BE SAFE, BE LEGAL, 4 DOWN TOWING behind a Motorhome
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- čas přidán 25. 07. 2024
- IMPORTANT SET UP INFO & TIPS ON TOWING 4 DOWN BEHIND YOUR MOTORHOME from a "VETERAN FULL TIMER" - and an in depth look at the Ready Brute Elite Tow Bar System. When we were getting ready to travel full time, I immediately decided that I was not going to pull our tow vehicle on a dolly for many reasons. I wanted a manual transmission car and I wanted to tow 4 down aka Flat Tow. I didn’t want the hassle of a tow car that needed special relays or fuses to keep the battery from going dead while being towed, having to stop every few hundred miles and run the transmission thru all the gears and on and on it can go. Joanie & I are retired and getting older, so I wanted a car and a tow bar system that was going to be easy to set up and disconnect. And we have accomplished that goal.
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Once I bought the Ready Brute Elite Tow Bar, I chose to ditch the coiled safety cables and went with high tensile strength chain. Everything we need to connect and disconnect we carry in a bag in the car. That way we are never hunting for or losing any of our equipment.
I love the fact that with the Ready Brute Elite Tow Bar I actually have two braking systems. The "Ready Brake" that’s built into the Ready Brute Elite Tow Bar, but it also uses the existing brakes on the car. Now in addition to the braking system, I also installed an emergency break away cable. This cable and hardware will set and hold the brakes on our car in the event it should ever become separated from our RV while towing. Great safety feature and it’s required in some US states and in Canada.
I decided to not use the factory connecting pins. I chose locking pins to connect the tow bar to the RV, the hitch and to the car.
Cost of our system towing 4 down:
For me it was right around $3K but I bought everything new:
• To purchase the Base plate and installation was right around $850
• The Tow Bar itself was right around $1,150 or so at the time and it didn’t come with Blue OX Clevis’
• So I had to buy 2 - Blue OX Clevis’ for the ends of the tow bar
• The over and under hitch
• 3 Rattle Clamps
• Chains and fabric covers
• 6 locking pins all keyed the same
• The bike rack and bike cover
• The tow bar cover and straps
• My tool bag, gloves etc.
Add it all up and with tax was right around 3K but mind it was well worth it. We’ve been using it now for 5 years and haven’t had a lick of trouble with it.
SAFETY
• ALWAYS check your towing equipment and car after you’ve stopped at a rest stop or anything like that. This is why I chose pins with locks. I have read and seen where some people had their pins tampered with and the cotter pin had been removed. It wasn’t pretty. Also make sure your breakaway body hasn’t been tampered with by someone pulling the cable. That’s why I use a zip tie to that area like I showed you.
• Never start talking to someone while hooking up. This is where you can become distracted and make mistakes
Stay safe everybody and take hooking up your tow vehicle seriously. Hope to see many more of you on the road.
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DISCLAIMER:
We are in no way experts or professional mechanics. But being a journeyman millwright for years & being EX Military, has proven to be very helpful in my lifetime learning how to care for & maintain all sorts of machinery & equipment like: helicopters, airplanes, tanks, motorcycles & many types of other vehicles. That, along with 18 months preparing & upgrading our RV before we went full time, & now traveling for several years has gained us a lot of knowledge. Regardless of what we recommend, consult a professional if you're unsure about working on your RV. Work you perform or products you purchase based on any information we provide is at your own risk. - Jak na to + styl
The locking pins I bought that were all keyed the same:
www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Pins-and-Clips/Blue-Ox/BX88212.html
Your size may vary and you'll have to call and order them and have them keyed all the same for a small extra fee
The way I installed the dash light so I could verify the braking system was working correctly was to splice a wire into the main harness at the back, then a little more wire to splice from under the dash from that same wire, then I bought a small 12V indicator light, drilled a hole in the dash and mounted it. The light was two piece....the light with a threaded stem and a lock ring on the back with two posts for the wiring from under the dash. I forget where I bought the light but their easy to find.
