How To Flat Tow A Jeep Cherokee

Many RVers enjoy the ability to flat-tow a vehicle behind their RV. The benefits are tremendous, especially for those of us with very large motorhomes. Jeeps are very popular equally "toads" or "dinghy vehicles", but if you're a proponent of apartment towing like we are, knowing what Jeeps can be flat towed (some can't!) is important.

And then, today we're jumping into the weeds to investigate which Jeeps are worth considering equally flat-towed dinghies, and why.

1. ane) What is Flat Towing?
2. ii) Tin Any Vehicle Exist Flat Towed?
3. 3) What Jeeps Tin can Exist Apartment Towed?
   1. 3.i) Jeep Wrangler
   2. 3.2) Jeep Grand Cherokee
   3. 3.iii) Jeep Cherokee
   4. 3.4) Jeep Patriot
   5. 3.v) Jeep Liberty
   6. 3.half dozen) Jeep Gladiator
4. 4) Which Jeep Models Can Not Be Flat Towed?
   1. 4.1) Jeep Compass & Jeep Renegade
5. v) Why is Transmission Lubrication Critical to Flat Towing?
6. 6) Tin an Automatic Jeep Be Flat Towed Behind an RV?
7. 7) Can I Flat Tow a Jeep Behind a Class C RV?
8. 8) What is the Best Tow Bar for Flat Towing?
9. 9) Concluding Thoughts

What is Flat Towing?

We've flat towed our Honda CR-V behind our motorhomes for close to a couple of decades now, and our lives wouldn't be consummate without our dinghy. Having a small vehicle with the states is quite necessary not but for the purpose of navigating cities, catching dinner and a motion picture, grocery shopping and the like, simply as well to motion u.s. through some of the areas where but nature abides, in rough country that offers some fantastic experiences & places we'd never be able to visit in a large RV.

Nosotros're proponents of flat towing for a number of reasons, and yous can read our total mail service on towing a car backside an RV for a more complete perspective. Only, in general, apartment towing is simply towing a vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, sometimes referred to every bit "four-downward towing".

When flat-towing a vehicle, all iv wheels of the tow vehicle remain on the basis.

This involves attaching a suitable tow bar to a vehicle that tin be flat towed and assuasive the vehicle to ride behind the RV on all four of its own tires. There are several benefits to this method of towing, not the to the lowest degree of which are the ease and speed of connecting and disconnecting the tow vehicle, and the minor amount of space (in most cases almost none) the entire organisation requires.

With flat towing, you don't demand to go your motorcar up onto a tow dolly or trailer, so you save a lot of time and hassle. And because the components are far smaller than a dolly or trailer, you don't need to worry about finding actress space at your campsite.

Can Whatever Vehicle Be Flat Towed?

No, non all vehicles can be apartment towed. And just every bit today'southward post explores what Jeeps can be flat towed specifically, it's very important to inquiry and understand clearly whether whatever vehicle you lot may be considering tin be flat towed. Flat-towing a vehicle that is unsuitable for the purpose is likely to result in significant damage to your tow vehicle, and can even be dangerous.

Our post on what cars can be flat towed behind an RV noted that the best resources for identifying cars that are approved for flat towing is the almanac Motorhome Magazine Dinghy Towing Guide, which covers vehicles manufactured over the past thirty+ years. Just even subsequently checking the dinghy towing guide, there's no more important identify to confirm that flat towing is allowed than an individual vehicle's possessor'south manual.

What Jeeps Can Exist Flat Towed?

Jeeps are among the nearly pop vehicles to tow behind an RV, with the Wrangler and One thousand Cherokee the most common. Permit's take a look at which Jeeps tin be flat towed, and which cannot.

IMPORTANT Annotation:

While this is a full general guide based on information that is electric current at the time nosotros're writing this postal service, and is based on our best research, the only way to be sure that any vehicle is safe for apartment towing is to bank check the owner's manual for that vehicle.

You lot besides need to be enlightened of your RV's towing capacity as well as the weight of the towed vehicle you're considering.

An possessor'south manual may too have specific instructions related to towing which must exist followed. You lot may exist instructed to remove particular fuses, leave the keys in the ignition, or have other actions to ensure safe towing of the vehicle, for example. Make sure that y'all're aware of all manufacturer's specifications related to towing before hooking up a tow bar.

