Towing gear installers December 30, 2008, 08:05:11 pm Yahoo Message Number: 98286I'm getting closer to buying a toad, and am wondering whether anyone here can suggest a good shop in the Las Cruces, NM area to install a towbar, brackets and so on. The Phoenix, AZ area is another possibility--any recommendations there?Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Towing gear installers Reply #1 – December 31, 2008, 08:15:40 am Yahoo Message Number: 98290Andy, I am getting my TOAD setup done by Camping World. I had several choices, and all the prices seemed to be nearly the same. The deciding factors for me were that I could get it done more quickly at Camping World, I could stay in my rig in their yard overnight while my car was being worked on, and (this was the big one) if I had a future problem with the installation or equipment, they have stores all over, so my ability to obtain warranty service is much enhanced when compared to the other suppliers. Happy New Year to all! Ken
Re: Towing gear installers Reply #2 – December 31, 2008, 09:01:11 am Yahoo Message Number: 98291wrote: The Phoenix, AZ area is another possibility--any recommendations there? --- I've heard positive reports on this Mesa, AZ, shop's work, but I don't have any experience with them; just offering it as a suggestion to check out! http://www.cliffswelding.com/ Joan
Re: Towing gear installers Reply #3 – December 31, 2008, 09:03:43 am Yahoo Message Number: 98292Andy, In Las Cruces, I've used J&J Mufflers on Valley Drive. They have a good reputation and have been in business at that location some 25 yrs. Mari
Re: Towing gear installers Reply #4 – December 31, 2008, 10:19:50 am Yahoo Message Number: 98293Quote I'm getting closer to buying a toad, and am wondering whether anyone here can suggest a good shop in the Las Cruces, NM area to install a towbar, brackets and so on. The Phoenix, AZ area is another possibility--any recommendations there?Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/ Andy, While the personal experience reports are probably best, I would also call the manufacturer of your tow bar to get recommendations. Roadmaster was very helpful pointing us to a good shop when we had ours done. But that was up in Vermont a few years ago.David
Re: Towing gear installers Reply #5 – December 31, 2008, 01:43:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 98295The Phoenix, AZ area is anotherQuotepossibility--any recommendations there?Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/ Cliff's Welding http://www.cliffswelding.com/contact.htm Harry
Re: Towing gear installers Reply #6 – December 31, 2008, 01:47:02 pm Yahoo Message Number: 98296Quote I'm getting closer to buying a toad, and am wondering whether anyone here can suggest a good shop in the Las Cruces, NM area to install a towbar, brackets and so on. The Phoenix, AZ area is another possibility--any recommendations there?Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/ Though we've heard negatives about Camping World, we had them install our toad setup and it has been perfect. No problems whatsoever.
Re: Towing gear installers Reply #7 – December 31, 2008, 02:47:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 98297Hey Andy-- I bought the towbar and adaptor for my Suzuki Sidekick on the internet for quite a bit less than local prices. I figured I'd then find a local installer. But when the kit arrived, I discovered it was mostly bolt-on into existing holes -- I had to drill only two holes. At that point I simply did the install myself. The complexity of installation probably varies from one car to another -- but it's worth considering DIY. At least I know my install was done correctly!Happy New Year to all /noel/
Re: Towing gear installers Reply #8 – December 31, 2008, 08:17:27 pm Yahoo Message Number: 98300"Though we've heard negatives about Camping World, we had them install our toad setup and it has been perfect."I've dealt with several Camping World stores over a period of seven years, and I've talked with a number of people about them. Their problem seems to be lack of consistency. A given tech at a given store may do a great job, while another tech at the same store may be incompetent. This makes dealing with Camping World installers something of a crapshoot--not a comfortable feeling.For example, Camping World in Bridgeport, NJ did a great job of replacing my first rig's old stove with a new, larger one... but twice they botched plumbing jobs, resulting in flooding each time. On the other hand, when Camping World in Albuquerque, NM did the exact same stove swap on my newer rig, it took them 12 hours to do what the NJ store had done in 2 hours! That's why I'm wary of Camping World. When you bring your coach to one of their stores, you're gambling... and you may not be lucky. I'm not ruling them out altogether, but if I can get a solid recommendation of a local business, I think I'd rather go there than take my chances with Camping World.