UPGRADE!!! We got a tow vehicle.
Well we finally did it this week, we got our Jeep Liberty all wired up and got the base plates put on so we can now tow it behind the Winnebago. We are really excited for this upgrade, it will allow us to site see without breaking camp. The Jeep is just right to tow behind the RV and fits the family.
What did we have to get done so we could tow it?
We needed base plates, base plates are what the tow bar links up to so you can tow it. It had to be wired for the break lights and breaking system. We got ours done a Pleasureland RV in Ramsey MN. There is no external break lights on the Jeep, the wired into the Jeeps system so we didn't need any. Which we like because its one less thing you might forget. The Tow Bar we went with was a Blue Ox Tow Bar and the reason we went with this one is it actually folds up to the bumper nice when not using it. Some tow bars mount to the vehicle and has to stay there.
What did we have to get done so we could tow it?
We needed base plates, base plates are what the tow bar links up to so you can tow it. It had to be wired for the break lights and breaking system. We got ours done a Pleasureland RV in Ramsey MN. There is no external break lights on the Jeep, the wired into the Jeeps system so we didn't need any. Which we like because its one less thing you might forget. The Tow Bar we went with was a Blue Ox Tow Bar and the reason we went with this one is it actually folds up to the bumper nice when not using it. Some tow bars mount to the vehicle and has to stay there.
This is the Blue Ox tow bar hooked up to the Jeep.
Blue cord is the lights and they made the cord end to fit right into the seven point jack.
Black cords are the safety cables
Red cord is the break away for the breaks.
The two handles right and left above the Blue Ox logo are your tow bar arm locks and release handles
The black rubber covers over the bars protect them from dirt and grim of the road or just weather, most tow bars don't have them so you have to clean them and add silicon spray.
It is very easy to hook up and unhook the Jeep.
Blue cord is the lights and they made the cord end to fit right into the seven point jack.
Black cords are the safety cables
Red cord is the break away for the breaks.
The two handles right and left above the Blue Ox logo are your tow bar arm locks and release handles
The black rubber covers over the bars protect them from dirt and grim of the road or just weather, most tow bars don't have them so you have to clean them and add silicon spray.
It is very easy to hook up and unhook the Jeep.
Here's a look at the locking pin and safety cable. To remove the two bar you pull the gold ring pin out. The silver pins are removable by pulling the ring and turning them out.
This is how compact the tow bar gets when folded down. There is a padlock on the hitch but if you don't feel comfortable leaving it in its not that heavy you cant throw it in the RV or the trunk of the vehicle.There is a cover for it to protect it from the weather.
What about breaks?
We decided to go with the Blue Ox Patriot, sets up by it self all we have to do is attach it to the break peddle plug it in to the accessory port and make sure its against the seat and we it set up and it sets its self.
We decided to go with the Blue Ox Patriot, sets up by it self all we have to do is attach it to the break peddle plug it in to the accessory port and make sure its against the seat and we it set up and it sets its self.
I know in the picture the seat isn't up but it should be. The wire that you see is the break away switch, if the Jeep for what ever reason breaks away from the motor home it will apply breaks nice and easy. SAFTEY.
The back of the Patriot can be adjusted so it hits the seat better and there are pads on the bottom of the unit to make it more level if need be.
The back of the Patriot can be adjusted so it hits the seat better and there are pads on the bottom of the unit to make it more level if need be.
Connecting the clamp to the brake peddle couldn't be easier. You can see its a spring type clamp and it just slides or clamps on. To remove it there's a button on top to release the top part and it pulls off.
*I know you want our car mats.
*I know you want our car mats.
The wireless remote, it will tell you when its on when its breaking if it breaks away. If you need to add a little more break or less you can do it with this. There's also a manual break switch in case you need it. The Patriot Blue Ox breaking system doesn't slam on your breaks it eases on the breaks to help slow down the tow vehicle.
How does it feel?
My first impression of pulling the Jeep with the RV. I was just nervous about taking corners, but then I realized that the Jeep is narrower than the RV the cornering wasn't so bad. I really never felt a difference when pulling it, now maybe when there's more hills or mountain type terrain maybe. I stayed on a country road for the most part and there was a few hills and the Winnebago never bogged down and I never felt a pull back. I was really pleased how it all felt. I was also nervous about setting up the Jeep for neutral it really wasn't as bad as I thought. Just be sure to read your owners manual of the vehicle you are towing or call a dealership and ask.
Final Thoughts
We know this will add to the adventures in the RV. We will set up a home base and go site seeing and not have to worry if the place we want to see can handle the RV or where to park. The experience we had a Pleasureland RV Center was amazing. George the service guy helped me through the setting up of the break system, helped me set up the tow bar and then let me do it so if I had any questions I could ask them
right then and there. We have really enjoyed haveing our Jeep in tow. We took it to South Dakota and really enjoyed haveing our own vehicle, we also stow our chairs and small bbq in the back.
My first impression of pulling the Jeep with the RV. I was just nervous about taking corners, but then I realized that the Jeep is narrower than the RV the cornering wasn't so bad. I really never felt a difference when pulling it, now maybe when there's more hills or mountain type terrain maybe. I stayed on a country road for the most part and there was a few hills and the Winnebago never bogged down and I never felt a pull back. I was really pleased how it all felt. I was also nervous about setting up the Jeep for neutral it really wasn't as bad as I thought. Just be sure to read your owners manual of the vehicle you are towing or call a dealership and ask.
Final Thoughts
We know this will add to the adventures in the RV. We will set up a home base and go site seeing and not have to worry if the place we want to see can handle the RV or where to park. The experience we had a Pleasureland RV Center was amazing. George the service guy helped me through the setting up of the break system, helped me set up the tow bar and then let me do it so if I had any questions I could ask them
right then and there. We have really enjoyed haveing our Jeep in tow. We took it to South Dakota and really enjoyed haveing our own vehicle, we also stow our chairs and small bbq in the back.
RSS Feed