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Bradley G · 05-02-2018, 03:17 PM

Hi everybody. I am new to this forum and i plan to have lots of "nubie" questions. I stayed in my first airstream last weekend and love it! I have a VW european that i am not so in love with anymore... So my question is... Has anybody used a jeep Wrangler to tow a Sport 16. I see some people say don't ever tow with a jeep so i would like any advice. I also have my daily driver a BMW X5 it does not have a hitch and would add one. but that will be a new question

thank you

Brad

jcl · 05-02-2018, 03:46 PM

I haven’t, but many appear to have done so. A reasonable match to that size of trailer. See this thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...er-153096.html

I have towed with an X5. An excellent tow vehicle.

bono · 05-02-2018, 04:42 PM

Don't know about Jeep, but BMW X5 is Ultimate Towing Machine

Adventure.AS · 05-02-2018, 08:14 PM

Jeep Unlimited with a strengthened hitch receiver makes a fine tow vehicle if your main reason for choosing it is having the Jeep for off-roading etc at your destination. A larger trailer would allow you to take more stuff.

YippieKiYa · 05-03-2018, 06:53 AM

You have the Rubicon, so you have some heavier axles and transfer case if I recall. Might even have a lower final drive gear ratio. Just checked online and the Rubicon has Dana 44’s and a lower final drive. The trailering pack is just a hitch and wiring. The axles are good news for towing. If you have an automatic transmission, you might want to make sure you have a separate cooler for the trans fluid, not the typical in radiator style. The AT tires will throw some rocks and gravel at your sport, and the sport doesn’t have rock deflectors (there’s another thread on that topic and how to get them/wait for them). You’ll want to consider some sort of protection, like a rock tamer. You’ll probably need a brake controller, too.

The BMW would make good TV, too. Hitches aren’t a big deal to install. Trailer wiring is another story. Not hard; just a little more complicated. Q

Bradley G · 05-03-2018, 09:02 AM

Thank you everybody for your help! I think i am going to add a hitch to the BMW. Id like to go with the Sport 22 or Flying Cloud 20. So.... now i need to start looking into the hitch and wiring that puppy up. Nothing is every easy

stay tuned as i start to ask what i should do for the hitch. I don't know where to start. so many different options and i an so green on this subject

truffies · 05-03-2018, 09:20 AM

BMW X5 is the best and will be so smooth to drive in pulling. Just get the correct receiver on car. Do not get just a u-haul it need a special one from BMW to go with frame as to flex. Plus, BMW has a plug and play wire hass.

Tad Zelski · 05-03-2018, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bradley G

Hi everybody. I am new to this forum and i plan to have lots of "nubie" questions. I stayed in my first airstream last weekend and love it! I have a VW european that i am not so in love with anymore... So my question is... Has anybody used a jeep Wrangler to tow a Sport 16. I see some people say don't ever tow with a jeep so i would like any advice. I also have my daily driver a BMW X5 it does not have a hitch and would add one. but that will be a new question

thank you

Brad

I would not tow with a Jeep Wrangler unless it is the 4 door model with a V6 -

I love towing with a V6 Toyota Tacoma limited with a crew cab. I have a hard cover on the cargo bed and use every cubic inch of space when traveling. The 16 Sport Bambi just does not have the storage capacity we need for things like chairs, table, generator, extra food, folding bike etc.

jcl · 05-03-2018, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bradley G

Thank you everybody for your help! I think i am going to add a hitch to the BMW. Id like to go with the Sport 22 or Flying Cloud 20. So.... now i need to start looking into the hitch and wiring that puppy up. Nothing is every easy

stay tuned as i start to ask what i should do for the hitch. I don't know where to start. so many different options and i an so green on this subject

For the X5, the decision on hitch receiver depends on the series of X5. Earlier X5 E53 models should only use the BMW receiver. The E70 can use the BMW receiver or a good aftermarket one. The F15 BMW hitch is a removeable one and I wouldn’t use it, go aftermarket.

For electrical interface, I strongly recommend the BMW wiring module. It is a cleaner way to get lights connected (since BMW uses multiplex wiring) but it also tells the vehicle when a trailer is connected, and that allows the onboard Dynamic Stability Control to access the trailer stability control mode. That system doesn’t replace a sway control device on the hitch, but it is nice to have it.

BMW hitches and wiring modules are all dealer items. There are no factory equipment or factory options you need for towing.

chasrolex69 · 05-03-2018, 10:04 AM

hi, I towed a bambi about 4k miles last year with a 2015 v6 unlimited Jeep, it is more than enough, did a lot of mountain driving with little strain.. it is the way to go for sure!

Major Tom · 05-03-2018, 10:37 AM

Stick with the Bmw! I have a hitch set up with equal-user weight distribution that I used to pull my 22 Sport. I am looking to sell it if u are interested as I got a new set up for my Globetrotter.

Glenn T · 05-03-2018, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truffies

BMW X5 is the best and will be so smooth to drive in pulling. Just get the correct receiver on car. Do not get just a u-haul it need a special one from BMW to go with frame as to flex. Plus, BMW has a plug and play wire hass.

I agree 100%. I used to own an X5, and added the receiver hitch and wiring myself. It took all afternoon, but the BMW kit was a good one.

There's absolutely no comparison in towing between the Jeep and the X5. Go with the better, safer tow vehicle, and get yourself a good, used 20' Airstream. I love mine!

Glenn

mammothmama · 05-03-2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasrolex69

hi, I towed a bambi about 4k miles last year with a 2015 v6 unlimited Jeep, it is more than enough, did a lot of mountain driving with little strain.. it is the way to go for sure!

Hi. I have a 2015 Rubi unlimited (with a fairly significant lift) and 2017 22 sport.

Right now I'm towing with my Honda Pilot but this summer I'd like to town with my Rubi so we can off-road at mountain destinations where my son is an avid fly fisherman.

Sorry for the jeep glamour shot but it's the only one I have on my phone. 😕

What hitch setup do you use? I have a Reese with anti sway that I use with my pilot.

Would appreciate any advice/suggestions.

Tyvekcat · 05-03-2018, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammothmama

Hi. I have a 2015 Rubi unlimited (with a fairly significant lift) and 2017 22 sport.

Right now I'm towing with my Honda Pilot but this summer I'd like to town with my Rubi so we can off-road at mountain destinations where my son is an avid fly fisherman. Sorry for the jeep glamour shot but it's the only one I have on my phone. ��What hitch setup do you use? I have a Reese with anti sway that I use with my pilot.
Would appreciate any advice/suggestions.

You need a lift on your AS. You have a 4 inch lift on the Jeep ?

Yeah you need a lift on the AS. you will probably still need a drop hitch,
Do you have 4:56 gears ? That should help with pulling.

Cool, I have two Jeeps, I know why you want to use the Jeep,,,,

Oh yeah, Very Nice Jeep !
Have a good one!

tatertot · 05-04-2018, 01:34 AM

Everyone has their own opinion of an ideal tow vehicle. For me, a Jeep Wrangler works just fine. It may not have the towing capacity of a bigger truck, but it will tow a Bambi with little effort. Plus, it's awesome off road, is easy to fix, and I could own 3 for the cost of a BMW X5. Pros and cons. You have to figure out what works for you.