Car Dolly NO MORE! Tow Car Behind RV Quick And Easy Flat Tow Set Up

When we first started out with RV Life we received a car dolly as part of our RV purchase & set up. We towed a car on this dolly for the first year of RVing & it was a PAIN! We decided to ditch the dolly & get a vehicle that worked with a flat tow setup (all 4 wheels on the ground) ⬇️⬇️ Click Show More ⬇️⬇️
00:00 Intro
01:53 Pros of Using a Car Dolly
02:10 Cons of Using a Car Dolly
04:02 Different Vehicles That Can Be Flat Towed (and What We Tow)
05:45 What You Will Need for a Flat Tow Setup
07:12 Items needed for towing the Jeep Wrangler
08:18 Hitch Locks
08:39 Recommended Items
10:17 What We DON'T Recommend (Learn from our mistakes)
10:41 What We DO recommend instead!
11:30 How much our Flat Tow Setup Cost Us
13:01 Watch Ben Connect The Jeep
13:35 Connecting the Blue Ox Tow Bar
15:35 Connecting Cable for Lights and Jeep trickle charge line
16:36 Connecting Safety Cables
18:59 Putting Jeep Wrangler into Neutral
20:09 Connecting Blue Ox Patriot 3 Braking system
22:36 Checking Brake lights before departure
We purchased a 2007 Jeep Wrangler for this purpose! We use a Blue Ox tow Bar, Blue Ox Patriot 3 auxiliary braking system and a blue ox base plate.
We purchased our tow bar used on Facebook market place, BUT here are links for our set up parts from both E-trailer and Amazon. Both Amazon and etrailer are about the same pricing.
Dinghy Towing Guides
www.motorhome.com/download-di...
Blue Ox Base Plate:
Amazon: amzn.to/36dhhy9
Etrailer: www.etrailer.com/Base_Plates/...
Blue Ox Tow Bar:
Amazon: amzn.to/2Typ8nd
Etrailer: amzn.to/2Typ8nd
Blue Ox Patriot 3 Braking System:
Amazon: amzn.to/3qK1Irb
Etrailer: www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bar-Brak...
Wiring and diode set up:
Etrailer: www.etrailer.com/Tow_Bar_Wiri...
Amazon: amzn.to/3xhCdzV
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[@GratefulGlamper]

Hey there! Thanks for watching this video on Flat Towing! If you enjoyed our video, don't forget to subscribe to our KZbin channel! You can subscribe to our KZbin channel here → kzbin.info/door/FuE6zYaSBoN3jDDgxuVRgw

[@jimmarshall375]

Note you should always run your safety cables under the tow bar as the cradle you create will stop the tow bar from being driven into the ground if it comes out of the tow vehicle.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks for the tip!

[@RobinGlasco]

I'll stick with my dolly. I have found that the straps don't need tightened constantly after you learn how to do it. I've gone several days of driving between having to do anything with mine. The storage problem you mention is simple if you slide the dolly under the rear end of your RV. You can tow front or rear drive cars on a dolly. I loaded my rear drive jaguar on mine with the back end on the dolly. I am now on the third car I've towed behind my RV. I trade cars every couple of years. Total cost of the dolly and spare tire for it was about $1100 vrs $2500 for a Blue Ox. I have seen people lose their RV when the vehicle they thought was OK to flat tow caught on fire and then the fire spread to the back of their RV. Good luck.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks for the comment and for watching!

[@wacdmc1424]

Same here. I like my dolly. I upgraded to basket straps to make that part easier but have not tried them yet. Good video though.

[@ITalk4-2]

Please redo the safety cable part. They go under, not over your tow bars.

[@jamespinkerman5046]

hope you know you put the safety cables on top should be below the tow bar

[@rogerstruthers3799]

Cross the cables UNDERNEATH the towbar.

[@dreamcouragepursuerv7105]

So that was the most informative video on this I've seen... been researching this for the past 3 days... thankyou

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks! Glad to have helped you in your research!

[@sharonsmith9478]

You guys have it going on love that

[@stephanedupont2111]

Great video . I just bought a Jeep, Blue Ox and Break Buddy and you gave answers to a lot of questions that I had. Thank you.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Glad to help!

