Tow Bars

Anyone who flat tows a vehicle behind a motorhome must be familiar with this equipment.

By Mark Quasius, F333630
February 2020

Many owners of large motorhomes choose to tow a vehicle, which eliminates worries about maneuvering and parking the coach when touring an area, running errands, and the like.

Vehicles can be towed with tow dollies and trailers, but the most popular method is flat towing, often referred to as four-wheels-down or dinghy towing. This method utilizes a tow bar.

Family RVing annually publishes a current-model-year list of vehicles that manufacturers have indicated can be towed four wheels down without significant modifications. The “2020 Towing Lineup” appeared in the January 2020 issue, page 32. Refer to the guide for additional steps you need to take to ensure a vehicle can be flat towed behind a motorhome.

An advantage of towing four wheels down is that tow bars fold up when not in use, requiring far less campsite space than a trailer or tow dolly. And, tow bars are easy to hook up. Typically, you drive the vehicle close to the rear of the motorhome, connect the tow bar arms, and then, depending on the tow bar model, you may need to back up the vehicle to lock the tow bar arm latches in the travel position. Next, connect the safety cables, as well as the umbilical cord that operates the towed vehicle’s taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions for flat towing, and you are ready to roll.

One disadvantage of a tow bar: It’s virtually impossible to back up without jackknifing the tow bar. But with a bit of planning, this isn’t a frequent concern.

Following is a selection of tow bars from the major manufacturers. Note: Street prices may be significantly lower than each manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).

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Blue Ox

The company offers a three-year limited warranty on its tow bars.

Ascent BX4370
Construction: Aircraft-grade aluminum; metallic powder-coat finish; self-aligning inner arms; rubber dust boots; a 2-inch receiver.
Mounted on: Motorhome.
Capacity: 7,500 pounds.
Weight: 31 pounds.
Safety cables included: Yes.
Other features: For improved turning radius, arms that are 2 inches longer than typical arms; nonbinding latches with low-profile handles; offset triple mounting lugs.
MSRP: $1,132.
Also available: Ascent model BX4375 for 2½-inch receivers.

Allure BX7460
Construction: Steel; collapsible legs; pintle ring and Signature Series easy-release locking handles; offset triple lugs.
Mounted on: Towed vehicle.
Capacity: 10,000 pounds.
Weight: 58 pounds.
Safety cables included: No.
Other features: Receiver head options available for 2-inch ball, 2-inch receiver, and clevis connections; stores only on base plates with a tab width of 27 inches or smaller.
MSRP: $1,128.

Avail BX7420
Construction: Steel; metallic paint; steel self-aligning inner arms; rubber dust boots; a 2-inch receiver.
Mounted on: Motorhome.
Capacity: 10,000 pounds.
Weight: 42 pounds.
Safety cables included: Yes.
Other features: For improved turning radius, arms that are 2 inches longer than typical arms; nonbinding latches with low-profile handles; offset triple mounting lugs.
MSRP: $1,025.
Also available: Avail BX7425 for 2½-inch receivers.

Alpha BX7365
Construction: Steel; steel self-aligning inner arms; three-axis swivel design; rubber dust boots.
Mounted on: Motorhome.
Capacity: 6,500 pounds.
Weight: 40 pounds.
Safety cables included: Yes.
Other features: Easy-release latches; offset triple mounting lugs.
MSRP: $870.50.

Acclaim BX4330
Construction: Steel; steel self-aligning inner arms; rubber dust boots.
Mounted on: Towed vehicle; 2-inch ball coupler and two pins.
Capacity: 5,000 pounds.
Weight: 45 pounds.
Safety cables included: Yes.
Other features: Easy-release latches; folds for self-storing.
MSRP: $664.50.

Adventurer BX7322
Construction: Steel; steel manually adjustable inner arms with hex bolts.
Mounted on: Towed vehicle; 2-inch ball coupler.
Capacity: 5,000 pounds.
Weight: 28 pounds.
Safety cables included: No.
Other features: Light, economical tow bar.
MSRP: $304.

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Demco

These Victory Series tow bars come with a lifetime limited warranty for the original owner.