Word of caution on the locking pins. I had similar pins and lost an expensive hitch due to locking pin failure. The pins I had identical to yours, the lock assembly is held together with a pressed in pin. The pin over a period of time walked out and the complete lock came off the pin causing the pin not to be locked anymore and eventually the pin walked out of the hitch and lost the hitch. For the life of me I coudn't figure out how I lost hitch, I thought I forgoten to put the lock on the pin. After tracing the roads I've travel (locally) I found the locking pin on the side of the road. I had a second lock and the same thing happend to it in my driveway. I drilled a hole before the lock and put a hairpin throught it as a backup in case the lock comes off. Food for thought. Enjoy your videos, very informative. Thank You.
@@fredrod6383 Thank you Fred for that. WOW...who would of thought. However, I'm not sure I exactly understand this part though...
*I drilled a hole before the lock and put a hairpin through*
Could you please elaborate on this OR if you do Facebook messenger, shoot me a picture. Just click the FB logo on my YT home page. 🔧
I want to thank you for making this wonderful video. We hooked it up with no problems. Thank you again 🤗
Great video! We will share a story with you guys. We bought ourselves a diesel pusher after retirement along with a top of the line flat tow system and a receiver to get us level. Everything from the the same company. Three years later while traveling down the road the receiver broke at the weld and down went the tow bar. Fortunately everything worked as it should and no damage. My wife followed in the car to our destination, we talked to the manufacturer, they next day air a new receiver, we sent them the failed receiver and now waiting to hear back. It pays to flat tow correctly as your video points out.
Awesome class, I learned a lot. I don’t currently tow behind my rig, but when I do I will definitely be rewatching this video for all the great tips and advice.
Top notch videos Martin! Always love learning more about RV tips and tricks. Vibration is a major problem traveling across the country. The roads on our highways are so bumping it can jar connections and mounted items loose. Keep up the good work and maybe one day we will meet y'all on the road one day! Happy RVing!
Appreciate 99.9999% of all of your videos (at least 100 )that we have looked at Martin. This video was especially helpful for me. My wife and I have been trying for sometime to get to where we can enjoy the Rv life. We are almost there. Thank you and Joanie so much. Tommy and Bonita.
Great video and very timely Martin. I was just starting my research on a flat tow system after our trip to Myrtle Beach when we had no car for 10 days. Ended up renting one, but after that trip we said time to get a toad! Thanks for sharing once again!
Great information. I tow a Chevy spark with manual transmission that has a non locking steering and love it. Our tow bag has all the essentials with a small rubber mat for protecting my knees when attaching and or removing. The small zip tie on the emergency breakaway on the base plate is brilliant and will apply to my own.
Thank you so much Martin. It’s like going to school. Your a great teacher. And I am forever going to be a student So don’t get tired of lack of experience. When I need your awesome advance and help. And your playlist. Whoa. What a great idea. Once again thank you so much for caring You will definitely make my rv life a pleasure. I am a newbie
This is excellent! This is the same setup I intend to use for my 2022 Jeep Cherokee when we start full-timing this fall. Thanks and safe travels!!!
Martin you're always full of fantastic information, great work.
So glad you reminded everyone to check the connections when the attached tow has been left alone. It's becoming more common to hear about these issues that can really ruin an RV Experience. Thanks again.
We love our Ready Brute Elite2. It has been a simple and effective toad system. We tow a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek with manual transmission.
Great vid ! .... Clicked on this vid to get some pointers for using a tow bar while moving an old car for restoration.
So glad that I did ... the info here will surely save lives. This guy should be teaching at some high end university.
Thanks for the info !
Nicely done Martin! Love your vids! Keep up the great content and stay safe on the road! 😎👍🏼
Thank you for your service and sacrifice Sir. Great video. Thanks.
Great job!!! I really appreciated how thorough you were in explaining even the smallest details! Your obviously a perfectionist and a great teacher!
Thank you so much!
Very clear and comprehensive overview. Thanks!
Good video! We recently bought a used Alfa diesel pusher for our first RV. We plan on towing our 2015 Cherokee. I lucked into the same tow bar that you have, not even knowing what I needed, but the guy was towing a Jeep Wrangler with it. I will need the base plates put on the Cherokee so we can tow. Just have to find someone in the north Texas area that does that kind of work. Thanks for your video. Really helps us understand the process!
Thank you. I’ve been using this same set up for 4.5 years. This is the first time seeing how to maintain it. I also picked up some other good pointers.
