Getting the RV and New Toad for the first trip of the year.

[BGMAC]

In a previous post I mentioned I sold my 2008 Jeep and 2017 Nissan Titan XD for a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado ZR1 that is flat towable. During the winter months I got it ready by wiring the tail lights, battery shutoff solenoid, and power outlet for the break system.
When I looked at the baseplate for my Blue Ox toe bar I was shocked at the $400-$500 price tag, plus having to remove the entire front body work to install it. Looking at other options I found tow hook shackle mounts for $66 and tow bar adapter for $45. It worked perfect and did not have to remove the front body work. I took it for test drive and tows beautifully.
Heading out Thursday on our way to Martinsville for the race.

 

[Neal]

Looks good but I hope those plates are strong enough. That is where one of mine broke.

Alert - PSA: Check your baseplates (and tow bars)

Disaster averted!!! I left Newmar service and at my next stop after disconnecting the TOAD I noticed something caught my eye, movement that shouldn't be! Holy $h*! batman! Okay, probably just a loose baseplate, I have not had it checked since install in Feb 2017, nothing led me to believe...

rvforums.com

 

[Jim]

Best of luck on the install BGMac. I did the whole body removal/reinstall route, and swore I would never do it again. But in retrospect, it wasn't really that bad. The instructions were crap, but some internet videos helped me through the rough spots.

Beautiful truck! The combination looks very nice.

 

[BGMAC]

Looks good but I hope those plates are strong enough. That is where one of mine broke.

Alert - PSA: Check your baseplates (and tow bars)

Disaster averted!!! I left Newmar service and at my next stop after disconnecting the TOAD I noticed something caught my eye, movement that shouldn't be! Holy $h*! batman! Okay, probably just a loose baseplate, I have not had it checked since install in Feb 2017, nothing led me to believe...

rvforums.com

So it wasn’t the baseplate that broke, but the mount the baseplate was attached to? That is a bit scary. How long was it installed before it broke? I’ll need to take a closer look at the vehicle brackets to see how they’re mounted to the frame. When I bought these the manufacturers site said they could handle jerk pulls and side force. I didn’t think about if the truck could handle it.

As far as my Blue Ox toe bar, I replaced every bushing, bolt, and nut on it. I did see some of the factory bolts were not quite long enough and some of the side forces were on the treads. I made sure the new bolts shank went all the way through the holes. I also made sure I got the right grade bolts too.

 

[BGMAC]

Best of luck on the install BGMac. I did the whole body removal/reinstall route, and swore I would never do it again. But in retrospect, it wasn't really that bad. The instructions were crap, but some internet videos helped me through the rough spots.

Beautiful truck! The combination looks very nice.

Thanks Jim,
I’ll be doing some inspections after my trip after looking at @Neal posted.
BTW; I was going to stop by and stay at your RV Park along the was, but you were booked solid. Apparently you’re doing very well with it. So happy to see that.

 

[Neal]

This occurred at 7 years. Just inspect annually and I'm sure it will be fine.

 

[BGMAC]

Well I towed my Colorado to Martinsville Whitehorse was the first “test” run. It towed absolutely great. I have a 4” drop on my hitch to keep the tow bar pretty close to level. The Blue Ox brake system worked great to and with the remote for the brake system up front I can adjust it on the fly.
I was a little worried about the weight of the Colorado since I have a gasser, but it turned out to be no problem.