Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara with Stock Bumper Behind an RV

Question:

Hi I want to setup my 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4 door Unlimited Sahara stock bumper to flat tow behind our class A RV. Can you send me specific part numbers I need. I want the Roadmaster invisbrake system. Roadmaster base plate, Falcon 2 Tow bar for sure. I think I need a wiring harness to operate the lights on the Jeep while being towed. I know the Invisibrake plugs into the RV hitch 4 pin connector to operate so what wiring harness for the Jeep turn signals and brakes do I need? I also need some safety chains, right? Basically send me a list of stuff to buy to make this work. I have an RV and a Jeep and I need everything else!

asked by: Melissa H

Expert Reply:

I will be happy to get you set up to flat tow your 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara behind your RV. Like you said, you will need base plates, a tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking.

Since you already know that you want to go with the Falcon 2 tow bar (fantastic choice) then for compatible base plates you can use # 1429-1. I have linked the installation instructions for you.

For safety cables you can use # RM-643. They have a coiled design that helps keep the cables off of the ground.

For lighting you have some options. I recommend going with either diode kit # RM-154 or bulb and socket kit # RM-155. The bulb and socket kit is a favorite of our installers because it is easier to install and it bypasses the vehicle wiring.

It does appear that you will need to disconnect the vehicle battery to flat tow your Jeep. Consult the owners manual to confirm. To keep a maintenance charge on the battery I recommend using a harness such as # BX88206 with the tow bar wiring you will be using so that you can run a wire from the connector at the front of the truck to the vehicle battery.

There are a couple of ways to do this. First, you can tap into the running light circuit in the tow bar wiring but to provide power to the battery the RV running lights would have to be on all the time. Or if the connector at the back of the RV has a working 12 volt circuit you could use that circuit instead.

Which ever way you choose you would just attach the wire to the appropriate corresponding pin at the back of the connector that will be at the front of the truck and the other end of that wire will go to the positive battery terminal.

The Invisi-Brake system is not recommended for your Jeep but a similar system that I recommend and that our installers indicate it easier to install is the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO proportional system, # SM99251. It will apply the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

Be sure to consult your vehicle owners manual for specific information on flat towing the vehicle. I have also included some helpful links to our series of help articles on flat towing for you.