Mystery Tool
- Thread starter RetiredLE
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
SargeW
Site Team
It's hard to tell the scale without a ruler next to it, but it looks like it could be some sort of holding rod for a slide out room. So how big is it?
Sarge
Sarge
Ron
Moderator Emeritus
That is a tool to aid in releasing the extensions on older Roadmaster towbars.
SargeW
Site Team
Come to think of it, I do believe Ron nailed it! I buddy has a RoadMaster tow bar and I know he uses some sort of gizmo when he unhooks. I got a BlueOx, so I have no need for one.
Kevin
Well-known member
maybe it's spare parts ;D you know the important ones that you find out you need.....after you throw them out 
judway
Well-known member
I had one just like it for my "Falcon" tow bar It pushed down the buttons to release the lock.
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
Yeap, definitely for the Roadmaster Falcon tow bar. Used to have one just like it.
OP
OP
RetiredLE
Well-known member
Thanks to everyone for the replies. You guys are good!
It's about 20 1/2 inches long. The coach did come with a Falcon 2 tow bar - which we will use to tow our Jeep (after paying over $800 to have brackets and a cross bar installed).
I still don't get how you use it....
It's about 20 1/2 inches long. The coach did come with a Falcon 2 tow bar - which we will use to tow our Jeep (after paying over $800 to have brackets and a cross bar installed).
I still don't get how you use it....
Wizard46
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2009
- Posts
- 2,146
Slide the 3/4 square slot over the square part of the tow bar with the handle over the release pushbutton to push the button down. The only time you will need it is if you are really in a binding position. I never use mine, I always pull the pins first when disconnecting. If the pins won't pull, I have the wife rock the car back and forth. After the pins are pulled, the pushbutton is always easy to operate. Enjoy your new Winnie.
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
The bar is for pressing down the tow bar lock buttons, which can be hard to do if there is pressure on the tow bar, e.g. the car is on a slope. Slip the U-shaped piece around the round part of the tow bar arm and slide it up to the square section, with the lever arm on top and angled upward, until the arm is over the release button. Then push down on the arm so that it presses the button down.
Here is a link to the owners manual for the Falcon 5250 tow bar so you cn download it.
http://www.roadmasterinc.com/pdf/85-1336.pdf
Here is a link to the owners manual for the Falcon 5250 tow bar so you cn download it.
http://www.roadmasterinc.com/pdf/85-1336.pdf
Ron
Moderator Emeritus
Instruction provided here are right on and it works well. But $800 for a base plate installed seems a bit high but I might be mistaken. We tow a Jeep GC and had to get a new Baseplate when we got the last one since something had changed that the old one wouldn't fit. I don't recall it being $800 though.
maddog348
Well-known member
YEP -- If that release button is tight USE the bar. Don't try to WHAM it down with the heel of your hand. No need to ask why. K
OP
OP
RetiredLE
Well-known member
Ok it makes sense now. I downloaded the manual and saved a copy for my files... just in case.
Breakdown on price:
Brackets were 429 for the set
Cross bar was 125
Wiring harness with diodes was 125
Labor to install was 100
Tax was 63.88
Total 842.88
I checked with two RV service centers and was quoted over a thousand bucks for the same job/parts. The shop I took it to specializes in towbars and hitches. It still pays to shop.
Breakdown on price:
Brackets were 429 for the set
Cross bar was 125
Wiring harness with diodes was 125
Labor to install was 100
Tax was 63.88
Total 842.88
I checked with two RV service centers and was quoted over a thousand bucks for the same job/parts. The shop I took it to specializes in towbars and hitches. It still pays to shop.
Attachments
Ron
Moderator Emeritus
Why was the cross bar required? We never had one on any of the Grand Cherokee/s. I did my own wiring but the diodes cost me $35. I had Smitty's Welding in Houston do the install since I did not have all the neccessary tools with us.
John Canfield
Site Team
RetiredLE said:
How about that - it's pretty expensive to set up a vehicle to tow four-down!
OP
OP
RetiredLE
Well-known member
OP
OP
RetiredLE
Well-known member
John Canfield said:
You are not kidding. Had we not had the tow bar, it would have been a few more bucks on top of what we have spent this far.
Plus, on top of that, we are technically supposed to have one of those brake buddies installed at well. I think those go for around a grand don't they?
John Canfield
Site Team
RetiredLE said:
Forgot what I paid for my SMI Silent Partner (permanently installed), but it is well worth the cost for braking peace of mind not to mention you are legal in those states where they have auxiliary braking regulations. Woe be unto you if you get into an accident and you are not legally equipped.
Ron
Moderator Emeritus
We have the what I believe they call the MX series hidden brakets that has just the brakets that attach to the frame and the two inserts that fit into those brakets whcih the tow bar attaches to. Have attached photo of what we have on the GC. The MX series brackets are shown HERE.
We have used a Brake Buddy on four different toads towing over 120K miles and never had a problem. Works very well for us and it meets all legal requirements as does most other Aux brake systems.
We have used a Brake Buddy on four different toads towing over 120K miles and never had a problem. Works very well for us and it meets all legal requirements as does most other Aux brake systems.
