Equipment Needed for Flat Towing 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Behind Motorhome
Question:
Can a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4 x 4 5 speed automatic be flat towed behind an RV? If so is there any special setup required other than the obvious tow kit?
asked by: Rob
Helpful Expert Reply:
According to my research and what I read in an online copy of the owner's manual for your 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, your vehicle is capable of being flat towed without major modification. There are specific steps that must be followed addressed in the owner's manual and you'll need to follow them exactly to avoid damaging your Jeep.
To complete your towing system, you'll need base plates, a tow bar, safety cables, a wiring solution to operate the taillights of the Jeep as it's being towed, a supplemental braking system and possibly a high/low adapter.
For a base plate, the # RM-521448-5 you referenced would work fine, as long as your Jeep isn't a Hard Rock model. For a tow bar, you can't ever go wrong with the Roadmaster Falcon 2 # RM-520. The durable tow bar self centers,aligns and locks so you don't have to have the Jeep perfectly lined up behind the tow vehicle in order to hitch everything. You'll also need safety cables like part # RM-643.
To wire the Jeep for towing, I'd recommend the Hopkins plug and play taillight wiring kit, part # HM56200. For a supplemental braking system, I really like the Stay-IN-Play DUO, part # SM99251. Once it's installed you flip a switch to activate it each time you tow and it doesn't have to removed each time you want to drive the Jeep either. The only catch is the initial install is a bigger process than some other systems.
When the tow bar is installed, you'll want the towbar to be within 3 inches of level. The base plates will be 14.75 inches off the ground when installed (assuming stock ride height and tire size), so depending on your hitch height you might need a high-low adapter. You'll need to determine the height difference between the hitch on your RV and 14.75 inches and then choose the proper high-low adapter to place the tow bar within 3 inches of level. I'll link you to our selection of high-low adapters.
I've also linked you to some helpful FAQ articles and install videos featuring some of the products I've recommended.
Products Referenced in This Question
Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Plugs into Vehicle Wiring
- Wiring Harness
- Custom
- Tail Light Mount
- Hopkins
more information >
Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Steel
- 6000 lbs
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Crossbar
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Direct Connect
- Stores on RV
- Standard
- Roadmaster
more information >
RoadMaster 68" Single Hook, Coiled Safety Cables - 6,000 lbs
- Safety Cables
- Coiled Cables
- 68 Inch Long
- 6000 lbs GTW
- Snap Hooks
- Coated Cables
- Roadmaster
more information >
Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- One Time Set-Up
- Fixed System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Demco
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Roadmaster
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Base Plate for Tow Bar
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Brake System
- Shop: Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Shop: Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Shop: Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
- Shop: Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Video: Hopkins Tail Light Wiring Kit Installation - 2016 Jeep Wrangler
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Front Mount Hitch
- Shop: Roadmaster Nighthawk All-Terrain Tow Bar w/ LED Lights - Non-Binding - RV Mount - 8,000 lbs
- Shop: Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Q&A: Recommended Flat Tow System for 2016 Jeep Wrangler JK
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Video: Best 2016 Jeep Wrangler Flat Tow Set Up Options SM99251
- Search Results: bx7335 tow bar aventa ii
- Article: Must-Have Flat Towing Components
- Video: Hopkins Tow Bar Wiring - Plugs into Vehicle Wiring - HM56200 Review
- Search Results: hm56200
- Video: Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit Installation - 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
- Video: Best 2016 Jeep Wrangler Trailer Wiring Options
- Q&A: Are Diodes Needed For the Flat-Tow Wiring Harness On a 2016 Jeep Wrangler
- Q&A: jFlat Towing 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited behind 2020 Holiday Rambler Motorhome
- Q&A: Installation of Roadmaster Brake Lite Relay on 2016 Jeep Wrangler JK for Supplemental Braking System
- Q&A: Supplemental Braking System Recommendation for a 2008 Jeep Wrangler
- Q&A: Is the Roadmaster Brake Lite Relay Required to Use Blue Ox Patriot on 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
- Q&A: Flat Tow Wiring Kit Recommendation for a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Sport
- Video: Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit Installation - 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
on Base Plates
Randi D.
8/8/2020
Do you have an idea of how much all of this towing equipment weighs? We are thinking of purchasing a 2016 Jeep Wrangler and it weighs 3,879 lbs. We can only tow 4,000 lbs behind our RV. I've tried to look up weights of all the items but I can't find anything about their weights.