru for safety. I am so happy to hear you took the extra steps for your safety as well as everyone that may travel around you. I have seen too many motor homes, campers, etc, in horrible wrecks that who knows, could have been avoided if only they took the extra steps. The safety before is still cheaper than an accident later. Good for you Liz!
Stay safe
Thanks for the encouragement, Liz!!! Be safe as well.
People that drive vehicles of 18,000 lbs or more commercially have to be tested to get a CDL. I have always wondered why people that drive heavyweight RVs aren’t required to have the same type of qualifications. I’ve always thought the easiest way to tow a vehicle is to use a trailer equipped with brakes.
@@Chris_at_Home there are some that really should. I have seen some many that do not belong behind the wheel of one. I'm not saying all, that is not my point, just some.
@@lizhartel3740 Living here in Alaska we see it all. Some of these shouldn’t even be driving, never mind a motorhome. If we go anywhere we go towards the end of August when most outsiders have left. We are thinking of something for down South in the winter. After I saw your video of buying an older class A we have been looking at them. We don’t want anything over about 32’. I was thinking of towing something small and light on a trailer when we do this. The problem with many of the smaller Class As is the GWV is usually under 12,000lbs. We will just store it down there and fly down for 4-5 months. We love our summers here.
Trucks are driving themselves now.
Hi Liz. Great video. I know a little bit about this subject. And I have a few recommendations concerning safety. #1 - Get a braking system that works. Have someone qualified and trained by Blue Ox, Roadmaster, Demco, etc. (Yeah, I made that mistake and it cost me about 4K, long story). I agree with everything you said about safety. I have seen many injured seriously and a few fatalities from mistakes and lackadaisical attitudes toward safety. This is serious stuff. Another thing I learned the hard way is to monitor the weather closely on your driving days. Wind is not your friend. It set me back another 5K. (again, a long story.). Get an app, know the forecast and bite the bullet and stay in place if wind 35 to 40 mpg and above is forecast. I don’t have personal experience, but concentrate on tire safety, too. Get a steering stabilizer. You willl respect all of this if you have an RV of any kind. I have personally seen many beautiful pickups with ugly tailgates from having the fifth wheel unit dropped on it. Too common. Manufacturers should come up with fail safe systems for this problem. People are getting hurt. I can go on, but this is getting too long. BE SAFE!
Hi Clay! Thanks so much for taking the time to weigh in about this important topic. Yes, wind is a huge factor. I am actually getting a steering system, getting it installed next week! And thanks for watching, and be safe as well.
I wish all RVers were as safety conscience as you are. Frankly there are many on the road that really scare me. I don't tow anything with my MH, every time I think about getting a toad I end up talking myself out of it. Thanks Liz.
Well, thank you Cee Cee. Yes, I am still shaking my head over the motorhome owners I've talked to who just don't use a system. I hope this video helps educate, and thanks for watching.
Wow, you really do your research. I'm sure this will help others feel safe and secure. Keep up the good work Miss Liz!!!
Awww, thank so much for the kind words, Danny!
Hello Liz, It's a great that you brought out concerns on braking and people not doing what they should do to stay safe and protect others from getting injured or killed from bad decisions. We have a MH and tow a truck which piggybacks our side x side total weight towing just under 9000lbs would never think of towing anything with outbrakes. We use a SMI Air force one brake system. Thanks again, keep up the good work!
Hi David! I've heard good things about those Air Force Ones brake systems. Glad you have one! Happy travels and thanks for your kind words.
WOW $5300!! I have set up 6 vehicles for towing in the 20 years and several motorhomes I have had. I am thankful that I was handy enough to do that. Sorry for those who are not. It's not difficult to do. Once you have removed the bumper (depending on the vehicle) and attaching the baseplate, the rest is just time-consuming which is where a lot of the expense comes from. Running wires to the back of your toad vehicle and connecting them to the lights with diodes takes a little bit, but it is not at all bad. As for the braking system. I have used the Brake Buddy which didn't seem a big deal to setup. Just place it in front of the seat, hook it to the pedal, and plug it in. Wiring the monitoring system to the front of the coach took time, but everything worked flawlessly.
Integrated systems like the one you mentioned would make a lot of sense as well. I just couldn't see justifying the added expense or time. It's just a matter of preference in my opinion. Having a braking system is important though. With 5000 pounds pushing you down a steep grade you will be glad you made the investment and have piece of mind.
I admire a person like you who gets out there, (by herself) drives a gigantic coach, and explores the country. You live up to your title: "Amazing."
Happy motoring and stay safe!!! :)
Hi David! Thanks for watching and for your kind comment! Yes, the setup (even my supplemental system) is more labor than anything else. I definitely did not want to learn on my own vehicle, but it sounds like you are more than capable for the task. And, yep, I am LOVING this life and loving living large in my motorhome. See you in the next video!
Does it make any more or less sense to avoid the towed vehicle's built-in wiring system altogether and just use a permanent or temporary light bar for the tail-turn-brake lights. No diodes, less risk.
@@joewoodchuck3824 Personal preference, I wired mine... Honda CRV , Chev pickup, Suzuki Grand Vitara using diodes for a much nicer install (IMHO) I personally don't like the looks of light bars, diodes are easy to hookup and once it's done, it's done, no extra pieces to haul around
@@questionmark4348 Do you use Schottkys or standard rectifiers?
