Parts Needed to Tow 1999 Jeep Cherokee With School Bus
Question:
Hello. Alright well the time has come and I need a set up for flat towing a 4x4 99 jeep cherokee. I have a 40 99 Thomas re school bus and I know skoolies are getting more popular so maybe you will have a trailer hitch ready to go. Not sure what information or pictures/measurements you will need but there must be something out there that will not require weilding. Please let me know what etrailer has and can do. Thanks
asked by: Dusty K
Expert Reply:
We do have some hitch solutions for you, but they'll need to be welded in place in order to install them, as none of the universal fit hitches we offer can be bolted on.
What you'll need to go with is a universal-fit hitch designed for a service body truck, and in order to choose the correct one, you'll need to measure the needed drop, which is the vertical distance between the underside of the frame member and the lowest point of the rear bumper. You'd then choose the hitch with a drop greater than the measurement you took so the receiver tube clears the back bumper.
For instance, for a 3 inch drop, use # C97CR which fits frame members from 18-43.88 inches apart. For a 7 inch drop and frame members up to 60 inches apart, use # 41991-07. For a 9 inch drop and frames up to about 42 inches wide, use # C47CR. Or for a 16 inch drop, use # 41991-16 which is for frames up to 60 inches wide.
To flat tow the Cherokee, you'll need a tow bar, base plates, safety cables, a taillight wiring harness, a supplemental braking system and possibly a high/low adapter if the installed height of the base plates has greater than a 3 inch height difference from the height of the hitch on your school bus.
For a tow bar, I'd recommend the Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain, part # RM-522. The Falcon All Terrain tow bar is non binding and will self center so you don't need to have the Cherokee perfectly lined up behind the tow vehicle when you're hooking up. For base plates, use # 1418-1 and # RM-643 for safety cables.
For a wiring harness, use # RM-15267. For a braking system, I really like a portable system like the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR. Once you know the height difference between the base plates and the hitch, you'll need a high/low adapter if the height difference is +/- 3 inches. I'll link you to our selection of adapters as well as to some product videos for some of the parts I recommended.
Products Referenced in This Question
Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Hitch Pin Attachment
- Roadmaster
more information >
Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- Recurring Set-Up
- Portable System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Air Over Hydraulic Brakes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Blue Ox
more information >
Curt Class 5 Universal Weld-on Hitch w/ Brackets - 2" Receiver - 44" Wide
- Heavy Duty Receiver Hitch
- Weld-On
- 18 - 44 Inch Wide
- 1600 lbs TW
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Class V
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 9 Inch Drop
- CURT
more information >
Curt Class 5 Universal Weld-on Hitch w/ Brackets - 2-1/2" Receiver - 62" Wide
- Heavy Duty Receiver Hitch
- Weld-On
- 18 - 62 Inch Wide
- 2000 lbs TW
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Class V
- 2-1/2 Inch Hitch
- 9 Inch Drop
- CURT
more information >
Roadmaster Falcon All-Terrain Tow Bar - Non-Binding - 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
- Non-Binding
- Roadmaster
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Splices into Vehicle Wiring
- Diode Kit
- Universal
- Tail Light Mount
- Roadmaster
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Article: Best Vehicles to Flat Tow Behind an RV
- Article: Roadmaster Vehicle Specific Base Plates
- Article: Must-Have Flat Towing Components
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Q&A: Choosing Between the Brake Buddy Select 3 and the Blue Ox Patriot Supplemental Braking System
- Article: Flat Towing Package for 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL and JL Unlimited
- Article: Tow Bar Wiring: Which Wiring Kit is for You?
- Q&A: Is The Curt C96JR Tail Light Kit Compatible With A Brake Buddy Brake System?
- Q&A: What Is Needed To Safely Flat Tow A 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500
- Q&A: Rear Sway Bar and SumoSpring Kit for 2011 Itasca Cambria to Improve Handling
- Q&A: Does Blue Ox Base Plate Kit part # BLU85CR Have Safety Chain Connection Point
- Q&A: Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2024 Ram 1500 Behind Motorhome With Roadmaster Tow Bar
- Q&A: Can a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox Front Wheel Drive Be Flat Towed With all 4 Wheels On The Ground?