Flat Towing Vs. Using a Tow Dolly for Jeep Wrangler

Question

Question:

We have a Thor Miramar 35.2 RV and are looking to buy a jeep wrangler to pull behind it. My wife and are are at odds with how to pull it. She thinks a tow dolly is best, providing better steering of the jeep around corners/etc. I think the flat tow will provide adequate steering as well as it folds up for storage when not in use. Thoughts?

asked by: Alan J

0

Expert Reply:

Deciding between flat towing your vehicle with all four wheels down or using a tow dolly partly boils down to your preference and application.

For your Jeep Wrangler, I recommend going with a flat towing setup. This is going to be simpler to hookup/unhook once everything is installed, so it's a better option if you plan on towing the vehicle more than once or twice. Also, as you mentioned, flat towing won't leave you with a tow dolly to find storage for when you reach a campsite or whatever your destination might be. When all is said and done, both options will be roughly the same in terms of price. When flat towing, you will have no issue with steering or braking as long as you have all the necessary components installed.

I have attached an article on flat towing that breaks down all the various parts that will be needed like the Blue Ox Patriot braking system # BLU37TR. If you happen to know what year and model vehicle you will be getting, I will be happy to recommend all the parts you will need.

expert reply by: Chris R

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Mike C.

6/22/2020

Can a 2020 Jeep Wrangler automatic transmission 4wd be used on a tow dolly

Reply

Chris R.

6/25/2020

I checked the owner's manual for your 2020 Wrangler and it says that it CANNOT be towed on a dolly with either the front or rear wheels on the ground.

Reply

Hugh N.

5/6/2020

OK .. can see pros or cons for the two tow methods. Already towing a Honda CRV via dolly. Can a 2020 Wrangler 4 door be towed on a dolly? Yes or No? Thanks

Reply

Chris R.

5/8/2020

The owner's manual for your 2020 Wrangler states that the Jeep should NOT be towed using a dolly. The 4WD model can be flat towed though with all 4 wheels on the ground.

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James

9/1/2020

@ChrisR I know what your saying and have read the same thing. I’m assuming the issue with a dolly is the back driveshaft turning while the front is not. There’s nothing else that’s different as far as the driveline is concerned. I own a 98 Wrangler with Warn lockout hubs. Everyday driving has the rear driveshaft turning while the front is not. What’s the difference between my driving with lockout hubs and dolly towing?

Reply

Jon G.

9/4/2020

@James It sounds like those essentially work like a driveshaft disconnect. For other vehicles we have seen that it's okay to tow them using a dolly if the driveshaft disconnect is used so I'd imagine going that same kind of route for your '98 Wrangler would produce the same results. I always like to add that it's never a bad idea to double check this kind of stuff with your nearest dealer just to be on the safe side of things.

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See All (5) Replies to Hugh N. ∨

Answer 1

I do have the 2057 bulb you need but I cannot recommend you replace this with an 1157 bulb. The difference between them is power consumption which is why you will want to stick with a 2057 bulb, the Replacement Incandescent Bulb for Bargman Tail…

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Answer 2

To flat tow your Jeep Wrangler JK behind your motorhome, you will need a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, tail light wiring harness, and a supplemental braking system. Depending on the year of your Wrangler, you may also need a Brake-Lite…

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Answer 3

Our installers here prefer to install the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO #SM99251 on most vehicles, including Jeeps. It is one of the lower cost options but works very well and does not require additional accessories like most other systems. Once it is…

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Answer 4

From what I could find it looks like the correct Currie base plate kit for your 2008 Jeep Wrangler is part 9033JK. If this is what you will be getting then it is compatible with the Blue Ox Avail #BX7420, Alpha #BX7380, or Acclaim #BX4330 without…

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Answer 5

I would be happy to help you set your 2022 Jeep Gladiator for flat towing. You're going to need a base plate kit, a tow bar, tow bar wiring, supplemental braking system, protective screen, charge line, stop light switch, and a high/low adapter. I…

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Answer 6

We certainly do! If you live nearby, or will be traveling near the Wentzville MO area, we'd be happy to install a hitch for you. Give our Customer Service folks a call for an appointment or for more details.

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Answer 7

In order to connect the Optroncis Magnetic Tow Lights #TL21RK to the 7-way trailer connector on your RV you would need to cut off the 4-way on the lights and wire them in to the existing 7-way on your tow dolly (If there is one) or add a new 7-way…

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Answer 8

The Blue Ox Patriot Portable Braking System - Proportional #BLU37TR, uses a 12V powered remote that wirelessly connects to the 12V powered braking unit. This wireless remote has an inertia-based sensor in it that can sense the braking of the towing…

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Answer 9

I have personally installed the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit part #RM-521453-5 on a 2020 Jeep Gladiator and can confirm it is a rather easy install when compared to other base plate installs. If you have the Rubicon model then it will…

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Answer 10

That really depends on the length of cable that you need. If you only need 10 feet of cable the part #e98891 would be perfect. I can't imagine needing more than that so I would recommend this one. This is our most popular cable lock that we…

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Answer 11

On the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Truck models the steering wheel does not actually lock with the ignition in the off position, it just has a loss of power steering-which is likely what you're experiencing. Jeep removed the steering wheel lock from…

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Answer 12

The hidden design of the Curt hitch #C12184 is very appealing and since Draw-Tite actually doesn't have a hidden crosstube design for your 2020 Subaru Crosstrek I definitely recommend going with it over the Draw-Tite #36644. Curt has a great…

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Flat Towing Vs. Using a Tow Dolly for Jeep Wrangler

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