@@joewoodchuck3824 My reply seems to have disappeared maybe CZcams doesn't like links? I use----> Tail Light Isolating Diode System with Wiring Harness
Item # 38955... Lots of videos on installing here on CZcams.
Here's a scary fact from the dealership we bought our trailer from. He said there are buyers who do not have or expect to get a braking manager for their tow vehicles. So there are people out there with no brake control towing by luck. Scary. We won't move ours without brake system controller or sway control. I can't imagine just winging it and hoping for the best.
That is SO scary. I'm learning more and more about people who don't have a brake system. All it takes is one panic stop and the tow bars will break. And then the vehicle could get loose - without a breakway safety brake! Yikes! Thanks for watching and for your comment.
As someone still in the decision making phase, I greatly appreciate this information.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, glad it helped. See you in the next video!
Great points and sage advice. There is a lot to towing a toad properly. Base plate, tow bar, wiring harness, and braking system. It adds up. I dot the I's, cross the t's, and do it right when hitching up a toad. It gives me a sense of confidence and security knowing that all safety precautions are in place.
Yes, me, too! Thanks for this, and for watching. See you out here.
Yes. Road safety and personal safety is my top priority as well. My dually is quipped with trailer brakes and ALL my BP & GNLQ trailers have braking systems.. would not pull anything without it. I’m very surprised that Class A’s do not have this system in place & ready for towing. Everyone always thinks that it won’t happen to them, but I see way too often on I-10, RV’s driving well over 75MPH passing me in my lil Nissan Frontier. It blows my mind to see their speed! Thank you for putting this out there! Although an upgrade to any RV is also a nice price point for resale value. Happy Trails & many blessings!! 😊❤😊
Thanks so much for your love and support as always, Michelle! You and me both could tell stories of what we see on the road!
I never met an Rver that didn’t have a braking system pulling a car or truck in 23 years of RVing.
Also, it’s the law in every state. Most have limits of 1000 to 1500 lbs otherwise any more weight requires a braking system. Trailer, boat, or anything being towed.
Glad to hear. I have met more than a few, so scary. Be safe out there!
So much to learn even for someone who’s very experienced with RVs like you.
Aww, thanks Jen, you are so kind. Looking forward to seeing you out here someday. Thanks for watching.
Great topic. 👍 We've always owned a motorhome and always use a breaking system for our toad. After 18 years I'm even replacing it all with new equipment. Enjoy the Invisibrake.
Yes, so happy to hear this. Thanks for letting me know, and for watching. Hugs to you.
FYI, a couple states require brakes on anything over 1,500 pounds, and most of Canada requires brakes for anything over 2,000-3,000 pounds. We went with the RVI 3 braking system so we could move to a new vehicle in the future - it's easy to install in under 30 seconds when we flat tow - probably because it self adjusts itself once plugged in.
Good to know. Thank you, and glad that safety is on your mind as well. Thanks for watching.
Great information, Liz! Better safe than sorry, plus the peace of mind makes it all worth it.
Exactly this! Thanks Piper!
The tow bar we have used for 8 years with no problems is the NSA RV Tow Bar with the built in braking system. It uses a surge brake system attached the the brakes of your toad. Therefore, you do not have to spend big bucks on a separate braking system in your toad. You can use any tow plate you wish, the NSA tow bar will attach to it. All of the same cables and anti-runaway system are the same. I figured I saved about $1200 with the NSA tow bar over another tow bar and separate braking set up. People need to remember or be aware that if you do not have a braking system on your towed vehicle, as required by law, and have an accident your insurance company may void your policy. I have heard of that happening. It may be cheaper to have a braking system than having your insurance cancelled on your very expensive motorhome.
That's good to know about the NSA, hope you added the brakeaway system, too. And good point about an accident without a braking system my void your policy. Thanks so much for watching, Iggy.
@@LizAmazing A brakeaway system is part of the tow bar. I called it anti-runaway cable.
@@kradwonders oh good, I saw on their website were that was an add-on. So glad you have one! No runaways for sure!
I also got the NSA Ready Brute tow bar .I got it with the light pigtail for $2100.00. I payed $150.00 to have the base plate installed and some friends and I will do the lights and braking system. Total cost $2250.00.
Good advise Liz. Safety on our roads is key. Safe travels.
Yep! Thanks for watching, Beverlee!
I am glad you brought this to light. I did not have a supplementary brake system at first with my truck camper dinghy towing my jeep. my dealer talked me out of it saying the truck brakes were oversized! Anyway, when I found out that full-timer insurance would not pay out a claim if it was related to towing, I invested in the RVI system. When I get my next motorhome I will get a system right away once we sell our Lance travel trailer. Thanks for enlightening new folks.
So glad you know about the importance of a supplementary braking system! Good for you for doing the research and checking with your insurance company. Happy motorhome shopping!
@@LizAmazing Yes, insurance has determined that a panic stop at 70 MPH without a supplemental braking system can grossly increase stopping distances. With deer and inattentive drivers on the road, this should scare us all! Thanks.
Thank you for this video. I (Patty) researched and chose a motorhome with the jeep attached. This information was so difficult. So I prayed for a jeep to be set up for the motorhome. 3 days later I found just that.😊
Wow! Sounds like your prayers were answered. Congrats on your motorhome. Looking forward to seeing you out here. And thanks for watching.
