Q: Flat towing a TJ, does anyone make a addon tow brake?

Smiley · December 15th, 2006, 01:15 PM

I'm thinking about selling my flatbed trailer and just flat towing my TJ. But to be legal (and safe) the towed vehicle is supposed to have some kind of break-away brake system. Does anyone make such an addon brake system that also could be used with the towing vehicle's brake controller to aid when braking in general?

Smiley · December 15th, 2006, 01:42 PM

Found some from BrakeBuddy and BlueOx.

Does anyone have experience with any of these products?

Blackjackbender · December 15th, 2006, 08:09 PM

you may have better luck on a RV board or something.

scottie · December 15th, 2006, 09:34 PM

i didn't think Michigan required the brake

Mclovin · December 16th, 2006, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottie

i didn't think Michigan required the brake

x2
Never heard of a vehical being flat towed needing brakes.. ?

nmeinc · December 16th, 2006, 08:04 AM

why bother towing it at all? if you break, IE: tire, axle, trans it's gonna suck to flat tow. and if you have a smaller spare on flat towing is out.

350YJ · December 16th, 2006, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmeinc

why bother towing it at all? if you break, IE: tire, axle, trans it's gonna suck to flat tow. and if you have a smaller spare on flat towing is out.

x2 if you break a axle very common on a d35 (if thats what you have) how are you going to flat tow it with 3 wheels. If it's an automatic you need to remove your rear driveshaft.

i have used both tow bars and trailers and would recommend sticking with the trailer.

MuddyPaws · December 16th, 2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 350YJ

If it's an automatic you need to remove your rear driveshaft.

Not true.

Onlt have to pull driveshafts if he is locked front and rear.

350YJ · December 16th, 2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuddyPaws

Not true.

Onlt have to pull driveshafts if he is locked front and rear.

well if it was mine and it was an auto i would pull the rear driveshaft. for the few minutes of work it's better to be safe than sorry

MuddyPaws · December 16th, 2006, 11:46 AM

Ever read the owner's manual? Says put it in park, shift tcase to neutral, flat tow.

What's not to be safe there? Automatic can't turn in park. Even with a manual you are supposed to put it in gear with the tcase in neutral.

Mijeeper CJ 7 · December 22nd, 2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuddyPaws

Ever read the owner's manual? Says put it in park, shift tcase to neutral, flat tow.

What's not to be safe there? Automatic can't turn in park. Even with a manual you are supposed to put it in gear with the tcase in neutral.

True. I flat towed my 98 TJ behind my motorhome for over 15,000 mile and never had any trouble. I never pulled the driveshaft.

lgottler · December 22nd, 2006, 07:53 PM

I've only towed mine a total of 30 miles, just put the trans in gear, t-case in neutral and unlocked the steering column....

SHARPMACHINE · January 4th, 2007, 06:45 AM

My father flat towes his ford sport-trac behind his motorhome. He uses one of those brake units, and likes it. He has pulled it with and without and it works good. One bonus is, if the vehicle comes unhooked, the brakes are supposed to be applied.

Mongo · January 4th, 2007, 08:41 AM

BlueOx is a nice unit. I know of 3 people that use it and all are happy.

Bones · January 4th, 2007, 09:24 AM

Almost any vehicle made in the last 10 years can be flat-towed safely without removing driveshafts, just look in the owners manual. RVing makes up a big enough portion of potential customers that it is worth the time to engineer the powertrain to be flat towed.

Viperdave · January 5th, 2007, 05:57 PM

Very few 2wd automatics can be flat towed, saturn is one of the few...

On to 4wd, anything with a tcase can be flat towed... put it in neutral...

In terms of the brake system, some of the people we camp with use blueox and have had excellent luck. If you pick up a recent copy of motorhome magazine, there are several units in it that work. Also later tonite, i will pull out my motorhome tow guide, it most likely lists brake assist units in it...

December 15th, 2006, 01:15 PM	#1
Smiley Senior Member Join Date: 12-26-05 Location: B'arn Center Posts: 240 iTrader: (0)	Q: Flat towing a TJ, does anyone make a addon tow brake? I'm thinking about selling my flatbed trailer and just flat towing my TJ. But to be legal (and safe) the towed vehicle is supposed to have some kind of break-away brake system. Does anyone make such an addon brake system that also could be used with the towing vehicle's brake controller to aid when braking in general?

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December 15th, 2006, 01:42 PM	#2
Smiley Senior Member Join Date: 12-26-05 Location: B'arn Center Posts: 240 iTrader: (0)	Found some from BrakeBuddy and BlueOx. Does anyone have experience with any of these products?

December 15th, 2006, 08:09 PM	#3
Blackjackbender Super Jew Join Date: 11-08-05 Location: Plymouth Posts: 4,903 iTrader: (4)	you may have better luck on a RV board or something.

December 15th, 2006, 09:34 PM	#4
scottie I have a Dirty Liberty Join Date: 11-05-05 Location: In the gh3tto of Rochester Posts: 5,172 iTrader: (0)	i didn't think Michigan required the brake

December 16th, 2006, 08:04 AM	#6
nmeinc Parts Galore Spokesmodel Join Date: 04-04-06 Location: Detriolet Posts: 565 iTrader: (6)	why bother towing it at all? if you break, IE: tire, axle, trans it's gonna suck to flat tow. and if you have a smaller spare on flat towing is out.

December 16th, 2006, 11:46 AM	#10
MuddyPaws .^. Join Date: 11-05-05 Location: In Da Soo Posts: 10,485 iTrader: (8)	Ever read the owner's manual? Says put it in park, shift tcase to neutral, flat tow. What's not to be safe there? Automatic can't turn in park. Even with a manual you are supposed to put it in gear with the tcase in neutral.

December 22nd, 2006, 07:53 PM	#12
lgottler Senior Member Join Date: 11-30-06 Location: New Baltimore, MI Posts: 367 iTrader: (5)	I've only towed mine a total of 30 miles, just put the trans in gear, t-case in neutral and unlocked the steering column....

January 4th, 2007, 06:45 AM	#13
SHARPMACHINE IN A HURRY?? Join Date: 09-29-06 Location: MONTAGUE MI (BY THE SAND BOX) Posts: 867 iTrader: (10)	My father flat towes his ford sport-trac behind his motorhome. He uses one of those brake units, and likes it. He has pulled it with and without and it works good. One bonus is, if the vehicle comes unhooked, the brakes are supposed to be applied.

January 4th, 2007, 08:41 AM	#14
Mongo amazed at it all Join Date: 02-25-06 Location: .. Posts: 8,048 iTrader: (5)	BlueOx is a nice unit. I know of 3 people that use it and all are happy.

January 5th, 2007, 05:57 PM	#16
Viperdave A-1 Dave Costa Join Date: 03-12-06 Location: Wolcott, Ct Posts: 914 iTrader: (2)	Very few 2wd automatics can be flat towed, saturn is one of the few... On to 4wd, anything with a tcase can be flat towed... put it in neutral... In terms of the brake system, some of the people we camp with use blueox and have had excellent luck. If you pick up a recent copy of motorhome magazine, there are several units in it that work. Also later tonite, i will pull out my motorhome tow guide, it most likely lists brake assist units in it...