Best Setup for RV Flat Tow

[STRUBI]

We ordered a Sahara and will be flat towing it. My first choice for a baseplate is rockjock.

The rockjock attaches to bumper plate and the bottom of the vertical frame horn (pictures). It appears that a substantial amount of the push/pull load will be transferred through the bottom of the frame horn. In my experience (old experience), the horizontal frame member is often much stronger than any attachments such as the vertical frame horn. My one concern is related to the fatigue over time aspect of the setup, but I am not overly concerned.

Can anyone comment on the thickness/sturdiness of the frame horn with respect attaching a baseplate?

I thought about attaching a metal strap from the baseplate to the horizontal frame, which might be overkill (picture).

Can anyone with a JL rockjock baseplate comment on his/her experience?

I know I should wait for the Jeep to arrive, but we plan to hit the road soon after the jeep is delivered and want to order the baseplate and accessories now.

Thanks,
Ken

I know it's a little different mounting. But we have their tow plate on our rubicon with steel bumper. It works great. Our blu ox hooks perfectly.

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[gm920]

I know it's a little different mounting. But we have their tow plate on our rubicon with steel bumper. It works great. Our blu ox hooks perfectly.

I also have the RockJock tow plate on a JLUR with the factory steel bumper. Also mounted a winch on Rusty's winch plate that bolts to the inside bumper bolts and also the inside of the frame horns. The whole thing is very solid, good quality tow plate very easy install. Very happy with this setup.

 

[STRUBI]

I also have the RockJock tow plate on a JLUR with the factory steel bumper. Also mounted a winch on Rusty's winch plate that bolts to the inside bumper bolts and also the inside of the frame horns. The whole thing is very solid, good quality tow plate very easy install. Very happy with this setup.

We have the the exact same set up. Lol

 

[gm920]

We have the the exact same set up. Lol

Works great, this is my second setup, towed a TJ many thousands of miles with a Ready Brake also.

What are you doing for tow lights? Here is my latest mod. I made my own "cooltech" style harness, thought the switch was a PITA, so I replaced it with a relay. Now the lights switch automatically, when power is sensed from the motor home.

 

[STRUBI]

Works great, this is my second setup, towed a TJ many thousands of miles with a Ready Brake also.

What are you doing for tow lights? Here is my latest mod. I made my own "cooltech" style harness, thought the switch was a PITA, so I replaced it with a relay. Now the lights switch automatically, when power is sensed from the motor home.

Still just using the magnetic ones. Right now we only tow it a few times a year.

 

[Jmonroe]

Where do you attach safety cables when using Maximus 3 tow loops?

To the second set of holes in the loops. I have a pair of shackles hanging from them.

 

[Redbaron73]

Works great, this is my second setup, towed a TJ many thousands of miles with a Ready Brake also.

What are you doing for tow lights? Here is my latest mod. I made my own "cooltech" style harness, thought the switch was a PITA, so I replaced it with a relay. Now the lights switch automatically, when power is sensed from the motor home.

Great idea. What relay did you use? I want to upgrade my cooltech switch.

 

[gm920]

Great idea. What relay did you use? I want to upgrade my cooltech switch.

After much searching I found this relay: LY4NJ 12V DC Coil Power Relay HH64P 4PDT Miniature Relay 14 Pin 10A 250VAC. Finding a US supplier is a problem. I got mine at AliExpress, shipped from China for less than 6 bucks. Looks like their shipping costs may have gone up. Also found on ebay for $13.00 or best offer, with free shipping. Search around and see what you find.

Had my first free oil change done in Casa Grande, AZ, they asked me if I had aftermarket
lights, as there were multiple tail light codes stored in the BCM. From the times I forgot to switch over after disconnecting, that will not happen anymore.

 

[Redbaron73]

What do you use for rv power? Was it additional cables run to the 7 way, or is there a signal wire already in the harness?

 

[gm920]

What do you use for rv power? Was it additional cables run to the 7 way, or is there a signal wire already in the harness?

You should have 2 choices, in the 7 way connector on your tow vehicle, with the ignition on check for power at pin 2 or pin 4. I did not buy the cooltech harness, so I am not sure how many extra wires the ran inside, could be none, 1, or 2. Worst case would be you just tap into the tail light power and ground of the cooltech harness that are already inside, then you would have to turn on your tow vehicle lights to power the relay.

 

[SandK]

After much searching I found this relay: LY4NJ 12V DC Coil Power Relay HH64P 4PDT Miniature Relay 14 Pin 10A 250VAC. Finding a US supplier is a problem. I got mine at AliExpress, shipped from China for less than 6 bucks. Looks like their shipping costs may have gone up. Also found on ebay for $13.00 or best offer, with free shipping. Search around and see what you find.

Had my first free oil change done in Casa Grande, AZ, they asked me if I had aftermarket
lights, as there were multiple tail light codes stored in the BCM. From the times I forgot to switch over after disconnecting, that will not happen anymore.

I may use a relay to switch between the RV and Jeep for controlling the tai lights. I was considering using one of the auxiliary switches to control the relay. I know it is still a switch and uses the Jeep's power to run, but it looks a little cleaner.

