Most Popular Roadmaster for 1997 Ford Ranger

The adjustable arms make this tow bar simple to hook up and disconnect. I can pull up behind our RV and hook up in about 3 minuets (including the wiring for our break buddy and putting the transfer in neutral). Disconnecting and stowing the bar is even faster. Although is tow bar is locked to the baseplate and folds flat it is so easy to remove I end up taking it off and putting it in the back when we will not be towing.

I was slightly nervous that this would be difficult to take on and off if I wasn't on flat ground. So for I have not had any issues and I really like that it hooks up to a 2 inch ball. My jeep has a lift on it and getting things level was easy with and adjustable height mount.

The install on my Ford Maverick is clean and functional, so this is more of a customer service review... excellent customer service! During the 4-day towing set-up install, the forecast was for freezing temps and my rig was not winterized. I called in mid panic and the motorhome was moved indoors. A few months after using the tow set-up, a minor problem developed. I called and the CSR apologized and said, I can see how that might be frustrating, and a replacement cable (slightly longer) was sent free of charge.

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I purchased both the parts of the tow system. I just purchase a Jeep Grand Cherokee (99) to pull behind our motorhome for week end trips. We just returned from the first week-end with access to a vehicle to move around the area, and short trips to town. It adds a wonderful dimension to the experience. This system allowed us to pull this vehicle with our motorhome, and I can say it pulled as if there was nothing behind me. It was quick to hook up, and easy to un-hook. My labor time to install was about 2 1/2 Hours, and went smoothly. This is a wonderful product, and works as desired. I have attached photos of the After installation, and the camp-site we stayed at, (proving we made it)

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I've used this tow bar for my little Kia Rio5 Toad behind my 32' Itasca Class A motorhome. Reliable, easy to attach and remove, good construction. Had good experience recent trip from Seattle to Death Valley (7 percent grade in places!) and southern Arizona, over 4,000 miles round trip. It passed the acid test: driving I-5 south in Oregon, traffic suddenly came to a screeching halt ahead of us. We stopped with inches to spare from the car ahead of us. The TOAD stayed right behind, no jack knifing, etc. Good product.

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Ordered my Towbar and received it in just 4 days. Product looks well built and was easily installed. I’m using this kit to move my Ford Ranger across country. Towbar goes on and removes quick and easily. etrailer was professional and understanding of my needs. Their staff was very courtious and have very good knowledge of their product. I Purchased the complete kit, including brake kit. I have not yet towed yet but I’m hooked up and all is working and ready to go. Will up date my experience and take some pics after my trip.

as advertised

Excellent product. Easy to install, couple and stow when not in use. I recommend this product, works great towing my '22 Ranger.

Install on a 2020 Ford Ranger. The product was excellent. The only problem I had was trying to remove the nuts holding the front bumper on. Ford has these bolts embedded in a hard plastic frame that spaces the three bolts on each side. In trying to remove the nuts I got them started then they would neither come on off nor reinstall. The nuts were spinning the bolts. After thinking about the fix I was in I decided to cut the factory bolts off and replace them with 1/2" x 1 1/2" bolts with fender washers. I tried a sawsall with a metal cutting blade and the bolts ate the teeth right off. I put on a Milwaukee thick metal cutting carbide tooth blade and that did the trick. Other than that, which is Ford's fault, everything went as the etrailer videos showed. If you are doing this make sure to spray the exposed bolt threads with WD-40 or something like before you try to remove the nuts.

Excellent product. Easy to install, couple and stow when not in use. I recommend this product, works great towing my '22 Ranger.

This is a great towbar! I deliver motorhomes professionally and I did use a Blue Ox that went into the receiver hitch that I had to move from hitch to hitch rain or shine. Now all I have to do is put my small lightweight pintle hitch hook into the receiver and just quickly drop this lunette ring onto it easily, but when I’m not using this at all it’s so easy to just remove the whole towbar from my vehicle. I also like how easy it is to fold up so that it’s all compact and out of the way when it’s stowed on the front of my vehicle. This makes my hooking up and unhooking so quick and easy. The only thing I don’t like is when I end my trip on a downhill or slightly turned it’s hard to get this towbar off of the pintle hitch by myself, but I have done it every time with a little back and forth moving of my vehicle.

I am using this on the front of a UTV to pull around so it is plenty strong for that and is working good. I ordered the pintle version so that I could fabricate a clevis style hitch and use a hitch pin to pull behind a pickup or tractor. I only gave 4 stars because the latch on the left sider sometimes has a hard time latching. I don't know if there is a way to adjust the lock or not.

