Which Tow Bar Is Best For Flat Towing Behind An RV
Tow bars for flat towing vehicles behind RVs range from the very basic level to very fancy with lots of options and functions.
Deciding on which one is right for you can be a bit of a challenge.
You will need to take into consideration how often you will be flat towing, how much you will need to hook up and unhook your towed vehicle, and how smooth you want the process to be.
Related Product: Use a wireless Tire Pressure Monitoring System (click to view on Amazon) to monitor the pressure in your vehicle or RV tires and be warned of flats.
In this review, I’m going to go through the most popular manufacturers of RV tow bars for flat towing.
I’ll talk about the premium options and the more basic options.
I’ll also link to the compatible base plates for some of the best flat tow vehicles like Jeep Wranglers.
If you’re new to flat towing and would like some general information on what it is and what you will need to get started check out the RV flat towing guide here (click to view).
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Blue Ox Tow Bars
When it comes to towing Blue Ox is an industry leader. They make all kinds of hitches and tow accessories and the Blue Ox tow bars are the top choice for many RVers.
The quality and features from Blue Ox are partly what makes them the best in the business.
Like many companies, they have different tiers of tow bars.
You can get the fold up hitch insert kind that is stored on the back of your RV or the ball hitch style tow bar that can be stored on the towed vehicle instead.
Here are some of the best Blue Ox tow bar options on the market today.
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Blue Ox Alpha Series Tow Bars are some of the most popular for RVers.
They are hitch insert style (2″ receiver), which means it will stay on your RV and fold up and out of the way when not in use.
You don’t need to find a place to store it and it’s fairly lightweight at only 41 lbs.
The Alpha ll Tow Bar is the upgraded version of the Alpha. It is a Class lll tow bar and is rated for towing vehicles that weigh up to 6,500 lbs.
The arms are retractable which means you don’t have to position your car perfectly behind your RV to hook them up.
Just drive up, use the patented levers to release the arms, and stretch them out to reach.
It also makes it much easier to unhook the arms from the base plate because the movable arms can move to loosen the tension on the connecter pin.
It’s called non-binding and it’s a huge plus for RV tow bars.
The ends of the arms have the Blue Ox offset triple lug connection that is not only more secure but it’s easier to align and put a pin through.
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The telescopic arms also have a rubber boot that extends in and out with the arm.
This protects the arms from dirt and debris which would gunk up the moving parts and cause them to not move as smoothly.
After hooking up the arms to your vehicle pull forward until the levers lift into the locked position.
Everything is covered in black coat paint to help stop corrosion and ensure your tow bar will be weatherproof and long lasting.
Included with the tow bar are safety cables rated for 7,500 lbs.
The Blue Ox Alpha ll Tow Bar (click to view on Amazon) is a fantastic option for RVers who travel a lot and want to be able to unhook and hook up their towed vehicle quickly.
It has the Blue Ox name backing it which means quality and great performance.
The load rating is perfect for most vehicles that can be flat towed (larger trucks and SUVs may need a tow bar with a higher weight rating) and it’s safe, which is the most important part.
PROS
- Non-Binding Arms (Telescopic)
- Easy To Release Levers
- Protective Rubber Boots
- Offset Triple Lug Connectors
- Can Be Folded & Stored On Back Of RV
- Comes With Safety Cables
CONS
- Doesn’t Come With Electrical Cable
The Blue Ox Avail is the heavy duty version of the Alpha ll.
It’s an insert style tow bar with a 2″ receiver tube, and a Class lV tow bar which means it’s rated for a load of up to 10,000 lbs.
The unit weighs only 45 lbs.
The Avail is very similar to the Alpha ll but with more heavy duty parts for a high weight rating.
The paint job is also a little nicer with metallic paint and a raised Blue Ox logo.
The arms are retractable for easy hook-up and alignment. Just push down on the release levers to move the arms out and into position.
This also takes the pressure off of the offset triple lug connection on the base plate pin so it’s easy to pull out the pin when unhooking.
The telescopic arms are protected with rubber boots to stop any dirt from getting inside the seals.
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After hooking up the arms to your vehicle pull forward until the levers lift into the locked position.
When not in use the arms fold in and out of the way on the back of the RV.
