How To Attach Your Flat Tow Vehicle In Our Case A Jeep Wrangler TJ

We do this together but can certainly be done by one person. I usually handle everything outside of the vehicle, while Ash handles everything inside the Jeep.  Below, the steps are broken down by roles and responsibilities of each person. 

Outside Person (Kevin's Responsibilities)

Note: Wear gloves to protect your hands

30 Minutes before departure we plug in the RVi Command Center and RVi Tablet to let them charge

Step 1: Find a safe, level and out of the way location to attach your tow vehicle

• We usually attach the Jeep near the entrance or exit of the park or resort but sometimes if i know we need gas, I will drive to the nearest gas station and fill up first and then find a location nearby to attach the Jeep. ​

Step 2: Put your hazards on.

• Your doing this for two reason. First and foremost for safety, the more awareness you can provide other drivers the safer you are. Secondly, by putting the hazard lights on you will be able to test whether all of the Jeep lights are working when you connect the cable from the RV to the Jeep.  This saves you from having to go back into the cabin to turn them on. ​

Step 3: Move the arms vertically and push the release latch and pull the arms down.

• Extend the tow arms half-way out and position arms out toward the tow vehicle. Extending the arms only half-way gives you wiggle room to move the arms into final position.

Step 4:  Have tow vehicle creep towards the tow bars.

• With one person holding and lining the tow bars out, slowly creep the tow vehicle forward. Using verbal and head motions, let the driver know when to stop. The driver is unable to see tow bars the closer they get. You have to be their eyes.

Keep hands away from the ends of the tow bars to avoid pinching or collisen. I also position my body as far back as possible just in case.

Step 5: Attach the tow bars and safety cables on one side.

• We always keep the base pins attached to the jeep. Remove the base pin by first removing the linch pin. Then attach the tow bar arm to the quick disconnect base. Make sure to install the arms with the head of the shoulder bolt facing up. Refer to the picture below.  Secure the arms using the base pin and line up the linch pin and secure the base pin in. Then attach the safety cable on that side.

Step 6: Attach the other side

• Repeat step 5 for this side.

Step 7: Attach power cables and the brake-away teether to the RV and the Jeep.

Step 8: Double check all the pins and cables. ​

Step 9: Check lights

• In step 2 you put the hazard lights on. Your tow vehicle should now also be flashing its hazards. Walk towards the back of the vehicle and check to make sure they are on.

​Step 10: Double check inside of the Jeep is done correctly

​Inside the Jeep (Ashley's Responsibilities)

Step 1: Line up the tow vehicle behind the tow bars about 10 feet away.

• You want to align the middle of  the Jeep with the middle of the tow bars. As you slowly move towards the rear of the RV you want to stop about 10 feet away. At this distance you will be able to see the tow bars
• Slowly creep up towards the bar, listening for verbal cues and head gestures. Since the engine is on and it can be pretty loud. We developed head nods. A head nod up and down means move closer and a nod side to side means stop.

Step 2: Turn off the Radio and climate control settings

• The braking system runs off the Jeep battery. You want to make sure nothing else is drawing power from the battery as you tow. You want to save all the battery power for the braking system.

There are charge line kits that can keep your battery charged as you tow which we will be purchasing in the future but currently we rarely have any issues with the keeping the battery charged enough.

Step 3: Put Transfer case into neutral and put Jeep Wrangler TJ into Park

• To flat tow our 2001 Jeep Wrangler TJ we need to put the transfer case into neutral and the transmission on Park. This is according to the Jeep manual.

Putting the transfer case into Neutral

• Put the key ignition and turn it to the On position
• Put your foot on the brake and move the transmission into neutral
• Foot still on the brake, now put the transfer case into neutral
• Start the engine
• Move the transmission into drive and release the brake to ensure there is no movement
• Turn off the engine
• Put the transmission into Park

Step 4: Install RViBrake3 Auxiliary Braking System

• Move drivers seat as bar back as possible to give you space to work.
• On the RViBrake3 Auxiliary Braking System, slide the arm as far back as possible. Put the RViBrake3 Auxiliary Braking System in front of the brake on the floor. Make sure the unit is as far back as possible and against something solid. We put it against this hump in the foot well.
• Once the RViBrake3 Auxiliary Braking System is its location extend the arm towards the brake pedal. Open the claws on the arm and squeeze the claws around the brake pedal. Plug in the brake-away cable and plug the braking system into the cigarette lighter.
• Turn the ignition of the Jeep Wrangler to the ON position, this will turn on the braking system and allow the steering wheel to move freely. Follow the command prompts from the RViBrake. It will ask you to push Auto-Positioning button 3 times. ​

Step 5:  Check if windows are closed, doors unlocked, parking brake off.

Step 6: Double check the outside steps were done correctly. ​

Step 7: Walk the Perimeter.

• As we walk up to the entrance of Wanda, we double check that all the bay doors are closed and locked, as well visually inspect the tires

Step 8: Once in the cab, check tire pressures on the TPMS  and slowly extend the tow arms.

• The nice feature of having the RVi Braking System is it works with their other product Tire Patrol. This uses the same tablet and reads tire pressure and temperatures.
• The arms are not fully locked out. Put the RV into drive and slowly release the brake and allow the RV to creep forward. The arms should extend out and you will feel a jolt when the arms are locked out.

By: Kevin Quiambao

Disclaimer: These are specific steps to attach our 2001 Jeep Wrangler with RoadMaster  All-Terrain Falcon Tow Bars and a RVibrake3 Auxiliary Braking System. Use this as a guideline as your parts may vary. Consult your manuals for specific directions.

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