|
02-21-2020, 02:22 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: California
Posts: 443
THOR #2526
|
Flat towing JT
Ordered a Jeep Gladiator. And wondering if anyone else has flat towed it. What base plate and wiring kit did you use? TKS.
__________________
2016 Thor Axis 25.3 w/ 2011 2dr Wrangler in tow
Demco tow bar with Patriot braking
Bigfoot Automatic Levelers.
|
|
|
02-21-2020, 03:24 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: S.O.B.
State: California
Posts: 1,368
THOR #3483
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baddad53
Ordered a Jeep Gladiator. And wondering if anyone else has flat towed it. What base plate and wiring kit did you use? TKS.
|
Congrats Baddad53! Our SOB only has a hitch rating of 5000 pounds and the Glad would not fit in the garage so we went with a JLUR. We will be getting the Blue Ox set up. If you go to their web site it will give you all the parts you need. Congrats again and maybe we will cross paths in the future. What color Gladiator did you order?
__________________
|
|
|
02-21-2020, 11:40 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Brand: Jayco
Model: Precept 31UL
State: Tennessee
Posts: 148
THOR #14508
|
I'm in the process of switching over our tow system from our Xterra to our new (to us) '18 Wrangler JLU. I have a Demco Commander tow bar, Demco baseplate, and the Invisibrake system. Luckily, all I needed to order was the baseplate and wiring kits for the lighting and Invisibrake. Nice thing about the Demco baseplate is the connection tabs that are really nicely tucked away under the bumper and have tabless twist-lock removable arms that stay on the tow bar.
Mickey
__________________
|
|
|
02-21-2020, 03:48 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: California
Posts: 443
THOR #2526
|
The color is called Gobi. It's a light brown. We have Desert ( lighter brown) on current JK. It never looks dirty. I have a demco set up now. Like it. The Jk is a Sahara. The new JT is a Rubicon. So was concerned about the base plate affecting the approach angle , not that I would do any rock crawling. I am getting the steel front bumper and going see if I can attach links directly to the bumper. And hookup that way where you normally have d links.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MRichaud
I'm in the process of switching over our tow system from our Xterra to our new (to us) '18 Wrangler JLU. I have a Demco Commander tow bar, Demco baseplate, and the Invisibrake system. Luckily, all I needed to order was the baseplate and wiring kits for the lighting and Invisibrake. Nice thing about the Demco baseplate is the connection tabs that are really nicely tucked away under the bumper and have tabless twist-lock removable arms that stay on the tow bar.
Mickey
|
__________________
2016 Thor Axis 25.3 w/ 2011 2dr Wrangler in tow
Demco tow bar with Patriot braking
Bigfoot Automatic Levelers.
|
|
|
02-21-2020, 04:50 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: California
Posts: 443
THOR #2526
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baddad53
The color is called Gobi. It's a light brown. We have Desert ( lighter brown) on current JK. It never looks dirty. I have a demco set up now. Like it. The Jk is a Sahara. The new JT is a Rubicon. So was concerned about the base plate affecting the approach angle , not that I would do any rock crawling. I am getting the steel front bumper and going see if I can attach links directly to the bumper. And hookup that way where you normally have d links.
|
Talked to Demco, they said I need base plate but that it comes with new skid plate. Part # 9519339.
__________________
2016 Thor Axis 25.3 w/ 2011 2dr Wrangler in tow
Demco tow bar with Patriot braking
Bigfoot Automatic Levelers.
|
|
|
02-21-2020, 04:55 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E. 27.2
State: Indiana
Posts: 1,873
THOR #14698
|
I am jealous (drools) as Jeep owner for the past 20 years me thinks the Gladiator is a total beast! Just had the Cherokee in for service and was in and out of the one in the showroom. What’s the advertised curb weight?
__________________
2018 ACE 27.2
Toad 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain Towbar
Roadmaster Invisibrake
|
|
|
02-21-2020, 09:34 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: California
Posts: 443
THOR #2526
|
6400 or 6700 sorry we looked at the sticker to make sure my E450 could tow it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJC62
I am jealous (drools) as Jeep owner for the past 20 years me thinks the Gladiator is a total beast! Just had the Cherokee in for service and was in and out of the one in the showroom. What’s the advertised curb weight?
|
__________________
2016 Thor Axis 25.3 w/ 2011 2dr Wrangler in tow
Demco tow bar with Patriot braking
Bigfoot Automatic Levelers.
|
|
|
02-21-2020, 09:40 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Model: Challenger LX
State: Arkansas
Posts: 192
THOR #6651
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baddad53
6400 or 6700 sorry we looked at the sticker to make sure my E450 could tow it.
|
Wow, that’s heavier than I would have thought. I’ve been thinking I’d rather have the Gladiator than my 2017 JKU, but not sure I’d want to be towing an extra 2,000 lbs over the JKU.
