Best Setup for RV Flat Tow

[gm920]

The idea of automatic switching is admittedly interesting but in execution it is in contrast to the "elegantly simple" concept of the manual switch within the kit.

My CJ 5 was elegantly simple, the JL is full of high tech. Mostly good, some of it a PITA. I think a relay to automatically switch the lights to "TOW" mode when connected to the tow vehicle just makes sense and is "technologically elegant".

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[kosinar]

Not great pictures, but hope they help. There are two holes. The one to the left is the breakaway cable. The silver one an inch to the right is for the braking cable. Nothing is tightened down or trimmed in this picture. I'm thinking the bracket is going to slide up the brake peddle arm by about an inch to get past the awkward bend.

In the bumper photo, you can see I put the brake cable right in the center and the breakaway cable towards the driver's side tow bracket, per instructions.

Be careful drilling the firewall any higher or further towards the accelerator than I did. There are some things you wouldn't want to hit. To the left a hair wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[kosinar]

It all look good except the angle of the plastic grommet for break actuator. You want it horizontal and face straight toward the rv. You can fix it by buying 3/8" plastic bushing in hardware section of Home Depot. Cut the bushing in half by the angle identical to slope of your bumper front face. Install one half on front side of the grommet and other on back side. That will make it horizontal. I saw it on one of the YouTube video. What wire harness do you have on the jeep?

 

[Texag]

I was hesitant to buy the CoolTech based on comments in this thread, but conveniently enough found a newly posted installation video on YouTube. I haven’t watched it yet, but will probably order the harness and install in the next few weeks.

Should have posted sooner, but this video was great. I think I could have easily installed with the instructions alone, but watching the video was helpful.

one thing I wish was included in the package is some kind of flag to clip on my bag to remind me to flip the switch when hooking up and clip on my steering wheel to remind me to flip it back before driving.

I like the product.

 

[Jmonroe]

Should have posted sooner, but this video was great. I think I could have easily installed with the instructions alone, but watching the video was helpful.

one thing I wish was included in the package is some kind of flag to clip on my bag to remind me to flip the switch when hooking up and clip on my steering wheel to remind me to flip it back before driving.

I like the product.

I too relied more on the video than the written instructions. The installation went well with no issues.

Contrary a previous post suggesting locating the switch would be an issue it is quite the opposite. The switch is attached to a bracket designed to use a seat mount bolt while keeping the switch protected yet easy to access. Of course there's no comparison in cost to the Mopar harness. It's less than half the cost, a little more than a third.

I simply use a bright red velcro tie wrap to remind me of the switch position. It's wrapped around the seat leg the switch is attached to when in Jeep mode. I wrap it around the steering wheel when in tow mode.

As a fail safe Cooltech advises the system will quickly recognize there is no power draw from the rear lights if you forget to flip the switch, it'll indicate a burned out bulb reminding you - whoops!

 

[cmcclintock]

Does anyone have the pdf of the install instructions for the JL Cooltec RV harness. I installed it in 2018 and it works great towing the Jeep behind the RV...

..BUT now that I want to tow something behind the Jeep with the factory tow/light option that was an option I had when I purchased the Jeep.. the headlights/running light do not work... right/left turn signals are fine along with brake light..... just no headlights/running lights..

I just can figure it out and leaving for a trip Friday/tomorrow..

any help/tips are greatly appreciated....I checked fuses-looked good....could it be the cooltec harness...
-Chris

 

[Jmonroe]

You can get a copy of the installation instructions off the Cooltech web site.

My first thought was the fuse you are instructed to remove before the installation if your Jeep came with the OEM tow package option, but, you say you've checked the fuses.

 

[Redbaron73]

There was a caution about splicing a similar color wire...this may be worth looking into. This would be the white/orange stripe and white/gray stripe.

I really doubt it has anything to do with the cooltech harness, as these wires are the Jeep lights, and not the trailer output lights. I would suggest looking at fuse box for the trailer connector. This is labeled "F90 - TRLR TOW PARK LMP" - 20 amp Blue.

The detailed information for the tow package fuses can be found here


Attached to this post is the Cooltech Tow Harness Installation manual, Revision 6

 

[gm920]

You can get a copy of the installation instructions off the Cooltech web site.

My first thought was the fuse you are instructed to remove before the installation if your Jeep came with the OEM tow package option, but, you say you've checked the fuses.

Maybe I am missing it, but I don't see where the instructions are available on their website. I think you have to request them. I have been looking for version 6. Here is version 4. Agree the tow wiring is separate and should not be affected by the cooltech harness. Here is the wiring diagram. There are relays in the PDC for the tow lights, not sure what closes them, I think someone posted that you need to have something plugged in.

 

[Redbaron73]

Maybe I am missing it, but I don't see where the instructions are available on their website. I think you have to request them. I have been looking for version 6. Here is version 4. Agree the tow wiring is separate and should not be affected by the cooltech harness. Here is the wiring diagram. There are relays in the PDC for the tow lights, not sure what closes them, I think someone posted that you need to have something plugged in.

My post above yours has version 6

 

[gm920]

My post above yours has version 6

Thank you

 

[cmcclintock]

Maybe I am missing it, but I don't see where the instructions are available on their website. I think you have to request them. I have been looking for version 6. Here is version 4. Agree the tow wiring is separate and should not be affected by the cooltech harness. Here is the wiring diagram. There are relays in the PDC for the tow lights, not sure what closes them, I think someone posted that you need to have something plugged in.

Gm920... This is perfect. Thank you.

 

[Jmonroe]

Maybe I am missing it, but I don't see where the instructions are available on their website. I think you have to request them. I have been looking for version 6. Here is version 4. Agree the tow wiring is separate and should not be affected by the cooltech harness. Here is the wiring diagram. There are relays in the PDC for the tow lights, not sure what closes them, I think someone posted that you need to have something plugged in.

PM me with your email address and I'll send it to you.

 

[Ron_H]

We have a 2018 JLU with an aluminum full-width HardRock front bumper and recessed SmittyBuilt winch. Our bumper has BlueOx tow bar adapters and our Jeep is equipped with a Demco AirForceOne auxiliary brake system that connects to the air brakes of our 43ft Newmar Mountain Aire motorhome. We're just coming up on two-years with this system and I could not be happier with the configuration.

The BlueOx tow bar adapters, shown below and to the outside of the shackles, are bolted through the bumper directly to the front end of the frame with grade-8 bolts.

On the passenger side, our electrical connector is mounted to the face of the bumper. On the driver side, the brake air line is beside the shackle and the cable for the breakaway switch protrudes through the bumper just below the shackle. To avoid drilling larger holes through the 37 lb aluminum bumper, I have just the breakaway cable protruding through. In the event of a breakaway, this would cause the pull-pin in the breakaway switch to break off after being fully retracted from its switch. For this reason, I do carry a replacement pull-pin.

I have a clip-on license bracket that attaches to the winch's fairlead and I have a cover protecting and camouflaging the winch.

Connecting and disconnection our JLU takes about 3-minutes and does not require and kneeling on the ground or significant bending (bad back). When disconnected, the tow assembly is virtually unnoticeable.

For lighting, I have the CoolTech wiring harness and switch. This seemed to be the best option available at the time but I would look for newer options.

The one option I have yet to fabricate and install is a rock guard to protect the front of the Jeep during long gravel road tows. I will be modifying a BlueOx black plastic rock guard previously used on our last tow car, a Honda CR-V. It will slide down between the back of the bull bar and the face of the bumper, secured to the light mount tabs on the top of the bull bar.

 

[gm920]

PM me with your email address and I'll send it to you.

Thanks for the offer, it is here attached to post #398

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