Dominator
Construction: Aluminum arms; aluminum self-adjusting inner arms.
Mounted on: Motorhome.
Capacity: 7,500 pounds.
Weight: 30 pounds.
Safety cables included: Yes.
Other features: Channel guides for safety cables; vertical bolt design (allows arms to be stored on either side or one arm to each side, and allows user to maneuver one leg at a time when hooking up); 1½-inch rise/drop receiver tube; adjustable pivoting head allows for an additional 3 inches of displacement, eliminating the need for drop hitches in most cases; self-supporting arms will not drop to the ground once disconnected from towed vehicle.
MSRP: $1,298.

Excali-Bar 3
Construction: Steel arms; steel self-adjusting inner arms.
Mounted on: Motorhome.
Capacity: 10,500 pounds.
Weight: 46 pounds.
Safety cables included: Yes.
Other features: See Dominator description for this category.
MSRP: $999.

Commander 2
Construction: Steel arms; steel self-adjusting inner arms.
Mounted on: Motorhome.
Capacity: 6,000 pounds.
Weight: 41 pounds.
Safety cables included: Yes.
Other features: See Dominator description for this category.
MSRP: $810.

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NSA RV Products

NSA tow bars have a lifetime warranty. The ReadyBrake supplemental tow braking system is built into some NSA tow bars.

Ready Brute Elite II
Construction: Powder-coated aircraft-grade aluminum and steel; integrated Ready Brake auxiliary braking system
Mounted on: Motorhome
Capacity: 8,000 pounds
Weight: 48 pounds
Safety cables included: Yes
Other features: Nonbinding latches with T-handles; internal legs spin 360 degrees; three-pivot motion tow bar head; steel clevis pins attach to base plate; DL-100 Dash Monitor System included
MSRP: $1,200

Hercules
Construction: Steel; integrated Ready Brake auxiliary braking system
Mounted on: Motorhome
Capacity: 12,000 pounds
Weight: 63 pounds
Safety cables included: Yes
Other features: Nonbinding legs; easy-release latches; folds for self-storing
MSRP: $1,098.90

Ready Brute II
Construction: Aluminum and steel
Mounted on: Motorhome
Capacity: 8,000 pounds
Weight: 37 pounds
Safety cables included: Yes
Other features: Easy-release latches; folds for self-storing
MSRP: $725

Atlas
Construction: Steel
Mounted on: Motorhome
Capacity: 12,000 pounds
Weight: 52 pounds
Safety cables included: Yes
Other features: Easy-release latches; folds for self-storing
MSRP: $658.35

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Roadmaster

Roadmaster offers a lifetime limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Most Roadmaster tow bars come with a crossbar; it spans the two base plate mounting lugs, and is required for older Roadmaster base plates. But on newer vehicles, Roadmaster tow bars can be connected directly to the base plate, so the crossbar is not used.

Nighthawk
Construction: Designed for direct-connect base plates that don’t require a crossbar; black matte powder-coated aluminum; stainless-steel self-adjusting inner arms with nylon bushings; egg-shaped design distributes pressure throughout the tow bar.
Mounted on: Motorhome.
Capacity: 8,000 pounds.
Weight: 35 pounds.
Safety cables included: Yes. Also includes a seven-pin-to-six-pin lighting umbilical cord.
Other features: Longer than typical arms for improved turning radius; channel guides for safety cables; patented “click-storage” latch; nonbinding arms for easy disconnect; embedded LED lighting in each arm illuminates the tow bar when the taillights are on.
MSRP: $1,250.

Sterling All-Terrain
Construction: Powder-coated military-grade aluminum arms; egg-shaped design distributes pressure throughout the tow bar; stainless-steel self-adjusting inner arms with polyurethane bushings; steel crossbar.
Mounted on: Motorhome.
Capacity: 8,000 pounds.
Weight: 35 pounds.
Safety cables included: Yes; also includes a seven-pin-to-six-pin lighting umbilical cord.
Other features: Longer than typical arms for improved turning radius; channel guides for safety cables and power cord; patented “click-storage” latch; nonbinding arms for easy disconnect.
MSRP: $1,122.

