Jeep Tow Bar

Topic: Jeep Tow Bar (Read 953 times) previous topic - next topic

Jeep Tow Bar

June 18, 2013, 07:17:16 pm

We are currently shopping for a Wrangler towed. One salesman told me today that I should get the Jeep Tow Bar to go with the new Wrangler. He said they are superior to the Blue Ox, etc. He said they are made for the Jeep, blah , blah.
Has anyone used the Jeep Tow Bar?
OH

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #1 – June 18, 2013, 08:54:31 pm

Get the tow bar that is made to mate with your towing system. I recommend etrailer.com for towing parts and accessories. When we needed a new front plate and tow system for our new Wrangler, we were told by several suppliers (including Jeep and Camping World) that the part was backordered for at least 6 weeks because it was such a popular vehicle. Etrailer has a huge warehouse system and had ordered many of the item we needed, anticipating a big demand. I had it in less than a week. We have ordered towing systems, receiver hitches and other accessories from them ... great customer service and great phone access.

<www.etrailer.com>

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #2 – June 18, 2013, 09:34:12 pm

Get the blue ox or the roadmaster. They are made to work with the motorhome. I have pulled my jeep 300K miles with the blue ox tow setup. I am looking to get a new baseplate now too.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #3 – June 18, 2013, 10:42:07 pm

Doesn't the Blue Ox baseplate hide much better than Roadmaster when not towing? Just remove two small round 'inserts'. To hide Roadmaster baseplate, a whole lot of metal has to be removed and stored somewhere.

Blue Ox baseplate can be used with Roadmaster towbar if one already has or desires the towbar.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #4 – June 19, 2013, 05:56:15 am

I use a Roadmaster set up (tow bar stays with the jeep) not quite sure I have heard of a "jeep" tow bar.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #5 – June 19, 2013, 10:12:16 am

Quote from: bbeane – June 19, 2013, 05:56:15 am

I use a Roadmaster set up (tow bar stays with the jeep) not quite sure I have heard of a "jeep" tow bar.

Neither have I. The base plate that is specific to each vehicle is what we have purchased from etrailer ... the Jeep dealer did not have one in stock as they do not carry towing set-ups, and they do not manufacture it specifically ... the tow people do. I have not seen them in aftermarket catalogues, either. Dunno what the guy is trying to tell you, Old Hippie.

We also do not worry about "hiding" anything. The equipment just kind of blends in with the front of the Jeep, which is a very utilitarian sort of vehicle, anyway. We do NOT have a Grand Cherokee, however ... we have a Wrangler Sport / Sahara type.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #6 – June 19, 2013, 10:29:58 am

At some point in the past, Mopar made a tow bar. Looks like it stayed on the Jeep and you used a hitch ball on the motorhome. The hits I found for it were for back in '07, though, and were primarily for a recall (vehicle could become detached).

The Mopar online catalog is challenging to search and I haven't had any luck finding info on any current offering.

Blue Ox and Roadmaster specialize in towing; Mopar does not.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #7 – June 19, 2013, 02:55:17 pm

Thanks forum people.
I do not have a towing system yet but I have always leaned towards the Blue OX set up.
My 2002 U320 has an air line quick dissconnect and a single wire at the receiver hitch. The wire is separate from the regular plug in.
Do ya'll think the air line is from the coach air brakes and is used for proportional stopping of the towed? I am not sure what the single wire is for; maybe to keep the towed battery charged?
The Jeep "expert" at Allan Samuals Jeep in Waco also had not ever heard of needing auxillary braking for a Wrangler.
Still looking....
OH

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #8 – June 19, 2013, 03:09:20 pm

Quote from: Old Hippie – June 19, 2013, 02:55:17 pm

My 2002 U320 has an air line quick disconnect and a single wire at the receiver hitch. The wire is separate from the regular plug in.
Do ya'll think the air line is from the coach air brakes and is used for proportional stopping of the towed? I am not sure what the single wire is for; maybe to keep the towed battery charged?

Can you post a photo? It sounds like it *could* be a connection for an M&G system (toad would need to have parts installed).

