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Agreed! I'd think any 4x4 with a low range transfer case should have this capability...I don't know why more vehicles don't offer this. I almost feel every Jeep sold allows this--and it is a nice feature for the Expy, considering so few offer it and I feel like I might utilize this one day.
@bushpilot, I know I'm resurrecting an older thread here, but, did you ever come up with a solution for a 4th gen? I think I found some stuff that would possibly work, but interested in any real world experiences. Low fuss is my aim. Need the brakes to flat tow this beast and I've read elsewhere about keeping the battery of the expy as a toad connected otherwise the e brake comes on? I can see that being a PITA, big time...
Also, is that a Renegade? In confused because it looked like a Classic but has a Haulmark emblem on it? What's going on there?
Agreed! I'd think any 4x4 with a low range transfer case should have this capability...
@bushpilot, I know I'm resurrecting an older thread here, but, did you ever come up with a solution for a 4th gen? I think I found some stuff that would possibly work, but interested in any real world experiences. Low fuss is my aim. Need the brakes to flat tow this beast and I've read elsewhere about keeping the battery of the expy as a toad connected otherwise the e brake comes on? I can see that being a PITA, big time...
Also, is that a Renegade? In confused because it looked like a Classic but has a Haulmark emblem on it? What's going on there?
@byathread -
I have not (yet) base-plates for my '20 expy/max. Roadmaster offers 2 options - I will go w the Direct Connect (524457-5) set up
Roadmaster Baseplate Kit 524457-5 is available from E-Trailer for $435 (I'll shop around)
Blue Ox also makes a base-plate: P/N BX2682 which is more expensive (that the roadmaster, god knows why)....both kits require drilling (not a bad thing).
I use a portable (brake buddy) for supplemental braking in the "toad" - its really for liability more than anything - my coach doesnt need the toad braking.
Connecting a battery charge wire between the toad & coach is easy (you can pick up the charge wire off the 7 pin trailer connector.
Our coach is a HAULMARK (competitor to Renegade)....same chassis and construction as well as shared components - it is comparable to the "classic", built on a Class 8 Tractor chassis, 12.8L in-line 6 cylinder, intercooler turbo, diesel....450hp, 1650 tq - mated to a 12speed AMT (automated manual trans)....
AMTs are "two pedal" set ups, no clutch pedal - AMTs do not use torque converters, they use conventional dry clutch like a manual, theres a paddle shifter on the steering column if you want to run all 12 forward (or 2 reverse) gears - better to leave it in "auto" mode and let it skip shift as throttle demand and load dictate.
I pulled my skid plate yesterday and am now in the middle of installing the base plate. I pulled the skid plate's frame mounted speed nut off this morning and found as expected, the hole where the skid plate was mounted to the frame is already large enough that I will not have to do any drilling at all to install my base plate. The way cars are prefabbed these days, I wouldn't be surprised if you find that you already have the 3rd hole in your frame even if you don't have a skid plate. The only thing I would strongly recommend if you go to a base plate that uses the tow hook bumper holes (I think they all do), is that you do not destroy or throw away the rubber boots in those holes. Once the rubber boots are removed, it you look straight into the tow hook hole, you will see that the bottom portion of the inside of the frame rail will be exposed to the elements. I cut the insides out of our tow hook boots, and will reuse them once the base plates are installed (pictures attached).
For battery charger I bought RVi Brake's Towed Battery Charger Plus since I was very happy with the original RVi Brake battery charger on our previous '15 Explorer, but it didn't work for AGM batteries. The newer Towed Battery Charger Plus works for all batteries.
For braking, I will continue to use by RVi Brake 2 that I used in the Explorer.
@bushpilot, Nice rig! I'll be PA registered, so, it's required for me regardless of what I'm pulling it with. Do you pull anything else with it, like part of the state of TX? Never even saw a Haulmark coach before aside from the nicer box trailers around here. Looked them up and those and the Renegade Classics are soo very nice. Beyond what I'd personally need/use, but totally awesome nonetheless.
In weighing my TOAD options, Roadmaster looks like they have some good stuff/decent quality that is low fuss once installed, so, thanks for the input... Much appreciated!