Liz I’m happy you found the right tow set up, better safe than sorry 👍
Yep! Thanks Cher, so happy to have you here. See you in the next video.
I'm so happy that after your bad accident flipping your camper that you did not let that deter you from still getting out their and doing what you love and more importantly you learned from your misfortune on that day. It's also very refreshing knowing that your putting safety first because it's not just your own personal safety It's everyone else's safety as well around you. Thumbs up to you Liz I hope you enjoy your new motor home and all your great adventures ahead of you to come.👍👍👍👍👍
Yay, thanks so much for your support, Ben! So happy to have you here. Thanks for watching and see you in the next video!
thanks for bringing this up. We have had two motorhomes and have a break system installed in our truck. Going up and down steep mountains I am gad we have a supplemental break. And the few times we've had to hit breaks hard, I am glad the truck was hitting its breaks, too and not jamming up our tow system.
Exactly this! Thanks so much! Glad you are being safe. I'm still talking to people who do NOT have a brake system. I don't think insurance will cover them in a crash, either. Thanks for watching.
Yep! We spent a small fortune installing the Roadmaster Falcon 2 and Brake Buddy systems in order to tow safely tow our Ford F-150 behind our Itasca Meridian. You are so right... safety is always paramount and should be taken seriously. We ultimately got rid of ours though... the expense was just too much. A regular service costs hundreds of dollars... and tires alone set us back $4000-$5000 every three to four years. Showing people how to read the dates on big rig tires and how often (miles vs. years) they need to be replaced would be an excellent episode. A surprising number of people have no idea about that.
That's a great idea, Linda. I have a tire episode planned and will add the date part to my notes for it. Stay tuned!
@@LizAmazing We always do 🥰
Yay for you Liz! Hope people pay attention. Happy trails.
Me, too! Thanks Josephine. See you in the next video!
REMEMBER: when flat towing, you can not back up at all! Your front wheels will want to turn like a shopping cart when you back it
Yes! Good reminder, Joe!
I always look at how folks have their rigs connected as I pass them. Some are scary, but what really gets me is when they are texting as they barrel down the road.
Oh my gosh, that is so crazy!!! Thanks for watching Lisa and stay safe.
The braking system added to the truck also keeps the tail end of the truck from coming around if you have to make a serious stop.
Yes! Such a good point. Thanks for this!
Liz, in some states it might be over 4000lbs you need an aux brake system, but I believe in some it's as low as 1000-1500 lbs. Also quite a few states require a special class of license to operate "ANY" vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating(not how much it actually weighs at the scale) over 26,000. I live in S.C. and the requirements call for a special class E license if operating a single vehicle(not towing)that has a Gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 lbs or greater and a Class F license if 26,001 lbs and towing a vehicle or trailer. Varys by state and some states don't have any special requirements. I installed our entire flat towing setup 6 years ago and it cost us about 2,150. I would have had a RV dealer in our area do it but they were so busy it was going to be almost 3 months to work it in and we were going to be traveling about 500 miles to purchase and pick up a used 2003 Newmar Dutch Star DP in 3 or 4 weeks.(the local dealer quoted 3200.00 total). Since you're by yourself I would recommend a check list for each activity, just like pilots use. It's too easy to get distracted and overlook even the most obvious things. Safe travels.
Hi Rick! Good point about the special license. Many states limit that to commercial drivers, exempting motorhomes. Happy to hear that you have a Newmar! I love those and even did a review on a Dutch Star as well as a New Aire. And, yes, a checklist is the way to go. I find the more you do something, the more you "think" you've done it, when you really haven't. Been using a checklist for four years. I should do a video about that! And thanks for watching.
Great advise. There are states that require brake systems when towing 1,500 lbs or more. While safety is and should be a priority in this discussion, a equal priority is LIABILITY or possibly Criminal if your found to have disregarded the safety and caused injury or death.
Oh EXCELLENT point!!!
leaving open a for sure huge liability lawsuit and criminal charges. A chance left open for that to occur….would be a nightmare. 🍻
Yes, so true, Barry. And your insurance won't have your back if you're breaking the law. Thanks for watching.
At one time,I considered a full time RV life but later found it suited me better to live vicariously through others. I love to travel but have no desire to do it FT in an RV. I learn so much, however, from channels like yours. I found this so interesting! And you’re right: safety first! Safe journey Liz!🙋🏻♀️
Thanks so much for this, Theresa! So glad to have you along for the (virtual) ride! See you in the next video.
Thanks Ms. liz, This issue never crossed my mind. I don't have a class A but considering a motor home is almost the most popular rig, I will definitely have my head on a swivel for them and this issue now
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching and happy RV shopping~!
The last bit really warmed my heart. The quote I always enjoy when watching your videos! Push past fear! Live amazing!
Yay! Thanks for noticing, Victor!
Last year we bought a class A motorhome, thought that it would be the home we wanted! As we pulled a jeep behind, we had a braking system installed, fit nicely on floor in front of drivers seat of jeep. Very easy took us maybe 15 minutes to set up! My husband always got into motorhome pulled forward & braked to make sure jeep braked as well, before we went on our travels!! Can't imagine not having that extra safety feature on some of the crazy downhills we did!! Not worth not taking this extra step to keep you safe!! Stay safe Liz!!
