![]() Other tow bars require additional braking systems such as the Blue Ox. Some tow bars offer an integrated system where supplemental braking for the Jeep is built into the bar such as the ReadyBrute Elite Tow Bar. There are several tow bar options on the market. The tow bar connects the Jeep Wrangler to the RV so it can be flat towed. Blue Ox also makes universal adapters that can be bolted onto the bumper (this would require drilling). Keep in mind, they will only fit clevis’ with a 1″ pin. Although they are expensive, I’ve spoken to people who have them and said they love them. If you already have an aftermarket bumper on the Jeep, Blue Ox makes an adapter that attaches to the clevis on the bumper. We went with this option and purchased the aluminum front bumper from Rock Hard 4×4. There are tow brackets required to attach to the tow bar to these types bumper. It’s possible sections of the bumper may need to be cut away so it doesn’t interfere with the baseplate.Ī fully integrated bumper replaces the stock Jeep bumper. If you have an aftermarket bumper or plan to get one, there may be clearance issues to consider with a baseplate. ![]() One concern we had with the baseplate was it reduced the Jeep’s approach angle. That meant we would run the risk of damaging it during an off roading adventure. The baseplate bolts into the Jeep’s frame underneath the front bumper and is somewhat hidden from view. ![]() Install a Baseplate or Fully Integrated Bumper Rock Hard 4×4 Bumper with Tow BracketsĪ baseplate or specialized bumper is required to attach the Jeep Wrangler to the tow bar coming from the RV. We met a couple who were lied to about how much their RV could tow and found out after the purchase that they didn’t have the capacity to tow their truck. They are simply there to make the sale. Check with the RV manufacturer or consult the RV owner’s manual to find out what the towing capacity is. Note: When shopping for an RV, do not take the dealer’s word on towing capacity. Our Jeep Wrangler with accessories and cargo weighed in at 4,500 pounds Make sure to do this fully loaded with a full tank of fuel and subtract the weight of driver / passengers who are in the vehicle when it is weighed (since they won’t be in the vehicle while it is being towed). Most truck stops have scales where you can weigh the vehicle. Additional accessories (bumpers, winch, lift kit, etc) and the amount of cargo that will be stored in the vehicle can greatly effect the total weight and push the it beyond 5,000 lbs. Most motorhomes and even some Class B vans have a 5,000 lb towing capacity which will accommodate a stock Wrangler. How to Flat Tow a Jeep Wranglerįirst, make sure your RV can safely flat tow a Jeep Wrangler. ALWAYS read the manual to know for certain.Īccording to the 2020 manual for the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator models, both the automatic and manual versions are flat towable. Be aware however that there are a few which are not, particularly the limited number of two wheel drive versions they produced. One of the things that drew us to the Jeep Wrangler is that most years and variations are flat towable. The manual will state whether that particular vehicle is flat towable and if so, how to properly tow it. In the end, we learned that the only way to know for sure was to look at the owners manual for the exact vehicle (model, year and options) we were interested in flat towing.For example, one version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee with a specific 4×4 system was flat towable, but a model with the other 4×4 system or two wheel drive wasn’t flat towable. There were even differences within specific models of the same year.One model year might be flat towable while the next model year wasn’t.In terms of vehicles with an automatic transmission and four wheel drive, the options became much more limited and it wasn’t always clear which models could be flat towed. As a result, most cars aren’t able to be flat towed.ĭuring our research on how to flat tow a car we learned that, as a loose rule, many front wheel drive cars with a manual transmission can be flat towed. For most vehicles, simply putting the transmission in neutral is not enough to flat tow them. In order to do this without damaging the vehicle, the wheels need to spin freely without engaging the driveline. Supplemental Braking – Electronic or Mechanical?įlat towing a car behind an RV means that the vehicle is going to have all four wheels on the ground. Install a Baseplate or Fully Integrated Bumper
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