Included with the Avail Tow Bar are heavy duty safety cables that match the tow bars’ weight rating.
The Blue Ox Avail Tow Bar is for heavier vehicles or more peace of mind when towing lighter vehicles.
Everything on the Avail is bulked up for more weight but it still offers seamless installation and quick disconnect.
I recommend this tow bar to those who want to tow trucks or larger SUVs long distances.
Or RVers who take their RVs down rough roads and need something a little stronger even if they are towing a lighter vehicle.
PROS
- Non-Binding Arms (Telescopic)
- Easy To Release Levers
- Protective Rubber Boots
- Offset Triple Lug Connectors
- Can Be Folded & Stored On Back Of RV
- Comes With Safety Cables
- Can Tow Vehicles Up To 10,000 lbs
CONS
- Doesn’t Come With Electrical Cable
While hitch insert style tow bars are the most popular and easiest to store when camping and traveling there is another, more budget friendly style.
It looks a lot like the hitch insert tow bars but instead of a 2″ receiver on the end, it has a 2″ ball hitch receiver.
The Blue Ox Acclaim Tow Bar is one of the fanciest ball hitch receiver tow bars you will find.
It has almost all the same features as the Alpha ll and the Avail tow bars but instead of staying on the back of your RV it needs to be taken off and stored somewhere else.
Or you can fold it and store it in a side folded position on the front of your towed vehicle.
The arms are still the retractable kind that uses levers to lock and unlock the telescopic function.
This makes it easy to unbind the pin and remove the 3 offset lug connector.
You need to unpin one arm in order to put it in the folded storage position on the front of your vehicle.
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The arms have a rubber boot to protect them from any dirt or debris which is almost a must have if you are going to be driving around with it on the front of your car.
The unit weighs 45 lbs and includes safety cables with purchase.
It’s a Class lll tow bar for lighter vehicles that weigh up to 5,000 lbs. There are safety cables included with purchase.
The Blue Ox Acclaim Tow Bar is the perfect option for those who like to travel or camp a few months out of the year or people who stay for extended amounts of time in campgrounds or RV parks.
It has a lower load capacity of 5,000 lbs so this is also only an option for RVers who tow lighter vehicles.
The ball hitch receiver style isn’t quite as easy to hook up as the receiver style but it’s still much faster than the dolly alternative.
PROS
- Can Be Stored On Front Of Towed Vehicle
- Non-Binding Arms (Telescopic)
- Easy To Release Levers
- Protective Rubber Boots
- Offset Triple Lug Connectors
- Comes With Safety Cables
CONS
- Can Only Tow Lighter Vehicles
- Will Get Dirtier When Stored On Front Of Vehicle
The Blue Ox Adventurer Tow Bar is the simplest tow bar Blue Ox makes. It’s 2″ ball hitch receiver style and it can tow vehicles that weigh up to 5,000 lbs.
The arms do not extend but they can be moved out from a width of 16″ to 34″ to fit a wide range of vehicles.
This isn’t a non-binding tow bar which means when you go to remove the pin that holds the bar to the base plate you may get some resistance.
It’s also slightly more difficult to hook up since you have to position your vehicle at the exact right distance from the ball hitch.
It only uses a single lug connection for the base plate which means it’s not going to tow quite as smoothly as the other Blue Ox tow bars.
The good news is the unit weighs only 28 lbs and the legs fold together for compact storage. Safety cables are NOT included.
The Blue Ox Adventurer Tow Bar is for occasional campers or snowbirds who just need a simple way to tow a car behind their RV once or twice a year.
You can use it for regular camping but you will spend a lot more time setting it up and taking it down than with the non-binding tow bars with telescopic arms.
PROS
- Simple
- Budge-Friendly
- Lightweight
CONS
- Pins More Likely Bind
- Harder To Hook Up & Unhook
- Can’t Be Stored Behind RV
- Need A Ball Hitch To Use
- Can Only Tow Lighter Vehicles
- Will Get Dirtier When Stored On Front Of Vehicle
- Need To Spend More Time Lining Up Vehicle When Hooking Up
The Blue Ox Allure Tow Bar comes in multiple mounting styles but I’m going to talk about the pintle ring style.
