Guide to Flat Towing a Jeep Wrangler

Flat towing a Jeep Wrangler behind an RV is a safe and popular way to bring your vehicle along for travel, as long as the correct equipment, setup steps, and manufacturer guidelines are followed. Jeep Wranglers are widely considered one of the best vehicles for flat (dinghy) towing because many models are factory-approved and designed to roll with all four wheels on the ground when properly configured.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to flat tow a Jeep Wrangler, including what flat towing is, how to confirm your RV’s towing capacity, what equipment is required, and how to prepare your Wrangler for towing without damaging the drivetrain. Whether you’re new to dinghy towing or looking to double-check your setup before your next trip, this article breaks down the essential steps, safety considerations, and common questions so you can tow with confidence and hit the road fully prepared.

Jeep Wranglers are known as some of the best vehicles for flat towing or dinghy towing. So, if you happen to have one AND an RV too, lucky you – you have the best of both worlds! Before gearing up and getting ready for the ultimate adventures that await your rig and Jeep, there are some vital guidelines you should follow to get properly set up and ready to go, and we’ve got you covered with the fundamental steps you need to know to flat tow a Jeep Wrangler.

Flat (dinghy) towing is the practice of towing a vehicle behind an RV with all four wheels on the ground, allowing the towed vehicle to roll freely while connected by a tow bar.

Let’s start with the basics. You’ve decided to read this blog, so you may already know what flat (aka dinghy) towing is and are searching for some useful guidance. But, just in case you landed here by searching "what is flat tow?", here’s a short and sweet definition: flat/dinghy towing is the act of towing a vehicle by, and behind, an RV with all four wheels touching the ground (hence the word “flat”), and the vehicle being towed is known as the dinghy. In this case, your Jeep Wrangler will be the dinghy.

Flat towing is often preferred over dolly towing or trailer towing your vehicle due to its simplicity, lower cost, and quicker hookup process. With fewer components to store and less hassle at campsites, flat towing makes travel days smoother and more efficient.

Yes, flat towing remains one of the most recommended ways to tow a Jeep Wrangler behind an RV when the vehicle is properly equipped and manufacturer-approved.

Jeep Wrangler models continue to be designed with flat towing in mind, especially those equipped with a two-speed transfer case. Compared to dolly or trailer towing, flat towing requires less storage space, faster setup at campsites, and fewer components to maintain. As long as you follow current Jeep guidelines and use rated towing equipment, flat towing is still considered a safe, efficient option for RV travelers.

Yes, Jeep Wranglers are well-suited for long-distance flat towing when set up correctly and inspected regularly.

Wranglers are commonly towed thousands of miles behind RVs each year without issue. Long-distance success depends on correct drivetrain configuration, proper braking support, and consistent equipment checks. When these steps are followed, flat towing remains reliable even for extended cross-country trips.

Before flat towing a Jeep Wrangler, you must confirm that your RV’s rated towing capacity exceeds the Wrangler’s curb weight and complies with all manufacturer limits.

First, make sure that your RV is equipped to safely tow your Wrangler. You will want to check your RV owner’s manual or even consult your RV manufacturer to check its tow capacity. Once you know your rig’s capacity, you will want to check the weight of your Wrangler to ensure that it does not exceed that number. When you confirm that you are within the proper means to safely tow your Wrangler, you are good to move on to the next steps and gather your equipment!

Pro Tip: Most Jeep Wranglers weigh between 4,000 to 5,000 pounds, which makes them compatible with many Class A and Class C RVs, but always double-check curb weight and GVWR to stay within safe towing parameters.

Flat towing a Jeep Wrangler requires a tow bar, base plates, a rated RV hitch, tow light wiring, a supplemental braking system, safety cables, and locking accessories.

A tow bar connects your Jeep Wrangler to your RV and allows controlled, articulated movement so the Jeep can track smoothly behind the motorhome.

The first critical component needed to flat tow your Jeep Wrangler is the tow bar, which is a device that connects a vehicle to an RV for flat towing. It uses a shank, pivoting arms and attachment tabs to couple the two vehicles together, and works by mounting into the RV trailer hitch and attaching to the vehicle base plate, connecting the front of the dinghy vehicle to the back of the RV. The RV pulls the dinghy, and the tow bar pivots, allowing for smooth towing.

