Towing A TJ
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Wranglers were designed to be flat towed... Tow Bars mount easily, but there are way too many different brands to narrow it down. It will all be personal choice in the end. Check out www.etrailer.com for a good selection and decent pricing.
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Does anyone know how much a 4.0l tj tows? Im thinkin about getting a pop up
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876 Posts
2000 lbs. for a SWB
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481 Posts
Ok so I tow mine behind my motorhome. I have '99 TJ. I use a Roadmaster tow bar. It a square hitch slides right into the receiver. I have the roadmaster tow brackets on the Jeep they are very secure. You can see them but just barely. I have the break away and light plug up front also. Then you need a brake controler as most states require you have brakes on anything over 1000 lbs. I use an Even Break 9700. Don't forget you'll need to wire up the stop and turn signals to work off the motorhome.
Keep your eye on Craigslist they usually have them a lot. Be sure you get the proper brackets for the jeep most '99 - '06 fit.
Other then that it tows great, you do need to place the transfer case in neutral AND the transmission must be in gear (I use 3rd)to keep it from turning while towing. Make sure the key is in the unlock position so the front wheels track and turn.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS NEVER BACK-UP WHILE HOOKED UP. YOU CAN'T DO IT. THE FRONT WHEELS WILL SPIN ON YOU.
Keep your eye on Craigslist they usually have them a lot. Be sure you get the proper brackets for the jeep most '99 - '06 fit.
Other then that it tows great, you do need to place the transfer case in neutral AND the transmission must be in gear (I use 3rd)to keep it from turning while towing. Make sure the key is in the unlock position so the front wheels track and turn.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS NEVER BACK-UP WHILE HOOKED UP. YOU CAN'T DO IT. THE FRONT WHEELS WILL SPIN ON YOU.
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481 Posts
Sorry I meant that most 97-06 fit your jeep and since my jeep weighs in at 3300 lbs. any 5000 to 6000 hitch will work fine.
Stay away from ball mounts hitches unless you like looking at the tow bar folded up in front of you when your driving around.
Stay away from ball mounts hitches unless you like looking at the tow bar folded up in front of you when your driving around.
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152 Posts
Thanks BobtG, Your information is just what I am looking for. Had no idea about brakes on the towed vehicle...or about not backing up.
We take the motorhome from WA to NM and back twice a year and always overnight in Moab. Always seemed a shame to not have the Jeep.
I appreciate your thoughtful response.
We take the motorhome from WA to NM and back twice a year and always overnight in Moab. Always seemed a shame to not have the Jeep.
I appreciate your thoughtful response.
I, too, have towed my '97 TJ behind my 40 foot motor home for MANY miles with virtually no issues. A ball mount hitch is what I have used for all those many miles and it is still working well. And, you can back for very short distances, ie; adjust front to rear for gas/diesel fill-ups. As for lighting, you can easily tap into the lighting system for the towed Jeep or get magnetic lights to mount on the bumper as mentioned previously. Also, some states may require brakes on a towed vehicle, but depending on the size(power) of the towing vehicle you should be fine without brakes on the Jeep. I really don't know it is behind there until I look in the review camera and see its "happy face" (grill and front bumper) just going where it's towed.
Good luck with the towing. If you have futher questions send my a private e-mail.
Bronk
Good luck with the towing. If you have futher questions send my a private e-mail.
Bronk
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529 Posts
I tow my 97 tj behind an SUV from Houston to Durango and back every summer. I use a removeable tow bar and magnetic lights hooked into the SUV's towing system. I don't have travel brakes and it's fine. I don't even try to back up since I cant back a regular trailer for beans why try with 4x4? My biggest issue is looking in the rearview and thinking I"m being tailgated. Also the jeep has the aerodynamics of a brick so your tow vehicle will take a hit in the mileage dept depending on whay you're driving.
Good evening, I have a '98 TJ 4.0L/Auto which I plan to flat tow behind my truck. I have a few questions, first, I believe the streering wheel needs to be unlocked?? I know the transfer case needs to be in neutral, but how about the transmission.....leave it in park?? finally, can I just tap into the rear light wiring fed from my truck, or do I need to install isolation diodes?? I was thinking of making up a jumper to connect the TJ's 4 way trailer plug to the trailer plug on my truck. Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance, Andy
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10 Posts
flat towing
Has anyone flat towed a TJ using a front mount receiver as a tow bar mount? I was considering buying a roadmaster setup and plugging the square hitch into the receiver on the jeep and mounting the tow bar mounts on my school bus. Is this a good route to go or just flip flop the configuration like normal?
Has anyone flat towed a TJ using a front mount receiver as a tow bar mount? I was considering buying a roadmaster setup and plugging the square hitch into the receiver on the jeep and mounting the tow bar mounts on my school bus. Is this a good route to go or just flip flop the configuration like normal?
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