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Topic: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system (Read 36 times) previous topic - next topic
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'05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Yahoo Message Number: 157998
I was wondering if you would share your experience with tow bars, brackets and supplemental brake systems.   We just purchased a 2009 Honda CRV -AWD.   We now need to pick a tow bar, bracket and brake system.  I am leaning towards the blue ox brand tow bar,  I like the reviews and the clean look once the towd is unhooked.  In addition, leaning toward invisibrake by road master.  This stuff is pricey, but can all be installed at CampingWorld. Ease of use, reliability are very important.  Can you, please, share your experiences/choices?

Waiting to "Toad" John Comunelli-2005 MB
Re: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 157999
John, I would recommend the Stay-N-Play system. We've used it for about 5 yrs now, and have had no problems whatsoever. We did have it installed by a small business in Vacaville, CA that specializes in sports vehicles and trucks. They knew what they were doing.

Several times in heavy traffic (LA and San Fran) the system was put to use with no problems. In fact, shortly after I added the system, I came up over a rise in the freeway and came upon an exit I have used for many years. It was backed up about 1/4 mile more than usual and had I not had the system, I might have plowed into someone in that backed up line of cars. At minimum I would have been off the road in the grass along side of the exit lane.

Please do not go a long time without adding a brake system for your tow car.

And happy travels,

Barry O'Neil 06MB - Ruby Red & 2010 CRV (the White Shadow - not really haha)
2006 27' MidBath
Re: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158000
We use a roadmaster falcon 2 all terain.  Love it an simple to use.
We also use the break roadmaster, have a break buddy also an dont care for it.
Our main reccomendation is most are great just dont pay new price the things are all over used an in like new shape. I bought our last falcon unused nee for 250. So shop around an save. Were in phoenix area an snow birds are always selling.
Good luck.
You can probally find crv baseplates they are a very popular toad.
Grumpy
Re: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158001
I've used a Blue Ox Aventa since '02 with a '05 CRV.     No complaints and would go with this system again.   Have a Brake Buddy that would not stay put (on the driver's floor) during bumpy roads so gave up using it.     That makes me legal some places and not in other places.    Never had a problem but.....

The CRV is the perfect toad.
Re: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158096
Weird questions.

I have a towable CRV 2004 AWD. I will get a LD, but I don't own it yet. I'm single. I will likely be driving 100s of miles to look at, hopefully like, and purchase the LD. Now I have 2 vehicles, to drive back 100s of miles. I hate to ask a friend to go along for this largely boring (for them) trek, that might end up being an overnight trip.

Can I get the CRV set up now/soon for being towed by the LD?

Would I put the LD components into the back of the CRV until I own the LD, or would I buy the LD components later (i.e. am I buying a kit)?

Is it a big deal to get the LD parts of the towing mechanism installed, once I own the LD (does it take some shop hours or days to accomplish this?)

Clearly, I have a lot to learn on how the whole towing rig stuff works.

Thanks for your thoughts! Denise
Re: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158098
Denise, see comments interspersed in caps (I'm not shouting) below:

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158100
Wow! Thanks, Chris! That's what I needed to know. I'll add to this that I would be doing my maiden voyage   with toad through a major US city. It's probably a good idea to know what I'm doing first, and have a little experience under my belt. ;-) I'll get this figured out.

Thanks, again, Chris!!
Re: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158104
Denise

Chris is right, just getting to know your LD is going to have its own learning curve. You will need to deal with whatever problems a used LD is likely to have. Adding the hassle of finding a qualified installer and them learning about towing could be the recipe for disaster or a good movie.
Take it one step at a time.
If this is new to you, do yourself a favor and go find one of the women only RVing groups to help educate yourself.
There are a lot of women LD owners that know their stuff.

Do know it will cost around $3000 to set it up for towing, maybe more if you add the the suggested battery charging system.
So I if your CRV has high mileage, it may not be a good economic solution to set it up.
Even though the toad's engine isn't running, while being towed, the suspension, brakes, tires and body continue accumulating miles.

