What size hitch receiver on Essex?

[TheJazzMan]

Does the 15,000 lb hitch on the Essex have a 2" or 2.5" receiver? I've searched high and low and can't seem to find the size. I'm in the process of ordering a baseplate, tow-bar, etc. for a newly-acquired 2008 Wrangler and I have to select 2" or 2.5". Thanks!

[TheJazzMan]

Does the 15,000 lb hitch on the Essex have a 2" or 2.5" receiver? I've searched high and low and can't seem to find the size. I'm in the process of ordering a baseplate, tow-bar, etc. for a newly-acquired 2008 Wrangler and I have to select 2" or 2.5". Thanks!

[Chickadee]

Hello Randy: This probably won't help, but, FWIW, our 08 Esses (4502) has a 2" receiver. Tag on male part says 10,000 lbs., so different than the 15,000 you're seeking. Hope someone else can help. Steve

[racer0624]

Randy,

I just measured ours and it's 2".

[TheJazzMan]

Thanks, Steve and John! I'll order the 2". Based on recommendations from folks here on IRV2, my Essex tow setup for a 2008 Wrangler will be:

Blue Ox baseplate - BX1126
Blue Ox Aventa Tow Bar
SMI Air Force One aux braking system
CoolTech Jeep JK wiring harness

About $1900 worth of stuff. Am I forgetting anything?

[Route 66]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Am I forgetting anything? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Safety cables?

Electrical cable between MH and toad?

[TheJazzMan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Route 66:
Safety cables?

Electrical cable between MH and toad? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Aventa tow bar comes with 5000 lb safety cables. Should I upgrade to the 10,000 cables? The Wrangler weighs in at about 3800 lbs.

I was planning on using the CoolTech wiring to go from the Jeep to the MH, but now I've now decided to use a Roadmaster or Blue Ox coiled cable instead. I am just a little confused about which one to order. I've read that Newmar installs a round 7-pin connector on the MH and the toad has 4 wires. However, I'd like a few extra wires for brake activation feedback (provided by Air Force One) and maybe another for 12v to keep the battery charged. I see that my choices of cables are 6-wire, 7-wire to 6-wire or 7 wire to 4 wire. Will any of these fit the Newmar's 7-pin plug?

[Route 66]

I know the baseplate comes with safety cables that would secure the baseplate to the toad's frame as a back up, but I am not aware that a tow bar comes with coiled safety cables.

If you think you may move to a heavier toad, then 10K safety cables would be a good idea, otherwise the 5K cables would be adequate and a little easier to handle.

Newmar's 7 connector receptacle is the standard flat blade receptacle and is wired the standard way.

I have a 6 way receptacle on my toad and a 7 way to 6 way coiled electrical cord.

[Latitude]

Randy

My Wrangler weighs in at 4300Lbs. It is a 4 door. I use the 10000 lbs safety cables.

I did use the Cool Tech wiring harness, Very easy to set-up.

The connection on the baseplate is 6 pin and I changed the MH end to 7 pin.
The very bottom pin should have power to run wire to the battery.

Rick

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Jazzman, You can't beat the Cool Tech harness for simplicity and ease of installation. If your Jeep has a plug at the rear for towing a trailer just one additional wire to install and it is provided. I ran my wiring down the inside of the frame, I'm mechanically challenged, so the entire installation back to front including the front connector took about 11/2 hours. There is a complete write up and tips on the main iRV2 forum. Bill Arf, a forum member, is an expert on Jeep installs for towing and electrical.

Ronnie