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Hooking up on uneven ground can turn into a wrestling match if the tow bar won’t cooperate. The self-supporting, telescoping arms on the etrailer SD hold their own weight so you can connect one side at a time without fighting gravity. Each arm extends, pivots, and tilts to line up with the base plate, then locks automatically when you pull forward. When it’s time to unhook, non-binding release levers let go with a squeeze, even if the ground isn’t level. The grip-friendly triggers sit on the side of each arm for a comfortable release every time.
Tight campground loops, fuel stops, and city corners get easier with longer arms. Extended to 51-3/4" from the hitch to the base plate, the SD gives your setup a wider turning radius. It tracks smoothly behind the RV and helps you clear obstacles without clipping corners. The added length also makes it easier to align when you’re backing or pulling forward to lock the arms.
Keeping the tow bar level protects both vehicles, and this one builds the correction right in. The shank offers a 1-1/2" rise or drop, and the head tilts an additional 3" up or down so you can stay within the recommended 3" of level. That means fewer extra parts and a cleaner setup. You get a safer, straighter pull and less stress on your connection points every mile down the road.
Two straight, vinyl-coated safety cables are built right into the bar and rated at 14,000 lbs. They stay up off the ground, won’t drag, and can’t be misplaced. Spring-loaded latches on the cable hooks keep them secure while towing. A built-in storage rod holds your electrical cord (sold separately) neatly out of the way, keeping your setup organized and tangle-free from hookup to storage.
When you’re done towing, stowing the SD takes almost no effort. Just raise the arms slightly, swing them left or right, and they lock themselves in place. Store both arms on one side or one on each—whatever clears your rear bumper best. The steel construction with E-coat finish resists corrosion, and when folded, the tow bar stays compact and secure on the back of your RV, ready for the next trip.
Flat towing can be a much more convenient way to take your car RVing with you than using a trailer or a tow dolly. It'll save you storage space both at home and at the campsite, and it takes less time and hassle to hook up.
To flat tow your vehicle, there are 5 basic components you're going to need: a tow bar, a base plate kit, a safety cable set, tow bar wiring, and a flat tow braking system.
| For the RV | Between the RV and Towed Car | For the Towed Car |
|---|---|---|
| Hitch | Tow bar | Base plate |
| Wiring plug | Safety cables | Braking system |
| Wiring adapter cord | Wiring kit/diodes |
The custom-fit base plate installs on the frame of your toad so you can connect the car to your RV with a tow bar. Hook up safety cables between the vehicles to ensure that the toad does not separate from the motorhome if the tow bar becomes detached. Tow bar wiring syncs your vehicle's signal lights with your motorhome's tail lights, as required by law in most states. Finally, the flat tow braking system - also required in most states - activates the brakes in the toad when you hit the brakes in the RV, making for smoother, safer braking, and preventing wear on your motorhome.
Customer Satisfaction Score:
99% were satisfied with this product
1% of customers were not satisfied
Ratings & Reviews
Recently I purchased a new car to tow behind my motorhome which required new tow equipment. I was scheduled to leave on vacation in two weeks and was pressed for time to be able to tow the new car. Etrailer delivered all items in record time to allow me to set up the car to be ready to tow. I have used etrailer many times over the years and have never been disappointed.
You guys are absolutely the best. I experience outstanding customer service right from the start. Selecting the right towbar and hitch was critical to me and my family being able to enjoy our vacation. I tried to reach 8 other companies who would not answer the phone or give me the run around. Then I took a chance on etrailer since I had order a similar part and I was glad I did. I reciecev excellent help in getting the right hitch without over spending and then William help to change the shipping at the last minite to ensure I recieved the part at my new location. Jennifer B even did a followup to let me know that the part had arrived a day early. This outstanding service is what is needed in every business but right now is so lacking except at etrailer.
After gaining some experience and knowledge about flat towing, I found that Danielle at etrailer helped me select the perfect towbar for my purposes.
Thank you Danielle and etrailer.
Our of the box fit right in and hooked up. No issues what so every
Ordered this tow bar for blue Ox Plates and it was missing the 1/2" attaching pins to connect to the toad. Called customer support and they insisted the pins should have been there, but finally, said they would send 2 replacements. Waited for 10 days and they sent the wrong item. I'll just have to get the pins myself as etrailer were not able to fix their issue and I really don't want to spend another hour on the phone trying to get them to understand such a simple thing.
Parts missing from kit i.e. bolts to attach base plates...
Should work well.
This purchase was based on my trust with etrailer and their products. I was looking at one of the market leaders and went with this base on trust and pricing. I have not been disappointed at all, this tow bar has worked really well and so far we have about 6000 miles on it with no issues. Solid design and all the power coding is holding up really well. I can recommend this item, we tow a 2016 Ford Expedition with no issues including when it is time to unhook.