Glad it was helpful. 👍
Joanie, Martin has helped me again! This is exactly what I was looking for and concerned about. Best wishes, Kevin
Wonderful! 👍😁
Masterclass. Thank you so very much for your comprehensive video. Safe travels.
Glad it was helpful! 👍
This was truly so very helpful for me. Thank you for this video!! I’m trying to find a toad, now, but EVERYTHING is so expensive. I’d really like to get a vehicle of similar weight as your Fiesta and, when I do, I’ll be revisiting this video and your links for sure!!
Just wanted to say I follow about 13 different RV youtubers BUT always recommend RVstreet to all our friends. Watched your video on Flat Towing, this has always been my worries towing our Ram 1500 behind our Motorhome, we have a Patriot and have never been that comfortable with it.... Yesterday I ordered the Ready Brute II and look forward to the upgrade and the peace of mind while i view the backup camera going down the highway. Keep up the great work and we look forward to your next video.
Thank you Gary 👍
Well done Martin!
Very very impressive video! Like you said, a bit long but very important. The time it must have taken you to research, film, edit and fine tune this segment is a head shaker. I hope people understand how tedious a process it has been for you. This segment is very valuable and again, feeling like I've been "Martinized", I feel a bit less stupid. Thanks for your VERY valuable work and thank you Joanny also!
Martin, another well done video providing a wealth of useful information. In particular you hinted to a chance that the locking pins could provide some problems in the event of a quick disconnect. I have watched videos where either the MH or the toad have caught on fire, and quickly disconnecting is necessary. This situation needs to be considered. And yes, shopping via your Amazon store is easy.....i have done it, and recommend it to others.
*locking pins could provide some problems in the event of a quick disconnect*
That's why we keep an extra key for all our locking pins at the door. As I said in the video, locking pins do introduce a small safety issue, but IMO they out weight all the other issues like a fire while under way. It's all about risk management.
Brand new to the whole RV thing. This video and the comments are VERY discouraging, though informative. After reading all this I don't want to even attempt to 4 down tow. WAY too hard a setup and everything. But from what you have said, dolly towing is no picnic either, so I'll probably just ride a bicycle since for me a 30 or 40 mile ride on a 100 degree day is nothing. Don't think I need a second vehicle and I SURE don't need these kind of hassles!
Again, I LOVE your videos!! I'm learning SO much, and no cheesy, smart-ass fake humor like on so many other vids. Just your very straight-forward, no nonsense presentation. AWESOME JOB!
I would agree that setting it up is a pain BUT once it is done it's a breeze to hookup and detatch.
We haven’t bought our RV yet and I view alot of your content just because I find it very interesting and informative. Good presentation , good info … good job !
FYI , buddy of mind recent bought a class A , I sent him a link to your site .
Thanks for taking the time 👍
Awesome! Thank you!
WHAT A GREAT VIDEO, Thank you for taking the time. I'll be watching
Thank you 👍
Great video with important info. You definitely made a good decision going the route you have!. We decided on a different route,. We started out back in the 1980's towing a Jeep Cherokee manual 4wd --4 down. It worked great for a couple of years. Then one day coming down a hill in Nova Scotia on the way back south to GA, I heard a large crunching sound. As this was before the advent of video cameras on our rig I asked the dear wife to run back to the rear window to see what the noise was. Being tired and grumpy her response was, "Just don't worry, shut up and keep driving". There didn't seem to be any indication she was going to undertake the task at hand. I kindly and in a sweet tone persisted with demands for a rear window inspection. She reluctantly went to the rear window while I proceeded along the route at 55mph. As she arrived at the rear window she let out a blood curdling screamed and yelled : "don't stop don't stop" I immediately glanced to my drivers side mirror and oddly I saw the Jeep pulling out in an attempt to pass the motorhome. So I had to have some deep thought (in a split second) as whether to hit the brakes or to just watch the Jeep continue along to pass me, I opted to coast to a stop. When I arrived at the rear of the motorhome I found the entire hitch system has sheared off of the Jeep with only the tiniest piece of steel holding it to the set up at the hitch. Well the wife was then given the opportunity to drive the Jeep back to Georgia as there was no way I could get it fixed there. Now we have been happy tow dolly owner/operators for the past 8 years. We love it. Easy to load . No wallowing around on the ground. We are hooked and hitched with one of our 2 vehicles on the dolly in 7 minutes or less. With its versatility, I have towed 4 vehicles front wheel drive and 2 rear wheel drive pick ups on the dolly since 2014 over 90,000 miles with not one incident. We really love it so much better for us than 4 down, but 4 down absolutely is a winner for many folks. Oh and with our current rig we are a happy couple always using our rear view camera!😁
DW said,
*"Just don't worry, shut up and keep driving".*
Ok that's funny. I'm glad for you that using a dolly works for you, But for me NO 😂
Great idea. I never heard of anti-rattle clamps
Thank you, great video. Very informative
Great video! thanks for sharing.