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Towing gear installers Reply #9 – December 31, 2008, 09:31:27 pm Yahoo Message Number: 98303Back in pre-greedy early days (late 80's), it was almost always a good deal to deal with Camping World. They only charged $5 for installation of stuff bought from them back then, so it was rare to not get one's money's worth. It was, unfortunately, also rare to get a lot more than one's money's worth. At least they're consistent, that part hasn't changed.bumper Yonder Minden, NV
Re: Towing gear installers Reply #10 – December 31, 2008, 11:36:11 pm Yahoo Message Number: 98306Dear Andy - Do agree with your reservations of Camping World + like to deal with local owned businesses & even more so now with economy as such - I ordered Roadmaster base plate and tow equipment from etrailer.com - great prices, drop ship direct from manufacturer, excellent follow-up, freight was dirt cheap and no sales tax - Had local rv shop install the base plate then took rest of equipment with us when left car with Mike S. who ordered and installed the US Gear Unified Brake System and wired lights - Have had no problems and love the quick plug in on the brake system The Base plate is easy & after watching it being done on Midnight all I wished is I'd had more strength to have done it myself.Happy New Years Virginia and Jim Starr and Midnight Roadie
Re: Towing gear installers Reply #11 – January 01, 2009, 07:16:17 am Yahoo Message Number: 98308We got a card from the local CW yesterday offering $50 off any part costing over $100 and 50% off any service. That is a discount, business must be hurting.Cheers, Don
Re: Towing gear installers Reply #12 – January 01, 2009, 07:18:31 pm Yahoo Message Number: 98314Hi Andy, In response to your question about Gear Installers, I can give you some info that may be helpful. 1) In the Las Cruces area call...Don Stover at 575-993-0263. (He is the ramrod on Habitat for Humanity projects in Las Cruces where we worked on a build last month. Since there is a turnover rate of new RV people coming in every two weeks...he should be able to guide you as to the best RV shop in that area for what you want).2) In the Tucson area, we have used Carl's RV Repairs. It's a family operation and I like them very much. Honest, dependable, and not expensive. Call them at:520-889-9900.Good luck on that toad. We are still looking and have settled on a CRV Honda but will probably wait until we get back to Oregon this May. We keep hearing great things about the Blue Ox system. Have a great New Year in 2009. Best regards, David Roderick (1998 MB LD, Eugene, OR)
Re: Towing gear installers Reply #13 – January 01, 2009, 09:24:25 pm Yahoo Message Number: 98316Thanks to all who responded! I plan to install Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain gear, based on Mike Sylvester's recommendation (not that there's anything wrong with Blue Ox--I hear great things about them), so I checked Roadmaster's site for dealers in Las Cruces and came up with this:S & H RV Center 700 Stern Dr. Las Cruces, NM 88005 (505) 524-8057 (800) 777-8057After reviewing Roadmaster's PDF instructions for installing their baseplate/bracket on the 2009 Honda Fit, I concluded that it was straightforward enough that even I could do it. ;-) So my present plan is to order the parts through S&H, then do the work myself in the Lowe's parking lot--the way, if I need any extra tools or hardware, they'll have 'em.This probably won't happen for a couple of weeks... I'll keep the group posted if there are any interesting developments. Thanks again for all your helpful suggestions. I love this group! :-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Towing gear installers - Now Andy's Toad Reply #14 – January 01, 2009, 10:32:15 pm Yahoo Message Number: 98318Andy: You couldn't go wrong with a Honda CRV (any year but the latest models that aren't towable) with a Blue Ox tow bar and a US Gear breaking system. We've had the above for the past 8 or 9 years and they have given us superb service.
Re: Towing gear installers - Now Andy's Toad Reply #15 – January 02, 2009, 11:36:00 am Yahoo Message Number: 98322Quote Andy: You couldn't go wrong with a Honda CRV (any year but the latest models that aren't towable) with a Blue Ox tow bar and a US Gear breaking system. We've had the above for the past 8 or 9 years and they have given us superb service. The latest model CRV is towable. John
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