Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Tech Forums > Towing | Hitches and Toads
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 04-03-2016, 11:53 AM   #1
Member
 
BillT's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37TB
State: Connecticut
Posts: 98
THOR #3785
First TOAD. A little advice

Hi All:

We're in the middle of purchasing 2016 jeep wrangler to tow behind our challenger 37 TB. I've just started researching towbars, plates and braking systems. It looks like blue ox Is the way I'm going to go for tow bars and plate. But brakes are confusing me. Does anyone have any recommendations for braking systems. I looked at SMI but they look so involved to install.

Bill

__________________
BillT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2016, 02:25 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: vegas 24.1
State: Florida
Posts: 126
THOR #1466
SMI is great. I had it installed in my 2006 PT Cruiser ragtop, and it is a small actuator at the brake pedal, unseen, and a control box under the seat. It stays in place, does not require hooking up and unhooking, and is, so far, dependable. I am sure it is no picnic to install, but, the system is much better than the brake actuators that sit on the floor or seat. Just plug in and drive away.
__________________
davidgebo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2016, 03:11 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
aa9zz's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: 2016 Newmar
State: Indiana
Posts: 323
THOR #1075
I live close to SMI and am having them install the unit in a few weeks. You might want to call them as they have been very helpful over the phone. I am sure they would give advice on your installation.
__________________
aa9zz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2016, 05:25 PM   #4
Member
 
BillT's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37TB
State: Connecticut
Posts: 98
THOR #3785
Does SMI have any competition as far as a permanently installed system?
__________________
__________________________________
Bill Tozzo
New Fairfield, CT
2016 Challenger 37TB
BillT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2016, 06:42 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Fleetwood Southwind 37F
State: Texas
Posts: 124
THOR #1793
I tow a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited using a Blue Ox tow bar, base plate and wiring kit. I just added a RVi Brake2. Everything is easy set up and take down.
__________________
2015 Thor ACE 29.3 (Traded in)
w/'15 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited toad

2019 Fleetwood Southwind 37F
2019 Ford Ranger Lariat toad
GMac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2016, 08:06 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Baddad53's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: California
Posts: 443
THOR #2526
I was using the AF1 on my wrangler with my DP with air brakes but not with the Axis I purchased a Patriot - used a a number of times now and seems to work and I can move it to the next vehicle if we change. Last trip in DP with SMI AF1 a truck driver from Texas was texting and moving into my lane and I had no place to go so I slammed the brakes and Jeep stopped fine. Really don't want to test the Patriot that way
__________________
2016 Thor Axis 25.3 w/ 2011 2dr Wrangler in tow
Demco tow bar with Patriot braking
Bigfoot Automatic Levelers.
Baddad53 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2016, 09:20 AM   #7
Member
 
BillT's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37TB
State: Connecticut
Posts: 98
THOR #3785
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baddad53 View Post
I was using the AF1 on my wrangler with my DP with air brakes but not with the Axis I purchased a Patriot - used a a number of times now and seems to work and I can move it to the next vehicle if we change. Last trip in DP with SMI AF1 a truck driver from Texas was texting and moving into my lane and I had no place to go so I slammed the brakes and Jeep stopped fine. Really don't want to test the Patriot that way
Could you help me with the acronyms? DP, AF1 ?
__________________
__________________________________
Bill Tozzo
New Fairfield, CT
2016 Challenger 37TB
BillT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2016, 12:37 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
TyCreek's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.2
State: Idaho
Posts: 533
THOR #1944
DP is Diesel Pusher
AF1 is Air Force One a model name for a braking system by SMI
__________________
Axis 24.2 "was" tug'n a JK
TyCreek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2016, 10:46 PM   #9
gmc
Senior Member
 
gmc's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
I tow my 2010 Wranger with Roadmaster equipment...
Falcon All-Terrain Towbar, Base Plates, Invisibrake Braking System.

The main differences to decide on braking systems:
(no right/wrong answers... just preferences)
  • Permanent vs Portable
  • Brakes activated by? (RV brake lights, inertia changes, etc)
  • Proportional, Progressive, or static braking force
  • Power assist or 'dead pedal' (does unit use toad's power brakes?)
__________________
Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
gmc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2016, 11:09 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Mr Sunshine's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL
State: Florida
Posts: 2,914
THOR #1589
We use a Blue Ox baseplate and tow bars, and Unified Tow Brake by US Gear, behind our Vegas. The braking system is permanently mounted and a snap to hook and unhook. Has worked great for us since we intend to drive that little car for a long time yet. Simple to move from our last coach to this one, had the dealer do it. I installed it in our previous coach and the car myself.