Great Video, Great Info!!!
Ran into an Boondocking RV'er at Lake Mohave who told me the horror story of having his toad stolen while spending a luxury night in a motel, because he didn't have lock pins on his clevises. The police found the jeep two days later, it had been totally parted out!
Great video, thanks!
Thank you!
I have a picture I would love to share with you. I had a cheap locking pin from Harbor Freight. It failed. My dolly did not have brakes. Lucky for me I realized something was wrong. . I was on a mountain road with no shoulders. My crossed chains held the hitch off the ground until I could pull over. Wow. Was able to get new pin about 40 miles away. Never will I buy a cheap pin again.
awesome content
Great video, thank you again :)
Always has great information 🌲😊
Glad you think so!
You mentioned in another vid that you are ex military, thank you for your service sir. You discipline reflects that.
Also, I can't imagine not having a garage with my tools and a work bench, where as you have to travel with all your tools.
Ya, I had a full blown garage too, but I had to pare it down to what I really needed.
One thing we do with our cables is cross them. We use the same locks however, we do not use them during toad travel only when parked overnight at a stop. The reason is if there is a fire and need to get the toad off, it’s easier to pull our red handle detent pins. Our heavy duty lynch pins we added a quick release safety lanyard chain that connects from the lynch pin back to the red handle. The reason is we have had a lynch pin pop out while towing, yes this does and can happen, thankfully, I was able to get off the road safely but ended up have to buy another tow bar, because the tow bar arm that was still holding the toad bent, while trying to slow and get off the freeway safely. Since we tow four down with a 10k hitch a midsize truck we had a welder reinforce our hitch to the frame of our Tiffin. Thank you for doing this segment as it serves as a good reminder.
*One thing we do with our cables is cross them.*
Yep we do the same thing with our chains.
Hi Martin, great video, I have a class c , recently found a jeep liberty with a baseplate, and really like the ready brute elite 2 for the simplicity. Een testing
Thx Stevo,
Agreed. Hassle free, easy to hook up, has a surge brake built in. What more could you ask for?
You can buy that thru my Amazon Store ya know? Just click the link below and shop on Amazon for what you need and check out.
www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet
Good video. I tow a Kia Soul manual. I also wanted something light with a manual transmission.
I carry extra pins, breakaway cable, etc... just in case.
After I connect everything, I go back to the car, release the emergency brake and then grab a wheel and roll the car back. This verifies to me 2 things, it is out gear and the emergency brake is off. I then turn the steering wheel to make sure it is not locked. I did not check the steering wheel once and don't want to do it again. No damage but it was driving really weird.
Once I am sure everything is hooked up and I know the car is ready for tow, I pull the RV forward slowly to lock in the towbar. I then go a little faster for maybe 50ft and hit my brakes. I should see my brake indicator light go and I should feel a slight tug from the car. If not, I go and check things.
My biggest fear is that I will see my toad pass me on i95. ;-)
Martin oh, how I wish you were here I had a hitch failure are use of ready brute elite two thank God. I caught it before the jeep completely ripped loose from the RV but anyway, if you can hear me, I think you for this video I just wish I could talk to you about what happened and get your ideas on how to keep it from happening again. God bless you my friend.
super informetive ty ty ty
Good informative video on this brand of hitch. Once it is set up seems to be much easier than dealing with a Brake Buddy etc on the inside of the TOAD. Regarding the safety chain issue. You mention that you use the hooks that came with the coiled up cables, would not they become the weakest link so to speak on a shock load? Seems like a shackle may be more robust to use.
thank you for your help. Just new to the RV worldT
Thanks for watching Ed. Here's some more of my vids you might find helpful:
www.youtube.com/@RVstreet/playlists
Thanks again Martin!!
