Flat Towing behind coach

Durango · May 20, 2021

Looks like Blue Ox got a TRX to engineer baseplates with - check out this video:

thewrx · May 21, 2021

Just couldnt do it.... looks like some quality parts but the trx cant be in the back.

Durango · May 21, 2021

Gotta disagree - I think the TRX will look good behind the coach...

MsMatt · May 25, 2021

MsMatt said:
OK so definitely the 205-5 does not fit. Here are some pics, the bracket and the frame for the cooler won’t fit. I thought there might be a bit of modification that would make room, but that isn’t going to happen. So will swap the 205 for the 203 parts. I’m taking video of this so will be able to show the fit.

Front bumper was pretty easy to remove. Some guy on YT was complaining, but if you remove the lower skid plate (6 bolts) its easy to get to the bumper bolts (6) and just unplug the harness. About 20 min work. Ran the wiring from the tailights, that worked out just fine.

OK, so received the Roadmaster standard RAM plates and they don’t fit the TRX. But, with a little modification, they will so I’m in the process of making the mods. You will see they have 5 mounting locations which is overkill and are super beefy, totally overkill. Will post pics once I have them fitted. I’m sure the guys who already used these made the same mods.

Durango · May 25, 2021

MsMatt said:
OK, so received the Roadmaster standard RAM plates and they don’t fit the TRX. But, with a little modification, they will so I’m in the process of making the mods. You will see they have 5 mounting locations which is overkill and are super beefy, totally overkill. Will post pics once I have them fitted. I’m sure the guys who already used these made the same mods.

Look forward to seeing what you come up with. Even though I'm a Blue Ox guy, and will likely go with Blue Ox now that they have the plates, your comments about the RM plates being super beefy and overkill pique my curiosity, as I'd rather be overkilled than underkilled...well, you know what I mean. Until I actually place the order, I could change brands...

A related question though, to you and anyone in CA who tows their crew cab full-size pickup behind their coach...:
I've always been a bit worried about being pulled over for being over-length on CA highways, given that limit is 65 ft and with a crew (or quad) cab Ram I'm about a foot and half over that (Fed interstate according to CHP scales inspector is 73 I believe, and I'm under that) - are you over 65 ft and do you worry, or worse have you ever been tagged for it? I have friends with stackers and they've never been tagged for length (even when being tagged for speeding), but I have the worst luck and worry constantly when a crew full-size pickup is behind the coach, hence my happiness towing the Ruby.

MsMatt · May 25, 2021

So I’m in SoCal and have never been bothered. Towed 2 Raptors and another Ram truck. Also have a 25’ box behind a 43’ coach with no issues. Here the guys that get pulled over are the big toyhaulers on trucks. They get them for over length and for over weight. I don’t believe I have ever seen a CHP pull a DP over, honestly unless you are really speeding, they don’t care, too many other things to worry about. The other thing is out of state plate towing a CA plate TOAD, especially Montana. That will get noticed due to tax evasion.

Durango · May 25, 2021

MsMatt said:
So I’m in SoCal and have never been bothered. Towed 2 Raptors and another Ram truck. Also have a 25’ box behind a 43’ coach with no issues. Here the guys that get pulled over are the big toyhaulers on trucks. They get them for over length and for over weight. I don’t believe I have ever seen a CHP pull a DP over, honestly unless you are really speeding, they don’t care, too many other things to worry about. The other thing is out of state plate towing a CA plate TOAD, especially Montana. That will get noticed due to tax evasion.

Yea, I know. I've been pulling pickups making me overlength for a long time, but I've also been nervous (doing so) for a long time. Always more at peace when not overlength - but that's just me. But every testimony from people like you who are overlength makes me a little less nervous - I think! Thanks for the response!

MsMatt · May 26, 2021

OK, brackets are modified, waiting for paint to dry. Had to trim off the ear on the bottom and part of the L bracket on the ”eye” that mounts to the bumper bolt. Still lots of mounting points and plenty of steel to carry the weight. I’m guessing this is what others have done. Also a little notch where the cooler brackets come of the frame. Will post some installed pics tomorrow likely.

