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Changing from trailer to toad, not easy

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MemoriesByTheMile

RVF 1K Club
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
1,031
Location
Where ever the road takes us
RV Year
2014
RV Make
Renegade
RV Model
Ikon
RV Length
45’
Chassis
Freightliner Cascadia 126
Engine
Cummins ISX 15/600
Fulltimer
Yes
After a few years of using a trailer to haul our car we decided to sell the trailer and change to a toad.

Found a used vehicle that we liked that could be setup for flat towing.
We knew what the parts would cost but didn’t expect that it would be so difficult to find someone local to install it all.

Took a few days but we got the front bumper cover off, installed the base plate, installed the Demco Airforce One brake system in the car, wired up the tail lights and reinstalled the bumper cover.

Not done yet but it has already taken more effort and time than I anticipated.

Now have to setup the coach side of the Demco Airforce One system. This part is a bit unnerving as I have to cut the airlines in 2 places. After crawling around for a bit I am still not 100% sure about one of the lines. So we now need to find someone local who know air brake systems and can validate which line I need to use.

If I knew how much work this was going to be, would have thought longer about getting rid of the trailer. The trailer required a little more work in locating campgrounds that can accommodate us, but the ROI in time saved from changing to a toad is now many many years. Just keep telling myself that we will like using the toad after all this work.

Has anyone else gone through this?
 
No, but based on all I've read, once setup properly it's the way to go; stay strong!
 
I agree with you, initial setup is a PIA if you can do it yourself or expensive if you have some one else do it for you. But I think the rewards will be greater than expected. Once you have it done you are finished for a while. Air Force 1 is a great setup, been using it for years.

You will be able to unhook your vehicle in about 5 to 8 minutes. The proportional breaking system with Air Force 1 is great. I use Blue Ox two bars and tow brackets. My tow vehicle is a Jeep Wrangler Sahara, I can set it up in tow mode in about 30 seconds.

Hang in there you are almost done.

HH
 

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