|
07-13-2013, 01:56 AM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 8
THOR #343
|
Anyone Flat Tow a Jeep Wrangler?
I need to get the tow-bar and the connectors on the Jeep. I heard Blue Ox is good. Anyone have suggestions? I will be towing the Wrangler with a Thor Hurricane 29x.
__________________
|
|
|
07-13-2013, 12:46 PM
|
#2
|
Moderator Emeritus
Brand: Crossroads
State: Wisconsin
Posts: 669
THOR #124
|
I think any tow bar will do the job, it's just that some are nicer and more convenient then others. About 10--12 years ago I towed a Wrangler behind our mh with about as cheap a tow bar as was ever made. It work just fine.
__________________
|
|
|
07-14-2013, 02:28 AM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Brand: Crossroads
Model: CF32BL
State: Mississippi
Posts: 1,030
THOR #121
|
AHHHHH Haaaa Bard said you are cheap
__________________
|
|
|
07-14-2013, 11:09 PM
|
#4
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 8
THOR #343
|
I heard good things about Blue Ox, but it is a little pricier than some of the others. It folds nicely behind the RV and also comes with a cover.
I'll do some more research, and give a quick review after I buy one.
__________________
|
|
|
07-18-2013, 03:26 AM
|
#5
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 8
THOR #343
|
I'm leaning towards the Commander towbar, as it seems to have all the features I like at a reduced price. Will update as I go.
__________________
|
|
|
08-06-2014, 12:31 AM
|
#6
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Venetian
State: California
Posts: 15
THOR #917
|
I picked up a Blue Ox tow bar on Craigslist with all the goodies for $350.
I tow a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Blue Ox makes a great product!
__________________
|
|
|
08-11-2014, 05:14 PM
|
#8
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Florida
Posts: 20
THOR #934
|
Just got my Acme tow dolly and even after I asked the Jeep dealer if it would work (he replied yes), I found out that 2013 jeep manual says only tow flat or on a trailer. I have the tow dolly up for sale (at a loss, still in shipping crate) as it is non-returnable. Went with a Blue ox tow bar and brake system (cost twice as much). I hope this works, and no matter how much you look into something you can still get it wrong. Will update on how the flat tow bar works after the next trip.
__________________
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 10:16 PM
|
#9
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 32.1
State: Florida
Posts: 37
THOR #611
|
Go Smittybilt
I bought a 2001 Jeep Wrangler, spent $200 on a Scottybilt XRC bumper with D-Rings. Then I bought the Smittybilt tow bar for their bumpers. Total investment about $400.
I use it to tow the jeep behind our 30.1 ACE and it works perfectly. I was a bit worried about all the fancy stuff you can buy to tow a vehicle, and this seemed overly simple, but it felt solid, braking was just fine, and the Jeep tracks perfect. I love it.
Oh yeah, I also bought a $45 magnetic rear light system that sits on the rear bumper and has enough wire to reach the pig tail on the coach perfectly.
__________________
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 11:09 PM
|
#10
|
Moderator Emeritus
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2011 Four Winds 28Z
State: Michigan
Posts: 1,273
THOR #531
|
The big issue I suppose is convenience. Many people like the convenience of an adjustable towbar so they can connect the vehicle to the moho just by being close. The fixed towbars have to be precisely positioned to mate to the hitch.
This is a source of frustration for many, but the more convenience means a more expensive towbar.
Also, generally the towbar and baseplate must be the same brand, however, many companies make adapter knuckles and a few towbars for their competitor's baseplates.
I went with BlueOx, simply because I liked the baseplate better - and that predicated going with a BlueOx towbar.
Also, be mindful of the height difference between the towbar and moho hitch receiver. Different towbars have different allowable specificatoins. For example, some BlueOx towbars only tolerate a +/-3" height difference, while another model BlueOx towbar requires the moho to be 7" higher than the toad.
Generally though, for vehicle mounted towbars, the hitch coupler must be level.
This might mean one model towbar will require a drop receiver (which can cost over $100), while another model may not. So that could significantly impact the total cost of a towbar.
__________________
The only thing that works on a RV is the owner...
|
|
|
09-16-2014, 11:16 PM
|
#11
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 32.1
State: Florida
Posts: 37
THOR #611
|
Towing convenience
Ah so. I see.
It is a hassle to connect the Smittybilt up to the motorhome. When we owned a travel trailer, we went through the same thing. Gotta hit it on the nose, or drag the Jeep an inch or two.
With the wife watching and a backup camera, we get by pretty well but it is not an easy one man operation for sure.
__________________
|
|
|
09-17-2014, 11:28 AM
|
#12
|
Moderator Emeritus
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2011 Four Winds 28Z
State: Michigan
Posts: 1,273
THOR #531
|
When I used to have a 22ft boat, I never had any issue in backing up the pickup to align the coupler.
But I am not sure why this is so much different. Perhaps it's my age, perhaps it's something else.
The only thing I think that might help is those alignment sticks that magnetically attach to the hitch ball and coupler.
Who knew towbars were so complicated...
__________________
The only thing that works on a RV is the owner...
|
|
|
09-17-2014, 01:06 PM
|
#13
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 32.1
State: Florida
Posts: 37
THOR #611
|
I think it is the limited visibility and the long wheel base of a motorhome that makes small corrections an order of magnitude more difficult. The easiest way is to have the tow bar held by a handy helper, like a wife, then drive the Jeep to the rv ball rather than back the rv to it. To keep relations healthy, do this only when the jeep is close to the rv. I use a bungee cord to hold it up until I am ready and in position.
Or, you and I are both getting old.
__________________
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|