Speaking of tow bars, in improver to making sure you lot can use a tow bar with your particular setup, you'll also need to confirm that you're installing a base plate that'south compatible. Virtually of the Jeep models that are capable of being apartment towed appear to be compatible with base plates from the major towbar manufacturers (we think Roadmaster is the all-time). But again – you lot always need to confirm that the towing equipment yous purchase is safely uniform with your setup.

And finally, keep in heed that the specifics of all vehicle models – Jeeps included – may vary from year to twelvemonth. The fact that you lot were able to flat-tow a particular Jeep model from the past does not hateful that the model you're currently considering can be towed. Ever confirm definitively that the vehicle you're planning to flat tow is capable of safely being flat towed.

Now that that's out of the way, let's take a look at several Jeep models as we keep our investigation into what Jeeps can be flat towed.

Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most popular vehicles on the road.

The Jeep Wrangler is among the most popular toads on the route. Prominently featured in our mail service on the best vehicle to tow behind your RV to maximize exploration, the versatility of the Wrangler on any terrain is difficult to beat out. In fact, the Jeep Wrangler offers a couple of trim levels (the JK and JL) that offer 4WD (four-bicycle drive) for really maximizing exploration out in the backcountry. These are also bully vehicles for RVers who travel in areas where the snow flies.

If you've got a couple of kids or a domestic dog and a bunch of gear you desire to carry – say for skiing or snowboarding – the Jeep Wrangler has plenty of cargo space for you lot, and that'southward another plus.

The Wrangler's ability to be apartment towed makes information technology an incredibly popular choice for RVers who frequent areas where 4WD is useful and for folks who simply like driving a Wrangler.

In that location are a few reasons to steer clear of a Jeep Wrangler, though: if you need more cargo space, or if you're an RVer who tends to bulldoze your toad for long distances (the Wrangler'southward interruption doesn't get high marks for smooth sailing… driven at highway speeds, in fact, a crude and loud ride is a mutual complaint among Wrangler owners).

But at that place'due south another consideration you lot should exist aware of where the Jeep Wrangler is concerned, and that's the weight variation among its trim levels. Depending on the trim level chosen, the weight of a Wrangler can vary past equally much as 2,000 pounds.

For some, this may non be a business organization at all. But if you've got a Class C RV with a v,000-pound tow capacity, you lot certainly don't want to cull a five,100-pound Jeep Wrangler as your tow vehicle. Yes – in that location are some Wranglers that are that heavy. And that brings u.s.a. to a very important point.

If the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of any toad you're considering, Wrangler or otherwise, is 80% or more of your RV'due south maximum tow chapters, you'll want to reconsider your options.

Remember – safety is everything, and you lot don't ever want to be pushing your RV's ratings for safe apartment towing. Non ever.

Jeep Chiliad Cherokee

Jeep Thou Cherokee trim levels with "4LO" – (a low-speed iv-bicycle-bulldoze) tin be flat towed.

The Grand Cherokee is another of Jeep'south virtually popular vehicles. However, not all Grand Cherokee trim levels can be flat towed, so if you're interested in the Grand Cherokee as your flat tow vehicle, you'll demand to be enlightened of a few very important considerations.

Offset, the only trim levels of the Jeep Cherokee that are safety for flat towing are those that accept Quadra-Trac l and ll, or Quadra-Drive ll because these trim levels offering what's called "4LO" (sometimes written equally "4-LO", "four-low", or 4WD-depression). This is a low-speed 4-wheel-drive, pregnant that it provides more torque at low speed. 4LO offers an additional gear reduction that delivers more torque to both the front and rear wheels, and this is an important distinction.

The purpose of 4LO (low-range) is for very steep climbs or for getting out of a hard spot in extreme off-road situations. (More torque doesn't mean more traction, though, so slippery surfaces (snowfall, ice, mud) can be dangerous.

Without getting into the finer specifications of Quadra-Trac l and ll and Quadra-Drive ll, we strongly advise you to consult the possessor's transmission of any Jeep K Cherokee yous may be interested in looking at as your tow vehicle. You want to make certain you lot're non voiding the manufacturer's warranty for i thing, and more than importantly, you never want to compromise safety, no matter how much you dearest a vehicle.