You can get relays shipped within US.
https://www.alliedelec.com/product/omron-automation/ly4-dc12/70178841/
https://www.alliedelec.com/product/omron-automation/my4-dc12-s-/70178978/
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/te-connectivity-potter-brumfield-relays/PT570012/1095237
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/TE-Connectivity-Schrack/9-1419111-2?qs=ChlQzgYGFxQ5p5dX2szAAQ==

Do not know if I would trust Amazon for this application.
https://www.amazon.com/Taiss-12V（Can-Choose）-Electromagnetic-Socket/dp/B07KZX526W?th=1

The issue is relay specs. Is it is necessary to have a resistor or diode in the control circuit? You need to be careful tying into the Jeep wiring.

There are folks on the forum with electrical expertise that may be able to comment.

Thanks,
Ken

 

[gm920]

I may use a relay to switch between the RV and Jeep for controlling the tai lights. I was considering using one of the auxiliary switches to control the relay. I know it is still a switch and uses the Jeep's power to run, but it looks a little cleaner.

You can get relays shipped within US.
https://www.alliedelec.com/product/omron-automation/ly4-dc12/70178841/
https://www.alliedelec.com/product/omron-automation/my4-dc12-s-/70178978/
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/te-connectivity-potter-brumfield-relays/PT570012/1095237
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/TE-Connectivity-Schrack/9-1419111-2?qs=ChlQzgYGFxQ5p5dX2szAAQ==

Do not know if I would trust Amazon for this application.
https://www.amazon.com/Taiss-12V（Can-Choose）-Electromagnetic-Socket/dp/B07KZX526W?th=1

The issue is relay specs. Is it is necessary to have a resistor or diode in the control circuit? You need to be careful tying into the Jeep wiring.

There are folks on the forum with electrical expertise that may be able to comment.

Thanks,
Ken

Thanks for listing all those other relay sources, especially the Amazon link with the socket base. I ordered one from Ali-Express that was supposed to include the socket, but all I received was the relay. I also thought about using one of my Aux switches set to battery/latching, but was not sure it would maintain power after the ECU times out and the Jeep goes to sleep. Guess I'll have to test that. Also just like the RV wiring is not connected to the Jeep wiring, (except thru the relay or switch) the relay power is not connected to the Jeep wiring either. Power and ground for the relay are tapped from the RV harness under the seat. Not sure how using an Aux switch makes that look any cleaner?

 

[SandK]

Thanks for listing all those other relay sources, especially the Amazon link with the socket base. I ordered one from Ali-Express that was supposed to include the socket, but all I received was the relay. I also thought about using one of my Aux switches set to battery/latching, but was not sure it would maintain power after the ECU times out and the Jeep goes to sleep. Guess I'll have to test that. Also just like the RV wiring is not connected to the Jeep wiring, (except thru the relay or switch) the relay power is not connected to the Jeep wiring either. Power and ground for the relay are tapped from the RV harness under the seat. Not sure how using an Aux switch makes that look any cleaner?

Cleaner was in reference to the Cooltech toggle switch with the Jeep/Tow lettering (not bashing cooltech). A hidden relay is cleaner than the Aux switch.

Our Jeep is supposed to arrive this week. So I do not know about the Aux switches timing-out.

I know the relay isolates the different sources. The little coil in there switching that piece of metal back and forth on the contacts. It is made in China, what could go wrong. Just my paranoia, thinking about a bad/cheap relay doing some damage. If I go the relay route, I will install it and forget it.

Did you use (or did the relay have) a diode to prevent what I think is called "flyback voltage" from the induction coil in the relay? I do not know if a diode is necessary.

Thanks,
Ken

 

[gm920]

Cleaner was in reference to the Cooltech toggle switch with the Jeep/Tow lettering (not bashing cooltech). A hidden relay is cleaner than the Aux switch.

Our Jeep is supposed to arrive this week. So I do not know about the Aux switches timing-out.

I know the relay isolates the different sources. The little coil in there switching that piece of metal back and forth on the contacts. It is made in China, what could go wrong. Just my paranoia, thinking about a bad/cheap relay doing some damage. If I go the relay route, I will install it and forget it.

Did you use (or did the relay have) a diode to prevent what I think is called "flyback voltage" from the induction coil in the relay? I do not know if a diode is necessary.

Thanks,
Ken

Yes, I agree, it's one less thing I have to explain whenever someone gets in my Jeep and asks, what's that switch for?

I did a test today with my Aux 4 switch that controls my winch solenoid, it was on for about 40 minutes, so it appears they do not time out. Might do a longer test tomorrow just to be sure.

Not too concerned about a relay failure, can't really see a scenario where a failure would cause damage and a spare is cheap if it just stopped working. I'm sure they are designed for X number of operating cycles. My last trip we were gone 19 days, the Jeep was only hooked to the RV for 320 miles/ 5 hours each way. Hookup, stop for breakfast, and disconnect, and return hookup, stop to shop, disconnect, a total of 6 cycles of the relay.

I did not install a diode and I do not think the relays I bought have diodes.

 

[IslandNomad]

Blue ox and roadmaster both sit low which is why IF you want to keep your clearance, go aftermarket bumper.

Her's my Blue Ox plate. The tab on the bottom is for the brake away, but i put it up higher. The electrical connector is low as well - I've already bent that tab on the bottom and took the paint off both of the safety chain attachment points that stick out the furthest and lowest. I'll likely move the electrical higher and grind off that attachment point.

Your setup looks neat and clean. Do you think the Blue Ox baseplate would work with an aftermarket bumper such as the Rugged Ridge Arcus that I am considering? I have a 2021 JLUR with the factory plastic bumper that I will replace.

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