If you love everything about the Alpha II and the Avail but you need a little bit more maneuvering and rough terrain capabilities then the Allure tow bar with the pintle ring is going to be the best option.
A pintle ring is a metal ring that goes inside a pintle hitch (click to view on Amazon).
A pintle hitch is basically a ball hitch with a steel tab that secures over the top. The ring goes over the ball and is secured by the steel tab.
The Allure is rated as a Class IV tow bar and has a load capacity of 10,000 lbs. The unit is heavy and weighs 58 lbs. There are no safety cables included.
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The telescopic arms with the rubber boot covers and the 3 offset lug design are all included with this heavy duty tow bar.
The arms are released with easy to use levers and they connect and disconnect it fast and simple.
This tow bar stores on the towed vehicle instead of the RV since it’s hitch style.
But it’s also easy to take off of the vehicle as well if you want to store it somewhere else. Otherwise, it folds to the side in front of the vehicle.
Note: The Allure can only be stored on vehicles with a base plate width of 27 inches or less.
The Blue Ox Allure Tow Bar is perfect for more adventurous campers who take their RVs on rough roads and like to have the ability to make sharper turns.
It’s could be a little more than the regular camper needs but the option is there if you want it.
PROS
- More Maneuverable
- Better For Rough Terrain
- Non-Binding Arms (Telescopic)
- Easy To Release Levers
- Protective Rubber Boots
- Offset Triple Lug Connectors
- Can Tow Vehicles Up To 10,000 lbs
CONS
- Cannot Be Stored On Back Of RV
- Heavy
- Takes Slightly Longer To Hook Up Than Insert Style
- Need Pintle Hitch To Use
- Will Get Dirtier When Stored On Front Of Vehicle
Blue Ox Base Plates
If you don’t have a base plate on your vehicle yet you want to get a Blue Ox Base Plate for compatibility reasons.
They make base plates for a ton of different flat tow compatible vehicles including the popular ones like Jeep Wrangler (click to view on Amazon), Jeep Grand Cherokee (click to view on Amazon), Ford F-150 (click to view on Amazon) and many more.
Note: always make sure you have the correct size of base plate for not only the make and model but the year of the vehicle you are going to tow.
The nice thing about the newer base plates including the ones Blue Ox makes is the pins that stick out on the front have a quick release you can use to remove them easily.
That means your car won’t have anything sticking out on the front and it will look like a normal car.
If your vehicle already has a base plate from another company you can also get a Blue Ox Base Plate Adapter (click to view on Amazon) that is rated for Class III tow bars.
You bolt it onto the existing base plate to make it compatible with the Blue Ox Alpha ll.
Blue Ox Tow Bar Covers
If you took the leap and purchased a Blue Ox tow bar you may want to consider getting a cover for it.
Tow bar covers are a great way to keep the dust off and if your tow bar has retractable arms it will help the moving parts stay clean and nice even longer.
There are a couple of options for the different designs and styles but the bags themselves are made with heavy duty vinyl coated fabric and are easy to take on and off.
If you have a Blue Ox Aventa LX, Aventa II, Alpha, Alpha II, or Alladin Tow bar you will need this cover (click to view on Amazon).
If you have a Blue Ox Avail you will need this cover (click to view on Amazon).
If you have a Blue Ox Acclaim you will need this cover (click to view on Amazon).
If you have a Blue Ox Avail, Ascent, or Apollo you will need this cover (click to view on Amazon).
Roadmaster Tow Bars
Roadmaster is another popular tow bar brand. They have some great tow bar options that range from super fancy with lots of extras to fairly simple but still dependable and functional.
Here are some of the best Roadmaster tow bars reviewed for flat towing behind an RV.
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Nighthawk Roadmaster 676 Tow Bar
The Nighthawk Tow Bar by Roadmaster is unlike any other you will find on the market today.
Roadmaster has added a few basic innovations that make it easier to use and even a little safer than other tow bars.
It’s an insert style tow bar that goes in the standard 2″ hitch mount. It has a load rating of 8,000 lbs.
Because it can stay on the hitch you can fold up the tow bar and store it on the back of your RV and out of the way when not in use.
