Flat towing

[ourjeeps]

Well in some cases it is as the tail lights will send a wake up signal to the BCM, but I just tested mine key off waited 5 min and when the brake pedal is pushed the tail lights do not come on so when my RVI pushes the brakes hooked up all will work as it should.
Guess the Curt harness has diodes or something in it to kill the signal to the BCM when its sending the power not the Jeep..

CARYT --- The Curt harness does indeed have protective diodes in it to prevent any possible damage from RV lighting system to JT/JL lighting system.

From the Curt 58964 product web page https://www.curtmfg.com/part/58964 " Each harness features integrated block diodes. These diodes isolate the vehicle's electronics from the RV signals in a way that protects them from overheating and short circuiting. "

--> Happened to finish an install of this product today. Ran an electrical fish wire (18 feet of spring steel) through the drivers side frame front to rear, then hooked/electrical taped the 4-pin harness and wiring to prevent snags and separation from fish wire and pulled it forward. Used a large box frame opening hole at rear forward of rear bumper, and another large box frame hole forward just behind the driver's shock tower area. Surprisingly - no snags or glitches with fish wire/wiring harness runs, despite a few through frame bolts.

Used some 3/4" protective split loom material at frame entry and exit areas, and in engine bay from driver's front shock area to front bumper to prevent wiring damage. Was mindful to not expose wiring to hot exhaust pipe areas and in engine bay.

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[articcatbill]

I have been looking at wiring for Flat towing, my question is this: I plan to use the Blue Ox Patriot system for braking. If the Blue Ox is pushing the brake pedal it will illuminate the brake lights. But if the motorhome is turning at the same time then I will have the turn signal also coming from the motorhome. So is this an issue getting 2 signals at once? Or does the Curt somehow isolate out the brake signal from the Jeep? I know this issue can cause the lights to signal erratically on some vehicles.

 

[Kevin_D]

I have been looking at wiring for Flat towing, my question is this: I plan to use the Blue Ox Patriot system for braking. If the Blue Ox is pushing the brake pedal it will illuminate the brake lights.

My '21 doesn't illuminate the brake lights when my Brake Buddy depresses the pedal.

Kevin

 

[Rustynuts]

I just finished setting up my new 2025 Rubicon and I have used Cooltech harnesses in the past so I went to order one for the new Gldiator and questioned them on needing a charger or not when using the Ready Brute Elite towbar which actuates the brake pedal. They said starting in 2024, any time the brake pedal is actuated, the Jeep will exit sleep-state and start consuming power. So Cooltech recommends running a charger for the batteries. Cooltech sells a deluxe kit with the light harness, RVI charger and 7 pin to 6 pin cord and socket with great instructions. Now it is a simple flip of a switch under the seat between Jeep and Tow, when switched to tow, it totally isolated the tail lights from the Jeep and connects them to the Motorhome.

 

[berb]

I have always used blue ox for the tow plate and arms.

I currently have the Blue Ox Aventa tow set up with the Cooltech wiring harness.
I also use a 2" drop hitch to keep the arms of the tow hitch level.

 

[berb]

I have been looking at wiring for Flat towing, my question is this: I plan to use the Blue Ox Patriot system for braking. If the Blue Ox is pushing the brake pedal it will illuminate the brake lights. But if the motorhome is turning at the same time then I will have the turn signal also coming from the motorhome. So is this an issue getting 2 signals at once? Or does the Curt somehow isolate out the brake signal from the Jeep? I know this issue can cause the lights to signal erratically on some vehicles.

Your Jeep is off when flat towing, so the brakes will not illuminate.

 

[Rustynuts]

Your Jeep is off when flat towing, so the brakes will not illuminate.

Even with the Jeep off while flat towing, the brake lights still come on when the brake pedal is depressed…..

 

[articcatbill]

Even with the Jeep off while flat towing, the brake lights still come on when the brake pedal is depressed…..

Yes this is definitely correct, I tried it and they come on and override the turn signals. In the end I replaced the reflectors in the rear bumper with lights that included turn signals. I wired the turn signals to the wiring harness from the motorhome and used diodes so it doesn't feed from the Jeep. So they are now dedicated turn signals that only worked when flat towing.

Could have used the Cooltech system but really didn't want to cut into the factory harness if I could avoid it.

 

[lildev1972]

Just mounted my Rock Hard 4x4 bumper with Blue Ox attachments this week. Still have to finish up wiring the socket for lights but have the CoolTech wire harness installed and the RVi battery charger hooked up.

