Long Distance Flat Tow

[Lumpy Grits]

You will use the same amount of gas if not more with the trailer.
That trailer will weight in at about 2000 lbs, so you have the extra weight.
Put 30psi in you jeep's tires and tow it-
I WOULD PULL THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVESHAFTS!
Do'n that can save you a bunch of $$$ in possible driveline repair.
LG

 

[rufus1138]

+1 for flat towing, and due dilligence with your maintenance, i know breaking things just happens sometimes but if you break something such that you cant tow it back then you probably are damaging the wheeling environment significantly more than you should and that reflects poorly on all of us. pull the shafts and roll on.

 

[Torxhead]

The weakest point for flat towing would be the spindles on the pre disk brake CJs. I was on the trail with a guy once who blew out an axle ball joint and u-joint at the same time. It was a club run not far from the trailhead and one of the guys lent him a trailer. Getting it to the trailer was the fun part.

 

[IOPort51]

+1 for flat towing, and due dilligence with your maintenance, i know breaking things just happens sometimes but if you break something such that you cant tow it back then you probably are damaging the wheeling environment significantly more than you should and that reflects poorly on all of us. pull the shafts and roll on.

That U-Haul trailer is a heavy SOB to be sure.

 

[007]

Uuuuuuuuuugggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:wasted:

I thought this would be easy, but it's pretty much split

I guess I was under the impression those Uhaul car trailers were pretty light, but it shows they're just over 2,200lbs empty.



Don't know folks...very conflicted on this.

 

[Torxhead]

O.K., well how about starting out with renting a trailer to see how it feels, something I should try too. You can't debate its safety factor, especially when you have to slam on the brakes.

 

[IOPort51]

I think you will be OK which ever way you go. I can't compare apples to apples because of the truck upgrade but I thing a couple of feet of extra width is a good thing, A CJ isn't the most stable thing in the world even when you are in the drivers seat.

I hate to even bring it up but can you envision a "death wobble" on a tow bar??

A lot of things could happen but the odds are pretty good they won't.

Do whatever it takes to make yourself comfortable for the trip.

The part I have problems believing is your going on a long road trip 5 weeks after your wife gives birth?? Believe that when I see it.:dunno:

 

[007]

The part I have problems believing is your going on a long road trip 5 weeks after your wife gives birth?? Believe that when I see it.:dunno:

Ha! No kidding! I'm sure I'll pay for it until my last breath leaves me, but if it weren't this it would be something else I'm sure. Fortunately I have her mom and my mom handy to stay with her and the rest of the girls. I let her go to New York City last spring on a girls trip, so I won't feel bad...

In any case, I can see this both ways. The trailer sure has the appearance of being a better option in many respects, but flat-towing does too in it's own respects. We'll have a 3/4 ton truck to drive so I'm not to worried about that end of it.

Honestly, there are moments I'm 70% tow, and a few moments later I'm 70% trailer. I'm really stuck on this.

From mid-Missouri to Limon, CO you can run 80mph if you're by yourself. Obviously towing anything changes that a bit, but flat towing may change it "more." I flat-towed my Jeep an hour last week and ran 70mph and had no issues whatsoever, but it didn't have the 31's on it either (if that should matter).

I think I'll put the 31's on and just test it both ways. Flat and on trailer. Just hit the Interstate and see what feels best and let that help guide me.

 

[IOPort51]

try jerking it side to side. like avoiding something in the road, lane change.

The higher the tire pressure the lower the rolling resistance.

 

[rr41mag]

I've done both and got the t shirts. Trailering it's gonna be heavy plus that spoiler sticking up in the air called a windshield. If you flat tow it I would definitely take the rear driveshaft out. As far as tail lights I mounted two trailer lights to an aluminum angle and clamped it to the rear of the jeep. The angle will have to be grounded to the jeep for the lights to work.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I would flat tow it but going that far I would pull the driveshafts. If you have lockout hubs in the front you would only need to pull the rear. Like I have said before I have towed the out of both my CJ5 and 7 and the 7 has a hardtop and doors and never had any sort of a problem. For me with the cost of the trailer and I think you will end up using more gas with the trailer but maybe not, with my 1Ton truck it gets the same mileage empty as it does with the camper in it and the Jeep behind.

 

[Peanut Butter]

I'm for the trailer. Yes it will cost more, and be heavier. However, no worries about lights at night, no legal issues, no drive shafts to drop, flat tire etc not your problem, if you break you jeep it still comes home - like an axle shaft, and no wear and tear on your jeep which I think is the most important advantage.

I've been the route you are taking several times. Use to live in Colorado. It is mostly flat, and good Interstate road. This time of the year heat will be your biggest problem, especially in the tires.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Be sure to post some pictures when you get back! Rod

 

[steve1973]

I rented that u-haul trailer when I bought my jeep in Mass 5 years ago. It is heavy. Granted I had to put the snow plow and all related hardware on the trailer along with the jeep, weighing roughly 6000 all in. Tow vehicle was and is a 2005 F-AMC 150 FX4 super cab with the 5.4 rated up to 9500. Bought a curt industries flat tow bar a few years back and couldn't be happier with the towing performance. Real easy to wire in a diode to easily hook up the rear lights. FWIW.


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