[@anthonydavis7151]

Yall did a great presentation and I really appreciate it

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnmchugh9152]

Thank you !! I am in the meddle of setting up our Jeep to be towed and had questions . this was posted just in time

[@GratefulGlamper]

Awesome! Happy to help!

[@melpeck7298]

Very well done! I love you guys!

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks for the kind words! And thanks for watching.

[@Julian-do7bv]

Im sure the new braking system will be a very welcomed new item and a lot easier but like you said this system works for now

[@raoulroberts2024]

This was a very thorough video. I was happy to learn that different towable vehicles varied in the number of steps to prepare for flat towing; I now understand why so many folks have Jeep Wranglers. 😊 I can't recall if you mentioned that it is recommended that one does not reverse while flat towing. I guess that's why you did not check your reverse lights.

[@GratefulGlamper]

No, you should NEVER back up when using a tow bar as it can bend the tow bar.

[@Brigand231]

Good video, thanks! I'll may never use the info, but if you never know. At the very least, it helps me appreciate the work that goes into making it happen when I see other folks who flat tow.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelpetitesr9382]

Your safety cables go under your tow bars. Thats so if it becomes disconnected they will catch the bar and minimize the damage that will happen if they are not there to catch the tow bars. Check with your DMV if you have questions.

[@arthurcutting9227]

I tow a new Chevy Colorado. I had a jeep and they tow real well mostly to the dealership for repair, Jeep Just Empty Every Pocket. I pretty much have the exact set up as you and did all the work myself. I throw the mountain bikes in the back of the truck and the truck does hauling and double duty when camping.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Sounds like a great set up for ya! Thanks for the comment and for watching.

[@bigdanc.8429]

If you see your jeep next to you, you have a big problem cuz that would mean your breakaway system did not work. My brother-in-law was dolly towing his SUV with all his family's expensive electronics, China, crystal and misc breakables thinking the ride in the SUV would be softer than the u-haul box truck . Well driving through the mountains some car pulled up to the box truck honking their horn and finally got my brother-in-law's attention. The passenger in the car was shouting "Hey Mister you lost your truck down the mountain". So much for keeping the breakables in the SUV, everything was destroyed when it went tumbling down the mountain drop-off. Lesson learned, check your straps on your tow dolly. Hard way to learn in the school of hard knocks.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Oh man that would be the WORST!

[@sharonsmith9478]

Love it thank you so now can i come with lol lol i wish i could go with someone in my rv to learn where to go and where not to go and learn how to set up my rv in park's and you know thing like that that way i would not be scared to go out on my on one day i am a newbe any way you guys have fun and maybe one day i can follow and learn the ropes you know love watching you guys

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks! We have some Videos on campsite and tear down you’ll have to check out

[@rustykatt3870]

Hi...wow well done video! I've subscribed 😀.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks!

[@jmonserrat2018]

Great video, I noticed you have a lever on each bar (15:43) Can you explain what those levers are for? Thank you

[@GratefulGlamper]

Yes! The levers allow the tow bar arms to go back and forth. So if you need to release tension on the tow bar, etc to loosen the arms, you can do that.

[@adriannurse1502]

Great video. We have the Blue Ox system too, but our tow bars are different and easier to use. Ours also has arrows pouting up to make sure you get the tow bars in the right position. For breaking we have the Air force One system. It is so much easier to use. Oh my gosh I feel so bad for you guys having to do all of those steps. We tow a 2018 Lincoln MKX. Our steps to tow only require four steps. If you look in the owners manual of your vehicle under towing it will tell you if you can flat tow and what the procedure is along with any requirements. Lincoln says we can not exceed 70mph towing and every six hours of towing we need to unhook the car and drive it for a few minutes making sure we use reverse too. This is for lubricating and cooling the transmission. We don't have to leave our car in accessory mode either. One last check we make is to pull forward a few feet just to see the wheels rolling free since we don't have a transfer case. Also I highly recommend carrying a extra set of pins and snap rings. On our last trip we stopped about two hours away from home to stretch our legs. I checked our towing hookup and everything was fine. When we got home the driver's side snap ring was missing and the pin had backed out about half a inch. As for snap rings the Tractor Supply company has much nicer and stronger snap rings then what comes with the Blue Ox system. They sell them for about $1.29 each so having extras are not expensive.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Good to know! We’d love to upgrade to the air force 1 at some point. Thanks for watching!