Quote

The Jeep "expert" at Allan Samuals Jeep in Waco also had not ever heard of needing auxillary braking for a Wrangler.

Jeep "expert" but certainly not a recreational towing expert. No surprise - like any auto dealer he sells cars, not toweds/toads

-M

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #9 – June 19, 2013, 04:45:07 pm

I have a tow bar that bolts to the towing tangs on the front bumper of my Wrangler (*NOT* your standard front bumper). The bar stays with the Jeep and hooks to the trailer hitch on the RV (or pickup or whatever). These used to be very common on Jeeps but I haven't seen many of them in recent years.

It's somewhat of a PITA in that it stays there on the Jeep and has to be secured UP. But an advantage is that no one knows you're not in your motor home but out driving the toad.

Harbor Freight sells something similar for $80 or so that is rated to 5,000 lbs. I have not tried it but reviews indicate that lots of people have, successfully.

Wranglers (at least from the "TJ" series - mid 90s - onward) have a unique ignition key system. There is a start position... then one click counter-clockwise is stop but not locked. I can pull the key out at both of these positions (yes, even while running - like to unlock the glove box). Then there is the "locked" position where you push the little button in and move the key one more click ccw. This is where you can pull the key out on most cars. Then there is the "accessory" positon for listening to the radio, etc. Very handy for towing!

Craig

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #10 – June 19, 2013, 04:49:31 pm

It seems to me that more states than not require auxiliary braking systems for towed vehicles over 3000 lbs. I am guessing that sooner rather than later it will be standard everywhere.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #11 – June 20, 2013, 05:51:26 am

The rigid tow bars that bolt to the jeep and fold straight up are a PITA to hook up by yourself, one would be much happier with a folding tow bar from Roadmaster or Blue ox. The air fitting is likely for an M&G air activated brake system. As far a Towed brakes, JMHO that towing something that weights as much as a vehicle needs an auxiliary brake system legally required or not, and if you need to stop in a hurry it helps with the pucker factor.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #12 – June 20, 2013, 06:50:41 am

We can also ASSUME the air chuck might work with the Air Force 1 system.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #13 – June 20, 2013, 07:15:59 am

Most states require brakes on trailers but not on towed vehicles. The simple reason is for the towing industry. Imagine if you have to have your car towed and they had to install a brake. Many of the states though do have performance requirements and you have to stop within so many feet. I am not saying a tow brake is bad but there have been issues with them. I was at MOT hen a guy pulled in with smoked brakes from an air force one system installed by air force one. they sent someone over to look at it and gave him all new rotors and brakes and reinstalled the system. One of the international presidents burned up his car's brakes and rotors with a tow brake. Most require a brake light to be on before activating. On our MH the retarder activates the brake lights so you have the brake light and retarder on and then you rjeep is trying to stop your coach as well. I think they have to be set very well an a proportional system is the only one that we should use on our retarder coaches. The tow brake industry has done a great job convincing many people they need one when it is doubtful that they need it. I will say that inmy born free towing my wrangler I would most definitly have a brake system of some kind. The one time I towed it without it was an eye opening experience yet I pulled that wrangler 300K miles with FTs and no hiccups. I know in my current coach you can add another 7K pounds inside without going over the GVW so I am well within stopping distance requirements when i tow. Now that said I am getting a new baseplate for a blue ox on my new overland grand cherokee. No more Yellow Wrangler but I kept the why hike on it. I will look to getting another wrangler in a couple years. I might want to get that diesel version when they come out and will look to get it from AEV. They make some of the greatest jeeps lifts and builds I have found.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #14 – June 20, 2013, 02:41:45 pm

Have the AF1, does not drag the brakes when driving normally, I checked to see if it was possible to reduce te amount of brake effort applied, only noticeable in slow stop & go, as you apply slight brake air pressure, you can feel the toad braking ahead of the coach.
Not real happy but there is no heating of any wheels normally.
Did ask at MOT, SAID no adjustment, thought a pressure reducing regulator would help installed on the line between coach & toad, never dud it yet, but think of it.
Has not been any issues and other wise seems to be very good.
YMMV

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #15 – June 20, 2013, 03:13:42 pm