Blackhawk 2 All-Terrain
Construction: Powder-coated steel arms; stainless-steel self-adjusting inner arms with
self-lubricating nylon bushings; steel crossbar.
Mounted on: Motorhome.
Capacity: 10,000 pounds.
Weight: 42 pounds.
Safety cables included: No.
Other features: Channel guides for safety cables and power cord; patented “click-storage” latch; nonbinding arms for easy disconnect.
MSRP: $1,020.

Falcon All-Terrain
Construction: Powder-coat finish; stainless-steel, independently adjustable inner arms; self-lubricating nylon bushings; steel crossbar.
Mounted on: Motorhome.
Capacity: 6,000 pounds.
Weight: 38 pounds.
Safety cables included: No.
Other features: Channel guides for safety cables and power cord; patented “click-storage” latch; nonbinding arms for easy disconnect.
MSRP: $873.

Falcon 2
Construction: Powder-coat finish; stainless-steel, independently adjustable inner arms with
self-lubricating nylon bushings; steel crossbar.
Mounted on: Motorhome.
Capacity: 6,000 pounds.
Weight: 38 pounds.
Safety cables included: No.
Other features: Autowlok locking mechanism.
MSRP: $695.

StowMaster 501
Construction: Powder-coat finish; stainless-steel, independently adjustable inner arms with self-lubricating nylon bushings; steel crossbar.
Mounted on: Towed vehicle.
Capacity: 6,000 pounds.
Weight: 48 pounds.
Safety cables included: No.
Other features: Autowlok locking mechanism.
MSRP: $603.
Also available: StowMaster 581 with pintle ring.

Tracker
Construction: Powder-coated steel; steel nonadjustable fixed-length arms that fold for
storage; 2-inch ball coupler.
Capacity: 5,000 pounds.
Weight: 28 pounds.
Safety cables included: No.
Other features: Includes crossbar.
MSRP: $249.

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Additional Towing Equipment

A base plate, installed on the chassis of the towed vehicle, provides a secure point of attachment for the tow bar. Each tow bar manufacturer has a proprietary system of connecting the tow bar to the base plate, so generally it’s a good idea to purchase the base plate and tow bar from the same supplier. However, manufacturers sell adapter lugs, so it is possible to use a tow bar with another brand of base plate.

Base plates that feature removable tabs are available. The tabs connect the tow bar arms to the towed vehicle. Tabs that jut out when a vehicle is not being towed can detract from the vehicle’s appearance. Tabs also can be shin-busters if you walk too close to the front of the vehicle.

If you plan on towing a Jeep Wrangler or a similar vehicle, you might want to consider using tow tabs attached to a heavy-duty steel bumper. Suppliers such as Rock Hard 4×4 sell steel bumpers for off-road use; tow bar brackets can be attached to the bumpers. This eliminates the need for a base plate. That can be a great choice for those who will be off-roading and don’t want to risk the base plate being damaged by rocks.

The towed vehicle must be secured to the coach with safety cables, a preventive measure should the tow bar connection fail. You’ll also need an auxiliary braking system to be in compliance with all regulations, and a breakaway system to lock up the brakes on the towed vehicle should a runaway situation occur. See the Family RVing article “Auxiliary Braking systems” (December 2017, page 44) for an overview of such systems.

In addition, the tail, stop, and turn lights on the towed vehicle must be connected to the motorhome’s systems. This topic was covered in “Towed Vehicle Lighting” (September 2018, page 32).

Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for towing your specific vehicle. Also be sure to heed the instructions for base plate installation and tow bar operation. Once a tow bar is installed, you’ll be able to quickly and easily connect and disconnect your towed vehicle from your motorhome.

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More Info

Blue Ox
(800) 228-9289
www.blueox.com

Demco
(800) 543-3626
www.demco-products.com

NSA RV Products
(800) 933-3372
www.readybrake.com

Roadmaster
(800) 669-9690
www.roadmasterinc.com

Rock Hard 4×4
(844) 762-5427
www.rockhard4x4.com