Flat Towable Vehicle Options

[spartan1984]

Hi all,

New to the forum and did a search but didn't seem to find a detailed posting about flat towable vehicle options (although from time to time I have senioritis and forget things ), so here goes. We have a 2021 Entegra Vision (29S) and specs say GVWR = 18,000lbs./GCWR = 23,000lbs. Now I don't want to assume, but I think the max we can tow would be 5000lbs., correct? The main reason we are looking at the vehicles below is because we have 3 big dogs and they need (require) room to move about when we park the rig and want to take them to the beach, on a hike, to the dog park, etc. With that said, we are kicking the tires on the following (no particular order):

1. Ford F-150
2. Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500
3. Ram 1500
4. Jeep Wrangler
5. Dodge Durango
6. Jeep Grand Cherokee
7. Jeep Gladiator
8. Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon

Thanks for your input and assistance.

Barry and Shelly

 

[Gizmo]

On your list, I have set up two of them One the Grand Cherokee, and experienced the death wobble several times. There is a fix out for but if I was looking for something to buy I would avoid the GC.
The Wrangler is very popular and for good reason. It is fun off-road and easy to set up for towing and mostly problem free. The only negative is not nice as riding as some of the others on your list. I set up two, a 2017 Shara and a 2020 Rubicon.

 

[spartan1984]

GIZMO,

Appreciate the info and I never even thought about the death wobble (did a Google search).

 

[Rosy]

I think the three full size pickups are all close to 5000 lbs, if not over.

 

["EZ"]

I currently tow a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It tows perfectly. I cant even tell it's back there. I think the wobble has been corrected so stay with a 2019 or newer and you'll be fine. I've also towed a Ram 1500. It towed like a champ also. Both must be 4WD to be flat towed. All you do is press a button and put the electronic transfer case in Neutral. You leave the transmission in Park! The odometer does not register miles while towing and the transmission is being lubricated while towing. This is why the Jeep and the Ram are some of the most popular vehicles to be flat towed.

 

[Rosy]

I currently tow a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It tows perfectly. I cant even tell it's back there. I think the wobble has been corrected so stay with a 2019 or newer and you'll be fine. I've also towed a Ram 1500. It towed like a champ also. Both must be 4WD to be flat towed. All you do is press a button and put the electronic transfer case in Neutral. You leave the transmission in Park! The odometer does not register miles while towing and the transmission is being lubricated while towing. This is why the Jeep and the Ram are some of the most popular vehicles to be flat towed.

That's a nice feature. My truck doesn't have a neutral setting in the transfer case and the manual says not to flat tow it under any circumstances.

 

[spartan1984]

I think the three full size pickups are all close to 5000 lbs, if not over.

We'll definitely have to check the GVW on those pick ups (or really any vehicle) we ultimately decide on.

 

[spartan1984]

I currently tow a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It tows perfectly. I cant even tell it's back there. I think the wobble has been corrected so stay with a 2019 or newer and you'll be fine. I've also towed a Ram 1500. It towed like a champ also. Both must be 4WD to be flat towed. All you do is press a button and put the electronic transfer case in Neutral. You leave the transmission in Park! The odometer does not register miles while towing and the transmission is being lubricated while towing. This is why the Jeep and the Ram are some of the most popular vehicles to be flat towed.

Definitely good to hear (wobble) and good to know (ease of towing). That's going to be a huge determining factor on the tow vehicle,ease of setup and towing. Appreciate the intel.

 

[Gizmo]

Definitely good to hear (wobble) and good to know (ease of towing). That's going to be a huge determining factor on the tow vehicle,ease of setup and towing. Appreciate the intel.

I will assure you that not be fixed until the 2022 GC and 2021 GCL. Check with Jeep and they have an anti-wobble harness for 2018 thru 2021 models. What the harness does is activate the electric steering with the key in the off position and the engine not running. On my 2022 I can start the engine and put the transfer case in neutral by using a pen to push the button in and shut off the engine and the steering is still the same feel as if the engine was running. The same thing happens on 2018 thru 2021 with the anti-wobble harness installed. Also, you have to run power from the coach to the GC or the battery will go dead. I towed over 7000 miles before I got the first case of the wobble then in the next few hundred miles I got the wobble three times and the third time the guy behind stopped and said my wheel was coming off the ground. I have talked to people that towed thousands of miles without a problem than some have with the first thousand miles or so. It usually happens at low speed while making a turn and hitting uneven payment of pothole. I just went through it with a friend and 2020 GC.

