Planning to Flat Tow

docsouce wrote:
I have a 2020 Jayco 26XD Class C just my wife and I.. I would like to start acquiring the equipment I need to flat tow a vehicle. First of all I need to pick up a vehicle. I'm looking at a 2015 or so Jeep Patriot 4x4 with a manual transmission. Weight 3200/3300 lbs. I'm not zeroed in on this vehicle but it looks like the weight and the manual trans is not limited by distance or speed according to the 2015 "Guide to Dinghy Towing". Opinions please. After that I need to pick up the equipment, tow bar etc. I have no idea what I need. I see items listed but I rather get my information from here on what works best. Example: all terrain tow bar vs regular tow bar, brake assists on and on. I'm not going off road but we boondock all the time. We are going on an extended road trip in early June to Sept. and hang out in the desert southwest, then north to US2 east to home. I'm thinking I might come across some of the tow equipment I need used from the folks we meet on the road. As always I appreciate your advise. And again, I'm very flexible on a vehicle to tow.

Whatever you decide on (I'm all Blue Ox, RV dealer installed, pricey, very happy with it, works well) think about adding some way to charge the towed's battery if you go with a Patriot. It requires the key to be in the ACC position (probably to free up the steering?) and it will probably deplete your battery, unless the Patriot manual suggests otherwise, like adding a battery disconnect, or fuses to be pulled. Another reason for a charging method is auxilliary towed braking power. At that weight, most jursidictions will require it (insurers, too) and unless it's entirely mechanically operated, it will also draw some 12V DC power from your towed. My Blue Ox Patriot II 2016 braking unit draws 2A-3A when activated, but only milliamps when idle.