Towing a Jeep Wrangler Xlimited

[DaRealDeal77]

Does anyone with FR3 30DS tow a Jeep 4dr? If so, what is the gas mileage like? What was the cost for towing package? How does it handle? Do I need to have the special braking system installed? Thanks

Nelly

[tinome]

Good morning every one
Can some one explain how you proceed to flush your black and gray water tank on your FR3

[drivmsafe]

Originally Posted by tinome

Good morning every one
Can some one explain how you proceed to flush your black and gray water tank on your FR3

You've got a few choices tinome. There is available at many RV outlets a clear back flush adapter connecting to the flush valve that uses your hose to back flush the tank. Works pretty good. There is also a wand that you put on the end or a hose and stick in the toilet that cleans the tank. Or, you can add a black tank flush. The newer FR3's come with one installed at the factory. Unfortunately, not older ones, like ours

[gasman94]

[QUOTE=DaRealDeal77 Do I need to have the special braking system installed? Thanks

Nelly[/QUOTE]

You will get differing opinions on this one, but most sources, and some state laws, say that you need these. I use one and agree with those sources. Your motorhome has a braking capacity designed to meet your coach's weight and carrying capacity. Adding additional weight prolongs the stopping distance and can make a big difference in an emergency stop.


Rich

[TLAK]

Originally Posted by tinome

Good morning every one
Can some one explain how you proceed to flush your black and gray water tank on your FR3

On the black tank, if you have the built in one from FR all you do is hook your water hose to the inlet labeled Black Water Flush and turn the water on, that's all you do. Make sure your drain is open so it doesn't overflow the tank.

The grey tank doesn't have a flush, I just fill it about 2/3 from the faucets and drain it.

[Antone]

DaRealDeal77, I flat tow a 2dr and I can't even tell it's back there, though I do not know the weight difference from a 4dr. Mileage also did not change noticeably. I live in CA, so the brake is required and worth the cost if you ask me. We'll be headed up to 7,500 feet this weekend, so I'll let you know how that goes including mileage which was not great without the toad on a previous trip to a similar elevation in different mountains.


Antone

2015 Forest River FR3 30DS - No Ragrets

Toad - 2011 Jeep Wrangler

[TRAVELINBOB]

I tow one with my 300ts concord and still get over 10mpg, most states require a braking system and if you had an accident god forbid, your insurance company will not be happy about paying.

[Jmsx2]

We tow my 2013 Jeep Rubicon behind our Georgetown. We average 6.8 to 7.3 going to Myrtle Beach from Pittsburgh Pa. My Rubicon has the lights set up to work while in tow along with the RVIBrake 2 system.

Works perfect and we have piece of mind knowing it's safe. Jeep tracks really well behind our Coach.

[RSchleder]

Originally Posted by tinome

Good morning every one
Can some one explain how you proceed to flush your black and gray water tank on your FR3

Just a suggestion! If you bring up your problem on someone else's thread it's typically viewed as "high jacking" that thread. It's always best to start a new thread if you have a separate problem/issue you need help with. It's your call of course, just wanted go give you a heads up.

[conceptumator]

We flat tow a Wrangler Unlimited. Use the Invisibrake and love it. Works great!

[Lfrazee]

Originally Posted by DaRealDeal77

Does anyone with FR3 30DS tow a Jeep 4dr? If so, what is the gas mileage like? What was the cost for towing package? How does it handle? Do I need to have the special braking system installed? Thanks

Nelly

You will definitely need a braking system even if you pull a lighter vehicle (2500) even . I could tell a big difference pulling a fiat at 2500 l bs Some states require the braking system no matter what you pull.
I have a new 4r door rubicon ordered that will be delivered the next couple of days that I am going to tow- I don't anticipate the gas mileage being that much more. I get 7.5 with the fiat and think that I will get about 7 with the jeep, from what I have heard from other motorhome people that pull the 4 door wrangler.

[ETCJMac]

Just went through all this so I will share what I learned...

4 door jeep wrangler weighs about 4500lbs, 2 door weighs about 3500lbs. FR3 tow capacity is rated at 5000lbs. I prefer to stay 75% or less than the tow rating so I went with the 2 door Wrangler. I highly recommend a braking system. Your motorhome will stop your Jeep well when your in a straight lane of traffic, but think if you have to brake heavily on curve...the braking action to the Jeep is reduced and the Jeep's momentum would be pushing the rear end of your motorhome to the side - not good in an emergency situation. I went with the Blue Ox Patriot - as I researched braking systems it seemed to be the easiest to install, and the easiest to rig and un-rig. I wanted simple. I also like the remote control for up in the drivers seat. Let's me know if the thing is working or not. For most of my normal city driving stop and go traffic the brake control does not engage - but when I have to make a quicker stop it does.

