Towing a Jeep Wrangler 2015 jk

[Sullyd59]

What is the Best /easiest tow set -up for a 2021 28z ? Is it worth the 3-4 thousand dollar investment.

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by Sullyd59

What is the Best /easiest tow set -up for a 2021 28z ? Is it worth the 3-4 thousand dollar investment.

Ready brute elite 2 is easy and works great. Been using it for the past 5 years with my 2016 wrangler. I never take a trip without my jeep

Jerry

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Sullyd59

What is the Best /easiest tow set -up for a 2021 28z ? Is it worth the 3-4 thousand dollar investment.

Only you can determine if a tow setup is worth the money to you. Different setups have been discussed hundreds of times on the forum. Use the search feature and read away.

[Sullyd59]

Thanks

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

Only you can determine if a tow setup is worth the money to you. Different setups have been discussed hundreds of times on the forum. Use the search feature and read away.

Agree!

If you are "self installing", look up different options and prices for your situation. Compare how they work... read reviews. There's MANY options... and with minor differences, they all work the same way.

If someone is doing the install for you, ask them what they recommend and why.

The biggest differences are usually related to the braking system. But again, they ALL accomplish the same end result - just by different methods.

[Sullyd59]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

Agree!

If you are "self installing", look up different options and prices for your situation. Compare how they work... read reviews. There's MANY options... and with minor differences, they all work the same way.

If someone is doing the install for you, ask them what they recommend and why.

The biggest differences are usually related to the braking system. But again, they ALL accomplish the same end result - just by different methods.

Any suggestions?

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by Sullyd59

Any suggestions?

The ready brute i suggested is an all in one tow bar and brake system. Ive installed two of them and it's an easy job on a jeep

[Chateau_Nomad]

I can tell you what I did... but my Wrangler is considerably different from yours.

I did the complete install/setup myself with the aid of my son.
I have a 2020 Thor Chateau 24F class C.
My tow vehicle is a 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport, 5 speed manual trans.
I've had the Jeep for a LONG time - I've kept it garaged and it only has a little over 60k miles. All stock.

Tow Bar
Blue Ox BX7365 Alpha 6,500lb ($650 Amazon)
Includes safety cables
Craigslist - new in box
$300

Vehicle Base Plate
Blue Ox BX1120 Baseplate
Etrailer.com - free shipping
$410.60

Auxiliary Braking System
Roadmaster 8700 Invisibrake Hidden Power Braking System
Includes breakaway cable
Amazon - free shipping / free returns
$840

Light Wiring
Roadmaster 15267 All-In-One light wiring kit
Coiled power cord
Wire
4 diodes
Amazon - free shipping / free returns
$130.44

Light Socket for Towed Vehicle
Blue Ox light socket BX294-0902
Compatible with Blue Ox Baseplate mounting
Etrailer.com - free shipping
$12.95

Brake Light Relay
Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit
Amazon - free shipping / free returns
$33.06

Plus misc. items... Liquid Electrical Tape, wire crimps, heat shrink tubing, etc.

I also installed an on/off toggle switch inline with the Invisibrake... so there's absolutely NO power to the Invisibrake when not towing.

Doing the math you can see I had less than $2k doing this myself. BUT - different towed vehicles require different hardware, so costs will likely vary somewhat.

Obviously basic tools, mechanical skill and some 12-volt automotive electrical systems knowledge is essential. I believe I spent something like 5 days (off & on) working on this project... I'm no "spring chicken", which requires pacing myself! Besides, I took a lot of time inventing new and exciting cuss words every time I busted a knuckle or cut myself!

By doing it myself, I KNEW every wire was run neatly and properly and connections were solid. The bonus is that if there are ever any issues, I know how it was done - which makes troubleshooting a breeze.

There's my project in a nutshell... now dig in!

EDIT: Looks like a few vendors have "conveniently" raised their prices in the last year. But still, the above would not be much over $2,200 or so. Look around for the best price... use caution buying used items - ESPECIALLY the tow bar & base plate. Mine was NEW in box - I found it on Craigslist.

