Towing jeep 4 wheels down or on a trailer?

[thezooinperu]

Anyone have advice on which is safer? Not experienced at this and not sure if trailers with brakes respond to my diesel air brakes. I know I can rig the jeep 4 wheels down with supplemental brakes system just not sure of the trailer option.

[Tom_Barb]

timmac wrote:

Even though I can flat tow my Jeep using my trailer does not wear out my Jeep tires and brakes, so I would rather wear out the trailer brakes and tires than my Jeep..

X2

WE run 10:00 X 34.5" Coopers $545 each.

and OBTW I can load my trailer almost as fast as you can hook up the tow bar.

run it up the ramps, stow the ramps, 2 chains, 1 binder we be gone.

For those who tow a jeep 4 down, How would you tell when you have a differential failure?

price a locker differential 🙂

[timmac]

OLYLEN wrote:
4 down for me and I had a trailer for years. no you can't backup with 4 down but haven't the need if you look ahead a bit. Ready brake system with base plate of choice, even an old man can install. With a trailer you have 4 or 5 more tires to contend with and 4 more brakes.

LEN

Even though I can flat tow my Jeep using my trailer does not wear out my Jeep tires and brakes, so I would rather wear out the trailer brakes and tires than my Jeep..

Its a Jeep than..

[mowermech]

What kind of tires do you have on your Jeep?
Stock ones, or oversize?
If you have oversize tires, are they 32, 33, 34 or 35 inch? Those things get expensive.
Which would you rather wear out, the tires on your Jeep, or the tires on a trailer?
Yes, if you live in a state which requires annual registration renewal, that is an added expense. However, if you are lucky enough to live in a state like Montana, where ALL trailer get PERMANENT registration, you will never have to renew it.
As previously stated, you can back up a trailer. It is not recommended to back up a four down towed vehicle. Some folks say they do it. I tried it once, I will never do it again!
There are basically three choices for trailer brakes (at least for small trailers):
1. electric brakes, with a brake controller in the motorhome.
2. electric brakes, with the brake controller on the trailer tongue.
3. Hydraulic surge brakes
3A. Disc brakes
3B. Drum brakes

I have never seen air brakes on a small trailer.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. I have towed all three ways; four down, dolly, and trailer. there are advantages and disadvantages to each.
It probably does not need to be mentioned, but a Jeep can not be dolly towed, unless the rear driveshaft is removed.

[OLYLEN]

4 down for me and I had a trailer for years. no you can't backup with 4 down but haven't the need if you look ahead a bit. Ready brake system with base plate of choice, even an old man can install. With a trailer you have 4 or 5 more tires to contend with and 4 more brakes.

LEN

[PatrickA51]

w4phj wrote:
4 down. It's so easy an adult can do it. This is one job where I don't need my Grandson.....

X2 Road Master or Blue Ox...... Towbars and Base Plates.reasonably priced. Also would recommend SMI Brake Systems.

I just recently bought a RoadMaster Nighthawk Tow Bar and a Road Master Base Plate for my 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. We also got the SMI Pay in Stay Duo Brake System. I hear that SMI has a Great Air Brake system. My RV doesn't have Air Brakes so I really can't comment on the SMI brake System for vehicles with air brakes.
Good Luck.

[BarneyS]

Moved to Dinghy Towing forum from Towing.

[w4phj]

4 down. It's so easy an adult can do it. This is one job where I don't need my Grandson.....

[Bumpyroad]

I always towed 4 down.
bumpy

[Tom_Barb]

rr2254545 wrote:
4 Down is the only way to go - really hard in some campgrounds to have room for the MH, car and big trailer

BIG trailer?? my Wrangler fits on a 14' flat bed. and parks on it at the campgrounds.

Simply towing the jeep you'll be 17' long, just like the trailer.

[Tom_Barb]

Remember with a Jeep you still have two differentials and a transfer case spinning while towing 4 down.

For the price of buying a tow bar setup and having installed, you can buy a nice used 14' flat bed trailer.

4 up, no wear and tear on the jeep, you can back up.

We do it both ways, and know the disadvantage for the trailer, you must store it while not in use, they require a license plate, and routine maintenance.

I always advise new RV owners to rent a U-haul car transport trailer and see for them selves prior to spending a bunch of cash.

Then on top of it all, you gain the utility of having a trailer to tow with the jeep. We tow the trailer more with the jeep than we do the coach.

[Dadio24]

This is only my opinion: Four-Down is the only way to go...get a tow bar and baseplate from Blue Ox, Demco or Roadmaster with a great breaking system. Have it all professionally installed. (Shy away from the Curt (IHO) as they are more for off-roaders and older jeeps getting to and from the trails.) Perform maintenance and clean it after use. Happy travels.

[rr2254545]

4 Down is the only way to go - really hard in some campgrounds to have room for the MH, car and big trailer