An additional hint since you are dealing with a Jeep - don't get wrapped up in aftermarket lights, wiring harnesses, diodes, or extra bulbs. Go to the Jeep dealer and order the RV wiring harness. It installs into your OEM wiring harness and has a 7 contact plug that connects to your motorhome jack. When plugged in it enables your Jeep taillights to work and follow your tow vehicle lights...very simple - works great easy to hook and unhook. Last weekend I towed the Jeep 1200 miles and everything worked great.

[Myrle]

Yes I tow a 2015 wrangler, bought everything from etrailer.com great customer service. Road master base plate l, falcon 2 towbar. Wiring kit that by-passes electrical system. Biggest job is getting wire through frame there are baffles in frame so you can't run wire from front to back. There are holes in frame about 3' apart so you have to go from hole to hole (2man job ) Entire kit less than $1,000. Tows great milage around 9 with 32' 2015 Sunseeker.

[tjasick]

I tow a Wrangler unlimited with a Sunseeker 2860. I use a blue ox tow bar and tow plate with a RVI auxiliary brake. All but a couple of states require auxiliary brakes.
My setup works great

[Antone]

Antone

2015 Forest River FR3 30DS - No Ragrets

Toad - 2011 Jeep Wrangler

[Iplayjems]

Originally Posted by ETCJMac

Just went through all this so I will share what I learned...



4 door jeep wrangler weighs about 4500lbs, 2 door weighs about 3500lbs. FR3 tow capacity is rated at 5000lbs. I prefer to stay 75% or less than the tow rating so I went with the 2 door Wrangler. I highly recommend a braking system. Your motorhome will stop your Jeep well when your in a straight lane of traffic, but think if you have to brake heavily on curve...the braking action to the Jeep is reduced and the Jeep's momentum would be pushing the rear end of your motorhome to the side - not good in an emergency situation. I went with the Blue Ox Patriot - as I researched braking systems it seemed to be the easiest to install, and the easiest to rig and un-rig. I wanted simple. I also like the remote control for up in the drivers seat. Let's me know if the thing is working or not. For most of my normal city driving stop and go traffic the brake control does not engage - but when I have to make a quicker stop it does.



An additional hint since you are dealing with a Jeep - don't get wrapped up in aftermarket lights, wiring harnesses, diodes, or extra bulbs. Go to the Jeep dealer and order the RV wiring harness. It installs into your OEM wiring harness and has a 7 contact plug that connects to your motorhome jack. When plugged in it enables your Jeep taillights to work and follow your tow vehicle lights...very simple - works great easy to hook and unhook. Last weekend I towed the Jeep 1200 miles and everything worked great.

Just curious as to what you set the blue ox patriot gain setting on? We have that same system, but haven't used it yet. We are leaving for a week long trip next weekend.

[Lfrazee]

I have a new rubicon 4door and chose the stay in play braking system it is a lot more trouble to install, but once it is installed no trouble at all . You hook up to your coach with the regular trailer plug and then flip one switch in the jeep and you are all ready to go with one of the best braking systems on the market. It applies tow vehicle brake progressively as needed. Also has a light that comes on in the coach to show that is working every time you apply brakes. For lighting system, again a little trouble to install but worth it . Hour and a half to install the extra bulbs in the tail lights of the tow vehicle and run wires forward to base plate and trailer plug. tail light s then work off of the motorhome 12 volt system and there is no draw what so ever from the towed vehicle- no dead battery on tow vehicle when you get to your destination. Just hitch your tow bar to your tote with a regular plug and you have brakes and lights everytime , oh and no braking system in your way in the towed vehicle. Saves time and trouble each time you hook up or unhook your towed vehicle. Very simple .

[conceptumator]

The braking is a must. Required by law in a lot of states but unsafe without it regardless. On the lights, I bought a Blue Ox light kit for about $195 that simply plugs into the existing OEM wiring harness. Works great and takes about 20 minutes to install. No diodes or extra bulbs to mess with.

[Antone]

This is what I used for the lights on my 2011 Wrangler 2 door. Piece of cake, $40 on Amazon shipped.

http://www.hopkinstowingsolutions.co...ses/jeep7.html


Antone

2015 Forest River FR3 30DS - No Ragrets

Toad - 2011 Jeep Wrangler

[RV Pilot]

I'm glad to see that some people have experience towing the four-door Wrangler with the Ford chassis. My daily driver is a 2014 Rubicon Unlimited. I don't want to tow it every time but it would be nice to bring along going to certain locations especially those with fun off-highway areas. If anyone has any other information or pictures and product reviews on this topic please share.

thanks


2015 FR3 30DS
Central Coast of California