[The Mr Beaumont]

You can also go with a front bumper that has "towable D-ring mounts". I have the https://www.smittybilt.com/product/index/261.htm .


My Blue Ox attaches right to the bumper with the help of an A-Dapter kit. I've towed my Jeep for 9000 miles behind the RV in the last year. Other than not being able to back up very far, no complaints.

[The Mr Beaumont]

Oh yea, when you splice into the JK brake wiring so the Jeep brakes turn on when you hit the RV brakes, make sure you do so on the Passenger side. This will allow the 3rd brake light to turn on with the tail lights. I didn't and haven't gotten around to changing it.

[Sullyd59]

Thank you everyone for the great info. I’ve got a a few months til spring, I like the idea of the brute elite 2 with the surge brakes . Big cost savings over the patriot brake . Any pros or cons with the brute elite?

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by Sullyd59

Thank you everyone for the great info. I’ve got a a few months til spring, I like the idea of the brute elite 2 with the surge brakes . Big cost savings over the patriot brake . Any pros or cons with the brute elite?

Easy install, life time warranty, ease of use, no brake unit to install, remove, or store from inside your jeep, no electrical or air pressure to operate brake. imho the entire set up is a Pro

Only con I have found in 5 years of use is the cable attaching to the brake pedal broke. Went to home depot to buy new cable and installed it at the campsite in 15-20 minutes. The cable does require crimps to secure the cable around a metal horse collar. The home depot guy used the crimp tool to crimp for me, saving me the $35 for the tool. A friend has the tool so I made up 2 more cables in case it ever breaks again. Costs about $8 for the cable and all the parts to make. Ready Brute charges $20 plus shipping

[Sullyd59]

Sounds great !

[chunker21]

I towed a 2012 short Wrangler behind an Itasca DP for several years and used the Blue OX base plate and tow bar. Hopkins wiring for the Jeep and a M&G brake system. Itasca had air brakes so that system won't work for you.

As far as "is it worth $3-4K"? If having a towed vehicle isn't important then no not worth it. If like most, yes it's worth it because that's what a system will cost. Avoid buying a bunch of used parts, tow bars, etc. because you won't know if they have been damaged in a wreck or such.

[The Mr Beaumont]

I use the Patriot. It works as advertised and works well with the Jeep as the Jeep has a hot plug in the center glove box.



Make sure the tow bar is level. You don't want the tow vehicle to ride up on it during a panic stop. I had to use an offset to get the tow bar higher and cut down / drilled new holes to get the vehicle closer to the RV bumper.



One mod I did that pays off is switching to pins with large handles on them. You won't regret that.



https://www.blueoxtowbars.com/produc...roducts%20(new)


https://www.blueoxtowbars.com/produc...er_Pin,BX88358


I feel better using the well known / respected tow bars as you will at some point back up a little till the Jeep gets in a bind to get an extra 5 or 10 feet to make a turn. It's not ideal at all, but happens. I guarantee that you'll get into that situation. I would image that there is a lot of stress back there in that scenario.

[Pete'sMH]

I also used a drop hitch to make my tow bar level. But I don’t entirely understand the concern. If the towed has a properly adjusted braking system it should be stopping apace with the coach in a stop. I can feel mine “pulling” sometimes which suggests that the towed actually is stopping harder than the coach.

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

I also used a drop hitch to make my tow bar level. But I don’t entirely understand the concern. If the towed has a properly adjusted braking system it should be stopping apace with the coach in a stop. I can feel mine “pulling” sometimes which suggests that the towed actually is stopping harder than the coach.

6" drop hitch for me

[Sullyd59]

Thanks to all ! Great information!

[chunker21]

A couple of weeks ago I picked up the Omni at the Ford dealer after the steering repair and forgot to install the RVi brake. Seemed to be handling differently when I realized my error. Definitely could tell that I was not getting any help braking from the Ram truck. Note to self, hook up brake. Fortunately just a 20 mile drive so I took it easy and slow.

[Sullyd59]

Thanks to all ! Great information!