Yes! So glad you agree, thanks Deb! I have friends who have a Class A who do not have a supplemental braking system. I sure hope they see this video and change their minds! Glad to hear you've got one, and thanks for watching.
We're going to be picking up our Class A next month and I definitely know how much it costs to prepare a vehicle as a Toad. Luckily, we have a Jeep Wrangler so I knew it was towable but you are spot on with the additional costs of the tow bar, brake system, not to mention the wiring! As an avid DIY'er I'm doing all the work myself but it is a complex job! I'm glad you're all sorted now and also really glad you did it the right way. Stay safe!
Thanks for this Craig. I bet you are getting excited about your Class A. Looking forward to seeing you out here, and thanks for watching.
We tow a small trailer with only a golf cart and kayaks behind our 29 foot class c, so an additional braking system is not necessary. However safety is always a concern with any towed addition to the motorhome,or any vehicle for that matter. Tire pressure, safety chains, lights and always periodically checking the load on the trailer for secure and tight tie downs are just the basics. Towing anything always comes with its own challenges and as you’ve said ,the law requires additional brakes over 4000 lbs. Hope your new system works great for you and happy trails. Love your channel and enjoy the info you share.
Thanks Erik. And thanks for commenting within the first hour, it really helps the channel. Glad you are familiar with the law and towing essentials. And thanks for your kind words!
Thanks for keeping it safe. Worth the effort and expense especially in consideration of all on the road. We only travel w a small camper or horse trailer , but check lights every. Single. Time. Before we drive away.
Yes. So glad to hear this. Thanks Kim, for your comment.
Liz
I believe it’s over 2000 Ibs when you need the braking system, we use the Invisi brake, once installed it’s all plug and play and super easy to hook and unhook
I think it varies by the state, thanks for this. Glad to hear you also have the Invisbrake. I love mine. Thanks for watching and happy travels!
Hi Liz,
We just went through this ourselves. We did the exact same systems as you did. We tow a small car that weighs just over 2,000 lbs. We have towed a cargo trailer, too. Both had a brake system. Safety first!! From all our research you got a decent deal. Nice job!! BTW...when we did our research on the topic all the people we talked with do use brake systems. They were also more than willing to share their knowledge on the different systems, too. It is definitely an educational process.
It sure is. I am so surprised to keep meeting folks who do NOT use a brake system and tell me their RV brakes are enough. Um, nope. Plus insurance will be void if towing without a system. And so cool that you have the same system. Hope to meet up with you two sometime this winter. Happy travels.
We’ve never had a motor home so this was very informative. Safe travels!
Thanks Warren. Keep warm up there!
You are so right, no one talks about this, even if they have a good system. We asked a lot of people about this before we bought our first tow vehicle. We knew it was expensive, but geeze louise, we had no idea how much more it costs!
You are also so right about SAFETY! I don't know anyone with a Class A, that doesn't have a breaking system. I can't imagine towing without one!!
We changed cars, and we knew that it was going to cost a lot more money to install another breaking/towing system. Hopefully, this will be the last car we buy!
Have fun, stay safe and thank you for another great video!
Hi Vicki! Thanks so much for your comment and kind words. I am still shaking my head over the fact that MANY of my campground neighbors elect NOT to use a brake system. Glad you have one. Thanks again for watching.
Excellent video with very helpful information. Keep up with these great videos.
Thank you, Don, I sure appreciate your support.
Suggestion - when your toad ISN'T attached for towing - remove and store the removable tabs that you insert into your base plate. Those things can grow legs when you're not looking.
Good tip. I have an extra pair but may add locking pins. And thanks for watching.
Great information Liz. You inspire me. You really do your research. I hope RVers are listening. Safety first! 😎👍
Thanks so much for your support, Wendy! Glad to have you here. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for this informative video. You are such an inspiration... Looking forward to your learning to drive your motorhome video. I'm close to pulling the trigger on a diesel pusher and have the nerves about solo driving it... Hope I'll meet you on the road one day.
Yes, that would be so fun. Congrats on making your dreams come true. See you in the next video, and thanks for your kind words!
Great Video thanks Liz enjoy your travels,stay safe.💐💐
Thanks Debbie!!!
The "It can't happen to me" is so pervasive in a lot of areas in life, especially in licensed teenagers and middle aged adults. I know I was both at one time. People should drive with the attitude "Ok if I loose control here and can't stop, what's going to happen, and how can I minimized that outcome". Thanks for sharing Liz. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya
Exactly this, Keith! Yes, we need to be more focused on worst case scenarios. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you, Liz! Good information. I appreciate it. 😊
Thanks Jolene, sure appreciate having you here!
Great review Liz, we bought a Class A motorhome, but the towing is only 5K I did check into doing a flat tow but I didn't want to spend another 4-5 thousand more dollars, so I had a Kar Kaddy SS tow dolly giving to me the car we have is a little Hyundai Venue that only weight 2,700 lbs.
So far I haven't had any problem storing my tow dolly the dolly can fold up in two places, so it takes up less room but we are not fulltimers or nothing like that we only go out about 4 to 5 times a year, this is another awesome video I appreciate.
Yes, those tow dollys are probably the simpliest solution. Glad you went that route and it's working for you. Thanks for watching and for your kind words. See you in the next one!
