How to properly tow your Jeep Wrangler TJ

Maybe a dummy question but I'm not wrapping my head around this one.. under thinking I guess.

Does gear ratio (5.13) have any influence on which manual gear should be selected for flat tow?

I read a horror story about the OEM transfer case linkage allowing it to shift into LR while flat towing (on a rough road maybe?)
I just ordered the Savvy cable shifter that is supposed to be the preventative. Good upgrade regardless I hear.
 
NOTNSUV said:
Maybe a dummy question but I'm not wrapping my head around this one.. under thinking I guess.

Does gear ratio (5.13) have any influence on which manual gear should be selected for flat tow?

I read a horror story about the OEM transfer case linkage allowing it to shift into LR while flat towing (on a rough road maybe?)
I just ordered the Savvy cable shifter that is supposed to be the preventative. Good upgrade regardless I hear.
Click to expand...

Well, I'd imagine if you were geared low(ish) while being towed at say 70 MPH in 2nd/3rd gear and somehow bumped into 4H or 2H, the valves would float in the engine and blow the motor, the bearings in the trans would likely get cooked and maybe even blow, and a few times on here people have flat towed and posted pictures of disintegrated transfer cases after bumping into gear. But if your tires match your gearing it shouldn't be all that different.

I'd be interested if anyone had rigged anything up to "hold" the linkage in place while being towed as a precaution.
 
  • Like
Reactions: notnsuv
A question: is it ok to tow the tj with the tow bar brackets 20" apart?
I have read most all posts of this conversation and came across one post that suggested the brackets should be 24" to 34" apart but this jeep I bought a few months ago have them here on the bumper (20" apart) and I see why, so ask is this ok? what consequence could I see if I have them at 20" apart?
Any thought would be appreciated.

wrangler tow bar 1.webp


wrangler tow bar 2.webp


wrangler tow bar 3.webp
 
  • Like
Reactions: LakeBeard and alittleoff
TurboTJ said:
Mine are 21.5 inches apart and I have flat towed 45k miles with that.
Click to expand...

thanks for the response.

more responses would be appreciated. i'd like to know thought about the theory of why 24 to 34.
i cant figure it out just by looking at the adjustable tow bar because at 20" apart there is still more adjustment remaining to go narrower.
 
Bradb3337 said:
thanks for the response.

more responses would be appreciated. i'd like to know thought about the theory of why 24 to 34.
i cant figure it out just by looking at the adjustable tow bar because at 20" apart there is still more adjustment remaining to go narrower.
Click to expand...

Probably a general guideline meant to apply broadly since tow bars aren't vehicle specific and the ideal location for tow points won't be in the same place on all vehicles.

My flat tow points are ~30.5" apart, as they're tied into the frame of the TJ.

20260408_201438.jpg
20260408_201443.jpg
 
I have a new question.
Today is the first day I had time to hook up the 06 tj to be flat towed by my 2016 f350, this actually was my first time flat towing anything.
Steering wheel not locked, transfer case in N, auto trans in park, wife driving f350, I am in passenger seat of jeep so I can see everything work, blue ox patriot brake device set up. Went around neighborhood about a mile total with six 90 degree turns and end in our cul de sac, stopped with f350 and jeep still heading in a circle, f350 front tires turned to left, jeep tires aimed straight not turned to left
Is it normal to hear the tires chirp/squeak on turns? steering wheel is turning.
It is as if jeep is fighting to go straight. front Tire temperature on the surface is much warmer than back tires.
 
Are you sure the steering wheel is unlocked? You say it is turning but how much? You should be able to turn the steering wheel +/- 90 degrees without it locking when the key is clicked into the first position.
 
Bradb3337 said:
I have a new question.
Today is the first day I had time to hook up the 06 tj to be flat towed by my 2016 f350, this actually was my first time flat towing anything.
Steering wheel not locked, transfer case in N, auto trans in park, wife driving f350, I am in passenger seat of jeep so I can see everything work, blue ox patriot brake device set up. Went around neighborhood about a mile total with six 90 degree turns and end in our cul de sac, stopped with f350 and jeep still heading in a circle, f350 front tires turned to left, jeep tires aimed straight not turned to left
Is it normal to hear the tires chirp/squeak on turns? steering wheel is turning.
It is as if jeep is fighting to go straight. front Tire temperature on the surface is much warmer than back tires.
Click to expand...