When you fold it up there is even an automatic storage latch that will click the bar into place.
The inner arms are made of stainless steel and the outer arms are made of aluminum.
This is one of the only aluminum tow bars you will find and it’s still as tough and in some ways more durable than full steel tow bars.
The arms are telescopic and can be released using levers that sit on the inside of the arms.
Because of the retractable arms, the Nighthawk Tow Bar is non-binding and really easy to hook up.
This specific model has Roadmasters patented “Freedom Latch.”
The latch uses technology that makes the latches more powerful, 5 lbs of force on the latch equals 2,000 lbs of force on the lock.
It means no matter what position the tow bar is in you will be able to unlatch it easily.
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The arms attach to Roadmasters direct connect base plate (click to view on Amazon).
I’ll talk more about the base plates later in this section and how to choose the correct one.
The base plate connects with U-brackets and a single thick lug that a pin goes through. It’s easy to line up the holes and insert the pin.
Now for the fancy stuff. The Nighthawk by Roadmaster has an LED strip on each arm that used bright 300 lumens LED bulbs.
This not only makes towing at night safer, but it also gives you light to see when hooking or unhooking in the dark.
Safety cables and a 6-7 power cord are included with purchase and Roadmaster has added a cable compartment that runs along the arms of the tow bar.
This makes it so everything can be tucked away and not hanging free. The cables are extra long to accommodate drop hitches and taller vehicles.
The Nighthawk Roadmaster 676 Tow Bar is the premium choice when it comes to tow bars.
It has a lot of added features and is amazing at adapting to the road which allows your vehicle to ride smoother and safer.
I suggest this tow bar for full-time RVers or anyone who wants the best tow bar Roadmaster offers.
PROS
- Non-Binding Arms (Telescopic)
- Non Corrosive Aluminum Arms
- Can Be Folded & Stored On Back Of RV
- Automatic Storage Latch
- Uses Roadmaster “Freedom Latch”
- Quick Release Base Plate Pins
- Comes With Safety Cables
- Included Electric Cable
- Cable Hide-Away
- LED Lights On Arms
CONS
- No Protective Rubber Boot
Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain Tow Bar
The Roadmaster Falcon (522) All Terrain Tow Bar is not quite as heavy duty as the Nighthawk.
It doesn’t have LED lights but it does have a lot of the same amazing features RVers have come to expect from Roadmaster.
The max load capacity is 6,000 lbs and the unit weighs a bulky 66 lbs (one of the heaviest Roadmaster makes). It’s heavy because the body is made of steel instead of aluminum.
The Falcon All-Terrain Tow Bar is 2″ insert style which means you can leave it attached to your RV at all times.
After getting it installed for the first time the weight of it shouldn’t matter that much unless you are planning on removing it regularly.
There’s an automatic latch that will secure the bar into place when you fold it up and into the stored position.
The arms are telescopic and non-binding.
Like many adjustable tow bars, there are small levers on the arms you use to release them so you can move them easily to your vehicle or take the pressure off of the pins when you are unhooking it.
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This tow bar also has the Roadmasters patented “Freedom Latch.”
The latch uses technology that makes the latches more powerful, 5 lbs of force on the latch equals 2,000 lbs of force on the lock.
It means no matter what position the tow bar is in you will be able to unlatch it easily.
Roadmaster advertises the Falcon All-Terrain and some of their other tow bars to have the “largest hook-up radius.” this means you not only have more room to move the arms around but you can also tow wider vehicles.
Much like the Nighthawk, there are cable guides that run along the side of each arm. You can use them to keep the safety cables and power cord from hanging under the tow bar.
There are no safety cables or power cords included with the Falcon All-Terrain but you can get the Roadmaster 9243-1 Tow Bar Combo Kit (click to view on Amazon).
It’s for the Falcon 2 (scroll down to see product) and Falcon All-Terrain tow bars. The kit comes with everything you will need to get towing.
The kit includes 8,000 lbs safety cables, a power cord, a lighting kit that includes four diodes you can use to hardwire the lighting system on your towed vehicle, two padlocks, and a cover for when your tow bar is not in use.
