Good flat tow vehicles not named Jeep?

[Boudreaux]

I was faced with this situation in March of 2016. At that time the list contained Subaru. I went with a 2016 Subaru Forester (Standard trans). I noticed that Subaru has since removed themselves from the list.

Our Forster (standard trans) has towed flawlessly more than 15,000 miles.

[Brians first rv]

Just did first trip, 8k miles, with our 2013 Equinox 4wd flat towed. Only "issue" is the odometer continues to turn. Otherwise, easy on off from our Blue Ox and no issues. Golf clubs in cargo, bikes on the back hitch...

[Dgibbster]

All this just leads me back to JEEP. Simply put it in park, transfer case in neutral, no key needed in ignition so no odometer milage added, also you can lock up vehicle as needs no key because no steering lock. I am all jeep when it comes to flat tow, sorry.

[tom463219]

My 2016 Equinox has been towed 4 down for 25000 miles with no added milage on the speedo.

[Johnynorthland]

Originally Posted by Brians first rv

Just did first trip, 8k miles, with our 2013 Equinox 4wd flat towed. Only "issue" is the odometer continues to turn. Otherwise, easy on off from our Blue Ox and no issues. Golf clubs in cargo, bikes on the back hitch...

I tow a 2014 CRV 2WD. I was also told no mileage would be clocked. I had the key in Aux position and dash was still lit up. My installer of my base plate said if the Speedo lights up there’s a good chance you will clock mileage. So I Had him install a battery quick disconnect and not the fuse bypass switch for this issue. I’m good now with no worries of clocking mileage or a dead battery. But we did have to install a 12V socket that uses 12v from RV to power our Ox breaking system.

[Bullitt6283]

Originally Posted by Johnynorthland

...we did have to install a 12V socket that uses 12v from RV to power our Ox breaking system.

If there is a severe breakaway, you would no longer have 12v power to operate the braking system. Not good.
.

[Stavman]

If you have a breakaway. The breaking system locks up the toads wheels so it doesn't do even more damage careening down the road

Breakaway meaning toad separates from the RV, away from safety chains etc.


Not a good thing to happen

[Johnynorthland]

Originally Posted by Bullitt6283

If there is a severe breakaway, you would no longer have 12v power to operate the braking system. Not good.
.

As Stavman said if there’s a breakaway it would lock the toad breaks, furthermore, my blue Ox patriot 3 has a battery back up in it and I routinely test it as well as the entire system. It works flawlessly!

[Bullitt6283]

Originally Posted by Johnynorthland

.....my blue Ox patriot 3 has a battery back up in it.....

Thant's a great feature!


.

[Johnynorthland]

Originally Posted by Bullitt6283

Thant's a great feature!


.

I was going to go with ready brute but couldn’t find anyone interested in installing it. Also like the idea if I buy a 2nd vehicle and it’s towable I can transfer the breaking system from car to car. But I would need breakaway and electrical cable installed.

[Johnynorthland]

Some of these braking systems get a bad rap because some folks don’t understand that once power is removed from the toad vehicle, you need to pump the brake pedal two or three times to get it hard before the braking system sets itself up. Otherwise it will Calibrate based on The length of travel with vacuum booster still having enough vacuum in it to assist with pedal force. (Power brakes) This will cause a much greater force on the brake pedal and burn up the toad vehicle’s breaks.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Johnynorthland

Some of these braking systems get a bad rap because some folks don’t understand that once power is removed from the toad vehicle, you need to pump the brake pedal two or three times to get it hard before the braking system sets itself up. Otherwise it will Calibrate based on The length of travel with vacuum booster still having enough vacuum in it to assist with pedal force. (Power brakes) This will cause a much greater force on the brake pedal and burn up the toad vehicle’s breaks.

BTDT. I turned the toad off AFTER I set up the braking system. First application of brakes about gave me a heart attack. The brake MASHED the pedal to the floor and nearly stopped the whole rig except that I let off after I felt the jolt. I thought something had come loose! Turns out it was the monkey at the controls that had come loose...