Ready Brute is a great tow bar that doesn't break the bank. Been around for years and t tows great. Nice thing with them is if you have a mechanical skill set, you can easily install it yourself. Only power that goes back to the toad is for the lights. Everything else is mechanical. And for those people that always ask, the braking is smooth, even going downhill. There is not stuttering from the tow vehicle it just brakes when you do. About $2500 if you do the install yourself. If not then expect around $500 to $800 for the install depending on vehicle. Wranglers and pickups are usually very easy.
Yes, Ready Brute Elite towbar brake system (7,500 lbs towing) by NSA is the affordable and easy way to. I did the installation myself and total, including lights was under $2000.
Been using one for 12 years full time travel, no problem and very simple to use and install.
This is great information, thanks for sharing Jeff! See you in the next video.
The Roadmaster Invisibrake is what we have for our diesal pusher as well. We pull a 2013 Honda CRV AWD. I believe honda stopped making the CRV towable after 2014 or 2015. We also installed a steering stablizer and have tire monitors on our RV and our tow car. Another expense but so worth it. Consider getting those also if your diesal doesn't already have those.
Oh my gosh, you must be reading my notes for upcoming videos! So much to talk about and I will be covering those exact things. Stay tuned, and thanks for watching!
Yup its 2014, bought one just for this reason last year.
Was this because they went from hydraulic front power steering to electric assisted rack around that time? I wondered if that would be an issued if towed. Or maybe there are kits that have an easy to access pin that's pulled when hooking up? But somehow I doubt that because they'd probably not use a system so dependent on people using it correctly or forgetting at times.
Thank you Liz for all you do to keep people safe on the road and in the campground. Safety is no accident, you must plan and prepare for it.
Yes indeed, thanks for saying this, Gary!
Not so much for you and other FTimers but getting my tow bar recharged at the Blue Ox factory in Pender, Nebraska the tech noted I drove in without a toad (I live within a couple hours so didn’t bother) he said a tow bar in the stored position while driving can bounce off the storage pegs on a rough road so bunge the bar down while driving without toad. I pass along for the knowledge of others.
Oh this is such a great and important tip. Thanks so much, David!
Thanks for the information a lot of people never get informed by the dealers or the dealers have no idea what to do.stay safe and thanks again.
Thanks so much for saying so, Ron. Glad to have you here!
I have always considered safety first when towing anything. Great video making others aware. Thank You Liz !
Thanks so much, Gus, glad safety is important to you as well. Hope you are getting some good camping in!
I have a 39 foot class A and I have the brake system. I’m also a solo female full time RVer. A lot of don’t talk about it because most of us with the blue ox have the full system and it’s not something that we have to tell everyone. A lot of people driving these class A take very seriously their safety and the safety of their tow vehicle. I can’t imagine that that many people are slacking in that area.
I wish that were the case, but sadly many people are not using a brake system. Read the comments right here, scary! And so very glad you are being safe!
Love your towing set up. I didn’t know the braking system that you got even existed. I do not like the one that has to go in front of driver seat. You get what you pay for and the one you have really seems like the best way to go. Great informative video, thanks.
Thank you, Jeffrey. Yes, the Roadmaster is so simple- just set it and forget it! Thanks for watching~!
We flat tow a 4-door Jeep Rubicon behind our truck camper. We wouldn't think about not hooking up our braking system. That is insane! We also made sure our tow bar was rated to the Rubicon weight. Our friend learned the hard way this summer when his tow bar failed because he didn't have the right one. Thanks for a great video. I hope others realize how important this is.
Thanks Sally. Yes, so very important. I have friends who do not use a supplemental brake system. Hope they see this video and re-think that. Glad you have one, and great reminder about the tow bar rating. Thanks for watching.
Hi Liz. We have the tow bar, wiring harness for brake lights, and the fixed auxiliary braking system in our tow vehicle. Great video.
Awesome so happy to hear this!!! Yay! And thanks so much for watching.
We run a Roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar with the Demco Air Force I system and love it. Was fortunate to score a lightly used Demco unit for the bus side and save some dollars. Great system that is easy to hook up and ghe brakes work great. Great video and than you.
Thank YOU for watching, so glad to have you here. See you in the next video, and happy to hear you are being safe on the road.
I admire your continued focus on RV content. Stay safe.
Thank you, Debbie, taking the high road here. It's been rough but focusing on creating good content for YOU has kept me going. Hugs!
Dear Liz, thank you for your insistence on safety. I am only a little 'four-wheeler' but I frequently see travel trailers or motorhomes pulling something behind and as I pass them, I get frightened because of shoddy hookups and, as you say, often no brake hookups or light hookups for the vehicle being towed. Where ever you go have happy and super safe travels. from Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Greetings to you up in Guelph, Robert. I hear that's a beautiful place. Thanks for watching!
Very informative video. Safety is #1. I hope my husband and I will have a camper in the future. Your videos will come in handy when we make a purchase.
So glad to hear this Donna, and looking forward to seeing you in a campground someday!
Hi Liz
It’s always exciting to hear from you
Another thing maybe helpful is have a little yellow sign in back of your truck saying “tuck in tow”, in back towards drivers rear side.
It looks strange from far behind watching two vechiles close together when passing from far away😀
That's a great tip, thank you!
