Towing rig and camper

M

motomick76

Guest
Currently looking for ideas or solutions for a tow rig. Currently I have my WK2, TJ, and a 17ft travel trailer. The WK2 always does the towing for the tt, but I would like something that can haul the TJ and also hookup my trailer for extended multi-day trail stays.

Some ideas I had:
- get a bus and cut roof off, build a bed, only issues is I have no space something the size of a bus
- get a 14 or 17 Uhaul truck, cut roof off and keep the bed. Only ones I have found are V-10 gas, hoping to find diesel, no luck
- maybe a ramp truck, but those seem pretty hard to find
- Tow-able off-road tent trailer - wife prefers the tt, not a tent

Some guidelines I have in mind:
- would prefer diesel
- need it somewhat compact, not much bigger than 450 size, (17ft Uhaul truck)

Members who have tow rigs, what are your setups that you have found that works and doesn't work?
 
That's a tough one. I have a Class A motorhome and flat tow my LJ behind it. A used Clas A or Class C motorhome can be found for a fairly reasonable price. Factor in what you could get for your TT to offset the purchase price.
 
SoCalGlide said:
That's a tough one. I have a Class A motorhome and flat tow my LJ behind it. A used Clas A or Class C motorhome can be found for a fairly reasonable price. Factor in what you could get for your TT to offset the purchase price.
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Also, selling the tt is a negative. I put alot of time into making it boondockable for several days, solar, other mods to make it comfortable. We enjoy it alot, would not consider selling it.

The wife also is not comfortable driving the WK2/TT and the TJ is manual- tried teaching her to drive stick, and no-go.
 
The existing travel trailer makes things complicated. If not you could get a HD truck, and build a toy hauler using a goose neck trailer and old uhaul box or other truck bed camper.
 
How about a used deck truck. Would likely be bigger than an F450 but it could generate income as well.
They tend to be pretty affordable.

The extendable wheel lift makes coupling up a TT childs play.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=254654879616

Now if you lived in Alberta....
106597667_10222575604194793_83643092896261548_n.jpg
 
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I found a crew cab ramp truck in my area for about $20k, but it was gas. I think that’s the route I’d go but with the shortest bed you can get away with.
 
Apparition said:
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Threadjack:

How does your F150 do pulling that much weight long distances (i.e., Moab)? Engine? Trans? Axle ratios? Special packages?

I, too, am investigating tow rigs. One side of my brain says "replace the Xterra with the new Bronco." The other side of my brain says that a F150 Supercab 4x4 with 6.5" bed would make a perfectly fine daily driver where I live and it can tow the jeep. Neither side is winning so far because yet another side of my brain keeps thinking about used but not abused Class C motorhomes as tow rigs.

Now back to your regular programming.
 
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Mr. Bills said:
Threadjack:

How does your F150 do pulling that much weight long distances (i.e., Moab)? Engine? Trans? Axle ratios? Special packages?

I, too, am investigating tow rigs. One side of my brain says "replace the Xterra with the new Bronco." The other side of my brain says that a F150 Supercab 4x4 with 6.5" bed would make a perfectly fine daily driver where I live and it can tow the jeep. Neither side is winning so far because yet another side of my brain keeps thinking about used but not abused Class C motorhomes as tow rigs.

Now back to your regular programming.
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Interesting you ask. My F150 is still in Moab. Pulled great enjoyed the trip out. When we loaded up yesterday we planned a leisurely trip back.

Drove to the campground office to drop off an adapter plug they lent us. After that I had no gears in my transmission. Couldn’t drive at all. Dragged it to the Ford dealer who said they couldn’t look at it for 2-3 weeks.

Took it to another garage who will look at it on Monday. I think the lead frame failed, I almost replaced it once but didn’t and probably should have. About a year ago one of the transmission lines cracked in half while running down interstate and the tranny got very hot, I thought limp mode saved it but apparently not.

Rented another truck and brought the Jeep back. Drove the Jeep over the mountains because no brake controller in the rental. Loaded back up in Golden. We’ll fly out and drive it back when it’s fixed.

I’ve been planning on replacing with a super duty so it may happen sooner rather than later.

It was pleasant pulling it, I can’t say if I broke it pulling or not.
 
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bobthetj03 said:
Personally, flat towing with an RV checks all my boxes.
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It kinda does mine too. But I'm running out of room. I keep buying vehicles but I don't want to sell any of the ones I already have.

Still, the best towing arrangement I've tried was almost 20 years ago when a friend lent me his 21' Class A Winnebago and 16' trailer so I could go to Moab Easter Jeep Safari. It was the perfect size small motorhome with the same 454 motor as the big ones. It towed that trailer with jeep like they weren't even there.
 
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