new towed vehicle - Jeep Wrangler
Well, for various reasons, we have decided to pull the trigger, and trade one of our older vehicles for a Jeep Wrangler. Wife and I both have always loved Jeeps, wanted to one day own one, and now we...
Forum Discussion
Update: Well, we got the Jeep Friday evening, and we love it. Very excited to start having fun with it.
Spent most of Saturday trying to figure out various things with it - Took hard top off briefly to see how that worked (too cold here to leave it off now, haha), figuring out how we could fit our bikes in the back. Then, went through the process of getting transfer case into neutral and out for towing. Will definitely take some getting used to, the whole procedure for putting transfer case into and out of neutral for towing.
We found that shifting from neutral back into 2H (two wheel drive), was extremely difficult first few times. About busted knuckles, because had to push soooo hard on shifter, then when it does go into 2H you can easily hit your knuckles on the dash. It seemed to get easier after first couple of times, so I wondering if this is one of those jeeps that never left the pavement or went out of two wheel drive its whole life, and transfer case was a bit stiff at first because of that? Is it normal for the transfer case to be so stiff and difficult to get out of neutral? Any tips on how to make that easier?
Also, we did not realize that with transfer case in neutral, and transmission in park (the way you tow), you cannot just start the engine. Have to shift tranny out of park before you can crank engine. Still trying to understand why that is, mechanically (can anyone explain that?). How are you Jeep owners avoiding making that (potentially catastrophic) mistake?
After thinking things through for probably way too long (haha), I've pretty well decided on the Blue Ox base plate, and a custom Hopkins wiring kit for the taillights. Also ordering a trailer tow kit and trailer hitch, and will set that up at the same time as we may occasionally use it tow small utility trailers. Will wire it like I have all other vehicles I've towed, in that the trailer tow kit will also be used to run a wire up to the 6 round connector up front and to the MH, to an indicator LED on the dash that comes on when towed vehicle's brakes are being applied.
Not sure if gonna wire a charge line to the battery like I've done on previous towed vehicles. Since ignition is off when towing the Jeep, only thing I'd think would draw on the battery would be the brake lights when brakes are applied. What are the thoughts there? Should I go ahead and wire in the charge line?
Anyway, thanks for all your input, please keep it coming. :)
Spent most of Saturday trying to figure out various things with it - Took hard top off briefly to see how that worked (too cold here to leave it off now, haha), figuring out how we could fit our bikes in the back. Then, went through the process of getting transfer case into neutral and out for towing. Will definitely take some getting used to, the whole procedure for putting transfer case into and out of neutral for towing.
We found that shifting from neutral back into 2H (two wheel drive), was extremely difficult first few times. About busted knuckles, because had to push soooo hard on shifter, then when it does go into 2H you can easily hit your knuckles on the dash. It seemed to get easier after first couple of times, so I wondering if this is one of those jeeps that never left the pavement or went out of two wheel drive its whole life, and transfer case was a bit stiff at first because of that? Is it normal for the transfer case to be so stiff and difficult to get out of neutral? Any tips on how to make that easier?
Also, we did not realize that with transfer case in neutral, and transmission in park (the way you tow), you cannot just start the engine. Have to shift tranny out of park before you can crank engine. Still trying to understand why that is, mechanically (can anyone explain that?). How are you Jeep owners avoiding making that (potentially catastrophic) mistake?
After thinking things through for probably way too long (haha), I've pretty well decided on the Blue Ox base plate, and a custom Hopkins wiring kit for the taillights. Also ordering a trailer tow kit and trailer hitch, and will set that up at the same time as we may occasionally use it tow small utility trailers. Will wire it like I have all other vehicles I've towed, in that the trailer tow kit will also be used to run a wire up to the 6 round connector up front and to the MH, to an indicator LED on the dash that comes on when towed vehicle's brakes are being applied.
Not sure if gonna wire a charge line to the battery like I've done on previous towed vehicles. Since ignition is off when towing the Jeep, only thing I'd think would draw on the battery would be the brake lights when brakes are applied. What are the thoughts there? Should I go ahead and wire in the charge line?
Anyway, thanks for all your input, please keep it coming. :)
