What's a good towed for the Isata 3

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by caswelld

I tried to find the Escape on the Motorhome towing guide, but I didn't see it.

All the other Fords listed could be towed 4 down with automatic transmissions. Seems like I remember researching the Escape when we were looking. I bet it would be a nice towed, under 4000 lbs, if it can do 4 wheels down.

Maybe a look in the Escapes manual will solve the mystery.

Your probably right,,,
Can maybe search @ FORD.com ???

[Barch]

Originally Posted by milkman55

Cherokee is 4500 lbs similar to the 4 door Wrangler.

We use a 2014 Honda CR-V. It’s 3500 lbs curb weight and we can carry an extra 500 lbs of cargo and still stay under the gross weight limit. We always put our bags and anything else heavy in the Honda to keep the weight off the Isata 3.

2014 was the last year you could get the towable CR-V but you can still find Honda Certified Used with fairly low miles. Ours had 33k miles when we bought it last Dec.

I did all the towing prep myself which saved a good deal.

I am buying a 2013 Honda CR-V AWD tomorrow to tow behind my new ISATA 3. Any recommendations regarding the best way to set it up would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Desertsquid]

We use the Ready Brute Elite tow bar. It has an integrated braking system built in and is rated to tow up to 8000lbs. On our car we use the blu ox base plate. Its a super easy set up.

[milkman55]

I went with the Blue Ox Avail towbar, Blue Ox baseplate and Demco (SMI) Stay-In-Play Duo for the brakes. The Demco brake unit uses the power brakes on the CR-V because it taps into the vacuum brake. You have full proportional brakes and setup is as easy as switching the brakes at a toggle switch when you hook up the toad. The brake unit stays in place all the time.

For lights I ran separate bulbs in the rear lenses as there is plenty of room and no need to tie in to the Honda wiring in any way.

About $2,500 as I did all the work myself, about two days work at an easy pace.
Closer to $4,500 to have it “professionally” installed.

I also upgraded the battery in the CR-V to the 24F group and added the RVI battery maintainer just for insurance. If your 2013 has the original factory “motorcycle” size battery, you will want to change that out. The Honda Odyssey battery box fits like a glove and the 24F drops right in. I got mine at Walmart for $100 with a 5 yr warranty.

[Barch]

Great information. Thanks. I have read several threads on this and I just want to be sure I am up to date. Some of the information is old. There seems to be concerns about:
1. The size of the OEM Honda battery
2. Needing to disconnect or install a switch on the ignition fuse
3. Install a battery charge system powered from the Coach
4. Best way to get the brake lights to work.
I am looking for the best and easiest to use system.
Thanks for your help.

[chroniekon]

Barch, are you going to be installing it or are you going to have it professionally installed?

[milkman55]

No need to do a fuse switch if you upgrade the battery and use a battery maintainer hooked to the coach. There is already a hot 12V pin on the 7 pin plug at the coach. Just use the standard 7 pin to 6 pin cord to connec the toad and the 12V you need is right where you need it. Just make sure and use a maintainer with built in safety fuses or add fuses yourself. I spent $50 on the RVI charge which already had all the safety features.

[Barch]

I'm open to both options. I live in remote area where I don't really have access to any real expertise, so If I can do it my self, all the better. I have the tools and the skill set. I have installed a couple of trailer hitches on prior travel trailers and am familiar with RV and auto wiring.

[milkman55]

There is a You Tube for pretty much everything. I used these as my only source for reference and didn’t have any issues other than normal head scratching moments that all resolved themselves.

Best online source for the parts is RVUpgradeStore.com

Baseplate install - https://youtu.be/E9J734yt1_I

SMI Stay in Play - https://youtu.be/5qa6XBmXKhY

Blue Ox Lights - https://youtu.be/9gN76z0-j2Y

[Wolverine 1945]

Almost 5k for sys installed !!!
I guess if a person wanted to go this rout,,,
We would first have to find a dealer that sold those sys ???

[Barch]

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

Almost 5k for sys installed !!!
I guess if a person wanted to go this rout,,,
We would first have to find a dealer that sold those sys ???

Agree. Who does install this stuff? Camping World?

[caswelld]

$5,000 is about right, but that could be on the high end depending on the braking system you choose.

Seems like it was $4300 to have our Jeep set up as a towed at Camping World, but that was 4 years ago. The set up for the InvisiBrake cost a bit more than some other systems.

We really like the InviBrake because setup for tow is so easy. The box sits permanently under the driver's seat and setup for tow is just plugging in the 7-way connector, checking the brakes/lights & off you go, super easy. But there are plenty of other systems available and people seem to be happy with what they have.

We got the Roadmaster Falcon-2 All-Terrain Tow Bar. It's nonbinding and has served us well.

Costs:
Supplemental braking system $900
Tow Bar $800
Base Plate $450
Extra Stuff like lights/battery charger kits $$
Labor $$$$ Seems like they spent about 8 hours for set up.

But like Milkman55 says, if you can do it yourself, you can save a lot of money.

Hope this helps.

Dave

[Desertsquid]

For the Ready Brute Elite we simply looked at their website. They have a list of places that are familiar with their system by state. We called three and went with one of them. Their prices vary. You don't have to use a large rv store. There are a lot of rv repair places that do quality work and will give you good service in a better time frame than the dealers.,

[dlfishing]

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

Can a Smart car be towed 4 down ??? Never seen one !!!
How about the little Fiat ???

Had a Smart a while back, we were told by the dealer that it can be towed 4 down. We never set it up, tow a Grand Cherokee.
I’ve seen several being towed.

[chroniekon]

I set mine up myself. I was able to find the major components on Craigslist. I have a very basic tow bar by smittybilt. The braking system is a Blue Ox Patriot. It's not as convenient as the built in braking systems as you have to put the 'box' in the rig and plug it in, it maybe takes a minute to set up. And you have to find a place to store it when not in use. I fabricated a version of Roadmasters Defender rock guard. All in with all the extra lighting, electrical, safety chains and hardware, I'm a little under $450.

[milkman55]

Originally Posted by Barch

Agree. Who does install this stuff? Camping World?

Camping World is the last place I would go. Mostly just marketing, no real skills.

Just remember whoever does the install also marks up the components for a margin as well. That’s why it seems so expensive.

[Barch]

Thanks for all of the great information. Thanks milkman55 for the references. I just picked up my "new" 2013 Honda CRV AWD today. Looks like a great winter project! BTW, great little car.

[Wolverine 1945]

Thanks all !!!

[FleckDreher]

We tow a Smart Car 4 down.
No problem, just have to set it up correctly.
1800 pounds curb weight.

[Gidyupgo]

2018 GMC Acadia AWD curb weight 3960, tows flat with very little hassle.