[@adriannurse1502]

@@GratefulGlamper I updated the post. The newly added ending is also very important.

[@GratefulGlamper]

@@adriannurse1502 thanks!

[@thomastheys6681]

Maybe I am wrong but for the past 14 years I have towed three jeeps and have never had an auxiliary braking system. My current jeep is a 2008 JK four-door and I still can’t feel it behind my Monaco coach. I understand if the Canadian borders reopen they may have to have a braking system with my jeep but all these years it’s gone just perfect. Thomyt

[@GratefulGlamper]

The aux braking systems are required in some area so if the tow vehicle becomes disconnected, it doesn’t roll away. Also in some states if what ever your towing is over 5k pounds, trailer brakes or some sort of aux brake is required.

[@beelust4312]

Next towing setup in the future for you will be the Ready Brute towing system 😀. Best price & setup 👌.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Good to know! Thanks for watching.

[@bmiller7017]

RVing is new to me. What does it look like to use the dolly v flat? What are the benefits of each? Do either approachs incur mileage on the towed vehicle? If so, is there a way to avoid it?

[@GratefulGlamper]

Towing on a dolly will NOT rack up miles on the odometer as the drive wheels are up off the ground. Flat towing is easier to hook/unhook.

[@727Alexandria]

Can you test and use the reverse lights as well?

[@GratefulGlamper]

Yes however, you should NOT back up when using a tow bar. If backing up is needed, then the tow vehicle should be disconnected.

[@donnac.1609]

My Jeep is a 2012 and I put a kill switch on the battery. In the owners guide it says to disconnect the battery.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Good to know. Thanks for watching 💙

[@camperman101]

I flat tow my toyota tundra truck, i installed a drive disconnect on the drive shaft, all i do is pull a lever by my seat and the drive shaft is disconnected. you can tow any vehicle with one of these.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Good to know!

[@RobinGlasco]

Only if your vehicle has a driveline. Many have a transverse engine with front drive and cv joints. In that case you need either a pump to circulate fluid through your transmission or a vehicle that has a completely different trany setup.

[@nautiquecowboynautiquecowb5317]

Does the speedometer record the mileage that you put on your vehicle while being towed?

[@GratefulGlamper]

Yes, the odometer is racking up the miles.

[@AndrewLarrimoremassachusetts]

You should always check the owner's manual before attempt to either flat tow or dolly tow - that manual will tell you if you can do either dolly or flat tow. Some vehicles will not even dolly tow.

[@GratefulGlamper]

👍🏻

[@stevelaminack1516]

Great video but for me if there are more than 2 or 3 steps and it's safety critical I make a check list. Who knows whats is in Ben's coffee :-)

[@sanddollar-ray9125]

?? Do your mileage change on the tow veh. Thank you God Bless

[@GratefulGlamper]

Yes, the odometer on the Jeep is rolling while being towed.

[@sanddollar-ray9125]

​@@GratefulGlamperThank you

[@MrRShoaf]

My Dad lost his car off a cliff while flat towing and switched to a dolly. I had taken his strating column apart and removed the locking pin and that way he didn't need to leave the key in the car while towing. He liked the dolly better.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Good to know - thanks for the comment.

[@billhooker3006]

Wow never knew you could tow a vehicle while in park. Thought it would have to stay in neutral. Is that a special feature on Jeep's?

[@GratefulGlamper]

The transmission is in neutral- even though the gear shift is in park this way.

[@billhooker3006]

I learned something new today.

[@stevenbaker3302]

i back my car dolly into spots all the time.

[@GratefulGlamper]

With a car on it or after you’ve dropped your vehicle? We found that most site were not conducive to a car dolly or anything on the back (length wise).

[@stevebaker8966]

Right size spot never had any problems

[@stevebaker8966]

Have to take car off no matter how you tow

[@mingo0817]

Hrmmm your 3rd brake light in the jeep didn’t come on.