Like many of Roadmaster’s tow bars, the Falcon All-Terrain attaches to its direct connect base plate. It uses a single large lug that fits into U-bolts on the base plate. It’s simple and fast to use.
The Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain Tow Bar is another fantastic choice for full-time RVers or frequent travelers.
It’s a little heavy but if you plan on leaving the tow bar connected to the RV at all times it shouldn’t be too much of a bother.
PROS
- Automatic Storage Latch
- Uses Roadmaster “Freedom Latch”
- Non-Binding Arms (Telescopic)
- Can Be Folded & Stored On Back Of RV
- Cable Hide-Away
- Quick Release Base Plate Pins
CONS
- Heavy
- No Safety Cables Included
- No Protective Rubber Boots
Roadmaster 520 Falcon 2 Tow Bar
The Falcon 2 is part of the more basic tow bars made by Roadmaster.
It’s still a non-binding tow bar with telescopic arms but it doesn’t have the amazing “freedom latches” like the Nighthawk and the Falcon All-Terrain Tow Bars.
The max load capacity is 6,000 lbs, the unit weighs 50 lbs, and it’s the 2″ insert style.
You can leave the Falcon 2 on the back of your RV at all times and it has the automatic storage latch that clicks the tow bar into place when you fold it up.
The arms are telescopic like the premium options but instead of the easy to use “freedom latch” the arms on the Falcon 2 are released with pins that you pull up on to release the arms.
It may be slightly more difficult to unhook this tow bar because of the pins. It’s still much better than a stationary arm tow bar.
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Once you’ve attached the arms the pins will lock the arms into the correct towing position when you start driving the RV.
The “Autowlok” function is not only reliable but safe as well.
The arms connect to the Roadmaster direct release base plate using the same U-bolt and single lug connection with a pin that pushes through.
Even though this tow bar is a little more basic than other Roadmasters it still has superior towing capabilities and is fast and easy to hook-up and unhook.
There are no safety cables included but you can get the same Roadmaster 9243-1 Tow Bar Combo Kit (click to view on Amazon) that I talked about in the Falcon All-Terrain section.
Just to recap, the kit includes 8,000 lbs safety cables, a power cord, a lighting kit that includes four diodes you can use to hardwire the lighting system on your towed vehicle, two padlocks, and a cover for when your tow bar is not in use.
The Roadmaster 520 Falcon 2 Tow Bar is another great tow bar by Roadmaster.
It’s still a viable option for full-time RVers and frequent travelers.
Even though it doesn’t have all the perks some of the other options have it’s still a non-binding tow bar made by a reputable company.
PROS
- Non-Binding Arms (Telescopic)
- Can Be Folded & Stored On Back Of RV
- Automatic Storage Latch
- Lightweight
- “Autowlok” Technology
CONS
- No Safety Cables Included
- No Protective Rubber Boots
- Has Release Pins Instead Of Levers
If you’re a little more old school and prefer vehicle mounted tow bars that connect to a ball hitch on the RV then the Roadmaster Stowmaster is going to be one of the top choices.
Unlike older styles of ball hitch tow bars, the Stowmaster has telescopic arms that are released using pins.
That means you can pull up behind your RV. Fold out the tow bar, release the arms, and place the receiver onto the ball hitch.
It’s a much simpler process than trying to get your vehicle in the exact right position in order to hitch it up.
Once it’s hooked up you can start driving the RV and the “Autowlok” system will lock the arms in the correct towing position on its own.
To stow it on the front of your vehicle simply fold it up, then release the telescopic arms and fold it down.
It sits neatly over the front bumper and will not obscure your view no matter how small the vehicle is.
The Stowmaster fits over a 2″ ball, has a max load of 6,000 lbs, and weighs only 50 lbs.
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It’s not technically a quick disconnect tow bar but with the movable arms, it doesn’t take long to remove it from the hitch and fold it away.
There are no safety cables included and no cable compartment. I suggest these safety cables (click to view on Amazon) for this tow bar.
There is also this cover (click to view on Amazon) which I highly recommend getting since tow vehicle stored tow bars tend to get dirtier from driving around.
The Stowmaster connects to Roadmasters Crossbar Base Plate which I’ll link to in the base plate section below.
