Flat Tow or Trailer

Wildman1 · Aug 8, 2006

Hey all,
Okay it looks like I am going to be getting a camper for my truck SOON!!
So now I need to look at either flat towing my TJ or getting a trailer. Other than the issues of if I break something making it impossible to tow what are the pro's & con's of each?

GaryTJ · Aug 8, 2006

try wheeling hard one time then tow it home and you will answer your own question.

Not even a contest, don't even think about flat towing.

Takes longer to hook up
harder on the Jeep
impossible to do if you have a major break
no auxillary braking
seperate lights
a good tow bar is not light and you have to do something with it when it is not attached
not as safe

flat towing is a cheap(er) alternative for TEMPORARILY moving your Jeep around.

Six-Nine · Aug 8, 2006

GaryTJ said:
try wheeling hard one time then tow it home and you will answer your own question.

Not even a contest, don't even think about flat towing.

Takes longer to hook up
harder on the Jeep
impossible to do if you have a major break
no auxillary braking
seperate lights
a good tow bar is not light and you have to do something with it when it is not attached
not as safe

flat towing is a cheap(er) alternative for TEMPORARILY moving your Jeep around.

Agreed:clappy:

MarcW · Aug 8, 2006

www.topnotchtrailers.com

on the back of the buy and sell they advertise a 16' dual axle car hauler trailer for 1850, new. and a 12,00 gvw light equipment trailer with serious frame action for 3295. there in rochester, wa. never been there or heard of anyone doing buisness with them. but the 16' is cheap. adn its worth a look. flat towing is scary in a bunch of ways. i would avoid it all costs.

KarlVP · Aug 8, 2006

If you are any good with welding, you can make your own trailer for half the cost of a ready made one.

But to answer your question, get a trailer. I daily drive my junk and use it pretty hard on the trail. The only time I had to get towed home, flat towing wouldn't have done anything. Another inexpensive solution I have seen is a tow dolly with the little wheels you place under the rear tires and strap to them. I know tow trucks use them, but I don't know the legality or reliablity of them.

Jeepless · Aug 8, 2006

I myself have not trailered anything to and from the trail, but a pile of parts is much easier to put on the trailer than it is to drag behind the truck.

hoss250 · Aug 8, 2006

Trailer

Picking up my 16ft from www.topnotchtrailers.com on Wed. I went down and ordered it and it was done two days later. They are the cheapest around, called everywhere, because they make them for about 14 local dealers. Towing is the only way.

pokey · Aug 8, 2006

GaryTJ said:
try wheeling hard one time then tow it home and you will answer your own question.

Not even a contest, don't even think about flat towing.

Takes longer to hook up
harder on the Jeep
impossible to do if you have a major break
no auxillary braking
seperate lights
a good tow bar is not light and you have to do something with it when it is not attached
not as safe

flat towing is a cheap(er) alternative for TEMPORARILY moving your Jeep around.

add to this list the ability to back up with a trailer and they dont tend to shove you around corners as bad as flat towing(jackknife)

As my own person horror story.... Flat towing home from Buckmeadows something in my welded rear axle let go and since I couldnt feel it..... By the time I noticed it my rear driveline was gone the rear axle was trashed as well as the rear output on the transfer case and both mufflers were beat to heck from the flopping driveline.

crash2 · Aug 8, 2006

Also the vehicle thats being flat towed must be 100% street legal;

zig80toy · Aug 8, 2006

Just the ability to back up is reason enough to get a trailer...

War-Jeeper · Aug 8, 2006

Get a trailer flat towing sucks cock!

Im in the process of getting the right trailer right now cause i hate flat towing my jeep, its scary as heck!

John Lane · Nov 17, 2006

I've been flat towing off and on for a few years, I pull my rear drive shaft, I carry everything to fix all wheel bearings, steering parts and axles in the motorhome.

The following has happened to me:
Jeep jumped over the tow bar during a panic stop
Jeep slid sideways jack knifing into the truck.
Many times I have had to back up VERY carefully, like out of a gas station...not fun

I don't like tow bars but they don't take up much room. I don't go enough times a year to justify the cost of a trailer plus taking up drive way space.

I guess if I had to I could rent or borrow a trailer to get the jeep home if it was really messed up.

Toyotanut · Nov 18, 2006

KarlVP said:
If you are any good with welding, you can make your own trailer for half the cost of a ready made one.

But to answer your question, get a trailer. I daily drive my junk and use it pretty hard on the trail. The only time I had to get towed home, flat towing wouldn't have done anything. Another inexpensive solution I have seen is a tow dolly with the little wheels you place under the rear tires and strap to them. I know tow trucks use them, but I don't know the legality or reliablity of them.

yeah, you might be able to make your own, but time is worth something as well, especially when there is a 2 month wait to get a "home made" trailer inspected by WSP.

oh, trailer over flat tow