Thank you! Very informative! We have a Class A, and trying to get ready to hit the road soon. We will be flat towing, so this content was good to hear! 👍
Yay, so glad this was helpful, Chris. Looking forward to seeing you out here!
Congratulations on your install ! These systems should be mandatory. Get it wrong and your towed vehicle becomes a missile.
Indeed it does. So glad you are a believer! Thanks for watching.
Get it wrong and your towed vehicle passes you on the way down a hill !
Another thing is stabilizer bars. I saw an expedition pulling a boat and when he tried to slow down and his trailer brakes either weren't working, or not adjusted right...? It was quite a show! The boat trailer started whipping back and forth in the lane with movements getting more exaggerated each sweep.
In less time than he could have stopped, it whipped his Ford Expedition onto its side and then the boat drove up on his expo. Yes, his family was with him. No, nobody was hurt, amazingly... just scared spitless! That was an awful lot of "moneys worth" of wreckage along the highway that day!
Right on Liz! If I was going to tow a vehicle behind an RV, it would be on a tandem axle trailer with full brakes. No damaged transmissions, engines, or extra wear and tear on the smaller vehicle. Stay safe!
Yes, that's a good way to do it. Thanks for your comment, Mark, and for watching. Be safe as well.
Yes we have a motorhome front engine diesel. We have towed a car for years. Have the blue ox towbar and a patriot braking system ( we do have power seats in our Jeep Grand Cherokee that we flat tow). We have found it to be a little bit of work to set up but as you said Safety First!!! We have friends that tow without I am sad to say. We like the Jeep because it goes into neutral and we don't have to stop every few hundred miles to start it and mess with the transmission like other vehicles. We have an older 2008 class A (pre DEF ) like you chose. Just turned 60,000 miles- it was 40,000 when we bought it a few years ago. Thanks for providing this valuable information and hopefully it hits home with someone who needs to hear it!
Yay, Gwen! Thanks so much for your comment. I, too, have friends who tow without. Hoping this video helps get the word out to people how necessary a brake system in. And it sounds like you have yourself a winner with your Class A. Looking forward to seeing you on the road, and thanks for watching.
Liz, I thought that you had to have a brake system and the purchase came at the time of buying the tow bar. Yes, it is more expensive, but how expensive is it to have your tow vehicle run into your RV at 60 MPH? That is why most people don't tow heavy cars. Everyone I have talked to has talked incessantly about getting a towable smaller car.
Yep, I see people towing little Fiats and Mini Coopers. Some states require even those to have brakes. As you said, at 60mph you may want that! Thanks for watching, Linda!
Safety is very important! I had a Blue Ox with Patriot braking system installed. My car is actually under 4000lbs, but I carry supplies in there that take it over 4000.
Good for you, so happy to hear this! And thanks for watching.
Yay! I look forward to your videos Liz! Glad you covered this topic. Safety first! :o)
Indeed! Thanks Patty, so happy to have you here!
If my wife and I ever decide to become an RV'er, I feel like we already have an encyclopedias worth of knowledge from your channel. Great video as usual!
Awww, you are SO kind Jeremiah!!! So very glad to have you here and appreciate all your support. Thanks for watching.
I'm glad you pointed out that your motorhome doesn't stop on a dime! Too many people don't realize that not only does a motorhome not stop on a dime, neither does a semi and they pull out in front of us. I do disagree with your brake system thought process though because I'm probably about as old as you and have never used such a thing pulling a vehicle. But I do think it should be required for those with big long motorhomes to have a CDL just like a truck drivers. Many that drive motorhomes have no experience and are very unsafe on the road. I appreciate all you RV'rs out there because you've been good for business. 😊
Thanks so much for your comment, Bill. Yes, some states require a CDL for motorhomes of certain weights. Thanks for watching.
I have flat towed a ‘92 Toyota pickup, purchased new, behind a class C. Even at 2500 lbs I felt it’s presence. I agree, people tow 3 and even 4 ton vehicles with all size RVs, small and large, without brakes on the vehicle being towed! You are offering great advice… now my advice. Choose a smaller, lighter dingy… I spent less than $500 setting up my little truck for towing, and by the way it will go anywhere a larger 4X4 will go. It tows without brakes because of its small size, gets great fuel mileage, and can haul 1/2 if needed. I once asked a 120 pound coworker why she needed a 4 ton SUV to get back and forth to work in… sometimes less is more folks 😉
You know, I thought about getting smaller but as I said in the video, this will pretty much be my daily driver so I wanted something that works for me. Thanks for watching. Besides I spent that $5300 so now I'm definitely stuck with it! :)
Hi Liz, If you will be traveling into Arizona, Salome, AZ has some interesting real estate development involving purchasable RV properties where owners can install an RV docking station (hookups), as well as day cabin, garages, sheds, etc. Salome is less that an hour from Quartzite and it's largely a snowbird enclave.
Ooh, that sounds so interesting. I may want to do a video about that. Thanks for the tip, Rob, and for watching.
Great content.
Your right, it's a subject that should be addressed openly .
Thanks Vince, glad to have you here. Thank you for watching.
