Roadmaster Falcon A/T on my Berkshire

[Gottawonder]

Got a Roadmaster Falcon A/T tow bar rigged up to pull a 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited:



I like the set up and was disconnected and had the bar folded and stowed in about 2 minutes the first time I unhooked. I posted this in the Berkshire section with a couple of notes:

I'm going to have to add a 2" high/low adaptor to raise the RV Receiver height a couple inches (as sold by Roadmaster to get the towbar level). If the Jeep had a lift kit it would need 4" with this particular set up and I don't think there's room to do that without cutting into the fiberglass or doing a receiver extension THEN the 4" lift. (Hmmm...)

I have every intention of adding the M&G braking system to the Jeep at next possible moment. I like stopping when I want to. THAT said, I was not uncomfortable at all pulling the Jeep home without it. I didn't feel like the Jeep was pushing me around.

Anyway, 1 step closer!

Gottawonder

[Sledder10]

How heavy is the Jeep? Thinking about pulling my 2006 ram 1500. Rig looks great

[Gottawonder]

Originally Posted by Sledder10

How heavy is the Jeep? Thinking about pulling my 2006 ram 1500. Rig looks great

Thanks. The Jeep is around 4,100 pounds as I recall.

[Sledder10]

Hey thanks for the reply.

[Jetjdm79]

Looks great indeed!

I just got a quote for a Blue Ox Aladdin, I believe with an Air Force 1 break controller. Haven't pulled the trigger yet.

How'd you decide on the unit you purchased! Thanks for the post!

[CT Camper]

I think the tow bar is a bit low on the Berkshire. I have the blue ox aladdin set up and tow a Chevy 1500 and found I needed 3" to be level. I went with the invsibreak system and must say it is convenient not having anything to install for toad breaks once hooked up. You have a great looking rig and tow car!

[Campin Cajun]

Don't shy away from a lift and tires. I use a 6" drop hitch turned upside down to line my tow bar up. Works perfectly.

[Terrilegacy]

Are these jeeps stick or automatics

[Campin Cajun]

Mine is an automatic. I just have to put the transfer case in neutral, transmission in park. Good to go.

[Jetjdm79]

Originally Posted by CT Camper

I think the tow bar is a bit low on the Berkshire. I have the blue ox aladdin set up and tow a Chevy 1500 and found I needed 3" to be level. I went with the invsibreak system and must say it is convenient not having anything to install for toad breaks once hooked up. You have a great looking rig and tow car!

Thanks for the info!! And, I appreciate the kind words!! :-)

[beipers]

I'd be interested in a picture from someone using a lift on the hitch. I'm pulling a 1500 Chevy LT crew cab with blue ox mounts and a Aventa II tow bar. I'm perfectly level to slightly low. I've tried installing my 2" riser / doubler but can't the gusset hits the fiberglass.

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[Campin Cajun]

I had to use an 6" extension to be able to use my 6" rise adaptor. I'll get a pic of my set up tomorrow and upload it here.

[Gottawonder]

Originally Posted by Campin Cajun

I had to use an 6" extension to be able to use my 6" rise adaptor. I'll get a pic of my set up tomorrow and upload it here.

Thanks to all for the input... I have a 2" rise arriving Saturday. That'll put me "in the safe zone" but not fully level... Once I line it all up, I may throw in the towel and go to the 6" extension and a 4" lift, per Campin Cajun's suggestion.

My Jeep is automatic as well. They even quit installing steering wheel locks a year or so ago, so you don't have to leave a key in the ignition.

[Campin Cajun]

Here's a pic of my set up.

[Gottawonder]

Thanks CC, that's probably what I'll wind up doing with a 4"


This is also why I ripped the page with "Simple" out of the dictionary about 8 yrs ago.

Gottawonder

[beipers]

So, CC.... are you at all concerned with the reductions in towing and tongue weight that the extension manufactures suggest?

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[Gottawonder]

This DEMCO hi/low isn't cheap but it looks like it may have more extension to it...

Demco 9523059 4 Inch Drop Raise Receiver - General RV Store


I'm thinking the 2" will be "okay" but 4" is probably gonna be optimum for my rig... I'm in over $200k already, I don't see letting another $50 get in the way of an optimum setup

[Campin Cajun]

Originally Posted by beipers

So, CC.... are you at all concerned with the reductions in towing and tongue weight that the extension manufactures suggest?

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Not at all, I called e-trailer before I bought it because I read that it reduces the hitch by half using the extension. I was thinking if it did that then no way I could use one. But the way it was explained to me was it does reduce the towing hitch by half, but since my hitch is rated for 10k I'm good to go. My coach can only tow 5k. As far as tongue wt, there really isn't any while towing 4 down. I don't use the extension when towing my utility trailer and golf cart.

[Gottawonder]

UPDATE:

Checked the RV a few places and the Jeep as well... center of receiver on RV was 15" center of the pins for the tow bar was 20.5" ... made a six inch riser optimum. Made a trip with the RV up to my local hitch guru, and I even discussed moving the factory hitch back an inch or 2...then we grabbed a Roadmaster 6" hi/low (model 076)



Missed by about 3/16" being long enough. So, he simply marked it and ground a radius on the backside of the extension receiver. Was able to stay out of the weld and gusset, so structurally it should be a non-event. You can compare the stock photo above to the photo below and see that he took about 1/4" of material off the back side.



It looks close to the end cap, but if the Jeep bangs the bar hard enough to get into the fiberglass I have bigger problems than the fiberglass.



The second picture isn't as good, but there's no contact with the end cap on either side:




I did talk to Roadmaster and they don't recommend using the extension and a hi/low. I don't have any reason to question the integrity of Cajun Camper's setup, I just know Roadmaster isn't willing to say "yeah, do that."

This will be a good rigid setup. Hopefully all this will be of help to someone else.

Gottawonder

[tmmar]

OOFA!! that is real close to the bumper!!

Looks like a nice setup though!