Jeep in tow

[atom ant]

I'm betting she will like it! That is pretty. Is it 4WD or front? What is the difference between that and the mini? I know she want the cream with stripes, whatever color that is in the mini. I think right now it is pepper white.

[piper guy]

The Clubman is FWD. I is about a foot longer than the regular Mini and has the side by side doors in the back and a third "suicide" door on the right side to access the back seat.
I like it more than the regular one just cause it's a bit bigger. There are a bunch of them around. You want 2010 or newer to tow as there is no steering lock on the brewer ones and you can take the key out.
Just know that only the 6 spd manual is towable flat.

[Shane Wood]

Brad
You just let go a diamond in the rough

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by piper guy

The Clubman is FWD. I is about a foot longer than the regular Mini and has the side by side doors in the back and a third "suicide" door on the right side to access the back seat.
I like it more than the regular one just cause it's a bit bigger. There are a bunch of them around. You want 2010 or newer to tow as there is no steering lock on the brewer ones and you can take the key out.
Just know that only the 6 spd manual is towable flat.

Thanks Vaughan, I'll have to look at those!

[Shane Wood]

I think a a little range rover evouqe at 3300 lbs would look better behind a redwood

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by Shane Wood

Brad
You just let go a diamond in the rough

I wouldn't have thought so until this morning I was cussing it yesterday, leaky radiator, bad steering box, frowning springs. Dory was shaking her head with dollar signs in her eyes as I rifled through parts catalogs. I think she was afraid it would be primer this time next year, or stored in the garage like it was for the last 10 years in her Mothers

[Shane Wood]

The good thing is when you decided to sell it went real quick
Now you have the empty hole to fill in the garage

[atom ant]

yep, after I mop up the antifreeze

[lwg]

AA,
Why wouldn't you just locate one out of state and bring it in? I've bought 4 vehicles this way over the years, particularly when I lived in Colorado. Not every geography wants to charge you high retail, shipping won't run more than $500-1000 after its all said and done.

[atom ant]

LWG - I'm very much thinking about that. That's how I bought the truck and Redwood - only I went to pick them up myself.

Cool part about New Mexico, they plate it in Colorado for you. I was expecting to pay for plates, and it was already taken care of in the deal, and they mailed me plates. Makes for a much smoother transaction. The only thing I had to get was verification of vin.

[lwg]

The VIN verification and handling the paperwork myself versus a dealer was always a bigger hassle. But the savings offset it greatly. Also if your getting a loan that can complicate things as some banks want to see the vehicle (physically) if its used before financing. I thought this was kind of an odd way to do business this day and age but there's still a few that require that.

I've actually bought 2 vehicles off of ebay site unseen short of pictures and shipped them across the country. Saved thousands on both transactions compared to what I would have paid locally.

Once I sold a 2003 VW Golf TDI to a guy from SC that had only seen the pics. He booked a flight, flew out, met him at the bank for the transaction and drove it all the way home based on just a few photos I posted online. Funny thing is I bought that car new, owned it for three years and sold it for about $2,000 less than I paid while still putting about 30K on it. Thought that one worked out pretty good.

[atom ant]

Loving Life,

I'm getting ready! A couple more questions:

Is your Brake buddy a proportional type brake system (applies brake level based on inertia) or is it a preset? And are you happy with it?

Do you put anything between the Jeep and Redwood to keep the Jeep tires from throwing rocks and pitting the paint on the Redwood? I have stock fenders, but I imagine in turns it can throw some stuff.

[piper guy]

Brad ~ keep us updated as I think I'm right behind you. We're looking seriously at towing a VW Golf TDi . About 3k lbs.
You might want to look at SMI for a brake system. They make the AirForce 1 for Diesel coaches but I believe they also make one for gas (without air brakes). Really nice setup and hooking up the tow is a snap. Good friend has it on his Explorer and loves it.

[atom ant]

Vaughan,
I'll keep you updated. I ruled SMI because I thought they were all air - sounds like I need to relook.

I thought I was convinced the Invisibrake was they way to go, but I didn't understand it was just a preset brake pressure than comes on with taillights. I'm thinking a proportional would be more effective, although only if they stay off when the brakes on the truck aren't applied. If they work like a surge brake, I don't want it (mountain passes fry the brakes with a surge type). Still researching.

PS - Jeep weighed in at 3600 lbs (gulp). I need to visit that hitch a bit, and maybe the spring hangers.

[piper guy]

The SMI is a true proportional setup. What I like about it, and my buddy did too, is that there is nothing that has to be lifted in and out and sit on the floor to press the brake pedal. Also, it energizes the vacuum booster in the toad.
I think the one they make for gas MH's uses an electric vacuum pump. In any case, everything mounts under the hood other than a small servo that pulls the brake pedal. Really clean setup.

[atom ant]

Do you have a model number? It sounds a lot like the design of the Invisibrake by Roadmaster, but the Invisibrake is not proportional.

[piper guy]

The one I was looking at is the Stay N Play Duo. I like the fact it has vacuum assist and a low pedal pressure. Also proportional. Some of the others just wedge between the seat and brake pedal and then push with a bunch of pressure.

[atom ant]

Vaughan - PERFECT! Thank you for that. It is exactly what I am looking for. Requires deceleration and activation by brake lights.

[piper guy]

Always happy to help !! Especially since timing-wise it looks like you will be first ...... lol. Keep me advised how it goes.
Are you planning on splicing into the coach's 7-wire harness at the pinbox and then leading a 4 wire back ? It sounds as though there is no reason to run a 7-wire with the Stay n Play setup.

[RWJSIM2003]

After seeing those pictures makes me wish I had kept my Kia Soul that we pulled behind our old MH and used it behind the RW. it was only about 2600lbs and would have worked out great.