Liz, I was surprised too when I learned about the required brake system. When I purchased my Class A motorhome, the dealer just happen to have a Patriot III brake system that they ordered for another customer but the customer cancelled the order. Lucky for me, I had them install the system. They had some trouble ordering the base plate for my vehicle, so I purchased it myself. Overall the cost was about the same as yours. It only takes a minute or so to set it up inside the car. I was so glad I purchased the system, first because it's the law and second while driving in the Appalachian mountains, I came across a big red sign saying, "Warning Steep Decline Grade Ahead 10mph limit."
Yes! It's those steep downhills. You don't want your toad to turn into a battering ram! Thanks for your comment, Denny and be safe.
Great message, equally as important is a good tire pressure monitoring system for both vehicles.
Yes, indeed. Stay tuned for my next video where I talk about that. Thanks for watching, Chris.
Our little teardrop came with a brake system. We are so happy to have it. Especially coming down the high mountain passes in the west. I cannot imaging towing anything without brakes.
Glad to hear this, Lisa! I wish everyone was as safety minded as you. Thanks for watching and enjoy that teardrop!
First off you do not need a power seat's for a Patriot or a Brake Buddy braking system. Our 2014 Jeep Wrangler is basic no power anything and I use my brake buddy every time we move. As you stated set up and tear down is simple and only takes a few minutes, not using it is sheer laziness. Thanks for raising awareness
That's good to know about the power seat, Wayne. The gal at Blue Ox either gave me bad info or meant to say a power seat is recommended. Glad it works for you. Thanks so much for your comment, and yes, I am hoping this video raises awareness for sure! See you in the next video.
I also flat tow a F150. I decided on the Patriot Brake and haven’t found it to be cumbersome at all and the set up is a simple push of a button and wait 10 seconds. The system uses a radio signal to a control box in the RV cockpit.
I do like that invisibrake you’re using and that will probably be my next brake system.
Glad to hear this about the Patriot. It can't be all bad. Thanks for watching.
Our first rv, a vw/winnebago Rialta, had no provisions for towing other than a hitch and 4pin plug, we had a vw pickup truck which was 1800 lbs with full tank of fuel, it had a manual transmission which is ideal for flat towing. There are no kits on the market that would attach to the pickup, no base plates etc. I found a standalone brake buddy that attached nicely to the brake pedal and sat on the floor , You don’t need power seats to use that correctly. Only adjust it until the seat frame makes contact with the unit. It worked out great. Never had a problem towing it.
Glad that brake buddy worked for you, thanks for sharing. And I LOVE those Rialtas, they are such nice looking campers! Glad you had one. And thanks for your comment. See you in the newest video which just posted: czcams.com/video/P3sW5iss27g/video.html
Just bumped into your channel. Great info obviously well researched!
Awww, thank you! And welcome to the channel!
We tow a F-150 with our DP and used a Blue Ox Patriot system. It worked fine, but we upgraded at the FMCA rally to Roadmaster Brakemaster and the difference was amazing!
Glad to hear this, Sheri! Thanks for watching and see you on the road.
The other thing you have to remember is that they wire the vehicle that’s being told that the tow vehicle keeps the battery charged a lot of times the towed vehicle the battery will die from using the brake lights and the brake mechanism if the wiring is not done correctly so you’ll get to your campground and end up having a dead battery in your spare vehicle there
Oh that's such a great point. Thanks for this!
@@LizAmazing you are welcome , safe travels
I love you Liz! Thanks for all the helpful tips. ❤
Aww, thank you so much, Randall!! I can feel the love and am so happy you are here!!!
@@LizAmazing You are very welcome my amazing Liz!
Very important information 👌 Thanks for thinking of others on the road! You've definitely impressed me, and this is the first video I've seen of yours.
Thank you, and welcome to the channel! Be sure to ring the bell, the next video (that I am currently working on) is also safety oriented. Thanks for watching, Paul.
@@LizAmazing I doubt I'll ever own a motor-home. I live on the edge of a National Forrest. I do however appreciate those who I share the road with who put safety first.
Wow, thats a lot of money. But so glad you will be safe. Have fun and safe travels my friend..
Thanks so much Lisa, appreciate you watching. Have a great rest of your weekend.
I used MH/ toad brakes since 2001. It was stressed to me years ago when I decided to tow. Most class a owners that I associated with even back then all used a braking system. It was never a hidden secret that wasnt discussed.
It sure is now. The commenter I answered right next to yours thinks it's ok to go without a supplementary system. And that's what I was hearing when I talked to motorhome owners in campgrounds. Glad you have toad brakes and be safe out there!
It sounds like to me what is the norm in a community(area). It’s just like hearing and seeing! people towing a 44ft-5th wheel with a short box single wheel 3500 truck, they figure nothing is wrong with that 🙄. 🍻
Great video! I echo everything you say about flat towing, it is definitely the best alternative, but there is so much more to it than people talk about. I have a class B diesel sprinter. I started out with an older subaru (stick shift), Roadmaster tow bars, and a Brake Buddy. I actually bought the subaru fully TOAD equipped. I upgraded to a Jeep Cherokee, and wanted an automatic. However only the Trailhawk series has a neutral option on the transfer case. The Cherokee also has electrical power steering assist that must stay on when being towed, so there was an extra harness and switch to facilitate that. That makes a battery tender an absolute must also. The Brake Buddy also requires seat adjustment to wedge it in place, but either power or manual seats work fine. I will say that another hazard out there is whether the towed vehicles are a safe weight for the towing vehicle. I see a big difference between my 3200 pound Forester and my 4200 pound Jeep and that makes the brake buddy all the more important. With a 5000 pound capacity on the sprinter I am still ok. The sprinter also only has 4 wheels on the ground (not a dually), so towed vehicle brakes are definitely a plus.
