If you spend time out on the Motorhome Forums there is always someone asking questions about Towing. What do you tow? What brand tow bar do you use? What supplemental braking system do you use? Are you happy with it? Are there better options?
These are our answers to those questions
We have had 3 motorhomes so far and all of them we have towed a car of some sort with each of them.
First Bus - 2005 40' Tiffin Phaeton
With this coach we towed a 2010 Honda CRV.
We used
Second Bus - 2005 45' American Eagle 45H
With this coach we towed a 2013 Dodge Ram Longhorn
We used
Blue Ox BX7445 Aventa LX 10,000lb Tow Bar
Current Coach - 2012 42' American Eagle
With this coach we tow a 2014 Ford Explorer Limited.
We use
Over the past several years we have learned a lot about what we like and don’t like in towing.
Here are some of those lessons learned:
- The Blue Ox BRK2012 Patriot Brake
which is probably actually a BrakeBuddy Vantage Select Brake System
works fine. But both are really pains in the but when you are using them over and over. We are 1000 percent happy with our Air Force one Tow Brake Systemand have never met a single person who has one who is not as well
- The Air Force one Tow Brake System – once installed is as simple as plugging in an air hose between the bus and the car. Takes 5 seconds. – No Brainer
- Our Opinion is that the Blue Ox
is the best tow bar in the industry (I believe it is the leader)
- Blue Ox
- The difference in costs is so minor we prefer to buy the heavy one giving us more confidence that it will not break away
- Blue Ox
- Allows your car to make a tigher turning radius
- Has a non binding latch which is nice. The Avente would catch sometime.
Our Recommendation
- For Tow bar – Blue Ox BX7420 Class IV Avail
- For Braking System – Air Force one Tow Brake System
Opinions? Let us know your thoughts!
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Hi Guys, I am a newbie, just got my first MotorHome never hooked up or towed before.
Looking at your posted recommend on the BLUEOX 7420 and the Air Force one brake system.
Blue Ox also has the 7445 Aventa LX thoughts on that one?
You mention a single wire to plug in to complete hook up, is that for the brake system only.
What about the lights hook up? Something I need to get in addition to the above?
What all will I need to purchase for a complete package and be ready to tow, TIA
I will be towing a Chev Silverado Z71 4×4
Chris,
Regarding your questions,
– The 7445 Aventa has been the workhorse main heavy duty bar for Blue Ox for years. It does a great job at towing the bing stuff. The 7420 is there new bar. It is a as strong as the 7445 but a little bit more light weight. It also has a new locking mechanism that works better than the 7445. You will be happy with either but happie with the 7420
– The single wire to hook up the brake system is the Air force one.
– Yes – you will still need to install a kit that handles lights and turn signals.
So here is the complete list
1. Blue Ox Towbar – either one discusses above.
2. Air Force One – Braking system. It is installed on your coach and your car.
3. Blue Ox Base Plate – Installed to your vehicle so Blue Ox can connect up.
4. Safety cables – BX88197 Safety Cable Kit, Class IV, 10,000 lb 7′ – That may come with the Blue Ox though
5. Electrical Cable that runs between the bus and the MH – http://blueox.com/products/tow-bar/bx88206-7-6-coiled-electrical-cable/
6. Tail light wiring kit – BX8811 Tail Light Wiring Kit – THis is what Blue ox offers but there are better choices. Depending on your vehicles there are tail light kits that plug into your vehicle’s computer so there is no special wiring (That is what I installed)
Hope that makes sense,
Keith Landers