Towing four wheels down

[Dunerunner]

Trailers aren't necessarily better, but are easier on the towd. The issue is that some RV parks will not allow the trailer to be stored at your site. They require them to be kept in a storage area which is generally not large enough for you to drag your trailer there with your 40', or for me 28' RV and park. They are as much of a PITA as a Dolly, only heavier. This is why most folks tow four down.

[marsha_b]

I have a 2009 smart Passion and want to flat tow it behind my Dodge Sprinter [conversion] Leisure Travel Van. I am in Fort Myers, FL.

1. Is the Roadmaster the best choice?
2. Where is the best place (in my area, please) for an install (smart/rv)?
3. How much should I expect to pay for the modification to the smart and the RV (I do have an installed hitch receiver on the Sprinter)

Thanks! One of the reasons I have the smart is to have it as a towd.

--Marsha

Originally Posted by bcope01

OK, there must have been a run on the Roadmaster ForTwo brackets (base plates) just prior to my order, because mine is on a 3-week backorder from the factory. Seems Roadmaster is out of stock and needs to make some more. The good news is that I'm first on the list to get one of the new ones.

[bcope01]

Marsha, a good place to start would be the Ft. Myers Camping World. They can handle all of your needs, and they carry the Roadmaster line of towing hardware (my preference). They would be able to provide you a quote in person, over the phone, or via email.

Camping World of Ft. Myers, FL

5600 Enterprise Pkwy.
Ft. Myers, FL 33905 800-553-9730 239-693-8300

[TJ2251]

Marsha - You might want to try a few RV dealers for a comparison price - bcope01's Camping World price seems quite high. If you look at their estimate, their parts cost is very high. Having worked at a RV dealer for 3 years, I've come to realize that Camping World is not always the cheapest place for RV stuff. Don't get me wrong, I used Camping World exclusively when I first started RVing. They carry a great line of things, but I've come to realize a lot of times a dealer is less expensive. Shop around, you may save some bucks. By the way, I just installed a Roadmaster bracket kit on my Smart, took my time and it took me about 6 hours and is one of the least noticeable brackets I've seen. Roadmaster says about 4 hours install time, and I suppose if you did enough of them you could do it in 4. By the way, Found the brackets on line for $353.00 including freight, & A Falcon 2 All-terrain tow bar for $486.00. Add some wiring, cables, etc and your still way under $2900.00 !

[Bumbee]

i ordered the blue ox baseplate, wiring & tow bar online for $974 (i have no fog lights). my very own smartcenter (edision, nj) will be doing the install. they estimated 2 hours @ $98/hr. even if they take longer, it's still way cheaper than going thru camping world.

[too smart one]

I can not believe no one has questioned your estimate of 2 hrs. The book lists 8hrs just for the plate

[fortow]

Originally Posted by Bumbee

i ordered the blue ox baseplate, wiring & tow bar online for $974 (i have no fog lights). my very own smartcenter (edision, nj) will be doing the install. they estimated 2 hours @ $98/hr. even if they take longer, it's still way cheaper than going thru camping world.

I highly doubt that they've installed one yet or they might be deliberately misleading you. Before I installed mine I discussed the installation with a tech at an RV dealer who just finished installing one on another car. It took him all day.
It took two of us over 10 hours to do mine and that included some creative changes to make it fit properly. If I was to do another one it might take about 8 hours but that remains to be seen. I don't intend to try it again.
If he charges $98/hr be prepared for a hefty bill. Get a firm total cost figure agreed upon prior to the installation and don't pay based on an hourly rate. If you negotiate that you might suddenly dscover that their estimate of 2 hours is deceptive.

[bcope01]

I went the Roadmaster route, did it all myself, 9 hours, add 2 hours for the wiring and running back and forth to the store for odd parts (loctite, shrinkwrap, etc.), 11 hours total.

[too smart one]

bcope/ do you believe if I prefer the blue ox system it is necessary to go to a blue ox dealer for the installation? the prices dont seem to vary unless they discount from their retail rates,Secondly are chains and a cover reccomended for the tow bar which is either 740 plus for steel and 795 approx. for aluminum/the plate is 400 and change the elec connection is plus.etc. =your thoughts....I also heard that the supply is limited DR

[bcope01]

too smart one: If you want a Blue Ox towing system at a good price, I can recommend this eBay vendor. I used them for my Roadmaster system, RVEXIT.com shipped the items out the same day and "Justina" gave great customer service. Here is their listing for a complete Blue Ox towing system:

eBay Motors: Blue Ox Aventa LX Tow Bar, Brackets, Wiring Kit for RV (item 170303732047 end time Feb-24-09 11:34:59 PST)