 

[spartan1984]

I will assure you that not be fixed until the 2022 GC and 2021 GCL. Check with Jeep and they have an anti-wobble harness for 2018 thru 2021 models. What the harness does is activate the electric steering with the key in the off position and the engine not running. On my 2022 I can start the engine and put the transfer case in neutral by using a pen to push the button in and shut off the engine and the steering is still the same feel as if the engine was running. The same thing happens on 2018 thru 2021 with the anti-wobble harness installed. Also, you have to run power from the coach to the GC or the battery will go dead. I towed over 7000 miles before I got the first case of the wobble then in the next few hundred miles I got the wobble three times and the third time the guy behind stopped and said my wheel was coming off the ground. I have talked to people that towed thousands of miles without a problem than some have with the first thousand miles or so. It usually happens at low speed while making a turn and hitting uneven payment of pothole. I just went through it with a friend and 2020 GC.

Ugh, so bottom line regardless of which direction we go, ask and get educated.

 

[Tnedator]

I'm assuming the Grand Cherokee, although electronic, is as easy as the Wrangler, but the Jeeps are great for towing. Put transmission in Neutral. Put transfer case in neutral. Put transmission back to park. Done.

On top of that, mate a Rock Hard 4x4 bumper to the front of the Wrangler or Gladiator, and it has the tow points (not welded on like other bumpers, but bolted to the frame horns -- big difference).

We have three standard poodles, so we can get them all in the back of the Jeep Unlimited with the seat down. In a Gladiator, will they all be able to fit in the back seat or will you need to have them in the bed of the truck.

This is only focused on the towing aspect (ours is a third vehicle, mostly for RV towing), and not what you might want from a vehicle if it's a primary. But, if the main focus is towing, really hard to beat a Wrangler.

 

[Gizmo]

@Tnedator
Look like we think alike. I have a 2020 Rubicon with the Rock Hard aluminum bumper for towing. Easy to - easy setup - just works. My 2022 Grand Cherokee stays in the garage.

 

[Old Bubblehead]

We tow a 2019 Chevy Colorado. Our first coach was Newmar gasser (Canyon Star) with the 5K limit. We had no issues with Colorado as toad for that rig. When we went to the Cornerstone, we just carried on. Since gasser didn't have air brakes we went with Invisbrake system and that works fine. Kept it when we moved to the diesel. With this truck, we also needed the negative battery isolation. Went with Roadmaster solenoid, it works well.
Do be aware, if you shop installs cost is significant ($5K ish) for all parts and pieces installed. You can save money if you can do some of the work.

 

[spartan1984]

@ Gizmo & Tnedator, Who installed the Rock Hard 4x4 bumper?

 

[Gizmo]

@ Gizmo & Tnedator, Who installed the Rock Hard 4x4 bumper?

I had mine done by a 4x4 show in Topeka, Kansas. I just out of hip replacement surgery so I limited what I could but would not be that big project to do yourself. I purchased the aluminum bumper to save weight and only weigh in at 36 pounds the only negative is that it cost more than the steel version.

 

[spartan1984]

We tow a 2019 Chevy Colorado. Our first coach was Newmar gasser (Canyon Star) with the 5K limit. We had no issues with Colorado as toad for that rig. When we went to the Cornerstone, we just carried on. Since gasser didn't have air brakes we went with Invisbrake system and that works fine. Kept it when we moved to the diesel. With this truck, we also needed the negative battery isolation. Went with Roadmaster solenoid, it works well.
Do be aware, if you shop installs cost is significant ($5K ish) for all parts and pieces installed. You can save money if you can do some of the work.

I went to the local RV shop just to inquire about pricing and like you mentioned, he said it would cost between $6K - $7K for everything installed. Luckily, we know folks in the industry who can install for way lower.

 

[Tnedator]

@ Gizmo & Tnedator, Who installed the Rock Hard 4x4 bumper?

On my JL, I had the Jeep dealer to it. On my JK, I did it myself. Especially if you go with the Aluminum, it's VERY easy. I did it with no help. If you had someone giving a hand, even easier. I will say the lowered winch version that I got on the JK, make it much easier to reach the inside bolts. I accidentally ordered a normal height for the JLU, it's more of a bear to reach behind without a lift.

Now, that's for the bumper. Doing electric and braking system is whole different story, and I'm not comfortable to do that part. I had an RV dealer do that on both the JK and JL's.

 

[Tnedator]

 

[spartan1984]

So the more that I investigate, the more it looks like the Jeep Wrangler or Chevy/GMC Colorado/Canyon may be our best options (staying under the 5K weight limit).

 

[spartan1984]

Well, I know that it's been a while but we ended up trading in two of our vehicles (Mustang and Escape) for a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport. So now we just have to figure out how to set up the Jeep to tow (I'll read the manual) with the proper equipment (connectors, tow bar, etc.). Question, does this vehicle require a braking system (like the Patriot Braking System)?