Brake Buddies are also inertia-operated devices...they apply brake as they sense deceleration, and the sensitivity is adjustable. Your system I would consider superior, where the brakes are applied as the motorhome brakes are applied. I certainly feel the difference when the towed vehicle is braking.
One other setting that can be critical is how far off of horizontal the towbar is. Some are not supposed to be angled up or down beyond a certain limit. This may necessitate a drop or lift adapter to put the towbar receiver height at the same height as the tow vehicles adapters.
Thanks so much for sharing your setup and the wisdom in your comment. Such a good point about the towbar, too. Appreciate you being here, Peter, and see you in the next video.
I have a 2018 Class C Coachmen Concord 300TS. I tow 2005 Chevrolet Colorado and use the brake buddy system. Works very well.
Glad to hear this, Ken. Thanks for letting me know, and for watching. Hope to see you on the road.
We may never know the truth. It was odd she would want me away from the dark and quiet side lot to right in front of the door, bright lights and lots of witnesses. But the cops are done with the case having ruled out the thieves house for whatever reason. Thanks for watching.
Hey Liz let me tell you something that was a really great video thank you so much for sharing with us God bless and be safe and the road
Awww, sure appreciate your enthusiasm and kind words. So happy to have you here. See you in the next video, and thanks for watching.
We found the same thing had a Blue ox patriot foot pedal braking system, flat towing a Nissan Titan, yes it can be done with a drive shaft disconnect. Well, it malfunctioned while traveling in downtown Atlanta at night. Thank goodness for our TPMS system, as that was the indicator something was wrong as it alarmed, and when we looked back smoke was coming from the read driver tire. Well our Tiffin was doing its job pulling and the braking system was trying to stop the truck. Long story short the rig won as the frame was pulled away from the truck. We stopped using the patriot and changed to demco system. Now we are pulling a 24 Ft ATC trailer all aluminum and it works better for our lifestyle. Yes, we are 70 Ft in length so far have not had a problem styling hooked up, we also have a trax2 to move the trailer when the rig cannot.
Oh my goodness. That must have been quite stressful that day! And TPMS is a must. I will be talking about that in an upcoming video. Happy travels to you!
I had the Unified Tow brake system installed and it worked great. Just hook up, plug in and go.
Hadn't heard of that one. Good to know, Mark. Thanks for watching.
Another very good video. Safety is of utmost importance... I understand your feelings about trailers, one thing to consider is that you can back up with a trailer! We have a car hauler open trailer for my wife's 350Z Roadster that we would take along with our trips in our Class A Vista 30T. Now that we have a 2 year old Golden Retriever we are relegated to bringing the Camry as there are only 2 seats in Nissan and Lucy is to big to sit on my wife's lap, she takes up the same space as a human. While talking about the same type of setup that you have a full timer once described his Ford F150 as starting to pass him in the rear view mirror. One of the pins for the tow bar came out and the truck moved over to the left while being towed by 1 bar. He slowed down and pulled over and stopped. In that situation the brakes should be lightly applied so the truck slows down without running into the rear of the motorhome. No matter what the way of towing always check and recheck all connection points, hitches, and cables at every stop. It seems when you let your guard down is the times that bite you the worst...
Yes, indeed. Gotta double and triple check everything. AND do a walk around inspection at every stop. Thanks for this! I talk about backing the motorhome in the next video, see you then! Thanks for watching, John.
Great info. Thanks Liz!
Thanks Ray, glad to have you here.
Amen! Brake systems are required, and shouldn't be ignored. I have Demco tow bars (much like Blue Ox) and do use the Patriot braking. The newer Patriots are surprisingly light, and once they are programmed by the installer, the setup is a one-button push. The power seat makes it easier to snug in the Patriot, but is not required.
Do your research and talk to your dealer - the "easier" option of having an automatic system under the hood only works with certain kinds of toad braking systems (which is why I ended up with the Patriot) and you may or may not be required to manually disconnect your toad battery each time. I made sure the car would fall within the towed weight requirements of my Class B+, but only later learned that the braking system I initially wanted could not be installed. But it's still only 5 min to hook up or disconnect everything (and I'm getting faster each time), and I feel much safer knowing it's right.
Yes, and it's so important do independent research as well. Some dealers may only want to sell certain products. When I got the InvisiBrake installed, the installer tried to get me to do the Patriot. He said the install with InvisiBrake was a few hours. But when I did independent research I found out that MY setup time would be much shorter! So that's why the InvisiBrake one. Definitely it's so important to do the research and make sure the system is right for your toad. Thans for your comment and so glad you have a braking system!
LAST NAME FIRST, like in so many papers//registration//licenses, etc etc etc. Yours matches who you are,, your beliefs, really what I’m sure most people think of you!!! (Just need to add “”THE “
AMAZING LIZ!! no comma needed
Liz, stay safe and God Bless you ma’am!!
Awww, you are so kind! Thanks for the smile Bob!!!