The Roadmaster Stowmaster Tow Bar is one of the best ball hitch, vehicle stored, tow bars you will find, and great options for those who prefer this style.
It takes a little more time to hook up and put away than the insert style tow bars but it’s still a safe reliable option for towing a vehicle behind your RV.
PROS
- Non-Binding Arms (Telescopic)
- Can Be Stored On Vehicle
- Lightweight
- “Autowlok” Technology
CONS
- No Safety Cables Included
- No Protective Rubber Boots
- Has Release Pins Instead Of Levers
Roadmaster Base Plates
Like other brands of tow bars, Roadmaster tow bars are easiest to hook up to Roadmaster Base Plates.
As always make sure the base plate matches the year, make, and model of the vehicle you want to tow.
Here are some Roadmaster direct connect base plates for common flat towed vehicles (compatible with Nighthawks, Falcon All-Terrain, Falcon 2 Tow Bars & More):
- Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (click to view on Amazon) select models only
- Jeep Grand Cherokee (click to view on Amazon) select models only
- Jeep Wrangler (click to view on Amazon) select models only
- Honda CRV (click to view on Amazon) select models only
If your vehicle has front bumper mounts you can use these adapters for 1″ thick mounts (click to view on Amazon) and 3/4″ thick mounts (click to view on Amazon). (compatible with Nighthawks, Falcon All-Terrain, Falcon 2 Tow Bars & More)
The vehicle stowed ball hitch tow bars are compatible with the Roadmaster Crossbar base plates.
Here’s a list of crossbar base plates for common flat towed vehicles. (compatible with Roadmaster Stowmaster Tow Bar)
- Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (click to view on Amazon) select models only
- Honda CRV (click to view on Amazon) select models only
- Jeep Grand Cherokee & Dodge Durango (click to view on Amazon) select models only
- Jeep Wrangler & Gladiator (click to view on Amazon) select models only
- Chevrolet Equinox (click to view on Amazon) select models only
Roadmaster Covers
Even when stored on the back of an RV tow bars get dirty and with the Roadmaster tow bars, you want to be extra careful since they don’t have rubber boots to protect the telescopic arms.
These Roadmaster covers are made with durable black vinyl and are easy to put on your tow bar.
Here is a list of each cover and the tow bar it is compatible with:
- Nighthawk, All Falcon, Sterling, & Blackhawk Tow Bar Cover (click to view on Amazon)
- Stowbar Tow Bar Covers (click to view on Amazon)
Other Tow Bar Brands/Options
Blue Ox and Roadmaster are the two tow bar brands you are going to see on the road the most, but there are some other fantastic options out there that range from very basic to high tech with a built in auxiliary braking system.
Just a heads up, this tow bar is special and much more technical than regular tow bars, but it just might be the best option for you.
Before I get into the details of the Brute Elite Tow Bar I need to go over another important part of flat towing behind an RV.
When you flat tow most states have laws that require there to be an auxiliary braking system in the towed vehicle (read more about flat towing in this article here).
Because most people travel over state lines with their RVs it’s a good idea to comply with as many state laws as possible and have an auxiliary braking system (click to view article on best auxiliary braking systems & to learn more about them).
The cool thing about the Brute Elite Tow Bar by NSA RV Products is it technically has an auxiliary braking system built in.
This eliminates the need for another auxiliary braking system. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this tow bar.
The braking system works like this, there is a brake cable you connect to the brake pedal inside the vehicle you are going to tow.
The cable goes through the front of the vehicle and attaches to a lever on the tow bar.
When you brake with your RV the towed vehicle will press against a shock and spring system inside the arms of the tow bar.
The pressure against the shocks will activate the “ReadyBrake” which is an arm that moves with the amount of pressure.
The arm pulls the cable and the brake pedal inside your vehicle moves.
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The idea is pretty genius. It’s all mechanical and there is no large auxiliary brake box required.
The only thing you have to be able to do is find a clear pathway from your brake pedal to the front bumper of your vehicle.
Another part of flat towing required by law in most states is a breakaway.
The Brute Elite Tow Bar is capable of having a breakaway as well with the purchase of the Break Away Kit (click to view on Amazon).
If you are planning to use this tow bar as your auxiliary braking system you have to get this break away as well.
