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01-04-2021, 01:45 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Arizona
Posts: 13
THOR #18093
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Install of towing equipment
Hi there we have a 2018 Thor Windsport 29m and just purchased a 2021 Jeep Cherokee with 4x4 and Active DriveII the Jeep dealership says they can do the install of the whole towing system, everything included for just under $5000 - that seems high to me - right? This is our first time doing this and this is our first RV so not sure who to go to to get the towing equipment installed. We live in Phoenix,AZ. Would appreciate any suggestions .... thank you!
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01-04-2021, 01:48 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,390
THOR #7035
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High for a dealer? No.
High for a third party installer? Yes
Does that include a braking system?
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Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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01-04-2021, 02:15 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,884
THOR #6826
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If it includes a braking system it is on the high end of normal. I did it myself and still managed to spend close to $3,000. I think if you shop around you will be able to find a qualified installer around $3500-4000.
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01-04-2021, 02:18 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Connecticut
Posts: 1,798
THOR #20289
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I assume that the $5,000 is not just installation, it includes all parts and equipment. Even so it seems high, but as noted maybe not for a dealership.
Look for a mobile RV mechanic in your area. They know how to do it and it will cost about half of that.
I helped a friend install the base plate on his mini, admittedly only part of the system. It took us 4-5 hours but I could do it again in maybe 2 hours.
Brakes and lights are the big unknown as there are lots of options. With the heavier Cherokee I would definitely do brakes.
David
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01-04-2021, 02:19 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,781
THOR #1469
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Depends on the supplemental braking system. For portable way too high. For permanent installation the price is in the ballpark depending on the quality of the other equipment such as tow bar.
Dedicated charge line?
Battery disconnect?
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01-04-2021, 02:49 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Arizona
Posts: 13
THOR #18093
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I’m gonna see if he will send me a more detailed quote- it was toward the end of my visit at the dealership and I was getting tired of being there and then I will update - thanks!
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01-04-2021, 03:39 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Connecticut
Posts: 1,798
THOR #20289
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Karakakes68
I’m gonna see if he will send me a more detailed quote- it was toward the end of my visit at the dealership and I was getting tired of being there and then I will update - thanks!
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At least get a component breakdown so you can see what you are getting and research alternatives if necessary. I don't see much value in a labor breakdown to install each item though.
David
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01-04-2021, 04:18 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Arizona
Posts: 13
THOR #18093
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidEM
I assume that the $5,000 is not just installation, it includes all parts and equipment. Even so it seems high, but as noted maybe not for a dealership.
Look for a mobile RV mechanic in your area. They know how to do it and it will cost about half of that.
I helped a friend install the base plate on his mini, admittedly only part of the system. It took us 4-5 hours but I could do it again in maybe 2 hours.
Brakes and lights are the big unknown as there are lots of options. With the heavier Cherokee I would definitely do brakes.
David
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Yes it includes all parts and equipment
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01-04-2021, 04:31 PM
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#9
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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So it's high; but within spitting distance of "reasonable"...
Do you feel comfortable with the dealership's level of expertise?
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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01-04-2021, 05:09 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Arizona
Posts: 13
THOR #18093
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
So it's high; but within spitting distance of "reasonable"...
Do you feel comfortable with the dealership's level of expertise?
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Lol good to know - I don’t know about their level of expertise honestly- this is my first dealing with them. So I see in the Blue Ox website that there are dealers so maybe should I try with one of them? It’s looking like mostly RV dealers
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01-04-2021, 05:58 PM
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#11
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Good luck, and happy hunting!
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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01-04-2021, 07:09 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Arizona
Posts: 13
THOR #18093
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Ok here is what they sent me of the pricing and what it includes
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01-13-2021, 07:48 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: synergy
State: Arizona
Posts: 1
THOR #10427
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towing options
You might try B @ M Bumpers and Hitches in Glendale. Lots of options and fair prices. We flat tow a Crosstrek with a Synergy using Blue Ox equipment. Very satisfied.
