markz73
New Jersey
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Joined: 05/28/2007
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I just bought a Roadmaster Blackhawk 2, U.S. Gear (pre-wired) setup, and Roadmaster brackets for my 2008 Wrangler to be towed behind the 2007 Journey.
Anyone have any experience using tow bars? They are setting everything up for me.
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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Joined: 12/23/2007
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Having people with experience won't be a problem. There is an entire section on towed vehicles, which will answer all your questions...and some you didn't even know you had!!
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris
The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie 
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 
The Pets
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ShapeShifter
Buffalo, NY
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Joined: 04/03/2007
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markz73 wrote:I just bought a Roadmaster Blackhawk 2, U.S. Gear (pre-wired) setup, and Roadmaster brackets for my 2008 Wrangler to be towed behind the 2007 Journey.
That sounds just like my setup, except for the toad and MH of course.
The first time I pulled the toad, I spent a couple of hours in a (mostly) empty mall parking lot early one morning. I was glad I did.
I could practice various maneuvers, pretending the painted lines were curbs, and get some experience where the toad will track. In my case, I found that the toad's front wheels track the same line as the MH rear wheels, but the toad's rear wheels track almost a foot inside of that path. But what really surprised me was how far to the outside of the circle that the toad front end tracked when starting a tight turn. The length of the tow bar really exaggerates the motorhome's tail swing at the start of the turn. That's a good lesson to learn when there aren't any obstructions.
For the "test" drive in the mall parking lot, I started with my DW outside as an observer, and talking to me on my cell phone (I was using a headset.) I could take various turns, and she could make sure the toad was turning properly, and that there was plenty of clearance between the MH and toad on even the tightest turns. She could also confirm that I cannot make a tight S curve with the toad, as it tends to drag the toad's front wheels sideways. Before reversing the direction of the turn, I have to make sure to straighten out first.
I got lucky when I did my testing, as there were still piles of snow melting in the parking lot. These piles had wide rivers of water draining from them. That meant I could drive through the large puddles to get the tires wet, and then make tight turns. The wet tires left tracks on the dry parking lot that let me see exactly where each tire tracked. I could also drive past a snow pile as if it were a car I was passing, stop when I thought I had clearance to pull back in the lane, and I could get out and see just exactly how much space I did or didn't have.
So, my best advice is to get out there and do some test driving in a large empty parking lot. Every rig will handle and track differently. It's best that you figure out how much room your setup needs before you find yourself in a tight spot.
One last bit of advice: don't back up! It usually won't work.
2007 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40PDQ
400 ISL Cummins/Allison
2002 Chevy Avalanche toad
Inside: Him, Her, and a pack of little furballs...
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Silver_Knight
Texas Hill Country
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Joined: 04/12/2004
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Always double check the following:
1. TOAD is in nuetral or towing position.
2. Steering unlocked?
3. Everything secure?
4. Brakes setup correctly?
5. Signals working?
6. Check after each stop to make sure some "jokester" did not unhook anything.
BTW, if you forget to unlock your steering you will probably not be able to hear the tire squealing or see the smoke 
Lee & Ren
Bryce: 8
Dillon: 7
Bailey: 4
2005 Monaco Knight 40PLQ
1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Toad
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ShapeShifter
Buffalo, NY
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Silver_Knight wrote:BTW, if you forget to unlock your steering you will probably not be able to hear the tire squealing or see the smoke
Hmmm... Sounds like the voice of personal experience? 
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JaBob
Roswell, Georgia
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Joined: 06/10/2004
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Don't forget to release the emergency brake.
Bob
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BigSkyBob
Western Montana
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Oh yeah, the emergency brake will smoke as well .... 
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Rollincool
Always Rollin
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Joined: 08/10/2007
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Silver_Knight wrote:Always double check the following:
1. TOAD is in nuetral or towing position.
2. Steering unlocked?
3. Everything secure?
4. Brakes setup correctly?
5. Signals working?
6. Check after each stop to make sure some "jokester" did not unhook anything.
BTW, if you forget to unlock your steering you will probably not be able to hear the tire squealing or see the smoke
We know ALL TOO WELL about those "jokesters". 
2008 Chevy Silverado 4x4 3500 RC/LB 6.0
2007 Chevy GS Conquest Super C 6340DK
2007 Chevy HHR Toad 2LT 2.4
1990 Chevy G20 Cargo Van 305
1967 Chevy Camaro Pro Street 468/650hp BBC 
My 70's Show - Tom Kent Radio Network - KLTH - K•HiTS 106.7
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cableguy574
North Fort Myers, Fl.
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Joined: 07/04/2004
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BigSkyBob wrote:Oh yeah, the emergency brake will smoke as well ....
That is why I needed new rear tires 
2006 National Sea Breeze 3860 XL
2004 Honda Element Toad/Brake Buddy
JUST Me & My wife & 3 dogs our pictures
FMCA 387898
A member of NUTS
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wallynm
Los Alamos NM
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Joined: 09/27/2000
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Check hitch bolts and base plate bolts periodically. Attached safety cables and brake away cable to the frame of the MH and Jeep not the Base plate or hitch.
You might find this thread interesting
Hitch Failure
markz73 wrote:I just bought a Roadmaster Blackhawk 2, U.S. Gear (pre-wired) setup, and Roadmaster brackets for my 2008 Wrangler to be towed behind the 2007 Journey.
Anyone have any experience using tow bars? They are setting everything up for me.
Have a Cat Engine Yahoo Group or Cat RV Club Web Page
Have a Freightliner Yahoo Group or FCOC Web Page
wallynm@yahoo.com
2002 DSDP 3567 PUSHED BY KITTY KAT
THOSE THAT DO NOT KNOW HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT
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