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: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158111
Perfectly normal questions, and dood ones to boot. If the CRV is in good condition, it should work. We traded out 11 Rav4 for an 11 CRV as thr Rav needed a warranty-voiding trasmission pump.  We went with a Roadmaster all terrain towbar & baseplate  installed at Cramping World in about 4 hours and just under $2K ( Blue ox seems to get good reviews and selection a tossuo IMHO).  SMI stay-and-play braking system and wiring installed at local RV shop for $1.2K.

All installed Dec 13 , Jan 14 with LD pickup 4/28.  Practiced towing towd using pickup truck in lieu of LD.  Flew to Ontario for PU.

Would agree with other poster take a friend and learn in steps.
Joel 13 31 IB 11 CRV towd Currently at Borrego Springs CA
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158114
Would it be possible to deal with getting the proper towing equipment at your point of sale?  If you are not on a tight schedule, maybe you could just take your CR-V to the city where the Lazy Daze is for sale, and if you decide to buy, then locate an appropriate shop to order in the parts and do the work.  The current owner may have some suggestions on where to look for these things.  It would probably be a good thing to be in the area for a few days anyway to become accustomed to the unit before undertaking a long journey.

Virtual hugs,

Judie http://dorrieanne.wordpress.com
Re: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158115
"THE LD ALREADY HAS A 4" TRAILER HITCH ON IT."

Good information from Chris. One correction: the Lazy Daze has a 2" square hitch receiver, so you would need a matching towbar.

Andy Baird
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158117
Thanks for the correction, Andy.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158124
You guys are great. I think the best solution is to figure out how to get there on purchase day, sans CRV, and drive the LD home toadless.

Now that you mention the cost of installation, I also need to think whether this CRV should be the one set up for towing. It has zero problems-- such a great SUV-- but it also has 118K miles on it. To date, I have avoided the newer generation CRV because you can't open the back window, which I do a lot.

I don't really want to buy a car now, so decision made. Y'all just saved me a lot of time and money.

I'm so thankful to all of you for your input. I hope to meet at least some of you in person some day.

Cheers, Denise
'05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158129
Denise, We have a 2005 Honda CRV that we bought new mainly for motorhome towing. Still have it with almost 150K odometer miles and many more K's towed miles that doesn't show as the display is electrical and not mechanical. I follow all the required lube schedules for engine, transmission and rear differential (most important). Keep it well waxed, and it looks quite good. We have driven it a lot on moderate western mountain jeep roads (some I thought were roads but were not). I have had NO major or moderate mechanical problems and it is still quite tight in handling. It should easily last for another 150K driven miles.  I have (and like) the Blue Ox base plate with the removable hitch pins, and the Roadmaster aluminum Sterling tow bar with the hitch adaptors for the Blue Ox pins. I installed the SMI Stay-N-Play Duo brake system and ran a 12VDC charging wire from the LD engine battery to the CRV battery via a 7-pin toad light wiring umbilical cable. That keeps the CRV battery charged while towing for long periods. I used the CRV tail lights (with blocking diodes to keep the power from back feeding to the CRV) for towing setup. All this has worked well for many years and I expect to have many more travel years ahead with our CRV.
You are fortunate to already have your CRV. The new ones are not towable anymore.  :-( Mike
2010 RB "Monty"  & currently: 2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23'
1982 Dolphin/Toyota 22'
 
Re: '05 MB with 2009 Honda CRV tow bar, bracket and braking system
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 158130
Thanks, Mike!

I'm saving this info for the future. I sure would like to keep my CRV as long as I can, and it would be ideal to have it as my toad. Glad to learn of your experience, and what equipment you chose. Thank you!

BTW, probably a year ago my long-rime mechanic said my CRV was 'good for another 150K,' of course barring unforeseen accident. He had me undercoat it with some kind of stuff they use on submarines to avoid the NE road salt issue at wintertime. Cost was $150 and is supposed to last 7 tears (now on year 3,  and so far, so good.) Prior to that, it was undercoated with oil yearly at $75/year. Trying hard to keep it from rusting before it lives out its natural life.

Cheers, Denise