Parts Needed To Flat Tow 2016 Jeep Wrangler With Borrowed Falcon 2 Tow Bar
Question:
Hello, My father has a Roadmaster Falcon 2 hes using to tow his 2004 Honda CRV. Im trying to determine what base plate and other accessories I would need in order to ensure compatibility so that I can still use his tow bar on my Jeep. Will it require major configuration changes or will can I still use a lot of his existing accessories? Im new to this so any help would be great. I'm getting a quote here in Houston for a base plate, invisibrake, and all the wiring and labor for a total of $2900. If I could utilize his SMI it would drop the price significantly but not sure if that's possible. I also want to ensure that when I'm done using the tow kit that he can still use the setup for his CRV so maybe that is a reason why I shouldn't swap out the SMI system into the jeep
asked by: Tom C
Expert Reply:
The only parts you need to purchase to use your father's Falcon 2 Tow bar to flat tow your 2016 Jeep Wrangler 75th Anniversary is a baseplate, magnetic lights and and possibly a braking system and high low adapter.
I recommend Roadmaster Base Plate part # 1444-1. This Roadmaster Base Plate works with your father's Falcon 2 Tow Bar and any safety cables he may have. The other Roadmaster Base Plate for the Jeep does not fit certain safety cable connections.
I recommend magnetic lights Optronics part # TL21RK for the lights. The magnetic lights plug into a 4-way flat on the motorhome to allow the towed vehicle lights to illuminate when the motorhome's lights illuminate. These lights do not require splicing into the Jeep wiring system so there is not any labor involved.
If your father has an SMI Delta Force part # SM99242 it is a portable braking system so you can take it from his Honda CRV and use it in the Jeep. You just have to add a second vehicle kit to the Jeep part # SM99249 if you are towing with the same motorhome that he tows with. The Second Vehicle Kit comes with the wiring you need for the vehicle side of the Delta Force setup. The wiring for the motorhome side is not sold separately.
If he has the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO part # SM99251 for hydraulic brakes it is not designed to be switched from vehicle to vehicle because it is a hardwire install. There is not a second vehicle kit available for the Stay-N-Play setup.
If he has the Stay-IN-Play DUO or you are towing with a different motorhome than him, you have two style options for braking systems. You can go with a portable braking system or a hardwired one time setup braking system.
The Roadmaster InvisiBrake part # RM-8700 is the best, most cost effective option available for a one-time setup. It wires in the vehicle and includes an actuator box that is tucked away beneath the front seat of your Jeep. There is more labor involved with the installation of the InvsiBrake. It is also a preset system which means you set the braking intensity during installation. A preset system brakes the towed vehicle with the intensity that you set it too. It does not sense the intensity of the motorhome's braking and match it.
I recommend a portable proportional supplemental braking system, The Roadmaster Even Brake part # RM-9400 if you are not going to be towing the Jeep all of the time. It is a bit more expensive than the InvsiBrake but requires less wiring. The transmitter box of the Even Brake wires to the brake light circuit of the vehicle and the portable brake box sits in the floorboard of the vehicle. It is designed with an arm to depress the brake pedal when the motorhome brakes. It is considered a proportional system because the Jeep's brakes are activated at the same time and with the same intensity as those in your motorhome. To install the Even Brake you do need a 12V plug that can handle 20 amps of power part # RM-9332.
The last thing you may need is the high low adapter to tow the Jeep level with the motorhome. If your setup happens to be level without an adapter you may not need one. You also may be able to use your father's high low adapter depending on how much drop or rise he needed to tow level with the motorhome. Measure from the top of the opening on the motorhome's hitch to the ground. Then measure from the center of the Jeep's front bumper to the ground. If the Jeep's front bumper sits higher than the motorhome's hitch you need a rise. If your motorhome hitch sits higher than the Jeep you need a drop. The difference between the higher measurement and the lower measurement is the amount of drop or rise you need. I have attached a link for the high low adapters we carry.
Products Referenced in This Question
Roadmaster InvisiBrake Flat Tow Brake System - Preset
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Pre-Set System
- One Time Set-Up
- Fixed System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- Recurring Set-Up
- Portable System
- Not Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Air Over Hydraulic Brakes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Roadmaster
more information >
Second Vehicle Kit for Demco Delta Force Flat Tow Brake System
- Accessories and Parts
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Second Vehicle Kit
- Demco
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 >
Heavy Duty Magnetic Tow Lights - 20' Wiring Harness with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Bypasses Vehicle Wiring
- Removable Tail Light Kit
- 20 Foot Long Harness
- Universal
- Magnetic Mount
- Optronics
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Hitch Pin Attachment
- Roadmaster
more information >
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