Recommended Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL or JL Unlimited

Question

Question:

I have a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL with factory bumper, what will I need to tow it behind a motorhome?

asked by: John

0

Expert Reply:

For your 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL, I recommend starting with the Roadmaster EZ5 Base Plate Kit # RM-521453-5. This kit has removable arms to give you a very clean look when not flat towing your Jeep, and also gives you a clean connection to your tow bar when towing behind your motorhome. I recommend installing this base plate using Loctite threadlocker # LT37420 to keep your hardware from vibrating loose over time.

For your tow bar, I recommend the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar w/ LED Lights # RM-676. This tow bar comes with the integrated safety cables and the wiring to link your motorhome's 7-way trailer connector to a 6-way connector on the front of your Jeep. You may want to consider the tow bar cover # RM-055-3 for a clean storage when the tow bar is not in use whether attached to your motorhome or not. I've attached a video to show this function.

Then for your vehicle wiring, I recommend the Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit # RM-154 which will connect to your factory wiring and then to the 6-way socket provided with your tow bar. The diodes will help protect your factory wiring while giving you a very clean look and function at the back of your Jeep.

For your supplemental braking system, I recommend the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO # SM99251 which is a really nice system that once installed becomes plug and play. There is only adjustment needed at initial installation. If you have air brakes in your motorhome, then I recommend the SMI Air Force One Supplemental Braking System for Motor Homes with Air Brakes # SM99243. This is a very similar system that utilizes an air hose to connect the vehicles and will still apply your Jeep brakes at the same time and with the same intensity as you hit the brake pedal in your motorhome.

If you use the electric braking system versus the air brake system, then you will also need the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit # RM-751490. This kit activates your RV monitoring system to alert you when the brakes of your towed vehicle are being applied so you can ensure everything is functioning correctly.

I also recommend installing the Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles # RM-156-25. This will install between the 12V power wire on the 6-way socket at the front of your Jeep and the Jeep battery's positive terminal. That will allow your motorhome to provide a maintenance charge on your Jeep battery when towing it.

Finally, you will need a high-low adapter for your specific connection. I've attached an article and have linked the page to all your options to further assist.

expert reply by: Jason S

0

Dennsi

5/23/2020

Great articles and recommendations. These will be purchased in the next month. It looks something like a day and a half project plus after work beer. Is there any break in buying it all at once?

Reply

Chris R.

5/26/2020

I wish we had all-in-one kits for these components available, but all the pricing will be as-is for the various parts. You're about right for the full install time and please do remember to take beverage breaks.

Reply

Paul

1/2/2021

@ChrisR @Jason S. Hi guys thanks for all of the great info. With a 2021 Jeep Wrangler unlimited - I would like to add a warn which to the factory mopar Jeep steel front bumper as well as one of your flat tow packages. After watching numerous videos, I’m having a hard time determining If a warn which kit is compatible on the factor steel bumper with one of your suggested flat tow setups. Can you help me determine what setup would work?

Reply

Jon G.

1/7/2021

@Paul Do you have a way to mount that directly to your steel bumper or do you need a special mount for that (I thought you did). I tried looking on the Warn site for a winch mounting kit specific for your 2021 Wrangler Unlimited but I wasn't able to find anything. If you can tell me what you have in mind I can look into that a little more.

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See All (6) Replies to Dennsi ∨

Answer 1

Great question! From what I could find in the owner's manual for a 2015 Fiat 500 (looking both at the Recreational/Flat Towing and Emergency Towing procedures) it does look like you need to keep the steering wheel unlocked while flat towing.…

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Answer 2

The reason you can't use the stop light circuit of the trailer wiring on your motorhome is because that circuit also carries the blinker signal. You have to find a dedicated stoplight circuit and that is why the install instructions recommend you…

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Answer 3

In order for your Blue Ox Alpha to work with the Roadmaster EZ4 Base Plates, part #RM-523160-4, you need an adapter like part #RM-032. In addition to the tow bar and base plates, you will need a system to join the tail lights of the motorhome to the…

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Answer 4

4WD models of the 2021 Jeep Wrangler are not able to be dolly towed so I recommend flat towing your 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport. To flat tow your Wrangler you'll need a tow bar, tow bar wiring kit, base plate, braking system, and safety cables. I…

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Answer 5

In order to determine if the Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles part #RM-156-25 will charge your vehicle's battery with the tow vehicle off you simply need to test the 12 volt power pin in the 1 o'clock position on the…

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Answer 6

The Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Motorhomes #RM-156-75 uses a 12 gauge wire and circuit breaker to route to the positive battery post in your motorhome and the number 4 pin in the included 7-way photo. The Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit…

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Answer 7

The base plate kit I recommend for a 2018 Jeep JL Wrangler Unlimited is the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit part #RM-521453-5. I have actually installed this kit myself on a similar Gladiator model and it went pretty smoothly. The hardest…

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Answer 8

Yes, the Blue Ox base plate kit part #BX1126 does fit your 2018 Jeep JK Wrangler Sahara. This also fits the standard Blue Ox base tow bars: Acclaim, Adventurer, Aladdin, Allure, Alpha, Ambassador, Avail, Aventa, and Trion tow bars You didn't…

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Answer 9

Most commonly with Jeep Wrangler the hitch extender part #13432 does the trick as it adds 8 additional inches to the hitch tube. But that will depend on the bike rack you have and how much clearance your setup calls for. You should note that hitch…

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Answer 10

The Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System - Proportional #SM99251 is going to be connected to your vehicle's battery to be powered which will drain your vehicle's battery. To keep the battery charged while towing you can…

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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

I spoke with my contact at SMI and he advised not to install the Stay-IN-Play DUO #SM99251, which you referenced, under the seat but to install it on the toe kick per the installation instructions. He said it will not work if placed under the seat…

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