Before I pull the Trigger on Towing Set-up....

[Kevin123]

I have a Monaco Knight DP and after tons of research on this site I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a 2010 Jeep Wrangler 4x4 with standard.

Will this setup work for towing the Jeep?

Base Plate substitute - Rock Hard Jeep Bumper http://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-5005.htm

Braking - Air Force One
AIR FORCE ONE | SMI Manufacturing Inc.

Tow Bar - Blue Ox AVENTA® LX BX7450
http://www.blueox.com/Uploads/Docs/BX7450.pdf

Light Harness
Cool Tech LLC. JK Tow Harness Kit

Also, how important is it to use a Toad Charger?
TOAD-CHARGE Dinghy Vehicle Battery Charger/Maintainer

Am I missing anything here? Thanks!

[hooverbill]

JMHO, of course, but I'd reconsider that Jeep. Many problems with Jeeps product, especially Wranglers and Libertys.

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

Originally Posted by hooverbill

JMHO, of course, but I'd reconsider that Jeep. Many problems with Jeeps product, especially Wranglers and Libertys.

You may want to get the facts before you post what you believe to be true. I tow our 07 Wrangler 4 door 4x4 auto. So far we've got 87k miles on it. To date, not one failure. The Jeeps looks and drives as new. I've put new shocks and a set of tires and general preventative maintenance as required by the owners manual.
There will always be problems with any car or truck, that's for sure. The Jeep has no more or less than any other. You may want to visit a few forums for Jeeps and preferably Wranglers. They are pretty well received in the market place.

For the original poster:
I use Roadmaster Base plates.
Ready Brute Tow bar and Ready Brake Aux Braking.
CoolTech Wiring harness
I did all the labor in one day for a total price of under $1400.
You do not need to worry about pulling fuses or charging the battery when using my set up on a 2010. The steering doesn't lock and you don't need 12v for anything.

[hooverbill]

Originally Posted by Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376

You may want to get the facts before you post what you believe to be true. I tow our 07 Wrangler 4 door 4x4 auto. So far we've got 87k miles on it. To date, not one failure. The Jeeps looks and drives as new. I've put new shocks and a set of tires and general preventative maintenance as required by the owners manual.
There will always be problems with any car or truck, that's for sure. The Jeep has no more or less than any other. You may want to visit a few forums for Jeeps and preferably Wranglers. They are pretty well received in the market place.

For the original poster:
I use Roadmaster Base plates.
Ready Brute Tow bar and Ready Brake Aux Braking.
CoolTech Wiring harness
I did all the labor in one day for a total price of under $1400.
You do not need to worry about pulling fuses or charging the battery when using my set up on a 2010. The steering doesn't lock and you don't need 12v for anything.

My opinion was based on the facts. The Wrangler and Liberty are the lowest rated vehicles as published by a consumer group that gets its reports from driving tests as well as from owners of the vehicles in question. The highest rated vehicle was a Lexus LS 460L with a score of 99, lowest was a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited at 20, next lowest was a Jeep Liberty at 27. Contrary to your comment about problems, Jeeps have considerably more problems than other brands and it is not true that "there will always be problems with any car or truck."

I've had a jeep and will not have another. Your happy with yours, wonderful, but I'm talking facts about Jeeps in general, you are talking your one vehicle.

[Skyman1972]

Was the poster asking for opinions on jeeps?

[Kevin123]

I realize that Jeeps have a die hard owner base who have strong opinions about the product. Since this will be a "fifth" car for us, I am not as concerned about reliability as others. I do however appreciate the comments, warnings, and advice on the jeep product. I'm going into this with my eyes open.

I would like to make certain that I can use the bumper in place of the base plate? On other forums (jeep) I read that to be a viable solution.

Thanks.

[milasman]

Drive the Lexus off road and see how many problems you get with it.

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

Consumer Reports are not highly regarded in the industry. Their survey's are built from their own subscriber base.
Compare a Toyota FJ and a Wrangler and you'd have my attention. A Lexus and Wrangler? Really? Apples and Oranges.
Sorry you didn't have a good experience with your Jeep. What year was it? The new Wranglers and all Jeeps for that matter have made vast improvements over the last few years.

[Kevin123]

Sent an inquiry to Blue Ox regarding the substitution of a bumper for a base plate. Here is the response I received:

"Thank you for your interest in Blue Ox Towing Products. Yes. However, you will require a tow point compatible with our triple lug design. Therefore, I recommend using the (BX88230) – Universal Blue Ox Bolt On Adapter Tabs, retail cost $95. In the attached file, please find the (BX88230) installation instructions..."

Pulling the trigger.

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

Sounds good. Take pictures and post often.
Cheers. Happy JK'ing

[SeattlePirat]

Hooverbill, Consumer reports hates american automobile products. They love every thing made in Japan.

[milasman]

Hook that Jeep up and tow it like you stole it.

[hooverbill]

Originally Posted by Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376

Consumer Reports are not highly regarded in the industry. Their survey's are built from their own subscriber base.
Compare a Toyota FJ and a Wrangler and you'd have my attention. A Lexus and Wrangler? Really? Apples and Oranges.
Sorry you didn't have a good experience with your Jeep. What year was it? The new Wranglers and all Jeeps for that matter have made vast improvements over the last few years.

Of course the surveys are from their subscriber's base...the owner's fill out surveys on what the like/dislike about their own vehicles, I fill one out every year. The numbers were generic and were based on scoring vehicles against the exact same standards. It's just that Lexus scored higher than everybody compared to the same standard...and the two Jeeps were at the bottom of the same list.

We had an 07 Wrangler...spent as much time in the shop as on the road.

Re a later post saying CU likes Japanese cars better than American cars. They probably do, I certainly do. Except for a half a dozen or so pick ups, I haven't purchased an American vehicle since the 70s. I buy the best available...although they've made progress, as noted above, American vehicles are still behind.

[Andycamper]

I have. 38v bounder DP an pull a 07 jeep wrangler 4. Down with automatic transfer case in neutral. Transmission in park. Key in ignition stering unlocked an I installed a main battery switch under driver seat works great.