Flat tow or trailer?

[RD3]

Keep hunting for the right trailer. I have a buddy how flat tows behind his RV, when he gets there he usually doesn't wheel that day because of the time it takes to get all the tow bar parts off and reinstall drive shafts.

Is your buddy removing the drive shafts from a Jeep to flat tow it? If he is he's doing it wrong. All you have to do is put the tcase in neutral. I flat tow my TJ behind my rv and I'm unhooked and ready to go in less than 15 minutes and that's taking my time. I'm not saying getting a trailer isn't the right choice, I'm considering getting one for the trips when I'm going to be wheeling. But the difference in the time to unload vs. unhook is negligible.

 

[Drizit]

Is your buddy removing the drive shafts from a Jeep to flat tow it? If he is he's doing it wrong. All you have to do is put the tcase in neutral. I flat tow my TJ behind my rv and I'm unhooked and ready to go in less than 15 minutes and that's taking my time. I'm not saying getting a trailer isn't the right choice, I'm considering getting one for the trips when I'm going to be wheeling. But the difference in the time to unload vs. unhook is negligible.

Yep he is, don't know why but it's what he was told to do. I guess it's to save the possibility of the tcase spinning the trans if something doesn't fully disengage.

—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.

 

[billiebob]

I have a stock LJ that I'm starting on, I plan on taking it a few hundred miles to use. Seems the cost to set it up for flat towing is about the cost of a nice trailer to tow it on. Any thoughts on this?

Trailer tires are a lot cheaper than Jeep tires.... and they last way longer too.... and a tandem trailer comes with brakes. Plus you can probably haul a lot extras.

But the big thing is the trailer will cost way less per mile.

 

[xxdabroxx]

I went to the rubicon trail with someone who flat towed, her jeep brakes never did work right with the towing set-up. Seems like to get the brakes to work right you need the high dollar one, the sketchy cable doesn't seem to work worth a darn. Plus she had an atlas transfer case so every time we stopped for gas she had to run the jeep to circulate the transfer case fluid (IIRC). Wasn't that big of a deal but the flat towing setup was kinda sketch. Plus like mentioned before if you break something major you are going to need a trailer anyways.

My dad bought a nice trailer shortly after I bought my TJ, we had been borrowing car trailers for a few years for our other various hobbies anyways. He got a really nice tilt bed aluminum trailer for around 5k. Not cheap, but it is a darn nice trailer. Trailer has also come in handy for other things like hauling building materials, etc.

Downside to the trailer is when you get to where you are wheeling you have to find a bigger parking spot and they take more room to turn around. They also have a lower ground clearance if the trail to the camping spot is rough.

 

[DWLJ]

Just depends on your needs. I don’t really need the extra tongue weight and a good break set up is defiantly worth it. M&G set up was around $1500 for set up and air for the truck. I might still look for a quality aluminum trailer.

 

[T Crawford]

A budget way to do this is watch craigslist and get parts there i’ve Picked up road master tow bars for a few hundred brackets run 300 give or take the braking solution gets a little more$$. We have small rv we take to remote campgrounds and trailers never work well there. Plus we tow a car sometimes too

 

[CaliSteve]

When I started this topic I was undecided, but have elected to go with a trailer, mainly due to the distance I tow. (CA. to CO.) The comments regarding break down issues with the Jeep is a factor also. Thanks to all you folks for the input and the photos.

 

[Black_Valkyrie]

Flat tow without issue. Roadmaster towbar, curtt wiring harness, brake buddy.

 

[lowranger]

When I started this topic I was undecided, but have elected to go with a trailer, mainly due to the distance I tow. (CA. to CO.) The comments regarding break down issues with the Jeep is a factor also. Thanks to all you folks for the input and the photos.

Keep us up dated..... pictures when you find a trailer.

 

[CaliSteve]

Keep us up dated..... pictures when you find a trailer.
I will for sure.

 

[59 wagon man]

well I've decided to replace the tires on my trailer and believe i found a good deal if anyone needs tires. my were st20575r14 load range c . I purchased 5 st205 75 r14 load range d for $210 delivered off of jet.com

 

[lowranger]

Here is a 16' flat bed Jeep trailer for $1,900 on craigslist....I'm sure they would take a little less. They are out there.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/for/d/car-utilities-trailer-black/6537264085.html

 

[lowranger]

Nice 16' nice trailer rated at 7,000 lbs for $2,200.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/tro/d/iron-panther/6560315333.html