I have a 2005 Jeep Wrangler and I'm looking to tow it four wheels down what all do I need and what is the best equipment?

Tow Bar, Base Plates, Braking System, Wiring, Isolation Diodes. As far as what is "best" everyone has a different preference.

Cfgrove99 wrote:I have a 2005 Jeep Wrangler and I'm looking to tow it four wheels down what all do I need and what is the best equipment?slightly too old to use the factory/Mopar towed vehicle wiring harness (82211156AB).you'll need something to enable the tail/stop/turn lights while towing....you can use magnetic lights (but theyre a pain the butt).there are a few alternative (including the installation of extra bulbs in the factory taillights)check out these tow-bar wiring options -HEREyou'll need some base-plates mounted to the Jeep (front) so you can connect a tow bar too....and don't forget the safety chains between the jeep & the coach.on Jeep PRIOR to 2009 (iirc) that have a steering wheel lock - you'll need to pull a fuse (under the hood) to disable the ignition & then you'll need to insert a key in the ignition & turn the key to the ON (aka unlocked steering wheel) position - while TOWING (to prevent the steering wheel & steer tires from locking / dragging thru turns).if you DONT disable the ignition you'll run the battery down (while towing).

Cfgrove99 wrote:I have a 2005 Jeep Wrangler and I'm looking to tow it four wheels down what all do I need and what is the best equipment?Well Sir, There's a dozen different styles/types of tow bars that would work. Part of your choice of which one to pick would be if you're the type that would like the tow bar to remain on the coach, when disconnecting from the Jeep. If not, there's the ones that remain on the toad and, they're removed with ease too. Stowmaster is one that comes to mind. You can find great deals on Tow bars, both kinds, on ebay and, in pretty darn good shape for a lot less than new ones. As for "base plates", well, lots depends on what kind of bumper you already have. If it's an Off road style, you can adapt tow bar brackets to that bumper and you're done. If it's a stock tin bumper, then you've got to go with that gaudy base plates that many companies offer. As for wiring, talk about easy. I've wired seven different Jeeps including one just like yours. All the tail light wiring runs right along side the drivers left calf. It's tucked under that door sill. All that's needed to be done is, expose that section of wiring, determine which wire is the left turn/brake, right turn/brake and, marker/running lights. You can "T" right into those at that area and, you don't need to get those fancy high priced "Diode kits" from RV supply houses. All you need is some Radio Shack heavy duty diodes. They run a whopping $4.00 for about 3 or 4. All that's needed is two. One for the left turn/brake and one for the right turn/brake. Then, "T" into the tail/marker lights and, you're done. It works absolutely flawless. As far as safety chains or cables, those too can be built into the brackets that are attached to the bumper. It's all pretty easy with that era Jeep. Questions? PM me and I'd be glad to assist. Good luck.Scott

I towed a 2005 Wrangler many miles. I used a Demco base plate; very easy and quick to install. I used the Ready Brute tow bar with the Ready Brake system; worked flawlessly over thousands of miles towing. I installed a second set of bulbs in the upper portion of each tail light. I used a commercially available trailer wiring harness to connect the lights to the wiring harness on the motor home.Ray

"if you DONT disable the ignition you'll run the battery down (while towing)."Not true on a 2005! 2006 and prior Jeeps had an "OFF, not locked" position in the ignition switch. THAT is the position the switch has to be in while towing (as noted in the Owners Manual).I towed a 2006 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited many miles with the switch in the "OFF, not locked" position.Since my son's 2003 Rubicon has that type switch, I'm fairly sure the 2005 does as well.

Towing 2005 Jeep Wrangler | Good Sam Community

mowermech
Explorer
Mar 25, 2015
Tom/Barb wrote:
mowermech wrote:

I have also been told that the steering wheel lock can be disabled on those Jeeps so equipped. I hear it is a very simple procedure, so there is no reason to keep disconnecting the battery.

I have completed this switch procedure, and the key can be left in the off position with the steering unlocked.

