Flat Towing Package for 2007-2018 JK Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited
One of the most popular vehicles to flat tow is the Jeep Wrangler, including Wrangler Unlimiteds. These vehicles are easy to set up to pull behind your motorhome and are fun to drive once you reach your desination.
For complete flat towing setup on a 2007-2018 JK Wrangler or Wrangler Unlimited with a standard factory bumper, you will need a number of components, including base plates, a tow bar, safety cables, towbar wiring, and a supplemental braking system.
To flat tow your Jeep Wrangler JK behind your motorhome, you will need a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, tail light wiring harness, and a supplemental braking system. Depending on the year of your Wrangler, you may also need a Brake-Lite Relay, # RM-88400, (2012, 2013, 2015-2018) or a Stoplight Switch, # RM-751452 (2007-2011, 2014). For your base plates and tow bar, I recommend using the Roadmaster Direct Connect Base Plate Kit, # RM-521448-5 for 2010-2018 or # 1429-3 for 2007-2009...
Base plates are the custom-fit attachment points that install on the frame of your Wrangler and will allow you to connect a tow bar to your vehicle. This is the part of a flat towing setup that is truly vehicle specific and custom fit for a particular vehicle and style. These base plates are designed to fit 2007-2018 JK model year Wranglers and Wrangler Unlimiteds with standard factory bumpers that do not have winches or guards.
Installation: Requires Removal and Reinstallation of Rock Guard and Metal Bumper for Installation, Requires Some Minor Drilling, Requires Some Trimming of the Rock Guard
The tow bar is the next necessary component of a flat towing setup. Tow bars come in two styles: those that mount and store on the motorhome and those that mount and store on the vehicle. While tow bars are not a custom-fit component, it is important to make sure that the tow bar and base plates you choose for your Wrangler or Wrangler Unlimited are compatible with each other. A good rule of thumb is to use a tow bar from the same manufacturer as your base plate kit.
Safety cables are a necessary component of a flat towing setup. Keep the weight of your Jeep Wrangler or Wrangler Unlimited in mind when choosing safety cables, as safety cables come in a variety of capacities. Blue Ox includes safety cables along with their tow bars, making it easy to complete your flat towing setup, but they do offer replacement safety cables. Some Roadmaster tow bars include safety cables, but most do not. They offer a number of capacites and both coiled and straight cables to best work with your flat towing setup. The coiled design helps keep the safety cables from dragging the ground, while the straight cables work best with tow bars that have channels for the safety cables to feed through.
It is important for your Wrangler or Wrangler Unlimited to be wired for flat towing. Tow bar wiring allows your vehicle to have functioning stop, turn, and tail lights while being towed. To make sure your Jeep has functioning tail lights when towed, a custom-fit plug-in harness can be installed to use the existing lights, the Jeep can be hardwired to use the existing tail lights, or a universal lighting kit can be used to add additional lights to your Jeep specifically for towing.
Using a supplemental braking system, also called a tow bar braking system, helps make sure your towed Jeep slows down as your motorhome slows down. This helps reduce wear and tear on both your Jeep and your motorhome, as well as helps shorten the braking distance of your towing setup. It is also important to keep in mind that supplemental braking systems are required by law in many states. It is important to check the requirements for areas you will be traveling through.
To complete your Jeep Wrangler or Wrangler Unlimited's flat towing setup, there are a few additional parts that are needed. These components, such as 12 volt accessory outlets, brake light relays, and high-low adapters, work to make your flat tow setup function properly. Other accessories work to protect your Wrangler or Wrangler Unlimited from rocks and other road debris while your vehicle is being towed.
