sadieb
Fort Collins, Colorado
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Joined: 03/05/2004
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I'm interested in hearing your opinions on a prospective toad and the towing set-up for it:
Toad: 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport - Soft Top, 5 speed, 2.5L 4 cyl. engine
Towing Set-up: Blue Ox Aladdin hitch & baseplate, Brake Buddy braking system
My MH is a 2004 Holiday Rambler Atlantis 27PBD and has a 5,000 lbs. hitch. The GCWR is 19,050 and I'm already close to the 14,050 GVWR (within 200 lbs.). I think the 2000 Wrangler weighs in at around 3,200 lbs.
Concerns are:
1) Is the 2.5L 4 cylinder Jeep engine adequate for power?
2) Is the Blue Ox hitch set-up a good value?
3) The Brake Buddy seems expensive. Is it worth it? Are there other comparable units for less money?
I'd like an easy and safe set-up; however, I'm estimating that the (retail) price of the towing package would cost around $1,200 and that's a chunk of change.
I'm also considering a Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, or Nissan Exterra as a possible toad. I know, these vehicles are quite different than a Wrangler, but the Jeep looks like a lot more fun!
Thanks in advance for your replies,
Chris
2004 Holiday Rambler Atlantis 27 PBD
1998 Jeep Wrangler (toad)
1997 Yamaha V-Max (for passing RVs in the Colorado canyons)
Blue Ox Aventa II towbar & Brake Buddy
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Ayden
San Jose, Ca, USA
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Joined: 11/20/2003
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That's a great set up.
The Alladin is a great unit. I only got Roadmaster 'cause Camping World had it on sale and is also equivalent. I'd prefer to base my decision on safety, realiability, and ease of use, rather than value. $1200 is about what I paid for mine including install and wiring my 7pin MH to my 4pin toad.
W/ my Blackhawk I can have my little toad hooked up in under 5 minutes. My wife can do it in less time. I like the safety of the combined cable and tow package holding the toad to the MH. You can garaunttee your load is secure.
I feel the brake buddy is well worth it and does as it's claimed to do. Yes it's expensive but considering the numerous options available this one is the least instrusive, light weight, adaptable to nearly any car w/ minimal adjustment and more important it takes the stress off of your MH's brakes in steep grades and people who cut in front of you. Oh yeah. Set up time for me is 2-3 minutes. That'll depend upon how long it'll take the Brake Buddy compressor to pump up to the required pressure for the weight of your toad. This is the time where you setup your BB and help your partner setup the toad at the same time.
W/ our system my wife and I can hook up our car and BB, and check light operations in under 5 minutes. Even if you take your time the setup is easily less than 10 minutes.
Blue Ox and Roadmaster sell a copy cat model of the brake buddy. I went w/ the Brake Buddy 'cause it's been around the longest and most if not all the bugs I'm certain have been worked out. Brake Buddy's also been well spoken of regarding customer service and reliability if that's worth anything to you. Do a search here if it is.
FYI. My BB was listed at my dealer for $1,299 but I found one online (www.martronics.com, $995 free shipping, carry case and 5 year extended warranty right now) for a lot less and the parts manager gave it to me as long as I paid tax for the cheaper one I found on-line. Many dealers do this including Camping World if they carried it. BTW. I was too chicken to buy it on Ebay where it sells for a lot less.
Ebay maybe a good option for you to save money.
I called Toyota last month and they tell me that any Toyota past 2002 or 2003 is not towable and/or the transmission warranty will be void if towed 4 down. However each time I call back I get different explanations as to why. I'm a Toyota fan.
The Honda CRV, Jeep Liberty I know are towable 4 down. Don't know about any Nissan. I personally like the Honda Pilot (4400lbs curb weight, 5000lb tow capacity, 265hp, DVD for the kids, yet ugly). It's towable 4 down but has 3 rows and 5 child seat tethers but that may not be applicable to you now. Just thought I'd mention it.
Anyway. Your setup is awesome and expensive but well worth the cost in my opinion. BTW. Your estimate did not include the BB.
Good luck in what you decide. Your headed in the right direction which for me I wouldn't settle for anything less.
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Leeroy
Thousand Oaks, Ca
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Joined: 07/11/2002
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I have a 31' class C, 98 Shasta w/ford v10. My toad is a 99 Wrangler sport, 6 cyl. auto. I use the Blue Ox Adventa II.
Wranglers are great toads, they are reasonably light (3800lbs +/-) and they track well. I honestly can't tell the thing is back there when towing. I have been to Sierras, Sequoias, and bumper-to-bumper L.A. traffic and I have never had a problem of towing without a breaking system. I am buying one soon because this Summer I am going cross country and I understand it is the law in some states that all toad vehicles require a breaking system. I am all for safety, I would strongly recommend getting one, I haven't yet just because of the $$$. I am going with the Brake Buddy based on what I have read on this forum (these people have yet to fail me).
I had the Blue-Ox Acclaim, but just upgradded to the aventa II because of convienance. I would insure that the Aladin is rated for enough weight, if it is, the lighter weight of the towbar sounds really nice, although it is a lot more money.
