Picture Request: Flat tow set up

[Ardenlonewolf]

For those who flat tow your tj, let's see some pictures of it hooked up and hear any lessons learned from your experiences. I have a Dodge 2500 with a slide in camper and have been thinking of flat towing my 98 Sahara short distances (less than 200 miles). I've flat towed my 1947 cja2 in the past with no drama. I've read all the how-to threads, just want to see some pictures of your setups.

 

[bobthetj03]

I flat tow mine behind our RV. If you don't have a bumper that will handle a tow bar, Roadmaster makes the baseplate setup to use their tow bar setup. This setup is nice because I don't have to be perfectly level with the coach to hook up. the bars are adjustable. I found it on CL.

The base plate bolts to the frame of the Jeep.

Tow bar to a raised receiver on the RV.

I recently purchased brackets that allows me to hook directly to the D-rings on my bumper.

 

[IPerkWVU]

Anyone flat tow with a half ton (1500 GMC Sierra or similar) truck? My thinking is, if I have a longer drive (5+ hours) the truck is much more comfortable of a ride. Also if I break something I could rent a u-haul trailer and get it home...

Is that a hairbrained idea?

 

[bobthetj03]

Anyone flat tow with a half ton (1500 GMC Sierra or similar) truck? My thinking is, if I have a longer drive (5+ hours) the truck is much more comfortable of a ride. Also if I break something I could rent a u-haul trailer and get it home...

Is that a hairbrained idea?

Brakes would be a concern. You have a 3500lb. jeep back there. You gonna be able to make a quick stop if you need to?

 

[DC0046]

I flat tow mine behind our RV. If you don't have a bumper that will handle a tow bar, Roadmaster makes the baseplate setup to use their tow bar setup. This setup is nice because I don't have to be perfectly level with the coach to hook up. the bars are adjustable. I found it on CL.
View attachment 70352
The base plate bolts to the frame of the Jeep.
View attachment 70354
Tow bar to a raised receiver on the RV.
View attachment 70356
I recently purchased brackets that allows me to hook directly to the D-rings on my bumper.
View attachment 70358

I have exactly the same set up as you and pull behind my RV. I use a Blue Ox Patriot Brake for braking. Many states require some type of braking set up. I have pulled my TJ behind my F-250 without the brake for short distances with no issues, however, if you have an at fault wreck, get the checkbook out if you dont have a break. The only other thing I would add (unless I missed it), is my jeep is wired using diodes so I have lights on the jeep operated by whatever it is plugged into. Make sure you unlock the steering wheel (dont ask how I learned that)

 

[IPerkWVU]

Brakes would be a concern. You have a 3500lb. jeep back there. You gonna be able to make a quick stop if you need to?

That would be my top concern, running OEM style equipment on my truck. When considering this I started looking at brake-buddy type set ups but at that point you are moving towards justifying a car-hauler type trailer.

 

[bobthetj03]

That would be my top concern, running OEM style equipment on my truck. When considering this I started looking at brake-buddy type set ups but at that point you are moving towards justifying a car-hauler type trailer.

I use a Brake Buddy supplemental braking system on my setup. They aren't cheap, that's for sure, but like mentioned above, are required in many states and insurance companies.

 

[Rob5589]

I tow mine with a 1500 Silverado. I also use a Ready Brake system on the TJ. Even with a HD brake set up, the half ton brakes alone aren't enough, nor legal in almost every state. No pics atm unfortunately.

 

[TJDaveX]

I flat towed for a couple years behind our motorhome when I first bought the Jeep. Same Roadmaster frame mounts pictured above with a Roadmaster Tracker tow bar. I used magnetic lights on the rear bumper. I did not have supplemental brakes (not required here in Wa), and always left myself plenty of following distance. I would tie a white grocery bag at top dead center of the TJ steering to make sure I could see the steering wheel turn an return when I went around corners. Towed like a dream.
I've been trailering the Jeep for many years after building it up and taking tougher trails.
But, I am going to set the Jeep up for flat towing again for trips that do not involve tougher trails. Like trips to the beach and other trips to RV parks where space for a trailer is limited. The plan is to get a set of 33x10.5 all terrain tires when flat towing, and save the 35x12.5 Goodyear MTRs for trailered wheeling trips.
I have a Antirock off road anti-sway bar now and the Roadmaster frame mounts will no longer work. I sold them anyway. I will be attaching the towbar to the shackle mounts on my bumper with adapters. I will be running a supplemental brake this time, as it was always on my mind before. Going with the Readybrake cable system. Seems the easiest and least problematic.

This is how we do it right now. I got a screaming deal on this 2006 18' PJ trailer years ago. Cost me less than most tow bar/auxiliary brake set ups. 4 wheel brakes, I can back up, handy for other uses, can tow it empty with the Jeep if it needs moved.