Durango · May 28, 2021

MsMatt said:
OK, brackets are modified, waiting for paint to dry. Had to trim off the ear on the bottom and part of the L bracket on the ”eye” that mounts to the bumper bolt. Still lots of mounting points and plenty of steel to carry the weight. I’m guessing this is what others have done. Also a little notch where the cooler brackets come of the frame. Will post some installed pics tomorrow likely.

Do you happen to have any BEFORE pics from the same angle? Not being familiar with the RM brackets, it's hard to visualize the difference.

MsMatt · May 28, 2021

Durango said:
Do you happen to have any BEFORE pics from the same angle? Not being familiar with the RM brackets, it's hard to visualize the difference.

Unfortunately I don’t. I got one side installed yesterday and had to cut on the other again as it wasn’t fitting, so waiting for paint to dry. I really don’t recommend this route, its definitely not very easy, at least if you are trying to retain most of the mounting points. Unfortunately I just couldn’t wait for the official roadmaster mount as I have a trip coming up.

MsMatt · May 28, 2021

So this turned out to be way more challenging than thought. Modified the standard RAM brackets, had to modify the cooler / skidplate brackets as well. But now its finally done. I really don’t recommend roadmaster till they get dedicated kit. 5 large bolts including the 2 tow hook bolts holding these on and I eliminated one from the original design. But they are now installed and look pretty good in the opening.

MsMatt · Jun 11, 2021

First test run today with the Entegra and TRX, drove it home from my building and it was no problem. Pretty easy to engage neutral. Took a few pics for @Durango

Durango · Jun 12, 2021

MsMatt said:
First test run today with the Entegra and TRX, drove it home from my building and it was no problem. Pretty easy to engage neutral. Took a few pics for @Durango

Sweet!

TRXFAM · Jun 24, 2021

I was always curious does this add miles to your car?

Durango · Jun 24, 2021

Andris said:
I was always curious does this add miles to your car?

Adds miles to the "car" but not to the odometer...

MsMatt · Jun 25, 2021

Durango said:
Adds miles to the "car" but not to the odometer...

Correct, just dragged my TRX 2,500 miles and no change to the odometer.

MsMatt · Jun 26, 2021

Sharing pics of where I mounted the wiring. I use a 6 prong plug because it has a mechanical lock to keep the plug in place. More peace of mind vs the flat 4 prong that comes on the wiring harnesses. Love that the opening in the bumper is so big, plenty of room to hide the plug.

Durango · Jun 26, 2021

MsMatt said:
Sharing pics of where I mounted the wiring. I use a 6 prong plug because it has a mechanical lock to keep the plug in place. More peace of mind vs the flat 4 prong that comes on the wiring harnesses. Love that the opening in the bumper is so big, plenty of room to hide the plug.

View attachment 15902

Plus with the six-pin you can always add a charge line or power line later if you decide to use a braking device.

MsMatt · Jul 5, 2021

FYI, when you are attempting to engage neutral, make sure the driver’s door is latched shut, or else you won’t get the neutral.….. Ask me how I figured that out today.

Durango · Jul 6, 2021

MsMatt said:
FYI, when you are attempting to engage neutral, make sure the driver’s door is latched shut, or else you won’t get the neutral.….. Ask me how I figured that out today.

I know all my other FCA vehicles that are towable have issues if you open the door when trying to put the transfer case in neutral with the transmission in neutral (thanks to some Hollywood that didn't put their Cherokee in Park and it ran into him killing him when he got out to open his gate) - is the same as those where it throws it into Park if door is opened? Or is this different? Don't you have a Jeep too - did you get the Recall to "fix" that so it goes into Park if the door is open?
Don't feel bad - when I was hooking up the Jeep last fall in Reno where it was hot, so I had the door open, it took me awhile to figure out the weird clacking noise from the tranny was because Jeep was now in Park even though I out it in Neutral...and then opened door. Worried I hurt tranny, but it seems fine ever since.