ANY issues with your Rock Hard 4x4 Bumper set up?

 

[RCott77]

ANY issues with your Rock Hard 4x4 Bumper set up?

None at all. Although the deal on my Class A fell through so I haven't had a chance to pull this thing around yet. The bumper is awesome, I have a winch mounted on it now as well as some additional lighting. The only thing I wish it had was some small cable retainers or points to attach the fog light wiring to. Other than that it's been great.

 

[lildev1972]

None at all. Although the deal on my Class A fell through so I haven't had a chance to pull this thing around yet. The bumper is awesome, I have a winch mounted on it now as well as some additional lighting. The only thing I wish it had was some small cable retainers or points to attach the fog light wiring to. Other than that it's been great.

Great to hear.... I am looking at the same company bumper for flat towing. Cant decide between that or the invisible base plate..... trying to have the cleaner set up and no impact to off roading.

 

[Labswine]

Yes this is definitely correct, I tried it and they come on and override the turn signals. In the end I replaced the reflectors in the rear bumper with lights that included turn signals. I wired the turn signals to the wiring harness from the motorhome and used diodes so it doesn't feed from the Jeep. So they are now dedicated turn signals that only worked when flat towing.

Could have used the Cooltech system but really didn't want to cut into the factory harness if I could avoid it.

To me it seems even simpler...just put light assemblies in where your reflectors go in the rear bumper then simply wire them (running new wires along the frame from the front to the rear) like you would a utility trailer. There'd be zero connection to the Jeep's wiring harness, and this way you get running lights, brake lights, and turn signals running from the flat4 connection on your motor home. They'll be powered through that connection so there's zero drain on your Jeep's battery.

 

[caryt]

CARYT --- The Curt harness does indeed have protective diodes in it to prevent any possible damage from RV lighting system to JT/JL lighting system.

From the Curt 58964 product web page https://www.curtmfg.com/part/58964 " Each harness features integrated block diodes. These diodes isolate the vehicle's electronics from the RV signals in a way that protects them from overheating and short circuiting. "

--> Happened to finish an install of this product today. Ran an electrical fish wire (18 feet of spring steel) through the drivers side frame front to rear, then hooked/electrical taped the 4-pin harness and wiring to prevent snags and separation from fish wire and pulled it forward. Used a large box frame opening hole at rear forward of rear bumper, and another large box frame hole forward just behind the driver's shock tower area. Surprisingly - no snags or glitches with fish wire/wiring harness runs, despite a few through frame bolts.

Used some 3/4" protective split loom material at frame entry and exit areas, and in engine bay from driver's front shock area to front bumper to prevent wiring damage. Was mindful to not expose wiring to hot exhaust pipe areas and in engine bay.

Just a FYI I used the Curt harness about $70 fit perfect and no issues at all.
I added a Curt 52204 I had to keep the battery fully charged towing.

 

[GAJeff]

I have been flat towing my 21 for about 2 years now with no issues. I have the factory steel bumper and did not like the look of the standard baseplates so I went with the maximus tow hooks designed for flat towing, the best part is now I have extra recovery hooks when I need them on the trails and look great. I also did not want to hassle with an electronic brake and went with the ready brute with surge brakes that pulls an aircraft cable to activate the brake pedal. It was not difficult to I stall at all. The best part is I have not elect brake to worry about screwing up, which I have seen happen. For lights I spliced in the cool tech harness and is very simple to flip the switch when in tow and if you forget to flip it back to jeep the jeep will tell you rear tail light not working..

I will try to snap some pics on Friday as I am out with the rig and heading back home to Ga Friday.


https://www.maximus-3.com/product-page/jljt-towing-kit-w-roadmaster--ready-brute--demco-adapters

 

[articcatbill]

To me it seems even simpler...just put light assemblies in where your reflectors go in the rear bumper then simply wire them (running new wires along the frame from the front to the rear) like you would a utility trailer. There'd be zero connection to the Jeep's wiring harness, and this way you get running lights, brake lights, and turn signals running from the flat4 connection on your motor home. They'll be powered through that connection so there's zero drain on your Jeep's battery.

I thought about this solution, the only issue is you would not have side marker lights when driving at night. Seemed dangerous especially in this day and age of distracted driving. Could rig up some side marker lights in the back but the curt solution worked well enough, only issue was turn signals when braking with LED lights.

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