So, I ALWAYS turn off the toad, THEN setup the brake system.

[Bullitt6283]

That's one thing I like about the RVi3 brake. When you power it up, it mashes the brake pedal three times to vent the vacuum from the power brake system.
.

[tom463219]

[QUOTE=Johnynorthland;922946]Some of these braking systems get a bad rap because some folks don’t understand that once power is removed from the toad vehicle, you need to pump the brake pedal two or three times to get it hard before the braking system sets itself up. Otherwise it will Calibrate based on The length of travel with vacuum booster still having enough vacuum in it to assist with pedal force. (Power brakes) This will cause a much greater force on the brake pedal and burn up the toad vehicle’s breaks.[/QUOTE

Good suggestion you have about pumping the pedal a few times before setting up the Patriot. My patriot does go thru a calibration, where it pumps the pedal a couple of times, but I don't know if that's enough. From now on I am going to manually pump the pedal myself after turning of the car, then calibrate the Patriot. Thanks

[Joey55]

I personally decided to go with the Smart Car for Two Sedan (Gas). It is the lightest car on the market that can be flat towed with the proper base plates which they make specifically for that car. I went to two dealers and both said that RV'ers were looking for that vehicle to tow. Great car and lots of space regardless of how they look.

[Johnynorthland]

Originally Posted by Joey55

I personally decided to go with the Smart Car for Two Sedan (Gas). It is the lightest car on the market that can be flat towed with the proper base plates which they make specifically for that car. I went to two dealers and both said that RV'ers were looking for that vehicle to tow. Great car and lots of space regardless of how they look.

I go with the mantra “lighter is always better”! I would love a smart to tow but just not practical as we are 6 months full time with a dog and 3 grandkids! CRV life for me.!

And P.S. I like the way the smart looks!

[Johnynorthland]

[QUOTE=tom463219;922980]

Originally Posted by Johnynorthland

Some of these braking systems get a bad rap because some folks don’t understand that once power is removed from the toad vehicle, you need to pump the brake pedal two or three times to get it hard before the braking system sets itself up. Otherwise it will Calibrate based on The length of travel with vacuum booster still having enough vacuum in it to assist with pedal force. (Power brakes) This will cause a much greater force on the brake pedal and burn up the toad vehicle’s breaks.[/QUOTE

Good suggestion you have about pumping the pedal a few times before setting up the Patriot. My patriot does go thru a calibration, where it pumps the pedal a couple of times, but I don't know if that's enough. From now on I am going to manually pump the pedal myself after turning of the car, then calibrate the Patriot. Thanks

The pumping the patriot does sets the travel in one push of the pedal, that’s a big issue I wish BX would address!

[CrowCross]

I tow a 1019 Ford Edge ST....Ford performance package.

We wanted a car that would replace our family vehicle. Smart cars and other styles seem to be a nice way to go if that's all there going to do. But we wanted a good second row seating (place for the grandkids etc.) and room in the back for chairs, umbrella and a cooler.

So, we went a bit bigger.

Towing with a Blue Ox with brake mounted under hood...no clamp ons. Ready to go.

Putting it in the tow mode? Hook up the from to the towing, chains etc...This next step is somewhat difficult but once you get it you got it...basically it has an electronic drive...we turn a knob rather than pulling it into D or R with a shift lever.

So. With power on...parking brake on...but car not started...under the dash by the brake there is an orange cord. I push hard on the brake, then pull the cord and slip it into a notch.

I get a waning about the parking brake not being engaged. Climb out From under the dash and take the car out of park...next step is to push the button that removes power from the Edge and transfers it to the Motor Home. Place brake system with to right...should be good to go.

Last step is to roll the car and Make sure all 4 wheels spin and none drag.

Robbbyr set his Edge up to flat tow and is a wealth of info. He did his own installation...I took mine to dealer and had it installed by them..just under 4K...Blue Ox and braking system included.