Tow vehicle

[Classc1!]

I see a majority of you tow jeeps with a tow bar on your class c. Are there any other types of small trucks you all prefer to tow?

 

[FCB1313]

I tow a 2020 Wrangler JLU, It was a choice between it and my wife's 2022 Ranger. With the Jeep I did not need to make as many wiring changes as I would have with the Ranger plus the base plate install was simpler on the Jeep. Also, the jeep is just more fun. If I would change toads, I would either look at a 2-door jeep or a small car. This would mainly be due to weight and ease of maneuvering in small towns and areas.

 

[435-fht]

Many vehicles can't be flat towed. Nissan Pathfinders, Toyota Tacoma and Tundra are not flat towable.

 

[MagnusBjorn]

I see a majority of you tow jeeps with a tow bar on your class c. Are there any other types of small trucks you all prefer to tow?

I have a 24 Ford Maverick Hybrid that I tow behind my class C, and I am very happy with it so far. It weighs about 3600, gets 40-50 MPG, and is surprisingly comfortable.

 

[Camper_bob]

Good Sam (ugh, I know...) puts out a "Dinghy guide" each year. That's where I would start. They put vehicles in that guide that have "dinghy tow" (AKA flat-tow, four-down, RV tow...) instructions in the owner's manual. So it's not an exhaustive list of everything that can be flat-towed, but it's definitely a great place to start. Find a few options, and look up the manuals on them, and read the instructions to see if it's something you're willing to undertake. Some vehicles are easier than others, and what may look "reasonable" in the manual can become a serious PITA when you're out there doing it...

For example, my wife's Yukon Denali is technically flat-towable, but you must disconnect the battery while in tow, and the process for flat-tow prep is a bit cumbersome IMO. I'm just not willing to do that given that we tow my Jeep (which is super easy). If we had the Yukon first, and it happened to be our only available toad, I might consider setting it up though. But the other consideration is that's a lot of truck to be towing behind the camper...

I have towed a Jeep YJ (Stoopid simple), a Grand Cherokee (WK2), and now my Wrangler JLU. None of them are/were dedicated dinghys, they have been my daily driver, and that's one of the reasons they were chosen (except the YJ, but it's a "Sunday fair-weather toy). They are all simple to tow IMO, but I turn all my own wrenches, so I'm intimately familiar with how it's done and why. I also use my JLU to get around off-road, and tow a small utility trailer or my small aluminum boat. IMO, it's a fantastic vehicle for my needs outside of use as a dinghy. Any toad has to handle multiple duties in my house; I absolutely loathe "one trick ponies". I'd rather tow the Yukon than purchase another vehicle specifically for a dinghy.

In the dinghy guide, they usually also give a brief summary of the basics of dinghy towing, what you'll need, and review a couple different items from each category of gear. And everyone has their own opinion of what makes a good dinghy, and what their threshold is for level of difficulty.

 

[435-fht]

Whatever vehicle you use, setting up a vehicle for flat towing is not cheap. I use Blue OX equipment, but there are other good brands out there. I have $2700 in just the tow bar and brake system. That did not include base plate/mounting system and wiring.

 

[MagnusBjorn]

Whatever vehicle you use, setting up a vehicle for flat towing is not cheap. I use Blue OX equipment, but there are other good brands out there. I have $2700 in just the tow bar and brake system. That did not include base plate/mounting system and wiring.

I agree; I just spent $3200 to setup my maverick, and I did all of the work myself.

 

[Camper_bob]

Whatever vehicle you use, setting up a vehicle for flat towing is not cheap. I use Blue OX equipment, but there are other good brands out there. I have $2700 in just the tow bar and brake system. That did not include base plate/mounting system and wiring.

I agree; I just spent $3200 to setup my maverick, and I did all of the work myself.

Dang, prices must've gotten out of control!! I don't remember it being quite THAT much? I did all my own installs as well, on all 3 vehicles I set up.

 

[435-fht]

I can make a sweet deal on a Blue Ox BX7380 tow bar. Only used for one year and has a 6500# capacity

 

[Camper_bob]

Dang, prices must've gotten out of control!! I don't remember it being quite THAT much? I did all my own installs as well, on all 3 vehicles I set up.

Out of curiosity, I hopped over to Etrailer, and prices have indeed increased quite a lot since I purchased my gear!! I mean, I'd have to go back and look at exactly what I paid for those things back in 2018, but if I were buying today, I'd be getting some serious side-eye from DW! Just "back of the napkin", I'd be looking at over $3K... minimum!

