We would like to use a Honda CRV as a tow vehicle in our Class C motorhome. I am just beginging my search for equipment to make this possible and was very surprised on how expensive it was to do this. I have 2 estimates so far, one for $3,500 and the other for $3,200. What I am pricing out is as follows:
Falcon All-Terrain Tow Bar
Falcon tow bar accessory kit
XL series tow bar mounting brackets
Roadmaster Invisibrake-HDDN brake
Labor, installation, tax and shipping
This is much more than what I would have thought, but having never done this before, it could be right in the ballpark for all I know. I am going to check further into this, but would really like somer "real world" feedback from those of you who are already towing vehicles. In short, how much should I expect to pay for a towing package?
My son found the same thing when inquiring about towing behind his Class A motor home. Because of the cost he is holding off and making due without towing, using rental cars after arrival, public transportation, etc.
That's not to far of the mark. You could save your self some money if you install it yourself. I did a few years back, took me a day but worth the saving. You need some mechanical skills to tackle it.
Am about to tackle another as I have purchased a diffent toad.
Check into other manufactures product as well, I used Blue Ox and Brake Buddy. No install required for brake buddy, just a wire for brake away. That route may be cheaper.
Another is the Ready Brute Tow bar and brake system, it's a mechanical connection to the brake pedal and even with labour should be cheaper.
Just to add to my response, you read a lot of compliants about the set-up of Brake Buddy, Patriot and Even Brake, but in the grand scheme of set-up time it's not a biggy, most of us that are towing are retired and should have a few minutes to set it up. My Brake Buddy takes 3 or 4 minutes. The more often you do it the more proficient it gets. The other thing you need to think about is the cost of installing invisi-brake and then think about a Toad change and your doing it all over again. If your on the move daily then may be the invisi-brake is an advantage.
Your estimates are right on the mark. Installation labor is probably $1,000 - $1,200 of that total, so if you are comfortable installing the baseplate and getting the toad lighting squared away, you can save that much. I don't have the skills myself, so paid to have it done right.......
Paul & Sandra
New Bedford, MA
2003 Monaco Executive M43 DS2
Of course, it isn't a viable option for everybody, but you might want to look at a trailer to haul your toad.
Advantages are:
It will allow you to take ANY vehicle up to the size/weight limits of the trailer.
There is no braking system to worry about.
There is no light wiring to worry about.
There is no concern about unrecorded mileage on the vehicle when you sell it.
There is no wear and tear on the vehicle drive train or tires.
If your toad breaks, and isn't towable, you can load it up and go home.
My trailer cost (new) $2295 hooked up and ready to go, plus about $100 for 4 tie down straps. In my state, all trailers have permanent registration, so that is not an annual expense. I get a lot of use out of the trailer for hauling other things.
You can back a trailer anytime, anywhere, any distance, even around corners, depending only on your skill level.
Disadvantages are:
Weight (can be partially alleviated by getting an aluminum trailer, at a higher cost).
Some campgrounds/RV parks may require that you drop the trailer in a storage area before going to your site.
Just something to think about...
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
Your estimates sound correct. The two most expensive parts in terms of labor are the base plate and brake system. However, depending on your skill level, these are installations you can do yourself. Instructions from the various base plate and brake manufacturers are very good. Watch the videos on the web or read through the instruction books and decide what you want to do.
The alternative is a tow dolly which can be as expensive as your estimates for flat towing or less depending on what you get.
Last year we had a Ready Brute system installed on our '09 CRV. Complete w/ wiring, baseplate etc. Price was around $2500. I thought that was a bit pricey, but I wasn't going to do it myself.
This was from a local SoCal hitch/welding chain called Echarts also a ReadyBrute dealer.
We did not get the aux vacuum pump booster and I don't think it is needed.
Towed around 3000 mi and we are very pleased with the whole deal. The only time I can feel the toad is when climbing a grade (CRV is not exactly a lightweight). Cost of towing is about 1 mpg.
I have a CRV also...that seems about right if they install everything. I did my own brackets install on the CRV and went with the brake buddy and installed the breakaway swith myself. Not really too difficult. Also put on a hiych myself for the bike rack...saved some green.....check on craigslist too for towing stuff under RV's...cheap stuff and sometimes very close to new!
paulcardoza wrote: Your estimates are right on the mark. Installation labor is probably $1,000 - $1,200 of that total, Aventa LX
I did my whole set up for about that price, including the Blue Ox Aventa LX (a 10 thousand pound tow bar), Blue Ox baseplate, a used ReadyBrake from a fellow RVer (cost was shipping only), and my own wiring. Found the towbar on a popular RV store's ebay site and the baseplate on another one. There are a number of large RV stores who have ebay stores where they sell overstocked items at reduced prices. My neighbor owns a body shop and did the installation for under $200, and it took him just over a hour.
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