First, received the package and upon opening, found that the linch pins were missing. One phone call and issue was resolved and replacement items were being expedited to me. Appears the box came open on one end during shipment and parts came out before carrier retaped the tear. Good on E-Trailer for outstanding and prompt customer service! Now, the Sterling All Terrain towbar - very impressive unit as I had bought this on reputation only as no dealers had any in stock (they say it is too costly to carry in store). Very well made, excellent finish and welds. Instructions are quite clear and easy to follow. I like that when you purchase this unit, it is a “total package”. There is nothing I could see that is cheaply made - all quality. This was my first purchase from E-trailer, and based on how this order went start to finish, and having to deal with missing parts on an order - I am very pleased and will deal with them in the future.

looks well built and easy to use

Easy to hook up our toad ( Jeep ). I can connect or disconnect in about 2 minutes all while standing. Stays right behind our RV and you only know its back there when you look in the rear view mirror. I would buy this again.

I decided to use an antique Blue Ox tow bar to pull my Mini Cooper behind our RV on a trip to Panama City beach last year. Big Mistake! If it looks questionable, don't use it. When we arrived I was extremely thankful that the Mini was still with us. The old Blue Ox bar was coming apart. I looked locally for a replacement and found one at Camping World and was shocked at the price. eTrailer had the exact same unit for hundreds and hundreds less. And they shipped it quickly right to the camp ground. The Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar is very easy to us and mated right up to the Blue Ox kit on the Mini. Thanks eTrailer! We will definitely buy from you again!

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After watching people fighting their regular towbars, I am glad we got this one. We parked in all kinds of positions and never had an issue disconnecting. I did have to get an extension for the safety cables.

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Nice, solid product. Easy to install and remove. Sliding action is very smooth, easy to extend and fold. My hitch coupler is slightly different design than shown but seems very heavy duty.

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Absolutely fabulous

Having used Roadmaster products for years imagine my surprise when after using my new hitch for only a month the right arm came apart while towing my car. I happened to be looking at it and was able to coast to a stop during a slight uphill grade which prevented my car from any further damage. As it turned out the bolts which hold the arms on had fallen out. Why I don’t know. I was able to use a temporary pin in the slot which allowed me to get to a hardware store where I replaced ALL the bolts holding both arms with grade 8 bolts and nylon locking nuts. The arm slid on the road, ground down a small corner and scuffed the paint but did not compromise the integrity of the hitch. The design works flawlessly even if the quality control could use some closer monitoring. All in all it’s still a great product. As you can see from the photos I doubled up the nylon locking nuts and have had no problems since.

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I was very happy that it only took 3 days to receive my order once it was placed. Joanne who helped me in placing my order was very courteous and professional and made sure all my needs were addressed. I look forward to working with Joanne and the etrailer team again in the future.

First, this bar is extremely heavy, which makes transporting and maneuvering cumbersome and difficult. Secondly, I had issues with this unit from the get-go. I did not receive the correct bolts to attach the Roadmaster clevis to the arm ends. The instructions clearly state that a clevis bolt was to be installed with the XHD unit, but it was not in the hardware bag. I had to call customer service (which was so/so, almost like the person didn't believe me) and had the bolts sent to me. I received the bolts but long story short, they were too short. They did not come out of the bottom of the locknut and any attempt to torque them to the point they did protrude, caused the forks of the clevis to bend, which is too much stress on such an important piece. I did not feel it was safe to either have the bolts not protrude, or force them to protrude. Then came the days-long process of trying to rectify the situation. I called customer service and attempted to explain the problem to the rep. She didn't really want to hear my problem and I was quickly rushed off the phone and directed to call Roadmaster for support, which I did. Roadmaster, of course, has nothing to do with this bar, or problem (pictures were sent to RM) and I was directed to call eTrailer back. I spoke to another person and she was a little more helpful. However, during our "conversation," I could hardly get a word in (I was spoken over and interrupted constantly.) I was told that #1.) the first person I talked to had no idea what she was talking about #2.) Demco manufactures these parts, not Roadmaster, #3.) Essentially the correct length bolts don't exist in the parts catalog. At this point I am starting to get upset with my experience and just wanted a tow bar that worked. I was convinced to but a Roadmaster branded tow bar to avoid any more issues (Blackhawk All Terrain) which I found to be strange, I figured the margin on the eTrailer branded products would be higher, but I digress. Since there is no exchange program with eTrailer, I had to purchase the Blackhawk outright. I was given a UPS label to send the XHD back, but I had to wait to receive the Blackhawk to reuse the box, which is not a huge deal, a minor inconvenience at this point. As of today (4/26/24) I am still waiting for a refund on this unit which I was assured it would be on it's way once the tracking number showed that it was picked up by UPS, but this is not the case. In conclusion, the XHD seemed like it would be a decent product if they can get the hardware right (at least for the Roadmaster system) it's just heavier than most tow bars I have had experience with. eTrailer.com customer service can also use some work, I was not happy with the service after the sale I received. Oh, and the final kick in the tail, the Blackhawk does not come with safety cables. If this were my company, I would have thrown those in for the inconvenience, but I was offered nothing for the trouble this has caused, no discount on the Blackhawk, cables or anything. I will do all I can to avoid buying from etrailer again and will direct others to the same.

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Painted parts have peeled away, and the polished shafts have rusted and corroded superficially.