‘Sounds to me like your steering isn’t actually unlocked. There should be no chirping noise from the tires.
To unlock the steering start with the key in the “run”position
Bradb3337 said:
I have a new question.
Today is the first day I had time to hook up the 06 tj to be flat towed by my 2016 f350, this actually was my first time flat towing anything.
Steering wheel not locked, transfer case in N, auto trans in park, wife driving f350, I am in passenger seat of jeep so I can see everything work, blue ox patriot brake device set up. Went around neighborhood about a mile total with six 90 degree turns and end in our cul de sac, stopped with f350 and jeep still heading in a circle, f350 front tires turned to left, jeep tires aimed straight not turned to left
Is it normal to hear the tires chirp/squeak on turns? steering wheel is turning.
It is as if jeep is fighting to go straight. front Tire temperature on the surface is much warmer than back tires.
Click to expand...

Your steering isn’t unlocked. To unlock the steering for flat towing start with the ignition key in the “run” position. If in doubt you can actually have the engine running. Then turn the key back ONE click & ONE CLICK ONLY. The engine will be off, everything electrical will be dead & the steering will be unlocked. You will be unable to remove the key & this is perfectly normal.
I actually keep a Jeep key attached to the steering wheel of my motorhome just to make sure that I don’t forget this step.
 
Mudflat said:
‘Sounds to me like your steering isn’t actually unlocked. There should be no chirping noise from the tires.
To unlock the steering start with the key in the “run”position


Your steering isn’t unlocked. To unlock the steering for flat towing start with the ignition key in the “run” position. If in doubt you can actually have the engine running. Then turn the key back ONE click & ONE CLICK ONLY. The engine will be off, everything electrical will be dead & the steering will be unlocked. You will be unable to remove the key & this is perfectly normal.
I actually keep a Jeep key attached to the steering wheel of my motorhome just to make sure that I don’t forget this step.
Click to expand...

‘Sorry. I sort of messed up my first response & I don’t have a 15 year old around anymore to help me fix this stuff. ☺️
 
This is not related to the steering wheel issue, but be absolutely sure the transfer case is in neutral. Don’t just trust the lever. With the engine running put the transmission in gear and make sure the Jeep doesn’t try to move. Get this wrong just one time and you will blow up everything….. engine, transmission, TC and more. It will turn your Jeep into an unsalvageable pile of junk. I suppose that is only applicable to Jeeps with manual transmissions though because with an automatic in park it will be immediately apparent something is wrong.
 
Last edited:
TurboTJ said:
Are you sure the steering wheel is unlocked? You say it is turning but how much? You should be able to turn the steering wheel +/- 90 degrees without it locking when the key is clicked into the first position.
Click to expand...

i can turn the steering wheel as much as my boney arms can handle, no lock even after turning a whole 360 degrees.
 
Mudflat said:
‘Sounds to me like your steering isn’t actually unlocked. There should be no chirping noise from the tires.
To unlock the steering start with the key in the “run”position


Your steering isn’t unlocked. To unlock the steering for flat towing start with the ignition key in the “run” position. If in doubt you can actually have the engine running. Then turn the key back ONE click & ONE CLICK ONLY. The engine will be off, everything electrical will be dead & the steering will be unlocked. You will be unable to remove the key & this is perfectly normal.
I actually keep a Jeep key attached to the steering wheel of my motorhome just to make sure that I don’t forget this step.
Click to expand...

yep i am certain it is unlocked, one click from running position, lights out, engine off and not to where the key can be removed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mudflat
TurboTJ said:
This is not related to the steering wheel issue, but be absolutely sure the transfer case is in neutral. Don’t just trust the lever. With the engine running put the transmission in gear and make sure the Jeep doesn’t try to move. Get this wrong just one time and you will blow up everything….. engine, transmission, TC and more. It will turn your Jeep into an unsalvageable pile of junk. I suppose that is only applicable to Jeeps with manual transmissions though because with an automatic in park it will be immediately apparent something is wrong.
Click to expand...

yep
 

Similar threads

Moab
Tow bar and tow wiring. Should I keep it?
Replies
3
Views
774
TJ General Discussion
bobthetj03
bobthetj03
sd_phil
  • Locked
California Tow Bar - Roadmaster Falcon 2 & Cross Bar
Replies
0
Views
490
Parts For Sale
sd_phil
sd_phil
Moglocker
Bumper not flat tow rated
Replies
27
Views
12,021
TJ General Discussion
deadbeat son
deadbeat son
M
Tow bar mounts on 2006 TJ
Replies
13
Views
6,752
TJ General Discussion
Mr. Bills
Mr. Bills
ExitLeft
  • Locked
Pennsylvania Smittybilt SRC classic hitch bumper
Replies
0
Views
887
Parts For Sale
ExitLeft
ExitLeft
Jeep Wrangler PCM and module repair and replacement
Top Bottom
Back