What Do I Need To Add To Flat-Tow A Jeep?

DallasSteve wrote:
Tom/Barb

I'm planning to get a new Jeep Wrangler JK. Do you think there is more risk of an accident or failure flat-towing or trailer or about the same? How difficult/messy/time-consuming is it to strap down the Jeep on the trailer? What does a decent trailer cost and what does it cost to modify the Jeep for trailering (strap points?)?

Thanks, Steve

I see no difference in flat towing and trailering in as far as accidents are concerned.

A new JK should be find being towed. I believe the steering lock has been defeated in the late model wranglers. our 07 is not, we must leave the key in the on position to be able to tow, which means we must disconnect the battery.

It requires less time to load the jeep on the trailer, than is does to attach the tow bar, get the jeep in position, attach the tow bar to the jeep, do the light harness, and disconnect the battery than simply load the jeep and tie it down.

And I can leave the jeep locked. and the keys in my pocket.

good used trailer are a grand and up. We have a 8.5' X 18' open deck #7500 pound capacity flat bed. 5 years ago the P J trailer was $3400 new. it isn't hard to get $3400 invested in a tow bar set up.

If you buy a new trailer, first order of business is to up grade the tires. and a good quality brake controller. do not cheap these items out. Here, cheap is what you can't afford.

trailering allows you to turn sharper than flat towing a jeep. we learned that that the hard way, we tore the base plates off the jeep and rented a trailer to get the jeep home. the other time we had to rent a trailer to get home was when we blew a front differential, what a mess that was. In the parking lot at Promontory point Ut. (where is the closes U-haul rental)

Just remember when your Jeep is in good condition you've got transportation and can go get help.