Some great info, like crossing the cables, wouldn't have thought of that, and haven't heard it in other RV videos I've watched but I like the idea. BUT ONE COMPLAINT, if you're going to wave a bottle of product around that you like, at least face it towards the camera so we can read its label.
I watched the NSA video on this bar, they have one in which they measure the distance the lever on the brake moves. The Ready brake assembly when activated moves forward towards the motorhome, you may want to check the clearance of your Derattler seems like it will be very close. I have used this bar for 10 years and did not realize that it moved in that manner.
If you have the derattlers installed like I do they don't interfere with the travel. If you don't install derattlers in the places I showed, that whole assembly back there will be very loose which can cause other problems over the long haul.
hi martin , just saw the answer, i will contact etrailer. thanks
Great Video as always, your attention to detail is fantastic. I have a Ready Brute Elite 2. I just got a new rig and need to connect the brake light indicator, what components did you use for that ? I did not see it in your items list. I know NSA makes a DL100 but really I only need the wire from the hitch to the cockpit and the LED.. Thank you
The only components was wire to splice into the main harness at the back, then a little more wire to splice in under the dash from that same wire, then I bought a small 12V indicator light, drilled a hole in the dash and mounted it. The light was two piece....the light with a threaded stem and a lock ring on the back with two posts for the wiring. I forget where I bought the light but their easy to find.
@@RVstreet ty
Hi Martin where did you get the pair of keyed alike locking tow bar pins? i dont see them in your store. are they 1/2 inch diameter?
Where did you get the grommets for the holes in the blue ox baseplate to keep crap out
When I am moving I do not use the locking pins. I use clevis pins. The Reason? If there is an emergency situation on the road, like a fire , I can disconnect the Toad fast.
Very interesting, but my wife cannot drive a standard. Did you hook up the lights in the toad? What kind of headache was that? I'd like to see the brake install and lights. If simple enough, i'll do it, if not, guess I'll be paying someone.
Just subscribed. I hope to be picking up my Thor Palazzo 33.5 in the next week or so, and I think your channel will be a valuable addition to my education. This will be our first RV, and I think flat towing is the way to go.
Thanks again
Bob g
Flat towing is by far the easiest way to tow in my opinion. We took our car to a garage and had them hook the brakes and lights. Safe travels to you.
Fantastic, detailed video very much appreciated. What’s your main reason(s) for not using the dolly system? Knowing that you would have to change that base plate, everytime you decided on a new or different tow vehicle would add quite a bit of money to get it adapted. So I know you must have some very good reasons, I would love to hear them.
The biggest reason was how easy and quick it was to hook up and detach. We didn't want to mess with moving a dolly around and finding a place to put it because lots of campgrounds don't allow you to have it on your site. We planned on keeping the car until it would no longer run so we hopefully would't have to change cars very often.
Where can I get this installed for a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. I had our falcon 2 installed into hooks in front bumper. It’s all over the place. Made it home, but really discouraged. Need advice and help.
Great video, very informative. Question, what over and under hitch do you recommend? I want to keep my Hollywood ebike rack. Thanks!
I got mine @ eTrailer. They have a wide selection. Your just going to have to measure and see what type you need for your set up. Any of them should be fine to carry the weight of an eBike & rack
@@RVstreet Stupid question: the center of the hitch on my motorhome is 21 1/4" off the ground and the center of the attachment points on my base plate are 13"; it would seem to me that I need an 8" drop hitch but inasmuch as my installer totally screwed up the install, I'm nervous about getting the right drop this time...
Anothet post
HVe the same hitch with the bikes on do the enterfer turner also thought of putting a rack for Honda generator
Don't understand your question 😭
Good video, question... you didn't mention the steering lock on the toad, do you leave the key in the ignition lock in the unlocked position? or have you had the steering lock disabled? cheers John
thx J,
No I didn't mention a steering lock on the toad because we don't have one. That's one of the main reasons we bought our toad. Key OFF, steering unlocked, 5 speed manual transmission, put in neutral, emergency brake off and away we go.
Great video. Thank you both. I have the same towbar. Why do you remove the covers when greasing. I have been injecting grease and then running the legs in and out. I thought that's why the fitting were there.