As for the price of the Blue OX package, Jeep Wranglers are one of the easiest vehicles to make into a toad, as long as you have the normal stock front bumper. The wiring is also a piece of cake. It cost me $500.00 for the Acclaim, wirring, installed, labor and all out the door.
As for the power of a 4 banger, my six has great power and its an auto, I think a 4 will be fine with a stick. Wranglers are a blast to drive. We go to the mountains a lot and its fun to zip around in. Its also nice in the city, easy to park and all.
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pauljoy
Massachusetts USA
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Joined: 02/03/2003
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I tow a 2000 Wrangler 4.0L with a 5 speed. Tow bar is a Roadmaster Falcon 2 and Roadmaster Base Plate. I installed the bulb and socket set-up for lighting. The whole package including cables and tow bar cover cost me just under $1000.00.
I did the installation myself and was very straight foreward and easy to do. Only have to drill one hole through one side of the Jeep chasis rail.
As for the 4 cylinder Jeep, it is under powered and you won't be happy with it. Go for the 4.0L and enjoy! The Wangler is a fun car to drive and it will go anywhere you want to venture with it plus it gets pretty good gas mileage. I have averaged 20 MPG with a mix of city and highway travel. Put the top down and feel like a kid again!
Paul & Joyce
2009 Phaeton 36QSH
Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar & Brackets
Toad, 2000 Yellow Jeep Wrangler Sport
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JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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moved from class A forum
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lilered
Gravois Mills, Mo
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Joined: 03/20/2004
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Check for sure on the RAV for towing. Last year my wife wanted to purchase one for towing and we were told by the dealership they aren't towable, so we dismissed it.
REMCO would probably tell you if it is. But that might involve a pump or driveshaft disconnect or both?
 Mike
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R-ADVNTR
Staten Island, NY
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Joined: 02/28/2002
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Regarding Jeep 4-cyl power:
Mine was a 4 cyl w/ a 5-speed manual. It was OK. Yuo certainly won't set any land speed records, and on long inclines don"t be surprised you need to down-shift to 4th or even 3rd.
I have heard it is really weak with the auto, but I've never personally driven one. I have a neighbor who had one and got rid of it quickly as he didn't like the under-powered nature of it.
I toad mine for 8 years, 35,000 mile or so behind 3 different MH's. I had the Blue-Ox set-up, but Idon't remember the model. I did not use a brake system, but was always going to get one.
I just sold the jeep recently and for many reasons wish I hadn't. It's a great toad, and it is a lot of fun.
2000 Winnebago Adventurer 35U
Demco KarKaddy SS, '06 Acura TL Toad 
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2cyber71
Pennsylvania
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Joined: 11/21/2003
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Concerns are:
1) Is the 2.5L 4 cylinder Jeep engine adequate for power?
Sure if you're not racing Nascar
2) Is the Blue Ox hitch set-up a good value?
One of the best, other name brands are just as good
3) The Brake Buddy seems expensive. Is it worth it? Are there other comparable units for less money?
It's just fine and easy to setup...other name brands are just as good
As for cost
The Blue-Ox Alladin will cost you about $650-$700, Aventa approx. $400-500.00
Baseplates are about $200-250.00
Brake Buddy is about $850-$1000.00
Tail-light kits are about $80.
so it will cost more than $1,200.00, even if you install it yourself.
I'd check with a good dealer, they can give you a nice price for the whole works installed and all you do is pick it up.
cyber
Something for Cabin Fever<-----Just watch and enjoy!
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD, Cummins 400 ISL
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clindell
Santa Rosa, Ca
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Quote:Check for sure on the RAV for towing. Last year my wife wanted to purchase one for towing and we were told by the dealership they aren't towable, so we dismissed it.
REMCO would probably tell you if it is. But that might involve a pump or driveshaft disconnect or both?
lilered, you can in fact tow the RAV4, I checked with Remco and they supplied the tow bar mounting base part number and said our 98 AWD RAV4 auto trans could be towed with the recirculation pump so I disagree with what a service manager said! Don’t believe everything those guys tell you, I have been in the business before and they don’t know everything.
* This post was
edited 05/10/04 07:44am by an administrator/moderator *
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sadieb
Fort Collins, Colorado
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Joined: 03/05/2004
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Thanks for all the great advice and your experiences with towing.
Concerning towing a Toyota RAV4, I got very close to buying a 1999 that was a 5 speed manual transmission. The Owner's Manual stated it was ok to tow on a dolly or trailer, but didn't say much about 4 down (except a section "Emergency Towing"). I asked the service manager at the local Toyota dealer and he made a call or two and said the manual transmission RAV4 (1999) is ok to tow 4 down - just put the tranny in Neutral and away you go. He mentioned that a RAV4 with an automatic transmission is not towable 4 down.
I think I'm going with a Jeep Wrangler as a toad because:
1) Weight (decent for a 4WD)
2) Easy baseplate set-up (possibly transferrable to different year Wrangler)
3) Fun to drive
Chris
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