F1bNorm
Gardena, CA
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Joined: 11/10/2004
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Went to the RV show to get info on towing my CRV with my 23' Winn Aspect.
The info I got was very disappointing. It looked like to have a legal/weight appropriate system it could cost very close to $4000. pretty far away from the old days when I towed a VW Manx(wish I still had it) with a $30 wishbone bar.
The questions:
The tow bar, do you need the fancy adjustable/then locking bar? Is it that hard to line up a rigid bar?
The brake, I saw an electronic/solenoid actuator, a cable surge brake system and heard about something that wedges itself between the seat and the brake pedal. Do they all work equally? Seems like a lot of fuss.
The kicker to the brake set-up was something I hadn't even considered. Cars w/power brakes need a supplementary vacuum pump to operate the brake booster? I realize with the engine off, there is a lot of pedal pressure needed to stop the car, so the pump is necessary?
Anyway, my wife and I left the show thinking we could rent a lot of cars if we needed a second vehicle or I could start looking for a Meyers Manx, which sounds like a lot more fun!
How do you folks deal with this situation?
Thanks for listening!
- Norm and Gin
F1BNorm
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cougar88nw
Prescott Valley, AZ
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Joined: 02/12/2008
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/cat.php?id=19
Pilot---Mark  , Co Pilot (boss)Nancy
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Alyssa  , Corey  , Matthew , Kaylyn 
Dogs: Shih-Tzu's(other children)
Max , Shelby, Twiggles
TT 2001 Sunnybrook 2708 SLE
TV 2004 Ford Super Duty F-250 Diesel 6.0
Yamaha EF3000iSE/Honda EU2000i
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j-d
Sunny Florida USA
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Joined: 09/04/2003
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If you maneuver well and have a little patience, you don't need a telecoping towbar. But the telescoping also folds when not in use. The better bar for most use is one that stays on the MH instead of on the towed vehicle.
You DO need a solid attachment on the towed vehicle end of the towbar, commonly called a baseplate.
As far as brakes, many will say the "towing laws" don't apply to towed motor vehicles because they refer to "trailers." They justify towing a 6000# Hummer without brakes in a state that requires them on a 1500# trailer.
I believe a towed motor vehicle should have a braking system. Of course anybody with something to sell supports that position.
The reason "brake in a box", BrakeBuddy the most common one, needs an air compressor is the towed vehicle, engine off, will run out of stored vacuum in a stop or two then heavy pedal pressure is needed. BrakeBuddy always applies that heavy pressure, so one of the preflight checklist items is to make sure the towed vehicle is in neutral, parking brake off, steering unlocked AND the BrakeBuddy Test Button pressed several times. This applies the brakes and depletes the vacuum. Otherwise the first stop or two would lock the towed's wheels.
God Bless, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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I use a tow bar that stays on the back of the motorhome, an Aventa II specifically. I would not use a solid A frame myself. I started with a BO Rangefinder which was sort of an adjustable A frame type but quickly moved on and up. I also use a Brake Buddy system for braking and it is perfectly adequate IMHO. I would guess a system would cost about $800 for installed baseplate, 5-600 for tow bar, and 1,200 for brake buddy so wouldn't be up to $4,000 quite. But it is well worth it IMHO.
bumpy
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clydedoerr
Hardeeville SC
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Joined: 06/23/2005
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Many people are going to disagree with me, but I town my Honda CRV and my accord both with a reese riged tow bar I bought from Pep Boys for around $75.00. Came with the mounting backets which I had welded to the frame. It takes me about 2 mins to hook up. Wife pulls the car up while I hold the bar up. She can see where the trailer hitch is from the car, and can put the hitch right on top of the ball. Unhooking may require moving the vehicle slightly forwaard or backward, but the hitch will come right off. Normally, if I am level, I just reach down and pull it off the ball like you would do a boat trailer. I use magnet lights on the back of the vehicle. Total hook up time approx 3 mins, and that includes the lights which I leave in the trunk until I need them. I have used this towing combination for the last 2 years and have driven over 8,000 miles with the car in tow, and never had a problem. I read where a bunch of those fancy bars had to go back to the factory to get reconditioned. I figure if I ever have a problem I will just buy another tow bar from Pep Boys. I think you can get the same tow bar from Harbor Freight on sale for less than $40. I am not knocking those that spend a fortune for a tow bar, but I would rather spend mine on toys and gas.
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mavapa
Rome, Ga, USA
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Joined: 11/08/2002
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We're in the process of switching from a Class A to a smaller C. One of the reasons is that it will allow us to forego towing our CRV all the time. Our new C is about a foot longer than yours, but I think we can use it as a regular driver pretty much every place we will go. Of course the disadvantage is that you have to break camp every time you go someplace.
But, back to the question - with a smaller RV like yours and now ours, I think a braking system is really important. I think you ought to be able to set up a towing rig for about half what you mentioned, especially if you look for a used towbar, and even more especially if you can put on the baseplate yourself.
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ron.dittmer
I Will Be Dancing With The Stars On 1/23
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Joined: 02/26/2007
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It is difficult to argue with the message just above me, but for what it's worth, This Is My Story
Adding:::::The next posting higher than the one just above mine.
* This post was
edited 10/22/09 12:31pm by ron.dittmer *
My wife & I are "Dancing With The Stars" for PADS on 1/23
Read about it in my "View Profile"
Then scroll down to "More About Me"
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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mavapa wrote:snip Of course the disadvantage is that you have to break camp every time you go someplace. .
yep, my BIL said that he started taking a toad because it seemed that every time he had just finished setting up the unit the wife piped up with "Oh we are just about out of milk". 
bumpy
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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My personal feeling, if any tows a toad, has an obligation to ensure the safety of those in the vehicle, and those outside of the vehicle. Meaning brakes should be mandatory on any toad. And when you look at the wheel size on a class "C" being around 16" pulling a toad, for it not to have brakes should be mandatory prison term if an accident occurs as a result of any accident.
With this system.
You can purchase a hole system for your said "C" for under $1,300.00. Less then one night stay in a hospital.
I've never heard of any failures from there system like I've heard with some of those others like battery failure, locked up brakes, and such. The install would be not be included, but for the most part it's a self install. Thats just My two cents worth. Bill
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hotbyte
Barnesville GA
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Joined: 08/31/2004
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So far we've not towed but plan is a used tow dolly (w/brakes) since DW's VW New Beetle isn't towable 4-down. Seen them in local classifieds and Craigslist for $750 to $1000. Some are even cheaper but may not be in good shape.
From all I've read and heard (mostly talking to other folks at campgrounds) 4-down can be much more convenient but that convenience seems to come at a fairly high initial cost.
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