The fittings don't allow much grease and only in a small area. Remove the rubber boots and you'll see what I mean.
@@RVstreet Thanks much. I noticed your PH plate. Welcome home
@@rvnmedic2709 🇺🇸 🙏
When you arrive at a new campground when and where do you unhook your flat towed Vehicle? At the campground entrance or at your new campsite? Am new to flat towing and don’t want to get into a bad situation. Any advice would sure be appreciated Martin! As always thanks for all you do.
Good question.
Usually...I unhook at the check in building while Joanie is checking us in. Then she comes out with our reservations, map etc. and she explains to me where we're supposed to go. She'll get in the car and head to our site and I follow her. Once there, she'll check the pedestal first to make sure the electric is good BEFORE I start to back in with her guidance. There have been a few-very few-instances where either I had to little room or I would cause a backup traffic situation unhooking while she was in the building. In those instances, we go ahead and drive to our sire-car in tow-and when we get to our spot or near our spot, we'll both get out, unhook and then park. It just depends, but mostly the first option.
Thank you Martin.
I love this video! Will WD40 be a good lubricant? I am just getting ready to leave today. The sandpaper & lube is so helpful!
WD40 is not a lubricant.
czcams.com/video/RwLtRBwI2uc/video.html
Martin thanks for all the info on the flat pull for cars I noticed that you have a standard transmission did you buy this car this way so you can Flat pull it!
I had to Dolly pull my wife’s car because of it being a automatic.
Are a lot of cars out there that
you cannot flat pull.
Thought I would share
Yes I bought it for that reason.
Hi Martin.
I could use the anti-rattle clamps on my step down hitch for our flat tow. Where do you get them and are they simply called anti-rattle clamps? Thanks for your input!
My anti-rattle clamps are in my Amazon Store in the "Towing Equip. and Gear" category. AKA Hitch clamps.
www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet
Great Video Martin !--I read one comment on IRV2 where an owner had lots of trouble releasing his tow car from the bar after towing--He wrote that the release levers were extremely difficult to turn--have you had any trouble like this ?
We have never run into this problem
Good morning
Have the exact system just got installed
Couldn't afford a new jeep
Found a 5speed PT cruiser love it 3900 lbs
Having a little hard time with brake setup after my stroke have so many of your videos since I amsubsrcibed how do I receive notes from you
Thanks again
Since your subscribed be sure you have also clicked the bell off to the right of the subscribe button and check ALL. You can also communicate with me on FB using messenger by clicking the FB logo from my YT home page: czcams.com/users/RVstreet
Excellent video and so on-time for us! We also pull a Ford Fiesta on an 8" drop on the Roadmaster 10k lb hitch. We also carry two ebikes on the riser, adding about 150lbs to the hitch. Every hitch connection is stabilized. We're concerned if this is too much weight for a 5k lb rated hitch with 500lb tongue weight. What's your opinion?
Since towing 4 down, there is no hitch weight from the Fiesta. So applying two bikes and a bike rack on the hitch @ 150lbs. shouldn't be any problem.
@@RVstreet thank you 😊
Question: what brand locking pins do you use?
@@MsMishele These www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Pins-and-Clips/Blue-Ox/BX88212.html
Your size may vary and you'll have to call and order them and have them keyed all the same for a small extra fee.
Hay I to have a ready brut II. So ware did you get the locking pins at that are keyed the same?
These www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Pins-and-Clips/Blue-Ox/BX88212.html
Your size may vary and you'll have to call and order them and have them keyed all the same for a small extra fee.
Martin my question to you is the cable that you’re using for a safety brake is it large enough to hold the car if it’s not attached although I see you’re assuming it’s going to stop the cars at will the cable hold the card until it breaks
Yes the cable is large enough and no the cable won't break. If the car becomes unattached from everything, the red cable is pulled, and it's locked in the red block, locking the brake pedal down, bringing the car to a halt.
I guess I’m asking you all the cables hold the car while it stops
Hi Martin, great video. I also have the ready brake system/blue ox bar and my toad is a 2018 hyundai elantra 6 speed manual tranny. Question: Ready brake recommends their de-rattler hitch stabilizer and states other hitch stabilizers interfere with in/out action of receiver surge brake. Do you notice any interference with your hitch stabilizer? if not, is that stabilizer in your store? thanks for all your great vids.
