Two of the most popular vehicles to flat tow are the Jeep Wrangler and the Wrangler Unlimited. How come? Maybe it's due to how easy the Wrangler is to set up for flat towing—maybe it's because we just don't like going without our Jeeps at our destination. Whatever the reason, we've done the hard work for you and selected the best flat tow products for your vehicle. Check out our custom pre-made packages below, or scroll down to learn how to piece together your own kit.
What Do I Need to Flat Tow My 2007-2018 JK Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited?Every flat-towed vehicle requires the same 5 components: base plates, a tow bar, safety cables, wiring, and a braking system.That said, there's plenty of variety in these products, plus additional parts that may be required for certain vehicles. Your Jeep Wrangler, for instance, requires either a stop light switch (2007-2011 and 2014) or a brake-lite relay kit (2012, 2013, 2015-2018). You can also purchase optional covers, screens, and guards to protect your vehicle and flat towing components from wear and tear.
We've hand-picked the best products confirmed to fit your JK Jeep Wrangler with a standard factory bumper (no winches or guards). Check them out below.
WHAT DO I NEED TO FLAT TOW MY JEEP?*Denotes required component1. * Base Plates2. * Tow Bars3. * Safety Cables4. * Tow Bar Wiring5. * Braking System6. Additional required or optional components, such as a *stop light switch, high-low adapter, and vehicle guard
Flat Tow Products
Base PlatesBase 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
Tow BarsThe 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.
Return to topTow Bar Wiring
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.
Supplemental Braking System
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.
Additional Components
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.