[@GratefulGlamper]

It doesn’t the way the diode is set up

[@mingo0817]

@@GratefulGlamper Thanks for the reply. Your videos have been super helpful.

[@mccowboy950]

Are you certain about your steering lock? Jeep eliminated those after the 2009 production year.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Ours is a a 2007 - we’ve actually make a rookie mistake once of NOT unlocking the steering wheel with the key in the forward position- and nearly ruined a set of tires and suspension in the process 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@mccowboy950]

@@GratefulGlamper Ah, ok that explains it. It looks a lot newer than a 2007, very nice, Hey BTW thanks for turning us on to Gouldings in Monument Valley in Utah. We have reservations in April 22.

[@JeepsOnTheRun]

A JK dosent have a steering wheel lock.

[@GratefulGlamper]

The 2007 model does - ask us how we know, after we accidentally forgot to leave the key in the accessory position and scrubbed away over half our tire tread dragging it with the steering locked…

[@marychristie6194]

We are a tow Dolly family-just as easy as flat tow and less wear on the vehicle 🚗

[@GratefulGlamper]

Glad you found a solution that works well for you! Safe travels and thanks for watching.

[@agm6095]

It seems expensive for a tow bar setup and your have permanently attach things to the tow vehicle. A dolly is cheaper and you can tow any front wheel car or rear wheel drive with manual transmission.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Yes cost is more, we’ve done it both ways and prefer the convenience of the flat tow with a tow bar.

[@ernie7065]

As an 83 y/o, with my 2nd Class A coach, this one with 135,000 miles on it, and leaving Tuesday for a 24 day Michigan trip... 40 ft class A, flat towing a Silverado, carrying 2 mobility scooters, and a Trek bike.... and having used tow dolly..... flat towing is the only way to go. And I also disagree that the Jeep is easier than towing my 2005 Silverado. I had the baseplate put on my coach professionally. And no second hand tow bar...ouch... has the owner ever backed up with that Blue Ox ???? If so...and it breaks.... Blue Ox will examine it.... if the seller backed up.... no warrantee. Ouch to on carrying the bike.... my bike is on a swing out and away rack on the back of my truck ---- think---- if you want to take the bike... or 2 bikes... do you take the RV....

[@ernie7065]

my regrets the length of my prior post... but not being in debt is great.... but safety, warranties, and convenient use ..... my 22 years rving, with 135,000 miles... and my wife (age 80) handles the inside the truck hookup and I handle the outside...

[@ernie7065]

ouch again ,, the swing arm between his legs???? I grab the arm with one arm and put the pin in with my other hand... same Blue Ox!!

[@ernie7065]

yeow... electric line.... not tricky... there is a ridge line that has to go in the right way.... and look at him working under the bikes!!!! I leave my electric line connected to my RV all the time... snake it into those plastic ties placed on my grill. oh well... to each their own.... my Silverado is 2005... my Monaco 2001.

[@dewaynemiguel3349]

I dont beleave in a dolly or flat towing I use a tandem axle trailer if something breaks on the vehicle load it up plus you can back a trailer .

[@GratefulGlamper]

👍🏻

[@nickxguitairist]

great info but looks like a pain over putting a car on a dolly

[@GratefulGlamper]

We’ve done both, this is WAY easier than hooking up and unhooking and loading up a car on a dolly every time. We tried to show step by step in this video but it literally takes about 5 mins to hook up.

[@mikecagle984]

Flat towing does make towing easier, but why wont you let people know how expensive it is to purchase this set up and have it installed? Speaking from experience, it aint cheap!

[@GratefulGlamper]

The cost set up to flat tow can greatly vary. Hence why we didn’t talk about costs because they can be different from set-up to set-up.

[@twbelieves]

A tow dolly seems much less complicated and less expensive.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Less expensive yes, less complicated no. You have to find a place to put it when you have a back on site. Most campgrounds require that you put it in a separate area where people store trailers, etc. We can literally disconnect and connect to the jeep within five minutes where it was at least a 20 to 25 minute ordeal with the tow dolly. Plus the fact that every time you stop you do have to tighten the straps on the wheels because they do loosen as you go down the road.

[@JeepsOnTheRun]

You also can't tow a Wrangler on a dolly without removing the rear drive shaft