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01-13-2021, 07:53 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chatea 31E
State: Maryland
Posts: 455
THOR #5837
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As a data point, here is what I spent to set up my CR-V for towing, including a battery maintainer and Protect-a-Tow rock guard.
Blue Ox BX2258 baseplate 360
Blue Ox BX7365 Alpha Tow Bar 543
Blue Ox BX8875 Tow Bar Cover 37
Blue Ox BX88206 7 to 6 pin cable 77
Blue Ox BRK2016 Patriot II Brake System 1091
Blue Ox BX8869 Bulb and Socket Tail Light Kit 53
Red Loctite 8
Trim clip tool 5
Hopkins 39332 Towed Vehicle Battery Maintainer 24
Protect-A-Tow rock guard 243
TOTAL $2441
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01-13-2021, 10:26 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Citation
State: Texas
Posts: 920
THOR #8139
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Karakakes68
Ok here is what they sent me of the pricing and what it includes Attachment 27921
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If you do any DIY, have basic hand tools, a dry warm place to work and a long day you could do it and save a thousand easy.
Blue Ox and Roadmaster include a very good pdf with their baseplates.
The wiring is pretty much plug and play, the breakaway will be the hardest, it goes thru a grommet in the firewall.
Watch the video in this link to etrailer.com to see if you want to attempt.
Then plug your part #'s to see how much you'll save.
Amazon also has everything you'll need except the support.
https://www.etrailer.com/Base-Plates...leID=202193179
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01-13-2021, 11:54 PM
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#16
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 59
THOR #12125
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There are other, cheaper options as well.
I and several others have used the Ready Break system ( https://www.readybrake.com/store/p88...S_TOW_BAR.html) and are very happy with it.
I bought the Roadmaster base plate, the Hercules tow bar w/ brake system and then took it to a local shop to do the electrical. I think I was out the door for between $2-2.5k.
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01-14-2021, 05:17 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Magnitude XG32 4x4,
State: Utah
Posts: 192
THOR #19682
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Karakakes68
Hi there we have a 2018 Thor Windsport 29m and just purchased a 2021 Jeep Cherokee with 4x4 and Active DriveII the Jeep dealership says they can do the install of the whole towing system, everything included for just under $5000 - that seems high to me - right? This is our first time doing this and this is our first RV so not sure who to go to to get the towing equipment installed. We live in Phoenix,AZ. Would appreciate any suggestions .... thank you!
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Sounds high to me. The Flat tow kit for that on etrailer is $450.00. Wiring about $150. The brake buddy etc.. about $1200.00. A Flat Tow bar, Blue Ox, Roadmaster, about $1200. So if you got all of that ready to tow, you would be about the $4,000 price range if you paid about $1,000 for labor. But if it is only to setup flat tow on the Cherokee it is way too much. I am new to flat towing as of August 2020. This forum was very helpful other than giving me crap for asking why do I need a supplement brake. I had to ask.
Anyway, I started looking for all the bits and pieces on the used market and found an all terrain roadmaster tow bar, for $500.00. A brake Buddy for $500, and then bought and installed (self install) the flat tow kit for my Grand Cherokee $600. There are a lot of people that sell their MH and sell the two stuff. So look around and maybe only have to pay for the installation of the Cherokee side of the tow package.
Good Luck
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01-15-2021, 02:28 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Washington
Posts: 1,112
THOR #6433
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That seems expensive for a portable system to me. It’s been a couple of years but I think it was about 3500 bucks at camping world for all roadmaster hardware including the invisibrake on our Wrangler
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2017 Freedom Elite 30fe 2013 Wrangler Unlimited toad.
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01-15-2021, 05:33 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2019 Aria 4000
State: Utah
Posts: 336
THOR #15943
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VetPartTimer
There are other, cheaper options as well.
I and several others have used the Ready Break system ( https://www.readybrake.com/store/p88...S_TOW_BAR.html) and are very happy with it.
I bought the Roadmaster base plate, the Hercules tow bar w/ brake system and then took it to a local shop to do the electrical. I think I was out the door for between $2-2.5k.
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We run the Readi-Brake as well-I installed it myself in a couple of hours.
Gary
GVP
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