My hitch stabilizers won't interfere if you mount them correctly. Hit me up on FB messenger and I'll shoot you a current picture of how to do that.
@@RVstreet Hi Martin, wondering if my reply to you( rv street) on FB messenger came through?
@@jespo27 Just now saw your message. I was busy all day yesterday redoing my city water pedestal so didn't check here Sunday morning. I normally check Messenger every morning. I'll get you a picture this morning in a little bit 👍
So was the car factory wired with the diodes to isolate the electrical energy from the cars wire harness?
Hi Joe,
No. I did not tie into the existing car wiring. I ran separate wires and a fuse to the tail lights. To many problems can arise tying auxiliary lights into factory harnesses, plus if it's a new car-like ours was at the time-and you start having electrical problems, the warranty is voided.
Please tell me from whom did you purchase the over and under hitch and the locking pins. Thank you.
I sad to say that Martin has passed away and I don't have the answer to your question. Sorryl
I’m curious about one thing in regards to the over and under hitch installation. Like you I want to carry a couple of bikes. Probably e-bikes. When I was discussing this with the bike shop owner he expressed concerns over the bike racks mounted between the RV and the toad that may result in damage when making turns. Can you share your opinion on this?
I'm not sure what he was thinking or how it could get damaged but it was never an issue for us.
Hello just wondered what over and under hitch you were using. Did not see it listed in your store.
I'm sad to say Martin has passed away and I don't have an answer for you
@@RVstreet My sincere condolences.
Another great video Martin. I learn a lot from you but you didn’t mention anything about isolating the transmission. A little of vehicles can’t be without damaging the transmission unless drive shafts are disconnected or there is a way to circulate the transmission fluid. What are your thoughts
I'm sorry to say that Martin has passed away but I think he did mention in the video that we had a stick shift so it was basically take off the park brake, but it in neutral for towing.
@@RVstreet I’m sorry for your loss. I only recently started watching your channel and didn’t realize Martin had passed.
I’ll continue to watch the videos. They’re a wealth of information.
I’ll also order anything I need through your Amazon store.
I have the ready brute Elite and a 2019 ford fiesta. My question. When the battery is disconnected, brake pedal becomes very stiff. The lever that activates the cable is very hard to move thus by my dash mounted light on the dash of my MH never lit up indicating actuation of brakes. Should I try to somehow lubricate the surge lever or us my cable just not tight enough ?
*When the battery is disconnected*
Which battery?
*brake pedal becomes very stiff*
what brake pedal? The tow car?
Do you have a Fiesta with an automatic transmission? I have a 5 speed manual.
If you're trying to move that lever by hand forget it. It takes a lot of inertia from the tow car to move that level. Do not lubricate that lever. There are carbon plates under that level.
If the light isn't coming on you either have a wiring issue OR those carbon plates under the lever are cracked and not allowing the contact to be made.
After installing the blue ox to my Equinox and Jayco Melbourne 29D I drove off and got onto the highway (81). After about 100 yards I could see in my mirrors I had a problem and immediately pulled over. The driver side tow arm broke off the attachment and dented the car and ripped the plastic bumper cover off. I have since repaired the whole system but am very gun shy to hooking this setup again. Advice please oh and I have no idea why that happened.
I know a lot of people have Blue OX tow bar systems but I'm, not a fan. I've seen a lot of failures and problems with these units. Some due to equipment failure or malfunctions and some due to owner error. It would be impossible for me to advise without looking carefully at the result and visually doing some forensics to figure out what happened and what needs to be done to resolve the issue. Once it's set up right there's no need to be gun shy.
I’ve used a driveshaft disconnect system for 30 years to flat tow my van behind various motor homes giving me no need for a transmission pump. Any comments or thoughts on that type of system from your experience?
I'm sad to say that Martin has passed away and I don't have any answers for you.
I have a blue ox tow system for my 2020 Equinox. The brake system is a box with a clamp to attach to the brake pedal. I hate this system for the difficulty to attach it to the pedal. Your brake system is different and seems much easier to use. Can I get your system for my application?
Yes you can and yes it's a snap to hook up and is problem free.
