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06-03-2017, 08:48 PM
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#161
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Citation 24SR
State: Florida
Posts: 46
THOR #7515
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Hi,
We just bought a 2012 Fiat 500C manual transmission to tow behind the Thor Citation 24SR. We are looking at installing the base plate ourself. Any comments on self-install, or advantage of Blue Ox vs Roadmaster would be appreciated.
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06-03-2017, 08:51 PM
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#162
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Citation 24SR
State: Florida
Posts: 46
THOR #7515
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What tow bar are you using and base plate? I just bought a 2012 Fiat 500C with manual transmission and so am ready to purchase the tow kit. How dod you handle the brakes?
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06-03-2017, 09:21 PM
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#163
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Senior Member
Brand: Keystone
Model: Cougar 30 RLS 5th wheel
State: Colorado
Posts: 288
THOR #2204
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Blue Ox and Road master are both good products. Road master is sold
by Camping World and Blue Ox by other shops.
I priced both and even with my Camping World Good Sam discount it
was Blue Ox $3100 and Road Master $5200 installed . I went with a
Blue Ox product.
Brave man planning on installing your own base plate, you usually have
to remove the front valance to gain access on most vehicles.
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Phil Saran
2019 Cougar 30 RLS 2012 Ram 3500 4x4
Colorado
I like to wander and I'm not lost!
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06-03-2017, 09:33 PM
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#164
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Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Florida
Posts: 34
THOR #5392
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I like...
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06-03-2017, 09:33 PM
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#165
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.2
State: Texas
Posts: 75
THOR #6917
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I agree that installing the baseplates are a big chore and things never seem to go back the same way. I opted to pay the 150 for the install at a shop. Everything is warranted to be back as it should and if I ever have a baseplate issue that causes an accident, I will not be the one on trial.......
I know, over reacting but I tend to stay on the side that protects me from liability.
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06-03-2017, 09:51 PM
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#166
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
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Quote:
Originally Posted by w6lmj
Hi,
We just bought a 2012 Fiat 500C manual transmission to tow behind the Thor Citation 24SR. We are looking at installing the base plate ourself. Any comments on self-install, or advantage of Blue Ox vs Roadmaster would be appreciated.
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Both brands are very good products... Don't think you can go wrong with either. Some differences in looks - and price... When I did mine 3 years ago - the Roadmaster thru CW was more than $1000 LESS than I could find on Blue Ox at General RV and others (part was a significant install discount using Good Sams)...
Phil found the other way around from what he just posted...
I would price both and see the difference.
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Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
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06-03-2017, 10:09 PM
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#167
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: California
Posts: 159
THOR #3788
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[QUOTE=
Brave man planning on installing your own base plate, you usually have
to remove the front valance to gain access on most vehicles.[/QUOTE]
Removing the front is no big deal it held on mostly with plastic push pins
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Richard M / Carol B
2020 Entegra Accolade 37K
2021 F150 Platinum
FMCA #F432587
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06-04-2017, 01:05 AM
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#168
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Citation 24SR
State: Florida
Posts: 46
THOR #7515
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmblaster
Removing the front is no big deal it held on mostly with plastic push pins
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That is what I am hoping, no big deal. I plan to go slow and take my time. Who knew RVing would be such an adventure before one even left home?
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06-04-2017, 01:30 AM
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#169
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL
State: Florida
Posts: 2,914
THOR #1589
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Suggest you check prices at etrailer.com
Look carefully at the differences in the way the tow bars attach to the baseplate. Personally, I prefer the Blue Ox, but my current towed car only has a RM baseplate available.
We stopped at the Blue Ox factory in Nebraska last summer, and they refurbished our 8 year old tow bars without a charge. We were offered free camping adjacent to the factory. Great company!
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Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you've got!
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06-04-2017, 02:42 AM
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#170
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: California
Posts: 159
THOR #3788
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Quote:
Originally Posted by w6lmj
That is what I am hoping, no big deal. I plan to go slow and take my time. Who knew RVing would be such an adventure before one even left home?
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Check with e trailer they may have a video on installing baseplate also check out amazon for prices
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Richard M / Carol B
2020 Entegra Accolade 37K
2021 F150 Platinum
FMCA #F432587
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06-04-2017, 05:22 AM
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#171
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 34E
State: California
Posts: 524
THOR #937
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They're both good products. I personally like the small removable tabs featured by Blue Ox. The baseplate is virtually invisible when the tabs are not in place.
I installed the Blue Ox baseplate myself on a 2012 Jeep Liberty, with a little stabilizing help from my teenage son while I loosely inserted bolts. It was very easy using common tools.
The most annoying part was needing to purchase a plastic rivet tool on Amazon, (and waiting for it to arrive), in order to reattach the inside fender plastic to the bumper valence.
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06-04-2017, 11:44 AM
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#172
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 35.2
State: Louisiana
Posts: 72
THOR #6291
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I tow a 2005 Mini Cooper .
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06-04-2017, 09:05 PM
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#173
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 Hurricane 34 J
State: Ohio
Posts: 680
THOR #1295
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I have installed 2 base plates so far
Road master on my 2012 Ford Fiesta and a Blue Ox on my 2013 Infiniti G37 coupe.
I spend one full day on both and the directions that come with the products are both excellent.