The Brute Elite Tow Bar is a fantastic tow bar as well. Its 2″ insert mount style that can fold up and be stored on the back of your RV.
It has a max load weight of 8,000 lbs and weighs only 40 lbs.
The body is aluminum and it connects to vehicles using 3 lugs which is more secure. There are safety cables included.
It has quick release pins and telescopic arms that allow you to easily stretch them out to connect to your vehicle.
It also un-binds the pins when it’s time to disconnect. The arm release mechanism is easy to move levers on the sides of the arms.
The steel inner arms are protected by rubber boots that stretch and compress with the arms.
On top of all of this, the Brute Elite Tow Bar can connect to base plates made by popular manufacturers with some simple clevis connectors you can find on their website.
The NSA RV Products Ready Brute Elite Tow Bar is a fantastic product and a game changer in the world of flat towing.
Getting the brake and tow bar all in one unit makes set up that much easier.
The quality of the tow bar and extra features makes this one of the best options for flat towers on the market today.
PROS
- Non-Binding Arms (Telescopic)
- Can Be Stored On Vehicle
- Has Breakaway Brake (With Separate Purchase)
- Protective Rubber Boots
- Triple Lug Connectors
- Can Be Folded & Stored On Back Of RV
- Comes With Safety Cables
- Aluminum Outer Arms
CONS
- May Not Count As Auxilary Braking System In Every State (Check State Laws Where You Are Planning On Traveling Through)
The Curt 2″ ball hitch adjustable tow bar is very basic, it doesn’t even use a base plate.
This is a great option for someone who needs to flat tow a vehicle just a few times or once a year.
There are very few features and it needs to be removed after use and cannot be stored on the back of an RV or the front of the towed vehicle.
The arms can go from 26 inches to 46 inches wide to fit a wide range of vehicles but the optimum width is 33 inches.
Unlike other kinds of tow bars, the Curt doesn’t use a base plate. Instead, it comes with two U-bolts that are welded to steel straps.
These brackets will be bolted onto the front bumper of the vehicle you want to tow. There is some drilling required. The 4 bolts you will need are included with the tow bar.
Because it doesn’t use a base plate this tow bar isn’t for every kind of vehicle.
It has to have a metal bumper that is securely mounted to the frame of the vehicle. Also, the tow bar is only rated for 5,000 lbs.
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The arms are held to the U-bolt brackets with pins. There is a swivel bracket on the arm which makes it a little easier to line up the holes and put the pins through.
When unhooking the tow bar there may be some pressure on the pins if the vehicle is too far forwards or back. You may need to do some adjusting to unbind the pins.
If you have a way to secure it in an up position you could potentially store the tow bar on the front of your vehicle but it’s meant to be taken off both the RV and the vehicle after use.
There are no safety chains included and the brackets don’t have a spot to hook safety chains. That means you will need to find a secure place to hook the chains as well.
The Curt Adjustable Tow Bar is one of the most basic options out there.
It works for light vehicles and will be safe enough for highway travel with the proper additional equipment but I wouldn’t recommend this for rough roads.
PROS
- Budget-Friendly Option
- Doesn’t Require Base Plate
CONS
- No Safety Chains Included
- Cannot Be Stored On RV Or Vehicle
- Max Load Of 5,000
- Can Only Tow Vehicles With Metal Bumper
How To Lock Up A Tow Bar
Most Class III, IV, and V hitches use 5/8 inch pins in the receiver.
One of the easiest ways to keep “opportunists” from walking away with your tow bar is to use a hitch receiver lock like the TowWorks 5/8 inch Trailer Hitch Locking Pin (click to view on Amazon).
The locking pin has a high weight rating for any size of vehicle and will keep people from being able to pull the pin and take your tow bar.
Another option to keep your tow bar and vehicle secure when you are parked in an area that doesn’t feel as safe as you like would be to replace the 1/2 pins that are connecting the tow bar to the base plate of your vehicle with long 1/2 inch padlocks like these (click to view on Amazon).
I don’t suggest using these while you are driving but keeping your vehicle locked to your RV at night it can add a little bit more protection against theft.
Have any questions about RV Tow Bars for Flat Towing? Leave a comment below.