On my M&G no braking with the retarder. The only time the brakes are applied are when the foot pedal (air pressure) is applied, then the braking between the coach and the jeep seem to be seamless. Had the system on 2 diffrent Wranglers no excessive brake ware

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #16 – June 20, 2013, 06:25:13 pm

The M & G and Air Force one are proportional braking and are the only type that should be used on our coaches. The pendulum version are accidents waiting to happen. The AF one can still malfunction as the owner at MOT found out. I find that I have enough stopping ability and choose not to use a brake. To each their own though.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #17 – June 20, 2013, 07:11:44 pm

We have a brake system from Tow Brake International. http://www.viprv.com/towbrake/towbrake.cfm#how It is electric and only applies brakes during a hard stop. "Hard stop" is adjustable. Pressure on the brake pedal of the Jeep is adjustable as well. It came with the coach and Jeep when we bought them as a package. I adjusted the sensitivity a bit, but left everything else as it was when we bought the coach.

I can feel the brake activate on a hard stop. I can observe when the brake motor is activated by looking at the red light on the controller at the driver's position. I have used the retarder on some steep hills. I've never seen the Jeep's brakes activate except when using the coach's service brakes during a hard stop.

It takes a few minutes to install or remove the brake actuator. It is not nearly as "neat" as some of the newer brake systems. However, it is paid for, works well, and hasn't broken in the three years we have owned the rig.

It appears from records that Smitty's RV & Welding in Houston installed the Roadmaster tow equipment and the Tow Brake. SMITTY'S RV & WELDING: HOME PAGE I think all was installed in 1997 and all still works.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #18 – June 20, 2013, 08:12:40 pm

Quote from: John S – June 20, 2013, 06:25:13 pm

The M & G and Air Force one are proportional braking and are the only type that should be used on our coaches.

Roadmaster makes a proportional braking system - Roadmaster Brakemaster. It is not nearly as convenient as the 2 mentioned above but it activates via the coaches air system only. Using the retarder does not engage the towed brakes.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #19 – June 20, 2013, 09:24:40 pm

Just got me thinking , our coach came with a road master tow bar , air connection next to tow bar and red light on dash ??
We have a 2000 jeep wrangler , that I would need to fit a base plate , what's do I need to do for brakes ??

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #20 – June 20, 2013, 10:19:01 pm

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – June 20, 2013, 09:24:40 pm

what's do I need to do for brakes ??

I like the KISS", keep it simple system" - ReadyBrake Supplemental Brake System for Towed Vehicles - NSA RV Products. I really don't like electronics controlling things that can be controlled mechanically! If you do some research, you will find the Ready Brake system to be well proven and highly reviewed.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #21 – June 20, 2013, 11:27:13 pm

The ready brake is the one I want. I have the little Tracker and feel like the extra braking would be nice but just haven't pulled the trigger yet. I don't notice a difference with the Tracker in tow.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #22 – June 21, 2013, 11:37:24 am

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – June 20, 2013, 09:24:40 pm

Just got me thinking , our coach came with a road master tow bar , air connection next to tow bar and red light on dash ??
We have a 2000 jeep wrangler , that I would need to fit a base plate , what's do I need to do for brakes ??

The red light on the dash board is for a air actuated braking system made by Remco. When the brakes come on in the car, the red light will go on. The Remco unit is an air cylinder that mounts between the floor of the car and the brake pedal. It clamps on the brake pedal and the other end mounts to a small post on the floorboard. Look opposite the brake pedal for a small post near the driver's seat on the floorboard. There also should be a air connect near this area.

Re: Jeep Tow Bar

Reply #23 – June 21, 2013, 02:33:51 pm

Quote from: Steve and Anna Lindemann – June 21, 2013, 11:37:24 am

The red light on the dash board is for a air actuated braking system made by Remco. When the brakes come on in the car, the red light will go on. The Remco unit is an air cylinder that mounts between the floor of the car and the brake pedal. It clamps on the brake pedal and the other end mounts to a small post on the floorboard. Look opposite the brake pedal for a small post near the driver's seat on the floorboard. There also should be a air connect near this area.

Same exact setup for the Roadmaster Brakemaster.

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