If you aren't sure you'll keep that Jeep for awhile, you might be smarter to go with a portable unit.
__________________
Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you've got!
Mr Sunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2016, 01:44 PM   #11
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Tuscany XTE 36MQ
State: Colorado
Posts: 94
THOR #1497
I use a NSA Readybrute Elite tow bar for my '07 JK. It's a proportional mechanical surge brake system that directly attaches to the brake pedal with a cable. While the towbar is somewhat expensive (although cheaper than buying a towbar and braking system), it is the only component required. NSA also has baseplates to match your vehicle.

I installed it myself, taking about 1 1/2 hours. Once set up it is extremely easy to connect and disconnect. I've been using it over a year and really like it. It's been over the Rocky Mountains and up and down the East Cost and not had any issues.

For the electrical hookup to the RV I installed the Cooltech JK harness - another easy install. The battery is disconnected in the JK when towing under this system.
__________________
Greg84 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2016, 11:51 AM   #12
Member
 
BillT's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37TB
State: Connecticut
Posts: 98
THOR #3785
Awesome advice everyone! Thanks so much for your time.

I'll let you know what I went with.

Bill
__________________
__________________________________
Bill Tozzo
New Fairfield, CT
2016 Challenger 37TB
BillT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 05:00 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
saddlesore's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: SOB
State: South Dakota
Posts: 941
THOR #3916
I use a Roadmaster baseplate & a Sterling towbar for the scion '06 xB. The xB is light enough (2400 lbs) that Oregon does not require a braking system. VERY easy hook up and disconnect even in less than level/perfect conditions
__________________
current coach
An SOB Shack called Foretravel...This will Do.
former coach
Thor Infinity
saddlesore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 07:34 PM   #14
Member
 
Taking Flight's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 Hurricane 31S
State: Virginia
Posts: 40
THOR #2130
We use the Blue Ox tow and baseplate with the SMI on our 2015 Jeep Wrangler. Never had an issue. It takes me 9 minutes hook up, or disconnect that includes getting the stuff from the bin and putting it away. I used a truck & trailer repair business for installation and they took less than a day for the install.
__________________
Rob Anderson
Manassas VA
2015 Thor Hurricane 31S
2015 Jeep Wrangler Willy
Blue Ox Tow Bar and attachment Plate/SMI Brake System
Taking Flight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 09:04 PM   #15
Junior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Alabama
Posts: 2
THOR #4030
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillT View Post
Hi All:

We're in the middle of purchasing 2016 jeep wrangler to tow behind our challenger 37 TB. I've just started researching towbars, plates and braking systems. It looks like blue ox Is the way I'm going to go for tow bars and plate. But brakes are confusing me. Does anyone have any recommendations for braking systems. I looked at SMI but they look so involved to install.

Bill
You can start here: Downloadable Dinghy Guides | MotorHome Magazine

Best Regards,
Nick
__________________
critter210 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 09:38 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Baddad53's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: California
Posts: 443
THOR #2526
Quote:
Originally Posted by critter210 View Post
You can start here: Downloadable Dinghy Guides | MotorHome Magazine

Best Regards,
Nick
Just got this in the mail. Nice info.
__________________
2016 Thor Axis 25.3 w/ 2011 2dr Wrangler in tow
Demco tow bar with Patriot braking
Bigfoot Automatic Levelers.
Baddad53 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 09:39 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Baddad53's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: California
Posts: 443
THOR #2526
Quote:
Originally Posted by TyCreek View Post
DP is Diesel Pusher
AF1 is Air Force One a model name for a braking system by SMI
Sorry
__________________
2016 Thor Axis 25.3 w/ 2011 2dr Wrangler in tow
Demco tow bar with Patriot braking
Bigfoot Automatic Levelers.
Baddad53 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2016, 11:37 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
TyCreek's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.2
State: Idaho
Posts: 533
THOR #1944
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baddad53 View Post
Sorry
Chuckle ... I just chimed in on this thread to answer that acronym question since I happened to be reading it at the time ... nothing to be sorry about.

Now that I did ... here I sit waiting anxiously to find out what components BillT picks to drag that shiny new toad down the road

The what and why of choices does intrigue me ...
__________________
Axis 24.2 "was" tug'n a JK
TyCreek is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 01:46 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2