Items and Costs to Equip Diesel Pusher Motorhome to Flat Tow an Automobile  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

Safe and legal flat towing requires a few components: the tow bar, safety cables, base plates and a lighting/wiring kit for the toad, and a supplementary braking system to operate the toad's brakes. Each of these items is reviewed in detail in the linked article.

Tow bars are not vehicle-specific but we do suggest using a tow bar and base plate from the same maker to avoid the need for adapters. Base plates are vehicle-specific so you'll need to confirm the year/make/model/version of the new auto in order to select base plates.

For the 2015 Cherokee Trailhawk we offer three options in base plates from Blue Ox and Roadmaster that can be seen using the link at right. Roadmaster offers their EZ5 Base Plate Kit # RM-521446-5 that will work well with their motorhome-mount Falcon 2 Tow Bar # RM-520. For safety cables I suggest # RM-643 which are a coiled design and that are shown in the linked video.

For lighting there are many types of products available, from hard-wire diode kits to easy-to-install magnetic light kits like the Optronics # TLL21RK shown in the linked video.

For a supplementary braking system I suggest the Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Proportional Braking System # RM-9400. I have linked a video showing installation in a Cherokee.

In terms of pricing you can see the cost for each item by clicking on the product links provided.

You'll want to check your potential new vehicle owner's manual to confirm it is approved by the manufacturer for flat towing. If the you're looking at Cherokee has 4 wheel drive or the Active Drive II system, to maintain the vehicle's stable steering while being flat towed you will want to install the Mopar accessory kit 68321424AB, available from your Jeep dealer. This kit will prevent the Cherokee's steering from shaking while being flat towed.

expert reply by: Adam R

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