New to Towing a Vehicle

[Dan_Frisbie]

We usually have the box trailer with motorcycles behind the Class A, but since my wife bought a 2021 Wrangler (manual transmission), I am considering setting it up to flat tow.
Putting it in the box trailer would overload my hitch on the RV, but the trailer can handle the weight.
I am curious about the tow bar setups out there. Some are quite expensive. Do I need the Jeep brakes?
Would it be smarter/cheaper to upgrade the RV hitch for more weight and use my existing box trailer? The box trailer has electric brakes.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

You cannot upgrade the hitch to increase your towing capacity. Your brakes, transmission, engine, and frame are all designed for a certain load.

Roadmaster, Blue Ox, and Demco are the major manufacturers of towing systems. Many Jeep owners have changed the bumper to a stronger bumper designed so the towbar attaches directly to it. Do you need a brake for the Jeep? Yes, and that is a big yes. You not only need a brake but also a breakaway brake. Why? Most states make it illegal to tow without a braking system.

 

[DJsAllie]

You cannot upgrade the hitch to increase your towing capacity. Your brakes, transmission, engine, and frame are all designed for a certain load.

Roadmaster, Blue Ox, and Demco are the major manufacturers of towing systems. Many Jeep owners have changed the bumper to a stronger bumper designed so the towbar attaches directly to it. Do you need a brake for the Jeep? Yes, and that is a big yes. You not only need a brake but also a breakaway brake. Why? Most states make it illegal to tow without a braking system.

The Blue Ox system we have on our Jeep Wrangler is fantastic, but costly. We have Class A diesel pusher, they installed the system with a separate smaller air tank to handle brakes for Jeep. It can be hooked up and unhooked within 15 minutes easily by one person. The system, I think, was called Air Force One? We had a professional install it and cost of everything was around $8,000, but don't think we'll be replacing either unit in a long, long time so it was worth it.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

We usually have the box trailer with motorcycles behind the Class A, but since my wife bought a 2021 Wrangler (manual transmission), I am considering setting it up to flat tow.
Putting it in the box trailer would overload my hitch on the RV, but the trailer can handle the weight.
I am curious about the tow bar setups out there. Some are quite expensive. Do I need the Jeep brakes?
Would it be smarter/cheaper to upgrade the RV hitch for more weight and use my existing box trailer? The box trailer has electric brakes.

Thanks for your help.

Regardless of cost, you will find flat towing so much more convenient (as long as you don't have to back up with the toad attached). Finding a site long enough to accommodate your Coach trailer and the Jeep will be more difficult too. And as Texas Clodhopper mentioned, it's probably not possible to beef up your hitch.

We use Blue Ox and a Brake Buddy. Love the Blue Ox but not so thrilled with Brake Buddy. I just don't like how it sits against the driver seat base. We are now towing our third Jeep and would never go back to a dolly or trailer.

Darrell

 

[Buster]

We have the Blue Ox tow bar and the Air Force One setup. I can hook up and check everything in less than 10 minutes. As others mentioned, not cheap. I installed an aluminum bumper with the integrated tow hooks from Rock Hard 4x4 and installed the wiring harness. Had a local shop install the Air Force One as I wasn't comfortable tackling that one.

If you have air brakes on your Class A, this is a good setup. If you don't have air brakes, check into one of the other braking systems.

If you stay with any of the top rated units, you'll be fine. Not something where you want to pinch penny's. Good luck with your decision.