Flat Towing my RIG - Simplest Install? Economical? WON'T Damage my Jeep?

[Happy Waver]

So, I'm taking a family vacation between jobs. Planning (trying to figure this out first) to rent a Class A Motorhome and TOW my daily driver Jeep Gladiator Rubicon.
I've got a Warn Zeon Platinum 12s Winch installed on the OEM Steel Rubicon Bumper.
I would like to use the Blue Ox Tow Bar (Planned RV has one) but need to prep my rig for it.

I've never flat towed anything.
I'm RENTING this RV so I don't want to go too deep into buying parts/installs.
I'm leaving in just over 2 weeks.
I need help.

Things considered:
Auto Trailer - BUT $75 a day w/speed limit of 55 is going to make this 16 day trip slow and more expensive.
Since I have a Warn Winch Base Plate - Could I just add some Tow/Recovery Points (Below)? But I use my skid plates and install seems involved...

RECOVERY POINT - 102370


Thoughts?

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[Sprinkler-Fitter]

First thing to consider is make sure the rental RV lets you tow something with the RV, a couple of them I have rented do not let you tow anything

 

[Prescottmojave]

You're going to run into several issues with your plan. First off, most Class A gas motorhomes are only rated to tow 5K. You need to find one that has a higher tow capacity.

Second, you will need a tow harness, braking system for the jeep, etc. $2000 plus.

Trailer would be cheaper unless you plan on doing this more than once.

Good luck.

 

[Happy Waver]

First thing to consider is make sure the rental RV lets you tow something with the RV, a couple of them I have rented do not let you tow anything

Good call, I've started each conversation with the owners with that request.

 

[Happy Waver]

You're going to run into several issues with your plan. First off, most Class A gas motorhomes are only rated to tow 5K. You need to find one that has a higher tow capacity.

Second, you will need a tow harness, braking system for the jeep, etc. $2000 plus.

Trailer would be cheaper unless you plan on doing this more than once.

Good luck.

No doubt there are lots of issues with my plan if you can call it that.
Trying to figure out all the possible ways this goes wrong and if I can magical piece it together.
Hopefully followed by more similar but shorter trips in the future (assuming fuel prices start going back down!)

 

[LostWoods]

No doubt there are lots of issues with my plan if you can call it that.
Trying to figure out all the possible ways this goes wrong and if I can magical piece it together.
Hopefully followed by more similar but shorter trips in the future (assuming fuel prices start going back down!)

Renting a tow dolly is probably your best bet. Hell you can probably buy one for less than the braking system that would legally be required for the Jeep. But yeah as was mentioned make sure you get something rated to tow as much. You can get away with a lot more since tongue weight isn't really a concern but most motorhomes are near their limits on their own.

 

[Prescottmojave]

You cannot use a tow dolly for a Gladiator per than manual. You may be able to remove the rear driveshaft and get away with it. The dolly also needs to have brakes. Some do not.

 

[Happy Waver]

Renting a tow dolly is probably your best bet. Hell you can probably buy one for less than the braking system that would legally be required for the Jeep. But yeah as was mentioned make sure you get something rated to tow as much. You can get away with a lot more since tongue weight isn't really a concern but most motorhomes are near their limits on their own.

Everything I'm reading says a tow dolly will not work with a gladiator?

 

[LostWoods]

Everything I'm reading says a tow dolly will not work with a gladiator?

Ah just did a quick google and apparently someone thought it was a good idea to tie the pump in the transfer case to the front driveshaft. So to dolly tow it would have to be backwards and that's a stupid as fuck idea.

So.... sounds to me like you're looking at a supplementary brake system because most rental Class A aren't going to have the tongue and tow capacity for what's at least 7-8k.

Otherwise you'll have to disconnect the rear driveshaft every time.

 

[Happy Waver]

Ah just did a quick google and apparently someone thought it was a good idea to tie the pump in the transfer case to the front driveshaft. So to dolly tow it would have to be backwards and that's a stupid as fuck idea.

So.... sounds to me like you're looking at a supplementary brake system because most rental Class A aren't going to have the tongue and tow capacity for what's at least 7-8k.

