To tow a JEEP
4WD with MANUAL transfer case can (usually) be towed 4 down but read the fine manual..There is one Manual Transfer case they used to make which is not towable, and the AWD (full time 4WD) with electronic clutches are not towable. RWD units are also not towable if automatic tranny.
Tow bar..Blue Ox,,Roadmaster,,Ready Brute, Other makes
These come in 3 flavors
A Frame (like a trailer tong) just like a trailer you need to be PRECISE to gt the hitch over the ball.. Major advantage CHEEP.. Disadvantage hook up and storage.
Telescopign arm types.. More expensive, way easier to hook up... I like the ones that "Stow" on the motor home
READY BRUTE..Optional add on READY BRAKE.. See braking systms
Blue ox..Some models come (optionally) With Auto Stop (See Ready Brake)
Tow lights: 3.2 types
1.1 Universal diode kits... These cut into the brake/tail/turn light leads in the back of the JEEP.. one diode feeds the light from the JEEP. the other from the motor home.. Advantage,, Fairly chap, easy requir no VISIBLE mod to the jeep,, Disadvantag,, Brake will override turn signal on jeep when towing
1.2 Dedicatd tail light diode kit matched to your JEEP.. Thre is a plug likely under the dash,, Unplug, plug in kit, plug into kit (Route wire) job done. Advantages easier install than 1.1, Disadvantag more expensive plus same brake issue.
2: Add-a-lamp Drill a hole in the tail light housing and snap in a new socket and lamp, Tail light wiring for Jeep and Motor home are 100% independent This is what I currently have on my towed.. NOTE: you may need to improve the ground at the MOTOR HOME end of the connecting cable.. I did.
3.1: Add a fixture.. You see JEEPS with Mickey Mouse Ear like stop/turn/tail lights bolted on top... Major disadvantage.. HOLES. 3.2 Magnetic Tow Lights.. I do not like the idea of snaking the cable down the side of the Jeep.. and Wireless ones ... Well they sometimes fail.
Brakes:
Surge brakes (Ready Brake and Auto-Stop) IF you do not live in the great salted north these look very interesting.. This is what I intend to buy next.
Advantages.. onc initial set up is done these need no adjustment, FULLY automatic, takes like seconds to connect the control cable.
Disadvantage: IF you live in the land of salted roads.. And your praking brake cable has sized up.. Same kind of cable is used here.
Brake in a box (Brake Buddy, Even brake and more) Box needs to be installed EVRY time you tow..This is a lot of work,, and every install is a chance to screw it up.. They eat battery power and malfunction when it runs down.. No way to recharge other than run towed is provided (There is a way) You have to stow it least it grow legs and walk off when you are driving the towed.
INSTALLED SYSTEMS
M&G,, Fits mostjeeps If motor home has Air Brakes this is a great system.. If not..Well they make a slightly more expensive model that takes car of that. 100% invisible to drivr of towed.
Most other INSTALLED systems are 99% invisible (Thre is a brackt if you look for it) and like the M&G are easy to hook up (Single cable or wire or hose).
Some (Invisible Brake, and US-Gear) that I know of provide power to the towed from the motor home
For the rest ther is a device called TOWED-CHARGE that will do the job.
US GEAR does it the easy way
Motor home chassis battery ----Circuit Breaker--------Wire--T---Breaker--Towed battery.
The breakers are 20 and 40 amp and the power unit t's in at the T.
This unit offers the most control over towed braks of any system made (US-Gear Unified Brake Decelerator) however ... I'm not trained to take full advantage of it (My brother is, but he drove SEMI for many years)
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times