Kinda makes towing my YJ pretty attractive since it literally only cost me like $100 all in!! Granted, that was with no brakes, but we towed it from central TX to FL Panhandle and back that way... Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but it towed (and stopped) just fine...

My YJ setup: I had to replace the front spring shackles and bushings anyway, so I just got some that had tow bar tabs on them. For the tow bar, it's a hitch-tow fixed bar unit from Harbor Freight, got it with a coupon. For lights, I located the wiring inside the tub and spliced in an additional 4-way flat trailer plug, and ran a long trailer wiring extender through the front grille. So when I want to tow, I just lift up the carpet inside the driver-side rocker panel and switch the 4-way plug from one to the other. So they operate just like any other trailer lights. And I'm not 100% certain, but I don't think brakes are technically required at that weight, but it doesn't matter anymore since I would just throw in my Blue Ox Patriot II. For safety chains, I got a length of "trucker's chain" that I looped through the frame of the Jeep, and attached to the standard safety chain loops on my camper using overrated threaded chain links.

 

[FCB1313]

My ready brake system cost just under 2500$ for everything including baseplate. I did all of the install myself so I think I got off cheap. System works great and is simple to set up. I prefer an all mechanical system which is kind of ironic since I'm an electrical engineer by trade. (purchased system in 2024)

 

[Redhawk 26M]

My ready brake system cost just under 2500$ for everything including baseplate

Ready Brute system?

 

[FCB1313]

Ready Brute system?

yes, just can't seem to type it the correct way

 

[fenderworks]

I tow a 2005 nissan frontier, 6 speed,4x4. blue ox system, works good

 

[Redhawk 26M]

yes, just can't seem to type it the correct way

Assumed it was the Ready Brute, just wanted to verify. I went with the Ready Brute Elite II complete system, just purchased in November. I passed on their tow bar and went with a Rock Jock. I also passed on the wiring kit and went with Curt as it made things much easier. All done came in under $2,300. I was able to get in a local test run before winter set in, I'll need to make a few adjustments when the weather breaks. I also may need a 2" hitch drop. I'll be pulling a 2dr. Jeep JK.
Did you install the DL-100 brake light monitor? I did not. Have you had any issues at all? Looks like you pull a 4dr. Jeep, what's your tow RV?

 

[FCB1313]

Assumed it was the Ready Brute, just wanted to verify. I went with the Ready Brute Elite II complete system, just purchased in November. I passed on their tow bar and went with a Rock Jock. I also passed on the wiring kit and went with Curt as it made things much easier. All done came in under $2,300. I was able to get in a local test run before winter set in, I'll need to make a few adjustments when the weather breaks. I also may need a 2" hitch drop. I'll be pulling a 2dr. Jeep JK.
Did you install the DL-100 brake light monitor? I did not. Have you had any issues at all? Looks like you pull a 4dr. Jeep, what's your tow RV?

I did not install the brake light monitor. I've gone back and forth in my mind on this. Currently when I tow I just check temp on my hubs when I stop and do a walk around. I haven't encountered any problems. I did add a dedicated rear camera. It's blue tooth and solar so no wiring changes. Battery seems to last for 10 hours or so. My RV is a Jayco Redhawk SE 27NF. My wife and I wanted a unit without slides. It gives us plenty of cargo and towing capacity without that extra weight. It also allows for a large rear pass through storage that I like better than having slides. The only mountain towing I have done so far is in the east along I40. no problem going up hills or down long grades using tow haul mode. I very seldom have to touch the brakes. We tend to run 63 to 65 on the interstate. towing I get 8.5-9 mpg and not towing I get 11-12 mpg.
Overall I'm very happy with the NSA Ready Brute elite II. I also went with the CURT wiring system. The one that came with the kit is setting in my garage.

 

[ogione1]

I see a majority of you tow jeeps with a tow bar on your class c. Are there any other types of small trucks you all prefer to tow?

I tow a 2017 Nissan Micra behind my 29 MV. It has a standard transmission so I did not have to make any modifications to the braking system. It also weighs 2800 lbs so easy to tow and hook up with my blue ox.

 

[fenderworks]

see my signiture

 

[salukee]

I tow a 2020 F150 4wd truck, super cab. No issues.