Instructions for the adapter were incomplete, with no instructions on whether to torque the bolts or leave with some play. Haven't used the tow bar yet, but easy to assemble.
Rick
7/12/2024
After a year, I am very happy with the Tow Bar. Really easy to hook up and detach, and I just fold it up behind my RV. Slick deal.
Unit is heavy duty and well made. Hook up is very easy. There is still some binding during disconnect if not on perfectly level, but much less than my previous setup. I like how the arms stow when not in use. Overall I’m very pleased.
Rob
12/14/2023
Still working good??
We love our etrailer SD tow bar. Much lighter than our previous Blue Ox. The non binding feature along with the integral safety cables and multiple storage options are great features. We use it in conjunction with a NSA Ready Brake. Great combination. Our current coach is a 2017 Jayco Seneca 37HJ. Toad is a Ford C-Max Hybrid. Easiest to use tow bar we have ever owned.
2005 Country Coach Intrigue/ 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited
This tow bar works as advertised. We have towed with the unit several times over the last year. Very easy to hook up to the tow vehicle and haven’t had any trouble with binding when disconnecting. The articulation is nice which aids in hooking up and stowing. My only wish is that the telescoping bars would lock in position when stowed. I just run the safety cable through the ends and insert the pins to keep them from telescoping out when in the stowed position.
Self disclosure: We had a little incident. This was 100% our fault. We missed inserting one of the safety pins into the arm that goes into the base plate. While driving I noticed the Jeep wasn’t tracking correctly in the rear view camera. We just happened to be right at an exit of a rest area so I immediately exited and started slowing. While slowing the one arm that was still attached bent absorbing the energy of the Jeep. I believe this saved the Jeep and the RV from any damage whatsoever. The safety cables did their job very well! So, I whole heartily recommend this product for quality and safety!!! So much so we ordered this same unit as a replacement. I tried to upload photos of the bent arm, but keep getting upload unsuccessful.
Ordering and shipping was fast and easy. Products arrived in good condition. I haven't installed them yet, but it all looks as advertised. Not my first order with etrailer and the customer service was outstanding as always. Why anyone would order from any place other then etrailer I cannot fathom.
Tim
11/7/2023
After one year, I couldnt be happier. etrailer never disappoints!
They are working awesome and thank you for all your help Josh
The people I talked to were all excellent and all had a helpful attitude. My guess is that this is a good place to work. The corporate ethic is good. Totally recommend these folks and this company.
Alfred
6/30/2025
The product was and is excellent. Everything functioned as it should and continues to do so. We have been towing our little Fiat behind our RV with no issues at all. Big shout out to Etrailer for their guidance and service!
Upon close inspection, the tow bar appears to be extremely well made. The powder coating is evenly applied without any thick, thin, or bare spots and the baseplate adapter hardware seems to be of comparable high quality. As soon as I work out a couple of fascia clearance issues with my Blue Ox baseplate installation, I'm looking forward to trying it out.
Jim S.
7/25/2022
Im still very pleased with our etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar. It worked flawlessly in a trip up and down the East Coast earlier this year and were soon to give it an extended workout in a two-month Tour of America we have planned for September and October. I have no reason to expect anything but continued great performance from it.
All worked out well.
Works great. Stows clean
I love this townar is is so quick and simple to hook up..
I would highly recommend this product
This tow bar works well and is easy to hook up. My only issue is that I cannot leave it installed on my motorhome because it rusts - even with a cover on it. So, I have to store it in my garage or in my toad and make sure I keep it well lubed and dry.
It would be nice if they included the washers so you didn't have to go to the store to buy them.
I like it being all steel makes it heavy makes and steady. The Blue ox adapters have more play in them the original Blue ox tow bar that failed on me. Overall seems like a great towbar
Very happy with tow bar. Pulls my toad perfectly and is a convenient quick hook up and unhook for ease of use.
Terry
9/9/2025
Working great, easy to hook up and unhook. Very happy with the tow bar.
Good design but poorly manufactured. Used on a single, multi-week trip: Bar stayed on the RV. Removed when we got home and the powder-coating has cracked and bar is showing rust inside and out. Chrome on extending arms is pitted and beginning to rust. Emailed etrailer but Cody informed me that I would have to ship it back at my expense without any commitment to replace! Disappointed with etrailer after years of previous purchases
Simon C.
2/16/2024
Pleased that eTrailer decided to replace the faulty towbar.. Will see how the replacement does on our next trips!
I like it very much with the exception that getting the arms locked in is a little difficult for me. My previous tow bar locked in by moving forward and weaving left and right. This isn’t that easy. Once I got them locked in it worked flawlessly.
Info for this part was:
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Mike L.
4/1/2026
I'll have those sent out to you, William. Sorry for the inconvenience!