Tow bars range in weight capacity, style, and usability. CURT’s tow bars are built strong and are easy to handle for safe, dependable dinghy towing no matter where the road leads. Check out the video below to see how to set up the CURT Rambler™ tow bar, or take a look at our step-by-step tow bar setup tutorial.

When shopping for a tow bar, look for features like non-binding latches, adjustable arms, and a high tow weight rating to match your Wrangler's specs. A good tow bar ensures easy hookup and disconnect even on uneven terrain.

Base plates bolt to the front frame of the Jeep Wrangler and provide reinforced attachment points for safely connecting the tow bar.

Another one of the most base-ic *pun intended* parts you will need to flat tow your Jeep Wrangler is a base plate, also known as a tow bar base plate. The base plate is a metal frame that bolts onto the front end of your vehicle to provide a solid attachment point for flat towing, and its purpose is to provide a sturdy spot for connecting the tow bar to the RV.

CURT offers base plates that are designed with custom fitments for specific vehicle makes and models. We carry base plates for select models of the Jeep Wrangler JK, TJ and JL that are precisely welded for superior strength and fit to give you the confidence to tackle the road ahead with no worries.

Always confirm compatibility between your base plate and tow bar brand. CURT base plates are engineered for seamless integration with CURT tow bars, minimizing installation challenges and improving towing performance.

To flat tow your Jeep Wrangler, you will need to be sure that there is a receiver hitch on the back of your RV. Dinghy towing requires that the receiver hitch height be within three inches of the tow bar base plate height; and if the height difference is greater than three inches, a hitch adapter will be needed to drop to the correct height. RV hitches come in two styles: frame-mounted and bumper-mounted. CURT’s adjustable RV hitches are strong, reliable, and perfect for when you’re ready to get your flat towing excursions underway.  

A towing wiring harness synchronizes the Jeep’s brake lights and turn signals with the RV, ensuring visibility and legal compliance while towing.

To maximize safety for yourself and other drivers on the road, you should be sure that your vehicle’s electrical system is accurately connected to and synchronized with your RV while towing. Doing so ensures that the brake lights and turn signals all work properly and simultaneously to help avoid accidents.  

CURT carries wiring harnesses that plug into the dinghy vehicle's taillights to provide a standard wiring connector to plug into the RV, along with add-ons for equipping the vehicle with its own trailer wiring connector. For select models of the Jeep Wrangler specifically, CURT offers custom-towed vehicle RV wiring harnesses, 4-way flat output custom harnesses and trailer brake controller harnesses all to equip you with the electrical components you need to tow your vehicle safely without hassle. If you prefer not to go through the process of installing wiring for your lights, magnetic RV towing lights offer a temporary, quick plug-and-play alternative.

Don't forget to test your wiring setup before every trip. Functional brake and signal lights are not only required by law in many states but are crucial for safe travel.

A supplemental braking system, like RVibrake, helps slow the Jeep Wrangler during stops, reducing strain on the RV’s brakes and meeting legal requirements in many regions.

When flat towing a vehicle, an RV’s brakes can become overloaded by the weight of the dinghy, and investing in an auxiliary braking system is a recommended solution. Auxiliary brakes, also known as supplemental brakes, help the RV and vehicle stop smoothly and safely, giving you peace of mind when dinghy towing your beloved Jeep Wrangler.

In many U.S. states and Canadian provinces, a supplemental braking system is legally required for vehicles over a certain weight—typically 3,000 lbs. Make sure your setup meets local laws before hitting the road.

Tow bar locks secure the tow bar to both the RV and Jeep, helping prevent theft and unauthorized disconnection while parked.

Once you reach your destination and are ready to do some exploring, you’ll want to have confidence that everything will be where you left it when you get back. Tow bar locks are designed to insert into the connection points of the tow bar, securing the tow bar attachment tab connections and shank connection to the RV hitch.  

Replacing the hitch pins of your tow bar with hitch locks increases the security of your RV towing setup -- so you can spend more time thinking about the next trail you want to hike, and less time worrying about whether your towing connection, vehicle and RV are all safe while you’re away.

