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Easiest towing system for solo?
What is the easiest towing system for a person who will travel solo good chunks of time, towing a 2014 Subaru Outback? The Outback has a Blue Ox baseplate on it now, so I think I would need a tow bar, brakes and lights. Anything else you recommend?

TIA.

Ted
2006 RB
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #1 –
Just curious, did you buy the one in Palm Desert?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #3 –
Ted, I think you have it covered.  As to the tow bar, if you wish, you need not get a Blue Ox Tow Bar.  You can get a Roadmaster with adapters on the end if you wish.

Ken F in NM in the snow
'08 MB
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Cebuano54  - 
I did. Drove it home yesterday.

Even though I already have a Forester to tow, I was tempted by that one!  Congrats!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #5 –
Well, you already have the Rig and tow'd.  You'll need the tow bar,  auxiliary braking system,  wiring for the lights et al.
I have a Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain II tow bar.  I had SMI's stay-in-play braking system installed and had the lights wired at a local RV shop.

I have to connect 6 things to tow.
1 & 2 Connectors to attach the tow bar to the base plate.
3 & 4 are the safety cables alongside the connectors
5 is the wiring harness for lights, brakes etc
6 is the cable to the  emergency breakaway switch for the breaks.

I also have a pre-tow checklist on configuring the CRV for towing.

It cost me about $3,000 for all components and installation.

Which auxiliary braking system to get is a matter of opinion(s)
YMMV
Joel 
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Cebuano54  - 
The Outback has a Blue Ox baseplate on it now, so I think I would need a tow bar, brakes and lights. Anything else you recommend?
The quickest to hitch up for braking would be the stay-n-play, but I recommend a rewire to a 6 or 7 pin plug, and use the Subi lights to avoid a messy tangle of magnetic ones. A rearview camera to watch the toad is advisable. Note that when towing solo you will want to avoid really steep grades that will require driving the toad separately - unless you trust your luck with a passing hitchhiker....

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Steve  - 
The quickest to hitch up for braking would be the stay-n-play, but I recommend a rewire to a 6 or 7 pin plug, and use the Subi lights to avoid a messy tangle of magnetic ones. A rearview camera to watch the toad is advisable. Note that when towing solo you will want to avoid really steep grades that will require driving the toad separately - unless you trust your luck with a passing hitchhiker....

Steve

Steve, how does one plan to avoid steep grades? Is it a safety issue or because a LD doesn’t have enough power? TIA.
2006 RB
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Cebuano54  - 
Steve, how does one plan to avoid steep grades? Is it a safety issue or because a LD doesn’t have enough power? TIA.

The Mountain Grade Directory is the first place to start, the book(s) show how steep grades are and how long the pull is.
Mountain Driving Guide for Truckers, RV and Motorhome Drivers

Your Lazy Daze should be able to pull an Outback over almost any grade, no guarantee on how fast. Long, steep grades can be a hard pull for the engine and transmission, especially in hot weather.
I recommend installing the largest aftermarket transmission cooler possible and using an aftermarket gauge to monitor both the engine and transmission temperatures, such a ScanGauge or Ultragauge.
Larger transmission cooler E450 | Flickr

» ScanGauge II
Amazon.com: ScanGauge - SG2 II Ultra Compact 3-in-1 Automotive Computer with...

UltraGauge OBDII Scan tool & Information Center

Larry
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
 
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #9 –
Ted, if your Outback already has a baseplate, it would be surprising if it were not at least wired for lights. Are you sure that it isn't?
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #10 –
The Mountain Directory is an essential resource for anyone who travels anywhere, east or west, that is not "flat". Amazon does have the directories (western and eastern versions, publication date 2006), but the MD website offers the print version with a 2015 publication date. I don't know what, if any, real differences or updates are included with the later publication, but earlier editions did incorporate pertinent user-submitted comments on road conditions when a subsequent edition was published. If I needed a new edition, I'd order it from MD.

I'm skeptical of the "apps"; the download process and formats seem unnecessarily complicated, awkward, steppy, and more "e-book" to me, but YMMV. If someone has installed the app(s) and has used them, perhaps s/he will comment?
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #11 –
Quote from: Cebuano54  - 
What is the easiest towing system for a person who will travel solo good chunks of time, towing a 2014 Subaru Outback? The Outback has a Blue Ox baseplate on it now, so I think I would need a tow bar, brakes and lights. Anything else you recommend?

Steve's suggestion to add a rearview camera is a good one, along with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to ensure all ten tires are properly inflated.
When towing, you have limited information on the condition of the toad, a camera allows seeing it and the TPMS prevents driving with over or under-inflated tires and will alarm when a tire's pressure is too high or low or, with some models, overheating (usually caused by under-inflation).

Adding a 7-pin plug allows the option of adding a 'test' button in the LD's cab, along with in-cab indicator light showing when the toad's brake is activated and also for a battery charging supply wire from the LD.
All of the above are good things to have when towing.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Adding a 7-pin plug allows the option of adding a 'test' button in the LD's cab, along with in-cab indicator light showing when the toad's brake is activated and also for a battery charging supply wire from the LD.
All of the above are good things to have when towing.

Electrical dummy here.  Could you go into more detail on adding a 7-pin plug?  I noticed mine is 6-pin.  I assume this involves running another wire?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #14 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
Electrical dummy here.  Could you go into more detail on adding a 7-pin plug?  I noticed mine is 6-pin.  I assume this involves running another wire?

To change from 6 to 7-pin plugs require changing the umbilical cable, and both the toad's and tow vehicle plugs, plus adding whatever extra wiring is needed.
Giving up on either the "test" button, a toad-brake activation indicator light or the toad battery charger will allow using a 6-pin plug.  I like the extras and have used the 7-pin plug for years.
For just tail lights and brake system, a 4-pin plug will work.

Larry


Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #15 –
“Giving up the brake activation indicator light or the toad battery charger will allow using a 6-pin plug.”

Our 2019 MidBath came with a six pin plug. I installed a RoadMaster brake pedal activation indicator light on the back of the Jeep rear view mirror. I felt the re-wiring for a seven pin plug was cumbersome and for me unnecessary as I am able to see the light from the Lazy Daze’s rear view mirror.

I also like having the brake activation light on the Jeep mirror because I can see it from the street. This is helpful because prior to departure, I pull the emergency breakaway key to test that my entire auxiliary breaking system works - if I hear the Stay-In-Play compressor activate and the brake pedal indicator light go on I know the system is working properly.

YMMV

Warren
Warren
2019 MB “Dream Catcher”
Jeep Wrangler JL
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #16 –
"prior to departure, I pull the emergency breakaway key to test that my entire auxiliary breaking system works"

Good idea, Warren. When I was towing, I did that too.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Easiest towing system for solo?
Reply #17 –
The Outback in Palm Desert I drove it very nice! I did not buy it because the clutch was heavy for my bad knee. Congrats Ted!