What is approx setup cost for 4-down towing

[Newfound]

New to RVing. Looking to purchase a 2019 Jeep Cherokee for flat towing behind a 2015 Ace 30.1. Any advice on setup costs? What should I look for or stay away from. Thanks

[TurnerFam]

probably about the same as a tow dolly...$1,000 -$1,500

[The_Breeze]

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

probably about the same as a tow dolly...$1,000 -$1,500

That's about right. My total - $1400.
I bought used brake system (required by most all states) and tow bar for $850 (re: http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f6/...tem-12999.html)

Base plates and rest to outfit ran me $550.
Roadmaster XL Base Plate Kit- 477-1 $ 415.00
RoadMaster Base Plate to Blue Ox Adapter - RM-033 $60
Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit - RM-154 $67

It's not cheap but I prefer 4-down to a dolly and like having my truck with me.

[brucev]

It can cost upwards of $2500 depending on what you purchase and if you self install. I bought my Falcon II and brake system on EBAY and saved over $1000. Been working fine for two years now.

[abjbrtd]

Make sure the Cherokee is a 4 wheel drive WITH ADII (ad1 is not flat towable).


etrailer is a good source for parts/prices/DIY instructions

There are several manufactures Roadmaster, Blue Ox, Demco… cheaper and higher priced parts.

I did a self install on everthing, prices were LOWER in 2016 and it cost at least 2K$'s. I found our towbar on Craigslist.

If you get a dealer to sell and install expect a much bigger price.

AND make sure they/you install a charge wire from the MH to the Jeep.

The following is pretty close to our setup with 2018 prices.
Blue Ox base plate $470.
https://www.etrailer.com/p-BX1138.ht...lated-products

Blue Ox tow bar $720.
https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bars/Je...lated-products

Blue Ox Patriot II portable brake system $1229.
https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bar-Bra...id=20191504833

Roadmaster 7 to 6 way kit $68.
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...M-98146-7.html

[TurnerFam]

very true, I had an original 2014 Cherokee Latitude, great car, but not towable since it didn't have the ActiveDriveII, which has a 'Neutral' button - required to have when towing.

A 2014 Ford Focus FWD automatic works very, very well, though. Just put it in neutral and tow. : )

[Pete'sMH]

I’m expecting to spend about $2500 on a self installed system for my Ford Focus. Admittedly using fairly high end products and buying new.

[Newfound]

Thanks to all. For a self install do I need a lift, special tools, Etc.?

[Bobbyd00]

I used all new roadmaster and RVI Brake products and self installed on my 2015 Acadia. Total for parts was close to $2700, have not pitched fuse bypass switches yet. I could have gone used and saved a grand but was worried about stress fractures and other unknowns. A torque wrench should be the only specialty tool you should need.

[The_Breeze]

Originally Posted by Newfound

Thanks to all. For a self install do I need a lift, special tools, Etc.?

If you go to or use eTrailer, they usually have a downloadable installation PDF you can assess before your purchase. I focused on the base plates - toughest part of the install.

If you self install the base plates, you 'may' need to put the front end up in the air. The install instructions should help you figure that out. I have a truck that sits 2' off the ground and getting underneath was more comfortable with a couple of 2x6's under the front wheels. I had to crawl underneath to remove the front valance. You'll likely have to do that to gain access to the frame for mounting and/or drilling.

I intentionally spent the extra money for base plates that didn't require a front valance hack or frame drilling to make them work. My truck had provisions for front tow hooks and the base plates leveraged those mount points therefore, no valance hack and no drilling. The instructions will let you know if any cutting or drilling is needed. That will also allude to any special tools you may not have in your possession. You can inquire about renting or borrowing before you commit - one way or another.

It's important to know before you go. Study before taking the test

Please let us know which direction you took and how it worked out. Take pics along the way. It may help someone else down the road (no pun intended).

[DenverTransplant]

We spent about $4K setting up our Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

Roadmaster baseplates, Falcon All Terrain tow bar, RVi3 brake unit, tail light wiring and RVi battery charger - $2,800 parts, $700 install.

Jeep death wobble cable (they call it the flat tow cable and didn't like me using the death wobble term) - $120 for the cable and $400 to install

Miscellaneous other parts and pieces - safety cables, tow bar cover, tow bar locks and towing adaptor (raising the connection point to the coach) - $200-ish

Looking back I should have done the installation myself.

[abjbrtd]

Originally Posted by Newfound

Thanks to all. For a self install do I need a lift, special tools, Etc.?

No lift needed for a Cherokee.

Only special tool I can think of is a plastic rivet tool, the rivets came with the base plate.
Or a regular rivet tool and rivets, I already had one.

[vmyoung61]

We shopped around and found a place that did it for $3100. That included Blue Ox tow bar, Air Force one brake system, battery charger, base plate, installation. We have a diesel and had to use the Air Force One for air brakes.

[Lbatt]

My 2015 Cherokee cost $4200 for the Blue Ox system, base plate, tow bars, brake system, and labor including one hour of hook-up and un-hook training, which was pretty much essential since we are newbies at motor home camping and towing.

I had an extended warranty on the jeep so got the EPS wiring harness installed for the $100 deductible.

And as was said earlier, this is for the true 4X4 Cherokee with 2 speed transfer case. (Trailhawk in my case).

One other shop in town wanted $5000 for the same setup, no training.

[Mustang46555]

We were just under 4k for our full Road Master system including Invisibrake. We also received an hour of hook up - unhook training. Professional installation increased the price almost 50% but we felt it was worth it to have a shop with 20+ years experience do the install.

[sip]

I figure about $1000 for the ready brute elite bar
and maybe $300 for the various parts to get it to mate up with my wrangler (I have a custom bumper and bolted the tow brackets to it. I was planning to use the integrated shackle mounts but the width wasn't within spec recommended by the manufacturer (thus the extra brackets).

I installed everything myself which included routing the brake cable from the tow bar to the brake pedal and wiring for the tail lights and battery charger (jeep gets charged while in tow).

Have probably towed over 4k miles with this setup and it has worked great. I can't imagine trying to attach a car without adjustable tow arms (really cuts down on the time). Oh and I'm definitely a big fan of the simplicity of surge brakes like ready brake.

Here's what it looks like:


Edit: After posting, I realized those arms aren't fully extended ... also brake line wasn't attached. So here's another look (older pic):

[dduval]

I have a 2010 jeep Wrangler FOR SALE for $15,000 that I towed across country this summer and had no trouble not to mention a great time. It is located in Kitty Hawk, NC. 252-202-1440

[ArtieP]

Just got my 2018 Cherokee done, Had the tow-bar, so $900 for the baseplate and installation. $1000 to $1400 for a brake system and, if you don't have the tow-bar another $800 to $1000 giver or take.

[krod]

I tow a 2017 Cherokee blue ox and patroit brake system. Works great about. $1600

[Smeady64]

I used Blue Ox. The equipment (base plat and tow bar) was about $1,200. I installed it myself, but it was time consuming. It took about a half of a day.