Hooking up a tow bar involves connecting it to the RV hitch and Jeep base plates, then securing all pins, safety cables, and electrical connections.

Preparing a Jeep Wrangler for flat towing includes configuring drivetrain settings, verifying connections, and performing a final safety inspection.

Okay, you’ve got all your equipment, everything is all hooked up, you’ve got your accessories, snacks, and coffee ready to go for the long drive that awaits you in the early morning hours. What are the last couple of things you should do before jumping on the road? 

Switching your Jeep into tow mode properly prepares it to be dinghy towed. You should refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions for your particular Jeep model to ensure that you do so safely and accurately.

Typically, this involves shifting the transfer case into NEUTRAL and the transmission into PARK (or per your model’s instructions). Failing to follow the correct steps can result in severe drivetrain damage.

Before driving, you should verify that all hitch pins, safety cables, wiring connections, and lights are secure and functioning properly.

Lastly, you should do a quick inspection to ensure that all your equipment is, indeed, set up correctly. A quick five-to-10-minute walkthrough assuring that everything is all set to go could make a world of difference in your trip. Check out the lights and make sure they are functioning properly, confirm that all parts, pins, etc. are in the correct places, and make sure you’ve double checked all connection points to be certain that they are solid and good to go.  

Once you’ve got that taken care of, you should be ready to take your RV, Jeep Wrangler, family and even your dog on the ride and trip of a lifetime!  

1.) Can all Jeep Wranglers be flat towed?

Most Jeep Wranglers can be flat towed, but only when properly equipped and configured according to the owner’s manual. Many Wrangler models with a two-speed transfer case are approved for flat towing, but exact procedures vary by year and drivetrain. Always confirm flat-tow approval in your specific Jeep’s manual before towing.

2.) Do I need to disconnect the driveshaft when flat towing a Jeep Wrangler?

No, Jeep Wranglers that are approved for flat towing do not require driveshaft disconnection when set up correctly. Placing the transfer case in NEUTRAL (and following manufacturer instructions) allows the vehicle to roll without drivetrain damage.

3.) How do I put a Jeep Wrangler in flat tow mode?

To flat tow a Jeep Wrangler, the transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL and the transmission set according to the owner’s manual. The exact steps vary by model year and transmission type, so following the factory procedure is critical to avoid damage.

4.) Can I flat tow a Jeep Wrangler with an automatic transmission?

Yes, many Jeep Wranglers with automatic transmissions can be flat towed if they have a compatible transfer case. The transmission itself is not the deciding factor — transfer case design and manufacturer approval are what matter most.

5.) Is a supplemental braking system required when flat towing a Jeep Wrangler?

In many states and provinces, yes — a supplemental braking system is legally required when towing vehicles over a certain weight. Jeep Wranglers typically exceed those thresholds, making auxiliary brakes both a legal and safety necessity.

6.) Can I flat tow a Jeep Wrangler without base plates?

No, base plates are required to flat tow a Jeep Wrangler safely. Base plates provide secure mounting points for the tow bar and are designed to handle towing forces without damaging the vehicle.

7.) How do I know if my RV can flat tow a Jeep Wrangler?

Your RV must have a towing capacity greater than the Jeep’s weight and be equipped with a rated hitch and braking system. Check your RV’s owner’s manual for maximum tow ratings and hitch limits before towing.

8.) Can I back up while flat towing a Jeep Wrangler?

No, you should never back up while flat towing a Jeep Wrangler. Flat towing setups are designed for forward motion only, and backing up can damage the tow bar, base plates, or steering components.

9.) Do I need to unlock the steering wheel when flat towing?

Yes, the steering wheel must be unlocked so the Jeep can track properly behind the RV. Modern Wranglers often manage this automatically, but it’s important to confirm steering behavior before towing.

10.) Is flat towing a Jeep Wrangler safe?

Flat towing a Jeep Wrangler is safe when the correct equipment, setup, and procedures are used. Using a rated tow bar, base plates, safety cables, wiring, and a supplemental braking system significantly reduces risk.