Flat towing

[grabeb]

Looking at an 01 Sport. Seems to have a tow bar on front, it's 2-1t2 hrs away.

I'll be driving up in a 2012 yukon xl denali with electric brake controller factory. Is it better to rent trailer to haul it back or flat tow behind the yukon? I doubt the electric brakes will come into play, unless there's something I'm not sure of.... speaking of flat towing.

If I flat tow, what do I need to know? Neutral on transfer case and Trans?

 

[grabeb]

Looking at an 01 Sport. Seems to have a tow bar on front, it's 2-1t2 hrs away.

I'll be driving up in a 2012 yukon xl denali with electric brake controller factory. Is it better to rent trailer to haul it back or flat tow behind the yukon? I doubt the electric brakes will come into play, unless there's something I'm not sure of.... speaking of flat towing.

If I flat tow, what do I need to know? Neutral on transfer case and Trans?

Ok, I see in park with auto. Trans in neutral. Also likely need lights.

 

[lBasket]

I used those Curt magnetic tow lights when I towed mine, stick onto the tub nicely. You legally need brakes and a breakaway brake to tow something that heavy in almost every state I think, maybe the seller has a brake system to sell with it if they were flat towing?

 

[TheBoogieman]

Why not have someone go with you and drive it back to test it out? I always do that.

 

[Rut Row]

Your electric brakes assume that the towed vehicle has electric brakes. Jeeps don't; trailers do.

Most states require the towed trailer/vehicle to have auxiliary brakes if over 3,000#. I tow mine and I use the Blue Ox Patriot Flat Tow Brake. As mentioned above, I also have s set of magnetic trailer lights.

Trailering your Jeep is better than towing. Use the search and you'll find several threads about flat towing.

 

[Mr. Bills]

Looking at an 01 Sport. Seems to have a tow bar on front, it's 2-1t2 hrs away. . . . Is it better to rent trailer to haul it back or flat tow behind the yukon. . . ?

If I flat tow, what do I need to know? Neutral on transfer case and Trans?

If I were in your position I would trailer it home. Its a new jeep to you and despite the current owners representations and your inspection/evaluation, you are a long way from home with an unfamiliar vehicle.

If you do decide to flat tow, the steering must be unlocked, the transmission in gear (manual) or park (auto), and the transfer case in neutral. You will need trailer lights. Supplemental brakes are also mandatory in all but two states for a vehicle the weight of a TJ, but you could probably get home without attracting the attention of law enforcement.

 

[John’o]

Here’s the thread on Toad flat towing.

A

Thread 'How to properly tow your Jeep Wrangler TJ'

Oct 26, 2016

One of the great things about owning a truck camper is the ability to tow things like boats, trailers, and Jeeps. With several trips planned for the winter and spring, getting our 2004 Jeep Wrangler rigged for towing was a high priority for us. These preparations included the installation of electrical wiring for the Jeep’s tail lights, purchasing a Class III adjustable tow bar, mounting the tow bar brackets and safety hooks to the Jeep’s OEM front bumper, and purchasing an 18-inch-long hitch box extension for my Ford F-250.

After researching this topic, I decided to tow the Jeep flat or...

• Alex M.
• Replies: 157
• Forum: TJ How-to Guides

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[Jezza]

I would flat tow it. If it has a hitch and cables already installed that's the hard part. Do an inspection of the tow bar and the cables to make sure they are tight and in good condition. Probably a good idea to check the suspension, steering and tires as well. Get some magnetic lights to put on the rear. Harbor Freight has a decent cheap set. I have flat towed all over the place and never used the brake setups. It's probably a good idea, but no one cares or bothers to check. Also here in Texas max tow weight without a brake is 4500# far more than a TJ.

 

[Mr. Bills]

I have flat towed all over the place and never used the brake setups. It's probably a good idea, but no one cares or bothers to check.

Apparently, there are people who flat towed without supplemental brakes who learned to care the hard way.

Also here in Texas max tow weight without a brake is 4500# far more than a TJ.

See this recent thread: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/i-weighed-my-06-tj.85197/

There are plenty of TJs that weigh more than 4500#.



I have been flat towing jeeps since the mid 1960's, most of that time without supplemental brakes. Would I do it now? No way.

Also, this is OP's first trip in a newly purchased Jeep with which he is unfamiliar. Renting a car hauler trailer will be the safest way to get his new acquisition home without incident. Is it really worth it to skip a trailer just to save a few bucks?


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[Wildman]

Just to add to this... I used to flat tow my 1966 CJ5 on 33" tires behind my 1978 Waggoner without supplemental brakes and there were times it would push the rear of my Waggy around. That 66 CJ5 is/was lighter than a TJ and I'd guess the Waggoner is comparable to your Yukon.

So I'm with Mr Bills on trailer it. At a minimum I'd get a car dolly. Having those supplemental brakes can make a huge difference.

