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

tropical36
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

When in doubt and also receiving multiple opinions, Just look around the highways and campgrounds, like you would for anything else and see what's used the most. In the case of flat towing, you'll see adjustable tow bars as the overwhelming majority.
This is the way to go in my opinion and with the least amount of mods to the the toad..... READYBRUTE/ELITE
I used a Demco base plate on my JK Wrangler for toughness, ease of mounting and it looks good as well.
DaHose
Explorer
Oct 08, 2013
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
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Oct 07, 2013
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
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Oct 07, 2013
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.
mowermech
Explorer
Oct 07, 2013
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.)
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Oct 07, 2013
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

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Help finding a hitch to tow a Jeep

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