My father-in-law has a 1998 TJ model Jeep Wrangler that we would be able to take with us as a Toad. We would be pulling it behind a 26', 1983 Jamboree.I see a number of different hitches and want to pick the right one. It looks to me like there are really two general options.The first is a basic A-frame fixed towbar. Those are as little as $70 off of ebay. Does anyone have practical experience using a fixed bar? We don't know how often we might tow the Jeep, but would like to be sure we can.The next step up looks like a telescoping a-frame type hitch. Anybody have that kind?Is having active brakes on the Jeep worth spending the extra $$$ it would take to get a hitch with integrated braking. Does anyone know a better option?In a nutshell, we don't intend to tow the Jeep regularly. However, the Jeep is the only vehicle we have access to that can be towed safely. As such, we would like a hitch setup to tow the Jeep that fits our needs and doesn't cost multiple thousands of dollars. Thank you all in advance for any help or useful comments folks.JoseMoved to Dinghy Towing forum from Towing.

my first tow bar was the telescoping a frame type, "rangefinder" was the model IIRC. it allowed some adjustment for hooking up. some folks like the simple cheap ones. I ended up with a Blue Ox Aventa II and would highly recommend one that stays on the rear of the motorhome and that has levers to release it. I used a Brake Buddy when I towed.bumpy

I have used for years, and still use, a fixed-arm adjustable width towbar on my Jeep. IIRC, I paid $145 many years ago. An updated model was available from Walmart the last time I looked, for $165. In almost 20 years of towing various vehicles (mostly Jeeps), it has been absolutely trouble free. As with so many things, some people swear BY them, some swear AT them. I am very happy with mine. With the right after-market bumper on the Jeep, it is quite easy to hook it up by myself. I do it often!IF I were ever to get a more expensive telescoping towbar, it would be the ReadyBrute towbar with integrated braking system. IMO, it is the ONLY system that makes sense. Relatively inexpensive, simple, mechanical (no magic electronics to malfunction and destroy the brakes on the towed vehicle), easy to install, adjust and repair (not that it needs repair all that often, VERY FEW trouble reports have been posted.)

My first toad was an 89 Chev Geo. I just went to a welder and had a fixed tow bar and brackets mounted. About $100. PITA to hook and un hook. Now use Blue Ox on my Jeep. Some states require toad brakes, other states don't. If you plan on crossing state lines I would get toad brakes. Total cost of setting up Jeep for me was about $2200. Under normal driving conditions for me my toad brakes rarely energize except stopping for a signal on a down hill freeway off ramp. However, I am legal.

WyoTraveler wrote: Under normal driving conditions for me my toad brakes rarely energize except stopping for a signal on a down hill freeway off ramp. However, I am legal.x2, but Mine also had a breakaway system. I'm still amazed at folks here who will spend $200,000 on a motorhome, $6,000 on FBP, and can't scrape up $1,000 for a safety feature.bumpy

Ok. Seems like a regular a-frame towbar should work for occasional towing of a Wrangler here in Ca. The simple ones seem to all look the same. How does everyone feel about this towbar setup, then?Towbar on ebayJose

Help finding a hitch to tow a Jeep | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
with a steady pull at highway speeds I have never heard rattling. I suppose if you were creeping along on a rutted dirt road that rattle would join all of the other ones. now when I was going thru the SD badlands on 240 there were run off dips in the road and every one of them produced a slam bam.
bumpy
DaHose
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
I had seen some comments about needing something like a quiet hitch to keep the whole hitch from rattling around and causing issues. I didn't buy a quiet hitch though. What I did was jam a thin piece of aluminum between the top of the receiver and hitch, then used a small set screw to secure the aluminum. Worked a treat and was made from scraps I had laying around.

Jose
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
I don't remember any of my tow bars rattling in use.
bumpy
DaHose
Explorer
Oct 29, 2013
I used the towbar setup for the first time last weekend with my 26' Jamboree and towing the 94 Wrangler. It worked GREAT!

The Stowmaster bar had no rattles, mounted easy, hitched up easy, self centered and didn't have any rattling in use.

I highly recommend the Roadmaster Stowmaster towbar.

Jose
DaHose
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
The towbar only came with a long, flat bar to permanently mount it to a flat surface.

I ordered these from etrailer.com.

Roadmaster/Stowmaster Quick Disconnects

They showed up in about 4 days and I mounted them up in about an hour. I just removed the flat Jeep bumper on our TJ, measured and drilled 4 holes, then bolted everything on and back together.

I am SUPER happy with the result, will enjoy the $400+ dollars I saved and thank everyone who offered input.

Jose
DaHose
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Thanks for the idea bumpy. I check HF and their tow lights are on sale for $20.

Then I looked on Amazon to find safety chains. I got a pair of 5000 lb. coated safety cables (6 ft. long) for $30 and packaged them with the same lights as HF for another $14.

So the bar with cables and lights comes to less than $100. That price tag suits me just fine.

Jose
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
harbor freight runs specials on their magnetic lights.
bumpy
DaHose
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Ok, everyone. I don't have pics. as I just got it home today, but I found someone an hour or so away that was selling a Towmaster self centering tow bar.

Why would I feel the need to drive an hour away to get it? Because it only cost me (drum roll please)..... $50. WOOHOO!!! Now I just need some safety chains and the tow lights.

Jose
DaHose
Explorer
Oct 08, 2013
Thanks for all the information so far. I am looking into a used telescoping unit, but it's really good to know that the "old school" fixed type works fine. I checked GVWR on a Wrangler and it's 4500 or so. Well within the 5000 rated of the entry level towbars.

With either option, I plan to get a ReadyBrake receiver. It just seems like a really good idea at a reasonable price.

Jose
mowermech
Explorer
Oct 08, 2013
DaHose wrote:
Ok. Seems like a regular a-frame towbar should work for occasional towing of a Wrangler here in Ca. The simple ones seem to all look the same. How does everyone feel about this towbar setup, then?

Towbar on ebay

Jose

That is VERY similar to what I have been using for many years.
It works.
Is it as convenient as a telescoping arm towbar? Absolutely not.
Every time I hook it up by myself, using the GOAL method (Get Out And Look), I think of the "inconvenience" of it, then I think about the $500 to $700 I saved.
For me, the money wins over the inconvenience every time.
But then, I am only a little over 70 years old. I suppose in 5 to 10 years my attitude might change! IF I am still alive, and IF I still have a motorhome!

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Help finding a hitch to tow a Jeep

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