Where can I get your brake system and who can I get to install it
@@twbelieves My brake system is built into the tow bar like I showed in the video. It's a surge brake. I have no idea where you can have it installed in your area but I had everything installed in Houston, TX. As far as where you can buy my system, I have all of it in my Amazon Store in the "Towing Equip. and Gear" category.
www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet
Is the baseplate connected to the steering or what makes the car steer
The steering column isn't locked so the car just tracks behind the motorhome.
@@RVstreet ok 👌
Does the car need to be runnin wile towing
No.
Great video, really leaning toward a ready brute elite II , out testing my liberty downhill coasting, engine off, after 3 or 4 brake applications, I can barely push the brake on. NSA says dont worry, not a problem, but I'm not so sure. I know they sell a little vacuum pump, what do you think?
I'm not sure. That's why I bought the ready brute elite. I didn't want all those problems and added accessories to fuss with. Just more stuff to maintain and break.
Where do you go when you don’t trust yourself to set up any of this yourself? Where would you find the people with the experience to do this right? RV dealers would have your rig forever because of their backlog of orders. No mechanics here, even if we know what products to buy.
Too much trouble too many parts. A tow dolly is easier.
To much trouble.....? Easier...ah no. Towing 4 down is a one time set up. Hear me out....
When we pull out and hook up our toad it literally takes us 3 minutes and then do a light check. How long does it take you to drag your dolly in position, attach it to your you RV, drive your car up onto the dolly, attach the tire nets etc, etc? Trust me, I've watched many, many people hook up their dolly and it's way more more hassle than hooking up 4 down. Is a dolly cheaper on the front end "YES", more hassle there afterwards, oh ya.
The other things we don't deal with is additional dolly tires that have to be replaced often, let's not forget dolly axle bearing maintenance and added hitch weigh. I mean, I'm not trying to be argumentative here. I know some people like their dolly set up and that's kewl with me. But IMO, there's no comparison to towing 4 down when it comes to simplicity, less maintenance and especially as you get older.
I truly thank you Tom for your comment and for watching. I answered this in detail so others can contemplate the right decision for themselves and I'm glad a dolly works for you. 💗
@@RVstreet I don’t have a dolly. I was playing devil’s advocate because I wasn’t sure which one I really wanted. I don’t have a vehicle that will flat tow. So now I have that expense to think about. Maybe a trailer would be better? I don’t know.
@@twbelieves When we were getting ready to go FT our current car wasn't towable either. We traded it in for the car we have now.
A trailer is worse than a dolly. I watched a guy from Canada that towed his truck on a trailer. He pulled in next to us two sites down. I watched him get the truck off the trailer with ramps, then put the ramps back in the trailer, pulled his MH up so the truck could hitch to the trailer, then moved trailer into place, unhooked from the trailer and moved the truck out of the way so he could back in the MH and then he parked the truck. Took him 45 minutes. He just happened to be getting into a site that would accommodate both the trailer and the truck. He had no patio room. I couldn't believe he went to all that hassle every time he parks.
HI, i DON'T BACKUP A TRAILER VERY WELL, IS BACKING UP A TOW VEHICLE THE SAME ?
You called a "hair" pin a cotter pin.
I stopped this at 34:26 to read the model number of the road master over under but can’t quite make it out. Is it 077-4? Thanks
I'm broken hearted to say Martin has passed away💔
@@RVstreet I am so sorry. I don’t know if this is comforting but a friend said something to me 30 years ago that stuck….It’s better to be in the arms of the Lord than the clutches of the world”. Please accept my sincere condolences to you and your family. Gods blessings.
Omg I’m nodding off ..sorry
Sleepy now..I’ve avoided towing a car for 8 years this decided that I will NEVER tow a car! E-bikes forever
Ok ya lost me brother..eyes are blurry! No offense
Another great video and tutorial. This will be so helpful as we outfit our RV with a tow vehicle. Thanks Martin, you are the best!!
HI, i DON'T BACKUP A TRAILER VERY WELL, IS BACKING UP A TOW VEHICLE THE SAME ?
if you are flat towing you can't back up with it attached to the motorhome.
@@RVstreet SO IF YOU PULL IN AND MUST BACKUP, YOU HAVE TO DISCONNECT TOAD ?
correct