__________________
|
|
|
02-21-2020, 09:46 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.3
State: California
Posts: 443
THOR #2526
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TxTig
Wow, that’s heavier than I would have thought. I’ve been thinking I’d rather have the Gladiator than my 2017 JKU, but not sure I’d want to be towing an extra 2,000 lbs over the JKU.
|
I had to think a while on JT or JL because of the weight. But we need a truck (it's bed) and don't rock climb only trail. I am getting 9 mpg towing the Jk Sahara 2door. I know I'm going to take a hit. Also the Rubicon weights more than Sport or Overland ( Sahara on JL).
__________________
2016 Thor Axis 25.3 w/ 2011 2dr Wrangler in tow
Demco tow bar with Patriot braking
Bigfoot Automatic Levelers.
|
|
|
02-21-2020, 11:17 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: S.O.B.
State: California
Posts: 1,368
THOR #3483
|
Towing JT
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baddad53
The color is called Gobi. It's a light brown. We have Desert ( lighter brown) on current JK. It never looks dirty. I have a demco set up now. Like it. The Jk is a Sahara. The new JT is a Rubicon. So was concerned about the base plate affecting the approach angle , not that I would do any rock crawling. I am getting the steel front bumper and going see if I can attach links directly to the bumper. And hookup that way where you normally have d links.
|
I almost bought the aluminum lightweight bumper for our JL that had towing tabs for the Blue OX set up. I read in Jeep material (owners manual) that they did not recommend doing any towing with anything attached to the bumper. I have seen others do it with the Rockhard brand bumper but I thought the towing tabs were minimal as far as size compared to how Blue Ox attaches its faceplates to the rails of the front frame which are extremely beefy. Make sure you do your homework. Don't want to take any chances with a rig like you about to tow.
__________________
|
|
|
02-21-2020, 11:49 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
State: California
Posts: 134
THOR #14070
|
I’m in the process of deciding and shopping for the right set up to tow my new JT. The cutting of the front skid plate to accommodate the Blue Ox tow bar has me bummed. Good to see someone offering a pre-cut replacement (mentioned above).
Also mentioned above is FCA’s warning to not flat tow from a bumper. This is absolutely true. The weak point is the four-bolt frame horns, where a bumper mounts, those cannot take the stress.
Most aftermarket bumpers mount only to those, which is why towing from them is a no-go, even if the bumper has tow points. A couple of manufacturers make bumpers that mount to the frame horns AND to the frame. If a bumper mounts this way, it will be good to use for flat towing.
If you can find a winch plate that mounts to both the frame and the horns, and mount the new bumper over that, it makes sense that it would flat tow safely.
I love the factory steel bumper and want a winch and want to not lose approach angle, which is why my decision is taking forever. I’ll probably end up with an aftermarket bumper - if I can find one that doesn’t look obnoxious.
__________________
|
|
|
02-26-2020, 08:42 PM
|
#12
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 48
THOR #15490
|
Congrats on the JT that said I have a JLUR i had a base plate from blue ox... not good if planning on rocks at all... I took off the baseplate and got a towable bumper from smittybilt and frame tie in brackets from LOD and got my approach angle back as the baseplate was already bent from the first time in the rocks with it
__________________
|
|
|
02-27-2020, 01:59 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1 KC's Big Box
State: Kansas
Posts: 2,171
THOR #3510
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baddad53
Ordered a Jeep Gladiator. And wondering if anyone else has flat towed it. What base plate and wiring kit did you use? TKS.
|
If you have not done so...contact Blue Ox...or visit their site...since the Gladiator (love it ) ...is relatively new, you might want to reach out to Blue Ox customer service directly for advice on setup.
__________________
Ron & Kay n KC too !
2001 Scamp 13'
'KC's Little Box'
Jeep Wrangler TJ
|
|
|
03-04-2020, 02:57 AM
|
#14
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: hurricane 29m
State: Arkansas
Posts: 88
THOR #7095
|
Flat towing JT
[ATTACH]
I went with the road master direct connect base plates. They tuck up really tight to the factory skid plate. I did have to trim skid plate which was a PITA but worth it IMO.
Road master sterling tow bar
Patriot wireless brake.
I wired the Jeep with 4-wire to just plug in magnetic lights.
__________________
|
|
|
03-05-2020, 12:24 AM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1 KC's Big Box
State: Kansas
Posts: 2,171
THOR #3510
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by axis earl
I almost bought the aluminum lightweight bumper for our JL that had towing tabs for the Blue OX set up. I read in Jeep material (owners manual) that they did not recommend doing any towing with anything attached to the bumper. I have seen others do it with the Rockhard brand bumper but I thought the towing tabs were minimal as far as size compared to how Blue Ox attaches its faceplates to the rails of the front frame which are extremely beefy. Make sure you do your homework. Don't want to take any chances with a rig like you about to tow.
|
We have the Blue Ox baseplate on our Wrangler..it tucks in nice and neat and, as you said, bolts to the frame..no issues...
__________________
Ron & Kay n KC too !
2001 Scamp 13'
'KC's Little Box'
Jeep Wrangler TJ
|
|
|
03-05-2020, 12:33 AM
|
#16
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: hurricane 29m
State: Arkansas
Posts: 88
THOR #7095
|
Flat towing JT
Adding a few more pics to show wiring and front clearance.
[ATTACH]22813
[ATTACH]22814
[ATTACH]22815
__________________
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|