Towing Issues: recreation towing, blue ox tow bars, blue ox tow

Question
I am new into this RV stuff, bought a new 2006 398 National Motor coach and want to pull a 2006 4 x 4 diesel dodge 2500 truck behind the coach and I am getting very confused about what to buy and how to hook it up.  I have read about Blue Ox, and from what people say, this is the best set-up. But, my question (s) for you, should I rate the hitch and set-up to 10,000 Lbs for maximum security?????Should I let the RV place do the installation, it seem quite easy and I am very handy with tools, and a lot cheaper?????  And last but I believe the best......I am 63 feet long with the truck and coach together.....what problems will I face with the law????????????????/

Thanks,
Sonny

Answer
Sonny,

Sorry for the long delay, this one is pretty involved.

Your truck weighs 6,200-6,500lbs completely empty.  I do like the Blue Ox setup, as well as the Demco line.  The owner of Blue Ox uses the Alexus with the ball-socket design to tow his TrailBlazer behind his class A.  

The Alexus (or Aventa LX) would be fine for you, rated at 10,000 lbs.  Note that the safety cables don't come with Blue Ox tow bars and you will need to buy the 10,000 lb rated set (BX88169 or 7).  

Also, you MUST use a braking system on this rig.  I install the US Gear Unified Tow Brake as it requires no installation or setup once installed.  You simply hook-up the truck as usual and are all set to go.  However, that being said, you will have to check what brake booster is used in your truck as this kit uses the factory power brakes --POWERED BY VACUUM--.  Diesels typically don't use vacuum as a diesel engine doesn't create a lot of vacuum on it's own.  

I couldn't find specs for National Motorcoach so you will need to check with the RV manufacturer to ensure the chassis still has enough payload room to tow 7,000 lbs.  Some RV builders use the entire capacity of the chassis when building the coach allowing no room to tow a vehicle.  

As far as the length is concerned, check out
http://www.roadmasterinc.com/laws.htm   
for a state by state breakdown.  At 63' you shouldn't have too much trouble... Just spend all you time (and money) up here in Canada. ;-)

Best of luck,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca