Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Behind 2013 Toyota Tundra

Question:

I need help deciding on a product. I plan on towing a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited behind a 2013 Toyota Tundra. I need to know what I need to accomplish this. There are few different models of the Falcon 2 tow bar. I am unsure which I would need. Also, the jeep has aftermarket bumpers with shackle points, so I know I would need the tow bar adapter. I also need info on brake light connections as well as chains or cables. Thanks.

asked by: Jonathan P

Expert Reply:

Flat towing a vehicle behind another vehicle takes a few components including the tow bar, safety cables, a wiring or lighting kit of some kind, and a braking system for the towed vehicle. Since you are not towing with a motorhome you may not need a high/low hitch adapter to keep the tow bar level and since your towed Jeep has an aftermarket bumper you may not need base plates.

You will want to confirm with the maker of the Jeep's front bumper whether that specific product is rated for flat towing applications. The presence of bumper D-rings in and of itself does NOT necessarily mean that the bumper is rated for towing; this is something to check first. Also note that some aftermarket bumpers may not allow simultaneous base plate installation. If your bumper is not tow-rated then you can refer to the linked page for base plates; the fit of base plates is affect by the specific brand and model of bumper so you can choose yours from the drop-down menu tool at the top of the linked page.

The most popular tow bar for towing a Wrangler Unlimited is the Blue Ox Alpha # BX7380 (rated for 6500-lbs) which comes with safety cables but coming in at number 2 is the Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar # RM-520. Both of these tow bars install in the 2-inch hitch on the towing vehicle, your 2013 Toyota Tundra.

For a wiring/lighting kit for the Jeep we have many options shown on the linked page and which you can read about in the linked article on tow bar wiring. These include hardwired diode kits, magnetic light kits and even wireless lights like # C6304 from Hopkins.

The braking system I recommend for the Jeep is the Blue Ox Patriot Portable Braking System # BLU37TR, which requires no invasive modifications for installation and which can be easily moved to another vehicle that you might need to tow. The linked video illustrates. This will use 12V outlet kit # RM-9332 to provide operating power.