Otherwise you'll have to disconnect the rear driveshaft every time.

lol yeah. I'm not mechanically inclined... so zero percent chance I'm disconnecting a drive shaft on the reg.

 

[LostWoods]

Hold up that makes no sense... There's a FAD so the front driveshaft isn't turning unless in 4wd. It can't be on the input shaft because then you can't flat tow in 'N' so it has to be on the output assuming it's not just some immersion lubrication.

Now I'm wondering if this is just something Jeep has always included and continues to include but is actually not applicable in the real world. Haven't torn down a Jeep transfer case since I wrenched in the TJ days so maybe someone can chime in on the new ones.

 

[CrazyCooter]

Hold up that makes no sense... There's a FAD so the front driveshaft isn't turning unless in 4wd. It can't be on the input shaft because then you can't flat tow in 'N' so it has to be on the output assuming it's not just some immersion lubrication.

Now I'm wondering if this is just something Jeep has always included and continues to include but is actually not applicable in the real world. Haven't torn down a Jeep transfer case since I wrenched in the TJ days so maybe someone can chime in on the new ones.

Pretty sure the FAD gets locked even when t-case is in N. This is probably why they say you cant dolly tow it?

 

[LostWoods]

Valid point. Now I'm curious.

 

[berb]

I've been flat towing for about 12 years now. It is a big investment to flat tow a vehicle. You have to purchase the arms and tow plate as well as the wiring system to run the lights on your gladiator and unless you're real handy then pay someone to install everything on your Gladiator.

According to Google:
$600 for the base plate
$1,500 - $1,800 for the tow arms
$150 - $200 for the wire kit
$600 - $1,000 installation
$1,600 Blue Ox Patriot Breaking System
$4,450 minimal total investment
Wow this has gone way up since I purchased my set up about 3 or 4 years ago.

Then you have to pay the increase of the rental to go from a Gas to a Diesel Coach because the Gladiator weighs over 5,000 lbs. There are class As that have a 7,500 tow bar, but you better not go over any mountains because the gas coach will struggle.

You would be better off renting a full size crew cab pick up and travel trailer trailer.
Just curious have you ever camped before?
If you have not you definitely need to watch some you tube videos.
It's no fun when you have shit flowing all over you because you don't have a clue on how to work your sewer system. Yeah, that definitely happened to a guy at a campground I was staying at, I love camping, its the best people watching ever.

Good luck and let us know which way you decide to go.

 

[sarguy1941]

I've been flat towing for about 12 years now. It is a big investment to flat tow a vehicle. You have to purchase the arms and tow plate as well as the wiring system to run the lights on your gladiator and unless you're real handy then pay someone to install everything on your Gladiator.

According to Google:
$600 for the base plate
$1,500 - $1,800 for the tow arms
$150 - $200 for the wire kit
$600 - $1,000 installation
$1,600 Blue Ox Patriot Breaking System
$4,450 minimal total investment
Wow this has gone way up since I purchased my set up about 3 or 4 years ago.

Then you have to pay the increase of the rental to go from a Gas to a Diesel Coach because the Gladiator weighs over 5,000 lbs. There are class As that have a 7,500 tow bar, but you better not go over any mountains because the gas coach will struggle.

You would be better off renting a full size crew cab pick up and travel trailer trailer.
Just curious have you ever camped before?
If you have not you definitely need to watch some you tube videos.
It's no fun when you have shit flowing all over you because you don't have a clue on how to work your sewer system. Yeah, that definitely happened to a guy at a campground I was staying at, I love camping, its the best people watching ever.

Good luck and let us know which way you decide to go.

Re-Read his entire post. There is alot to do to tow the Gladiator safely. ? You can't do this in a week. If you have never flat towed a Jeep I'd just grab a trailer. I have towed for 20+ years (back in the days you wrapped a chain around the bumper to the tow bar). Alot has changed and supplemental breaking alone is gonna be challenging, let alone base plate, tow bar and wiring. Can it be done yes. But I'd recommend a trailer. Also as said if you have never camped before. Get on the RV Forums and start learning.

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