ONE THING!!!!! Buy many drill bites and get the most expensive you can buy! OMG! The metal in the front of cars is STRONG! Money well spent and have at least two or you will be driving mid install to the hardware store for more - always return what you do not use!
That is my only advise.
Sure you have to pull the entire front fashia off the car but like stated here prior - not that hard as it is plastic, light weight, and held on my simple screws.
GO FOR IT - Save a lot of money and know it is done RIGHT!
Darren
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Darren
2015 Thor Hurricane 34 J
Custom paint 2019 (Pro Custom Inc., Elkhart, IN)
2019 Honda Accord 2.0T Sport 6 speed manual
(THOR)
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06-04-2017, 10:13 PM
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#174
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Citation 24SR
State: Florida
Posts: 46
THOR #7515
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nursx2
I have installed 2 base plates so far
Road master on my 2012 Ford Fiesta and a Blue Ox on my 2013 Infiniti G37 coupe.
I spend one full day on both and the directions that come with the products are both excellent.
ONE THING!!!!! Buy many drill bites and get the most expensive you can buy! OMG! The metal in the front of cars is STRONG! Money well spent and have at least two or you will be driving mid install to the hardware store for more - always return what you do not use!
That is my only advise.
Sure you have to pull the entire front fashia off the car but like stated here prior - not that hard as it is plastic, light weight, and held on my simple screws.
GO FOR IT - Save a lot of money and know it is done RIGHT!
Darren
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Darren, thank you for the sage advice. I am leaning towards the Blue OX, but it strikes me that both are good products. I have about two weeks before I hit the road, so I am running out of time. I still need to select an A-frame, most likely also the Blue OX model and lights and break-system.
Any advice on which is the easiest to install while being completely safe?
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06-04-2017, 11:19 PM
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#175
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Ace 29.2
State: Georgia
Posts: 96
THOR #6481
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Car in tow, what's yours?
I still don't know why people spend so much money on tow bars adapters and braking systems tow dollies are not that expensive and tow just as easy .
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06-05-2017, 12:08 AM
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#176
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: California
Posts: 159
THOR #3788
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Quote:
Originally Posted by w6lmj
Darren, thank you for the sage advice. I am leaning towards the Blue OX, but it strikes me that both are good products. I have about two weeks before I hit the road, so I am running out of time. I still need to select an A-frame, most likely also the Blue OX model and lights and break-system.
Any advice on which is the easiest to install while being completely safe?
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I would suggest you look at RVI brake system works great and it can be moved to different vehicles
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Richard M / Carol B
2020 Entegra Accolade 37K
2021 F150 Platinum
FMCA #F432587
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06-05-2017, 12:58 AM
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#177
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.2
State: Idaho
Posts: 533
THOR #1944
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Quote:
Originally Posted by churd9
I still don't know why people spend so much money on tow bars adapters and braking systems tow dollies are not that expensive and tow just as easy .
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We've used 2 different tow dollies and they worked ok to get from point A to B pounding pavement but they were always in the way otherwise. We hit forest service roads and disconnect the toad. With dolly we had to wheel it around by hand and either tow it with the toad or let it bounce more excessively behind the motorhome. Invariably when left attached to the motorhome it had to be disconnected in the most inconvenient situations ... such as one time when headed up a steep single track road we discovered was blocked by a big tree and there was no way I'd make it all the way back down that trail in reverse with the dolly attached that I couldn't even see clearly! Flat tow is vastly more simple in our experience and totally worth the extra cost for our excursions.
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Axis 24.2 "was" tug'n a JK
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06-05-2017, 12:07 PM
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#178
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by churd9
I still don't know why people spend so much money on tow bars adapters and braking systems tow dollies are not that expensive and tow just as easy .
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TyCreek
We've used 2 different tow dollies and they worked ok to get from point A to B pounding pavement but they were always in the way otherwise. We hit forest service roads and disconnect the toad. With dolly we had to wheel it around by hand and either tow it with the toad or let it bounce more excessively behind the motorhome. Invariably when left attached to the motorhome it had to be disconnected in the most inconvenient situations ... such as one time when headed up a steep single track road we discovered was blocked by a big tree and there was no way I'd make it all the way back down that trail in reverse with the dolly attached that I couldn't even see clearly! Flat tow is vastly more simple in our experience and totally worth the extra cost for our excursions.
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As the saying goes: "That's why there is Ford's and Chevy's"
Having seen TyCreek's posts I'm surprised you've tried a dolly at all!
We're square in the dolly camp as we don't "off-road" our camper like TyCreek does (although his pics have been amazing--I'd love to camp out in the middle of nowhere like that!) and I've been leasing vehicles recently so I don't want to modify them to be able to bring them along.
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06-05-2017, 12:49 PM
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#179
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
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A lot depends on the vehicle being towed.
In my case - the cost of dolly towing would have included a new car... Neither my 4WD Wrangler nor my AWD Acadia can be dolly towed... So the car you have/want to bring along can dictate the choice...
Other vehicles cannot be flat towed of course - requiring a dolly or trailer.
The car is the real cost... Towing (either way) is relatively cheap.
__________________
Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
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06-05-2017, 12:53 PM
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#180
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.2
State: Idaho
Posts: 533
THOR #1944
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek
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Having seen TyCreek's posts I'm surprised you've tried a dolly at all!
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Major draw was cost (especially when purchased used) and flexibility to tag along different vehicles without modification.
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Axis 24.2 "was" tug'n a JK
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