BUT

The wheels may lock back up when your front wheels pass thru the centered position and stay in that position while being towed.

Yes I have placed my Jeep on stands and tried it. it does lock.

If the lock pin is removed (the recommended procedure), the steering wheel can not lock.
Or, just buy a 2006 unit or a 2012 or later unit, and have no problem.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Mar 25, 2015
mowermech wrote:

I have also been told that the steering wheel lock can be disabled on those Jeeps so equipped. I hear it is a very simple procedure, so there is no reason to keep disconnecting the battery.

I have completed this switch procedure, and the key can be left in the off position with the steering unlocked.

BUT

The wheels may lock back up when your front wheels pass thru the centered position and stay in that position while being towed.

Yes I have placed my Jeep on stands and tried it. it does lock.
mowermech
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
Tom/Barb wrote:
chuckftboy wrote:
Mowermech is correct, there are no fuses to pull, just turn the key to unlock the stearing. You can leave the key in tht position without fear of draining the battery

Not so my 07. (JK) any position of the key will turn on the electrical, and the normal (on) is the only position that unlocks the steering.

I must place the key in the ON position and disconnect the battery.

Yes, as I understand it that is TRUE for 2007 and later.
That is why I specified "2006 and earlier".
That is also one reason why I would never buy a 2007 or later Jeep Wrangler for a toad.
I have also heard that sometime in 2009 Jeep quit using steering wheel locks, so there is no longer any problem about switch position.
I have also been told that the steering wheel lock can be disabled on those Jeeps so equipped. I hear it is a very simple procedure, so there is no reason to keep disconnecting the battery.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
chuckftboy wrote:
Mowermech is correct, there are no fuses to pull, just turn the key to unlock the stearing. You can leave the key in tht position without fear of draining the battery

Not so my 07. (JK) any position of the key will turn on the electrical, and the normal (on) is the only position that unlocks the steering.

I must place the key in the ON position and disconnect the battery.
Raymon
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
chuckftboy wrote:
I tow a 2006 Wrangler setup just like Raymon, even use the Demco towbar, very easy. Ran a set of wires and added 2 additional bulbs to the tail lights, Mowermech is correct, there are no fuses to pull, just turn the key to unlock the stearing. You can leave the key in tht position without fear of draining the battery

X2 Exactly. After many miles towing, I never once had the battery to discharge while towing.
JohnnyT
Explorer II
Mar 24, 2015
Moved from class A forum
2bzy2c
Explorer II
Mar 24, 2015
mowermech wrote:
"if you DONT disable the ignition you'll run the battery down (while towing)."

Not true on a 2005! 2006 and prior Jeeps had an "OFF, not locked" position in the ignition switch. THAT is the position the switch has to be in while towing (as noted in the Owners Manual).
I towed a 2006 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited many miles with the switch in the "OFF, not locked" position.
Since my son's 2003 Rubicon has that type switch, I'm fairly sure the 2005 does as well.

My 2000 Wrangler had the off position as well. No need to pull fuses.
bshpilot
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
mowermech wrote:
"if you DONT disable the ignition you'll run the battery down (while towing)."

Not true on a 2005! 2006 and prior Jeeps had an "OFF, not locked" position in the ignition switch. THAT is the position the switch has to be in while towing (as noted in the Owners Manual).
I towed a 2006 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited many miles with the switch in the "OFF, not locked" position.
Since my son's 2003 Rubicon has that type switch, I'm fairly sure the 2005 does as well.

good ! thanks for the correction.

after mid 2009 (iirc) they (once again) did away w/ the need to keep a key in the ignition, when they removed the steering wheel lock.
chuckftboy
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
I tow a 2006 Wrangler setup just like Raymon, even use the Demco towbar, very easy. Ran a set of wires and added 2 additional bulbs to the tail lights, Mowermech is correct, there are no fuses to pull, just turn the key to unlock the stearing. You can leave the key in tht position without fear of draining the battery
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
tow bar and brake system from E-Bay, and wiring harness from Cool tech is all you need.harness stuff