Question about flat towing and protecting the windshield

MTBGary · 02-13-2009, 09:48 AM

I will be flat towing a wrangler unlimited. Just order the tow bar and lights from quadratec. Now my next question is what people use to protect the windshield and lights? Its an '07 wrangler unlimited and we are already on the 3rd windshield, so I would think towing will just destroy it. Anybody have some home made protectors or something.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
Gary

jage · 02-13-2009, 10:06 AM

[album:3rb9j72w]3947[/album:3rb9j72w]
[album:3rb9j72w]3946[/album:3rb9j72w]
[album:3rb9j72w]3945[/album:3rb9j72w]

On the windshield we have an old Yoga mat with dry erase board gorilla glued to it. The board keeps the mat against the windshield and eliminates the need for a racheting strap at the base. The board is in pieces to allow folding, and the yoga mat wraps around the A pillar. The straps are 1" webbing with clip fasteners.

The headlight protection is just 1/4" wire mesh folded to be nearly circular (cutting would just make sharp edges) then spraypainted. It's held up rather well. To attach remove the headlight bevel, add some holes and thread wire (in this case blue twist ties) through the holes. Reinstall the bevel and use the wire to attach the screen through some of the doubled holes.

I couldn't find anything like either of these, most of the headlight protection is for looks and/or sits right agains the glass.

MTBGary · 02-13-2009, 10:11 AM

Thanks Jage! This is great. I'll sacrifice the extra yoga mat in the garage... Thanks for the details. Looks like I have some shopping and a weekend project now.

Gary

**BroncoHauler** · 02-13-2009, 10:33 AM

Yoga...Jage...Yoga...Jage...Yoga...Jage

Sorry, my mind blanked out there for a minute when the visual flashed through my brain.

Herb

Jeffrey · 02-13-2009, 11:57 AM

That's why they call those jeeps Unlimited. There are always more windshields at the glass shop!

**daveb** · 02-13-2009, 09:29 PM

Man the more I see on flat towing it leads me to think a trailer is the way to go. So who makes a nice trailer for a Jeep? Of course the glass might still have to be protected but I had no idea that resistance in towing would be a factor. I figured that the weight of a trailer would be more. Pros/cons? Jage?

jage · 02-13-2009, 09:43 PM

I have a nice CornPro trailer I think it's 19' with a wood deck. It has brakes. Technically the flat towed Jeep should have a brake buddy or something similar so I won't mention that.

Trailer Pro:
Easier to pull than TJ on 35s
Put crap besides the Jeep on it
Handy for other things
Safe(r) from rocks and damage
You can back up
Saves Jeep Tires
Leave the swaybar off and the tires aired down when done
If the Jeep is broken all you have to do is make it back to the trailer
Becomes Porto-deck for camping

Trailer Con:
Costs more
Time to hook up
Time to strap down
Time to unstrap, get out the ramps, reposition when it's time to leave... move it forward or back if it's off..
Have to put it somewhere at camp
Have to put it somewhere at home

Flat-tow Pro:
TJ on 32s? Could swear it's not even there
It takes longer to get the windshield cover off than to unhook and go
Whole rig is shorter
Jeep is thinner than van, so if you cleared it with the van, you're good
Better turn radius (I think... but you can't back up so you can't screw up either.)

Flat-tow Con:
Have to plan ahead, you cannot back up
Have to wire lights or get add ons
Have to leave key in ignition
You cannot, regardless of anything you hear, back up. Ever.
If you don't invest in a fancy All-Terrain Falcon 2 or similar it takes time to hook up.

**BroncoHauler** · 02-13-2009, 10:04 PM

Another trailer con, is storage of the trailer. It takes up a lot of space. [edit: just noticed that I missed that Jage said the same thing]

I have a PJ Trailer car hauler (18') with electric brakes on BOTH axles, a dovetail and ramps. Bought it used, but if I were to buy new, I would go with the same trailer brand, but probably go with a 16' model (to ease trailer storage space), and with a flat deck instead of the dovetail (minimize dragging the rear end). A dovetail does make it easier to load and unload unlifted vehicles though (less breakover angle).

http://www.pjtrailers.com/detail.cfm?ID=C5

Herb