Can Brophy Anti-Rattle Device part # RHSB be Used with Flat Towing Setup

Updated 09/10/2025 | Published 08/02/2025

Question:

Can the Brophy Stabilizer Bracket - Part Number: RHSB be safely used on a tow bar that is flat towing a Toyota 4Runner behind a Class A motorhome?

asked by: Robert C

Expert Reply:

Hey Robert, yes the Brophy anti-rattle device part # RHSB can be used in a flat towing setup. What kind of tow bar do you have?

expert reply by: Jameson C

Robert C.

8/5/2025

Jameson, Thanks for your reply. The towbar is manufactured by NSA RV Products, Inc. It is their Ready Brute Elite II model. The motorhome hitch has a 2 inch receiver and it rated at 10,000 lbs. towing capacity. Will this setup be compatible? Thanks.

Jameson C.

8/5/2025

@RobertC Yes it will work great with that tow bar!

Robert C.

9/4/2025

@JamesonC - Jameson, just returned from our first RV outing using the hitch stablilizer bracket. Worked great at first on the outbound trip but as we continued driving, it was apparent that the sway was resuming. After arriving at our destination (total distance about 160 miles), I inspected the device and the adjustment screws had clearly loosened. On the return trip, I torqued the thumb screws more and the retainer nuts as much as I thought possible without stripping the threads. Same result. When we returned home, everything had loosened again and the tow bar had as much play in the receiver as there was before I installed the stabilizer. So bottom line, it seems this isn't going to work even in a flat tow situation. What is your return policy under these circumstances? Is there another device you would recommend as a substitute? Thanks.

Jameson C.

9/4/2025

@RobertC Is your tow bar sitting level or is it angled up or down quite a bit? When you said sway resumed do you mean that you can feel it going back and forth back there?

Robert C.

9/6/2025

@JamesonC - Long answer but here goes. The tow bar is level when both the motorhome and the toad are level. But, like any flat-tow tow bar, the connection between the tow bar arms and the crossbar mounted on the front of the toad is designed to pivot both vertically (when the road is not level between the motorhome and the toad) and horizontally (while navigating a turn in the road when to tow bar arms adjust to differing lengths to compensate for the difference of radius between left and right sides of both vehicles and between the track of the motorhome rear wheels versus the track of the toad front wheels). If there is a gap between the male section of the tow bar and the female receiver into which it is inserted, then these horizontal forces induce sway (back and forth, left and right) between the motorhome and the toad. And these vertical forces induce bounce (up and down) between the two vehicles. Hence the need for a stabilizer that closes any gap between the tow bar and receiver both horizontally and vertically. Clearly, this Brophy device is designed to do that. But the thumb screw and retainer nut don't lock sufficiently tight in place to resist these forces and vibration. Consequently, they loosen as the drive progresses and sway / bounce resumes. Your thoughts?

See All (9) Replies to Robert C. ∨

Robert C.

8/6/2025

Thanks again. But one last check before buying. I read the "All Info - Features" section of your listing for this item and it says, Fits most cargo carriers, bike racks, steps, and other NON-TOWING accessories for 2" hitches. From the words "NON-TOWING", I infer that there must be some limitation that would not make this product compatible with towing a 4,400 lb. SUV. Please double check and confirm either way. Thanks.

Jameson C.

8/6/2025

@RobertC This is a great question but the reason it can be used with a flat tow setup is the lack of tongue weight with a tow bar compared towing a trailer. It's the heavier tongue weights that cause issues with this but a flat tow setup doesn't have any tongue weight since the vehicle supports itself unlike a trailer.

Robert

8/8/2025

@JamesonC. Thanks again. I tried placing the order online but at the last step, it won't let me complete the transaction. Can you please call me at 303-250-1792