I bought the Colorado and need to get it set up for towing behind the MH. I am cheap so need the least expensive combination. I am also not that mechanical so need simple operation and the installation will most likely be done at Camping World. Your advice please.
Which Colorado did you buy? Is it two wheel drive or four wheel drive? If it's two wheel drive you'll need a drive shaft disconnect from Remco. If it's four wheel drive you can just move the transfer case to neutral.
Since the Colorado is a bit on the heavy side, especially if it's four wheel drive you should definitely consider a brake system. There's a gazillion thoughts to which brake system. Do a search on brake systems and you'll get all kinds of recommendations to which one you should buy. Same thing with tow bars.
Bob Bowers
2004 Pace Arrow, 8.1 Workhorse W22
Colorado Springs, CO
wa0mqe wrote: Which Colorado did you buy? Is it two wheel drive or four wheel drive? If it's two wheel drive you'll need a drive shaft disconnect from Remco. If it's four wheel drive you can just move the transfer case to neutral.
Since the Colorado is a bit on the heavy side, especially if it's four wheel drive you should definitely consider a brake system. There's a gazillion thoughts to which brake system. Do a search on brake systems and you'll get all kinds of recommendations to which one you should buy. Same thing with tow bars.
I would suggest an aux. braking system regardless of the weight with a breakaway system.
when I checked the owner's manual on towing when they first came out, there was a requirement to tie the steering wheel straight or some such, which talked me out of it.
as far as tow bars go, I would recommend one that stays on the rear of the motorhome with lever releases, I use an Aventa II myself. but if you want cheap, it probably would be an old fashioned solid A frame type.
bumpy
Your motorhome chassis is rated to brake a 1500 pound tow. You need auxilary brakes. The least expensive is probably the ReadyBrake surge brake, about 1/4 the price of box on the floor systems at $800 to $1200. But there is some work to install the braking cable.
Towbars range from $150 to $1500, differing in strength and complexity. Some people find a simple A-frame easy to use, others prefer something where you need only get the towed vehicle reasonably close, not right on the money, to hook up.
One that stays on the motorhome will start at about $400 new, and on up for additional capacity and ease of use features (like aluminum vs steel, for when you have to lift it). A good solid A-frame will be at least $200, a lighter one a bit less, a down-rated import clone maybe around $100 if you find the right outlet.
Baseplate or towbar brackets (BlueOx, Demco, ReadyBrute in the first instance, Roadmaster in the latter) will cost in the neighborhood of $400, give or take a hundred.
Add at least a couple hundred for installation, maybe a lot more depending on how much a Colorado has to be disassembled and/or modified.
Ben Parsons is the best I know of in Jax. He is located in Marietta not far from Rivers RV. He did my Jeep (Falcon 2 tow bar, Base plate, Evenbrake, safety chains and all) and did an outstanding job.
John & Doris 2006 Four Winds Hurricane 34N, F53 - V10
2004 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4x4 Toad
Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar
EvenBrake toad braking system
FMCA F380583, PA, Good Sams
I tow a 4x4 Colorado, it is a 4 door as well. I tow it with a Blue OX tow bar and brake buddy. If you put it on a certified scale I think you will find it much heavier then you think. Mine was nearly 4500lbs with spray on bed liner and a full tank of gas, and trailer hitch, also Base Plate.
2008 Itasca Sunrise 35A
2006 44ft Breckenridge
2008 Honda CRV Toad
2007 ZR1 Colorado Toad
2008 Pontiac Solistice GXP "Brazen Orange"
2008 26ft Car Mate-Car "We Traveled To Alot Of Different Places While On Vacation, Until The wife Asked Directions"
Quote: installation will most likely be done at Camping World
CW had a special in Sept. for $1,399 for the base plate, tow bar, wiring for lights, cables etc including installation.
They were using all Roadmaster base plates & Falcon 2 tow bar.
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