There are racks available for Jeep Wranglers that fit over both the hardtop and the soft tops. I think they are called "Safari Racks" or some such thing. They even make one that can be folded back to make a sun shade behind the Jeep!
When they say that J-E-E-P stands for "Just Empty Every Pocket", they are talking about the available modifications and accessories more than anything else.
I use a cheap Reese adjustable towbar on mine, it cost about $145 when I bought it several years ago, brand new. It has been used on several different Jeeps, no problems.
however, I just bought a trailer to carry the Jeep. For me, it is the best option. It most assuredly isn't a valid option for everybody, though, due to weight or length considerations.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
I tow a 97 TJ Sport (6 cylinder) with a Kargomaster rack and two big kayaks. The rack is very sturdy and pivots to allow for putting top down and up. With the soft top and kayaks it makes a lot of wind noise at freeway speeds. We also have a hardtop. It is very civilized with the hardtop at speed. I prefer the top down and noise. It's a jeep thing. Rotate tires every 3000 miles towed/driven. We got 20K towed + 15K driven miles out of our last set of AT tires.
I have the 3 speed auto. If you want an auto the 2003 or later TJ's come with a 4 speed auto which is supposed to be a big improvement over the three speed although I have no big complaint with the 3 speed.
We use Blue Ox bar and baseplate with the Brakemaster 3000. It works great. There are several great choices in that area.
Dennis and Barb
1999 Monaco Windsor 40 SS
97 Jeep Wrangler toad
I tow my 2003 Wrangler Sport TJ, I started towing it in 2003. It tows great, you cant even tell its back there. I put a shop built tow bar on it and did not add brakes - it only weighs about 3000 Lbs. The great things about them is you can add anything to it and they are a lot of fun. The bad thing, bad gas mileage (about 15 mph), noisy; the hard top is not as noisy. I would get another one.
Just did 40 miles of Forest Service jeep roads...big black bear, flowers, one other jeep all day. Yeah the roof is noisy but it's a Jeep.
Save the wave...
We tow a TJ Jeep behind our Beaver... actually several. (Currently have four of them) 97,99,01 and 06 unlimited. Have towed all. 2 are auto and 2 are 5 speeds. Owners manual says for flat towing Auto's in park, 5 speed's in 2nd and transfer in neutral. Works fine just be sure E brake is off and ign key is off lock but with no idiot lights on. Use a brake buddy works fine. Had to rewire the cig lighter to have power with key off to power brake buddy but easy as extra hot wire(even labeled) right there off fuse box. One says switched and one says unswitched. Just cut and butt connect to other choice. I believe Jeep has cig lighters dead with key off for child safety concerns.
Installed a Kargo Master on the 99 for 12' aluminum boat and have both the cross bars and safari basket. Can change over from bars to basket with 8 bolts. No big deal. Several vendors for them on the net and it ships ups ok as biggest piece is basket. For boats skip the basket and go with the 2 crossbars and yes there is rack windnoise but it's a Jeep!
A post prior to mine was correct in staying with 2000 or newer as the exhaust on the 6 cyl's do break on the early TJ's. Am going through a repair on 97 right now and will be $500+- (parts and labor). 2nd time in 3 years. The newer ones use cast iron which are ok , older are tubing and their welds break.
Started with an A frame tow bar on first one and while it worked fine equipped rest with Stowmaster 5000's as more convenient to stow. Put an aftermarket bumper on for strength and bolt it directly to face. Stock bumper not strong enough for that. I have a set of Roadmaster brackets I would sell if you need any. They pick up stock top and bottom bumper bolts and hang the 5000 out in front of stock bumper.
As others have said Jeeps can have there shortcomings but we love the ability to take top down when out in good weather. Certainly security on a softtop is minimal but a hardtop would be comparable to any other car. Some don't like high sides which make access a little more difficult. The 2007 and newer must have battery disconnected to tow. A pain... Well I have rambled enough...Good luck
We tow an 04 Wrangler TJ with us wherever we go. I believe it's the last year of the inline 6. The newer ones have a V6. Ours has the automatic trans, AC, and both the soft and hard tops. They make great toads. We've pulled ours over 20,000 miles so far.
We use a Roadmaster Sterling (forerunner to the Sterling All Terrain) towbar, Roadmaster XL brackets, and the Brakemaster 9000 braking system. We took it over 12,000 miles to Alaska last year and haven't had any problems.
Jeep doesn't recommend any carrier mounted to the roof. It's best to get one that mounts on the body and extends above the roof. We like to change the tops for summer use and have so far avoided any carrier. I think it would make installing and removing the hard top a real pain.
I tow a 2007 Wrangler and I do not disconnect battery. Use a Blue Ox Aventa II tow bar and a Roadmaster Brake Pro for aux braking. There is no pain as alluded by littlebeav that I can see. Is a fun vehicle but the fuel mileage SUCKS! Maybe 15 in town, 18 is all I have seen on highway driving(once). I still love it though!
2001 Allegro Bay DP, Banks Stinger Installed
2007 Wrangler X Unlimited 4WD, Blue Ox Aventa II
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