Motorhome RVers Can Install Their Own Tow Bar System

I’ve been RVing many years but this is my first experience with towing a vehicle behind my motorhome because it’s my first motorhome. I experienced a little angst at the prospect of ordering the equipment and installing it myself. You can get all the parts you need from your local RV dealer, or order online from an RV distributor that carries Demco products. I ordered a towing base plate for my 2000 Honda CRV, a tow bar, bulb kit and a six wire light cable. FedEx delivered the equipment right to our RV site a few days later and I couldn’t wait to unpack the boxes. Here’s what I ordered. Each towable vehicle make and model will have a different base plate and therefore a different installation procedure. I will describe what I did to successfully install mine. When I began this project I thought that it would take me a couple hours to install the base plate and maybe an hour and a half to install the bulb kit. As it turns out, it took me abut 30 minutes to install the base plate and an hour or two to install the bulb kit. The reason it took me so long to install the bulb kit was because I couldn’t decide where to run the electric wire. I played around with running it through the body panels and other ideas, but once I figured it out, it didn’t take long to install. All the newer model cars have a base plate that is "hidden" in the grill; however my installation on my 2000 CRV is on the outside of the grill. The base plate installation is straight forward. First you remove the bottom plastic splash cover and the tie down hooks. Next you attach the brackets using the existing holes, making sure you apply “Lock-tite” (supplied) to help secure the bolts in place. I didn't tighten the bolts completely until I inserted the cross-bar and loosely connected it. I tightened all the bolts, and reattached most of the plastic splash cover (don't button up the portion where the female receptacle will be installed). Next I puttered around trying to figure out how I would run the wire from the front the tail lights to the front receptacle. I was able to run the wire through an existing hole in the taillight section inside the sidewall panel and out another existing hole by the rear license plate. Next I ran the wire back out under the bumper and used wire ties to fasten it under the vehicle and brought it back up through the engine compartment (being careful not to locate the wire near the exhaust system or moving parts). I made sure that the ground was connected to each bulb all the way to the front receptacle (if you don’t this it probably won’t work!). I drilled a hole into the back side of the existing tail-light housings and inserted the bulbs.Use a hole saw to make an opening large enough to insert the female wire light cable receptacle in a “hollow” spot on your front bumper. Run the wire out, connect the receptacle, screw it into the bumper and button up the splash guard and you're in business. Now you’re ready to hitch-up and hit the road with your toad. Demco products can be purchased at your local RV store or you can contact Demco for a store location near you: Demco
If I can do this by myself without adult supervision, and you can use a wrench, then chances are you can do this too. The more stuff I can install myself, the better, because if something goes wrong, I can usually fix it myself. Helping you keep on top of your RV game – Jim Twamley