jebrighton42
Cordova, TN
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Joined: 06/22/2008
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I want to get something I can tow behind my RV. About what will it cost to outfit a car for towing? What do I need?
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Mandalay Parr
Phoenix, AZ
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Joined: 07/09/2004
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You will need a tow bar assembly of some sort, and an auxiliary breaking system if tow four on the ground.
About $2000 to 2500 I would guess....maybe a little higher these days.
Suggest you go to a campground and talk to the fellow RV'rs.
Jerry Parr
Full-time
2005 Mandalay 40B
Cat C7 350, 4 Slides
Blue Ox, Brake Buddy
2004 CR-V Toad
602-321-8141
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Johng
Gilbert, AZ, USA
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Joined: 08/23/2002
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Tow bar - $800.00+
Cables and wiring Accessory - $225.00+
Tow plates w/instalation - $1000.00+ (his generally hooking up the toad lights)
Braking system - $800.00
Mandalay Parr is right on at $2000.00 - $2500.00
Happy RVing
John and Judy 
US Air Force - Retired
05 Beaver Santiam 40DST
08 Malibu Toad/Brake Buddy
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chasfm11
Dallas/Ft Worth Areas
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Joined: 02/28/2004
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Part of it depends on your choices. Just for giggles, I tried the Camping World Website to see what my setup would cost now:
1. Base Plate (called Tow Brackets on their site) $409
2. Tow Bar (mine is a Falcon 2) $619 All Terrain is $829
3. Brakemaster (toad brake) $719 (non-air brake MH would be $1,049)
That's just parts. Labor would be at least $1,000.
There is a kit for modifying your toad's lights ($79). I went with magnet LEDS from PPL and they were about $75. There a some misc. things like a lock for the tow bar on the MH ($15), a cover for the tow bar ($60). I also couldn't figure out whether the safety cable kit came with the tow bar or not. ($59)
That will get you into the ballpark. You choices could take it up or down a little. The worst part of the labor is the installation of the tow brackets, depending on which type of vehicle. On a Ford Explorer, for example, I saw them take pretty much the whole front off to mount the brackets along the chassis. On my Saturn, they had to cut holes in the frame to get to the nuts on the bolts for the brackets.
2000 Georgie Boy Landau 36'DP Cummins 5.9, Allison 1000 5sp
1994 Saturn SL1 Toad, Falcon2 Towbar, BrakeMaster Toad Brake
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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Demco baseplate is $250-$350.
Ready Brute aluminum and stainless steel tow bar
with built in surge brake is about $750.
Magnetic lights and wire or wire and sockets is about $50.
I installed baseplates on two cars, about 2-3 hours each.
Install Ready Brute brake cable (one-time) one hour.
All done!!
When you change cars, all you need is the new baseplate.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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BaldyD1
Central Florida area
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Joined: 12/01/2003
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Big Katuna provides great information. The ReadyBrute Plus that includes the integrated braking system may be the best for the money spent, and probably is the best period! Any of the major manufacturer's tow bars will be fine; just more money to purchase than the ReadyBrute Plus. With other tow bars, a braking system should also be purchased.
Recommend the Demco baseplate because we are totally satisfied with ours, but, any baseplate by a major manufacturer should be fine. If installing baseplate yourself, recommend using the permanent type {red} of "Lock Tite" or another brand of thread coating to secure the installation.
Speedy, Jackie & Dusty {Shih-Tzu/Maltese}
2006 Kountry Star KSDP 3912
2005 Saturn Vue (dinghy)
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jaxd
So CA USA
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Joined: 10/19/2003
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If you select a toad car that will need to be modified i.e. driveshaft disconnect etc. add another $800 to the tab.
jaxd - F140757
2004 Excursion 39' triple slide 350 Cummins Turbo
Toad 08 Honda CR-V EXL
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Rollincool
Always Rollin
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Joined: 08/10/2007
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jebrighton42 wrote:I want to get something I can tow behind my RV.
What do I need?
This is what you need. 
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Mandalay Parr
Phoenix, AZ
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Joined: 07/09/2004
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Rollincool wrote:jebrighton42 wrote:I want to get something I can tow behind my RV.
What do I need?
This is what you need.
That is cute! I am still laughing.
Jerry
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Mandalay Parr
Phoenix, AZ
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Joined: 07/09/2004
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Sorry - double post
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