4xe - Tow Package

[plex]

Tow hitch is very easy to install, just 4 bolts to the crossmember, you don't even need to take off your rear bumper. Which ironically is also its culprit, since it only bolts to the crossmember and no enforcement, its towing capacity is really limited.

The harness on the other hand is a lot of work to install, you need to feed the wires from the front of the car (engine bay) through firewall on driver side, then all the way back to the rear. Hell lot of job but it is do-able and there are some YT vids on this topic.

Gladiator has a higher tow rating (almost doubled JL) because its longer wheelbase, larger radiator openings, and honestly if FCA just gives JT the same tow rating of JL, there will be a lot of outcries given how much Tacoma, Ranger, and Colorado can tow.

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[coachakpenrod]

If I am just looking to tow the Jeep and not actually tow anything — would you recommend just a Hitch?

 

[Rhinebeck01]

@coachakpenrod

If I am just looking to tow the Jeep and not actually tow anything — would you recommend just a Hitch?

@coachakpenrod

You do know that to TOAD a JL ..... to set-up the JL as a TOAD, you do not need a trailer hitch on the rear of the vehicle.

 

[entropy]

If I am just looking to tow the Jeep and not actually tow anything — would you recommend just a Hitch?

well this is a completely different story.

 

[coachakpenrod]

No, I’m new to this

please offer details — thank you

 

[coachakpenrod]

I think I am updated now, thank uou

what is the best flat tow setup for a new 4xe?

 

[Terminex]

I think I am updated now, thank uou

what is the best flat tow setup for a new 4xe?

I flat towed my JLU Sahara for the past 2 years, and JUST finished transferring everything over to my new 4xe for flat tow.

NO ONE can tell you the “best” setup for flat tow, but i can tell you the types of things you need, as well as the specific items i used since it is the best setup for me based upon my wants / needs.

first you need a tow bar. This is what connects to the hitch on the bck of your RV, and then has 2 arms to connect to your Jeep.
-I use and hoghly recommend the Readybrute Elite Tow bar setup.

https://www.readybrake.com/store/p284/Ready_Brute_Elite_II.html

second you need something to connect the tow bar to the frame on the front of yourJeep. Some people use an aftermarket front bumper with tow points. Some use a “baseplate”, and some use the Maximus 3 tow loops.
-I went with the Rock Hard 4x4 Patriot Aliminum front bumper, and added the LOD frame tie in brackets.

need a supplemental brake system. Basically you need a way to activate your Jeeps brakes when you apply the brakes in the RV. There are a LOT of different options for this.
-I went with the ReadyBrute Elite. It is a tow bar that actually has a brake system incorporated. It is simple with almost zero maintenance and works great.

https://www.readybrake.com/store/p284/Ready_Brute_Elite_II.html

Finally, you need a way to protect your Jeep from all of the rocks and crap thrown up by the rear wheels of the RV. Again, there are a lot of options out there. This is the one time i will tell you the beat way to do this. It is cheap, easy, and works great. I have towed on gravel roads with this setup and never had a single ding, chip, etc…
-I went with the Protect a Tow setup.

https://protectatow.tripod.com/


Also make sure that your RV is rated to tow the 4xe. If it is a gas RV, most of them are only rated to tow 5000lbs.

Cheers & good luck.

 

[RollingHome]

need a supplemental brake system. Basically you need a way to activate your Jeeps brakes when you apply the brakes in the RV. There are a LOT of different options for this.
-I went with the ReadyBrute Elite. It is a tow bar that actually has a brake system incorporated. It is simple with almost zero maintenance and works great.

https://www.readybrake.com/store/p284/Ready_Brute_Elite_II.html

Hi Terminex - can you go into detail about how you installed the ReadyBrute Elite brake cable (and breakaway cable) through the firewall? Any recommended installation tips/tricks are appreciated.

 

[Terminex]

Hi Terminex - can you go into detail about how you installed the ReadyBrute Elite brake cable (and breakaway cable) through the firewall? Any recommended installation tips/tricks are appreciated.

Sure.

I have done it 3 times now. twice on JL's.

On the JL's, I go in to the driver footwell and determine roughly where I want to drill.

I then measure the height from the bottom of the foot well (the edge where it changes from horizontal to starting to go vertical)

I also measure from the side edge as well.

On my 4XE the brake cable is approx 4.5" up, centered on the arm for the brake, and then the breakaway cable is about 1.5" to the left of the brake cable.

then I go under the jeep and try to find these same rough measurements. (remember that the measurements will not be exact due to measuring inside vs outside.)

If there is nothing in the area, then I go ahead and drill through from the inside.

 

[00 Trans Ram]

FYI - the tow rating "in the US" is 3500 for the JL. However, in the EU and Australia, it is 5500lbs.

Tow ratings in the US aren't done to some government standard. It's an SAE standard that all manufacturers use. And it's brutal. Basically, a lot of conditions that 99% of people will never see. I think certain model JLs (diesel with tow package) would meet those standards with a higher rating. but, Jeep has no desire to advertise the JL as a towing vehicle. So, they took the easy road.

 

[garykk]

I found the 4xe I want — but does not have a row package.

the dealership they can’t add it bc the engine is only a 2.0 — but they can add a hitch.

can someone please explain.

we have a motor home and will be towing the Jeep so a hitch would prob still work — or should I keep searching for tow package?

Do you want to tow with the Jeep or tow the Jeep. A tow package only concerns towing something with the Jeep not being towed. Any Jeep can be towed.

Edit… I see you are mainly concerned with towing your JL.
suggest you check a site like E Trailer for decent towing systems. All tow brackets will require some cutting on the JL. Don’t know what kind of RV you have. We have a Diesel and I use the M&G braking system that uses the MH air brake system.
to put a good towing system on your RV will run around $2k or maybe more if you have in installed.

 

[RollingHome]

Terminix - any chance we can connect? Our dealership isn't familiar with towing and is telling us the hybrid braking system is different than a typical wrangler and therefore may not work as intended. It'd be great to discuss your experience with the brakes while towing.

 

[Terminex]

Was gone for 2 weeks. Glad were were able to talk before i left.

how did the install & towing go?

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