 

[Mr. Bills]

I used to flat tow my 1966 CJ5 on 33" tires behind my 1978 Waggoner without supplemental brakes and there were times it would push the rear of my Waggy around. That 66 CJ5 is/was lighter than a TJ and I'd guess the Waggoner is comparable to your Yukon.

That reminds me of the one (1) time I tried to flat tow my '65 CJ5 behind a mid '70s Toyota HiLux pickup. The emphasis is on tried and one time.

 

[Jezza]

Apparently, there are people who flat towed without supplemental brakes who learned to care the hard way.

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I have been flat towing jeeps since the mid 1960's, most of that time without supplemental brakes. Would I do it now? No way.

Also, this is OP's first trip in a newly purchased Jeep with which he is unfamiliar. Renting a car hauler trailer will be the safest way to get his new acquisition home without incident. Is it really worth it to skip a trailer just to save a few bucks?


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Sure, you can always find examples of folks who did it wrong. I have installed plenty of the kits, 90% of them would only work safely in a break away scenario. I had a customer a few years back with a JKU that had his Air Force 1 kit lock up the brakes on his rig. Luckily the tow bar broke free after yanking his brand new Dynamax RV into oncoming traffic. There is no perfect system, just use common sense.

 

[Mr. Bills]

Sure, you can always find examples of folks who did it wrong. I have installed plenty of the kits, 90% of them would only work safely in a break away scenario. I had a customer a few years back with a JKU that had his Air Force 1 kit lock up the brakes on his rig. Luckily the tow bar broke free after yanking his brand new Dynamax RV into oncoming traffic. There is no perfect system, just use common sense.

There are plenty of people who did things "right" and believed they used common sense only to find themselves injured or dead.

You be you. You have every right to put your own life, limbs and property at risk.

Just let the people who must share the road know so they can avoid you.


BTW, common sense in this particular situation leans toward renting or borrowing a trailer for the trip home with the new acquisition, especially because OP has no experience flat towing with or without supplemental brakes and can only perform a cursory inspection of the towed vehicle.

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[Jezza]

There are plenty of people who did things "right" and believed they used common sense only to find themselves injured or dead.

You be you. You have every right to put your own life, limbs and property at risk.

Just let the people who must share the road know so they can avoid you.


BTW, common sense in this particular situation leans toward renting or borrowing a trailer for the trip home with the new acquisition, especially because OP has no experience flat towing with or without supplemental brakes and can only perform a cursory inspection of the towed vehicle.

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Really, the same argument could be made for a trailer. Most trailers on the road are rolling death traps. Improperly loading a trailer especially when towing with a SUV can be extremely dangerous.

 

[Unique Username]

If I were in your position I would trailer it home. Its a new jeep to you and despite the current owners representations and your inspection/evaluation, you are a long way from home with an unfamiliar vehicle.

If you do decide to flat tow, the steering must be unlocked, the transmission in gear (manual) or park (auto), and the transfer case in neutral. You will need trailer lights. Supplemental brakes are also mandatory in all but two states for a vehicle the weight of a TJ, but you could probably get home without attracting the attention of law enforcement.

I agree that I would get a trailer. While I have no issues with flat towing my own rig, I would be hesitant on something I have not gone over and inspected. Nothing like getting it on the road only to have the front end start jumping around in you or find out the diffs were never serviced and they lock up.

 

[grabeb]

Appreciate the comments. I can get a trailer from u-haul for $60, so I'll just plan that scenario if I can work a deal on the jeep.

Next question though, what's the best tie down points on a jeep tj for this. I have towed most of my life, so not worried about that, but only hauled a few cars and that's few and far between in my 38yrs of driving. I'm assuming u-haul will have everything i need.

My guess is axle straps for rear axle then same up front or the wheel straps?

 

[lBasket]

Appreciate the comments. I can get a trailer from u-haul for $60, so I'll just plan that scenario if I can work a deal on the jeep.

Next question though, what's the best tie down points on a jeep tj for this. I have towed most of my life, so not worried about that, but only hauled a few cars and that's few and far between in my 38yrs of driving. I'm assuming u-haul will have everything i need.

My guess is axle straps for rear axle then same up front or the wheel straps?

When I rented a uhaul car trailer it only had tire straps on the front

 

[grabeb]

Ok. Looking at another thread and going through the wheels might be better option. Three jeep I'm looking at has 5 spoke wheels. Replies seem to brake lines on rear axle are issue.

Again, I'm assuming they'll have what i need, want to make sure I have my bases covered though. Don't want to drive a jeep tj back 2-1/2hrs. It'll be mostly flat roads from Oklahoma to Kansas.

 

[grabeb]

When I rented a uhaul car trailer it only had tire straps on the front

Did they supply or "offer" something for rear?

 

[lBasket]

Did they supply or "offer" something for rear?

Not supplied, or offered that I remember. I ended up running a larger ratchet strap through a tow hook spot for the rear of the trailer (wasn't towing a TJ)