Finally, behave in listen the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of the Jeep M Cherokee as it compares to the towing capacity of your particular RV. These vehicles can weigh betwixt four,500 and 5,500 pounds, which not only pushes the apartment tow limits of a Class C RV but besides of some Class Every bit.

In fact, we'll go and then far every bit to say that the Jeep Thou Cherokee should be reserved for only large, heavy Grade A or Super C motorhomes with very robust tow packages when being considered as a flat tow vehicle. This leaves just a few models of the Jeep One thousand Cherokee to be safely flat towed behind some of the largest Class A rigs on the route. Don't hate the states for saying this – we know you love the Jeep Grand Cherokee and we agree it'due south a keen vehicle. But, The RVgeeks will always put safety commencement.

Jeep Cherokee

NO unmarried-speed PTU Jeep Cherokee tin can be flat towed, a very important consideration when looking at a Cherokee – including older models like this one – for apartment towing.

The Jeep Cherokee is available in a number of trim levels. But certain trim levels of the Cherokee are capable of existence flat towed behind an RV, and so one time over again, you'll need to be familiar with the specifications of each trim level you're considering.

Trim levels of the Jeep Cherokee that have a unmarried-speed PTU (Power Transfer Unit of measurement) CANNOT be flat towed. These would include all 2WD (2-cycle-drive) trim levels.

Yous tin can only flat tow a Cherokee with a 2-speed PTU (Power Transfer Unit).

The PTU is an AWD (all-wheel-bulldoze) transfer case that allows power to exist distributed to all four wheels (either part-time or full-fourth dimension). Driving conditions determine how much power is distributed to the forepart and rear.

So, NO single-speed PTU Jeep Cherokee can be flat towed, (meaning no 2-cycle-bulldoze trim levels or trim levels with any kind of transfer case other than a ii-speed PTU).

If the Jeep Cherokee you're considering has ActiveDrive ll or has a 2-speed PTU, you lot may be able to tow it behind your RV, though as e'er we recommend confirming this with your owner'southward manual or Jeep dealership (nosotros've read that in that location are actually some trim levels of the Jeep Cherokee that require the employ of a Mopar tow kit specifically, otherwise you'll be voiding the manufacturer's warranty).

This is why we continue to echo – perchance to the bespeak of being annoying – that you really must confirm definitively whether the vehicle you want to flat tow tin be safely flat towed – and how. At that place are intricacies involved that you might not otherwise be aware of (which is why we're likely to repeat this again before the end of this commodity).

Jeep Patriot

The Jeep Patriot is lightweight and fuel-efficient, making its 4WD trim levels desirable tow vehicles for RVers. (Photo courtesy of Jeep.com)

Folks seem to like the fuel efficiency of the Jeep Patriot, and we can certainly understand that (especially these days). Fuel efficiency is one of the many things we appreciate well-nigh our Honda CR-5 with transmission transmission.

The Jeep Patriot averages around 23 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, and that alone makes information technology an attractive tow vehicle.

Another do good of the Jeep Patriot equally a tow vehicle is its weight. There are many RVs on the road that have a 5,000-pound tow capacity. With the Patriot weighing in at between 3,100 and three,400 pounds, information technology'll fit the neb for a smaller Course A or fifty-fifty for a Class C motorhome.

However, only the transmission transmission models of the Jeep Patriot are capable of being safely flat towed behind your RV. Even and then, there are a number of specifications related to flat towing which you'll find in the Patriot'due south owners manual, and failing to follow them may void the manufacturer'south warranty.

Jeep Liberty

The Jeep Liberty is minor & lightweight with enough of cargo infinite, making it a peachy choice  for many RVers. (Photograph courtesy of Jeep.com)

The Jeep Liberty is popular for its meaning cargo space. If yous need to drive several people or dogs or lots of gear, the Liberty has sufficient room to allow you to practice and then comfortably.

At 16 mpg city and 22 highway, it'due south not the fuel-efficient vehicle the Patriot is, but sometimes priorities need a more than cavernous, less efficient vehicle. The Liberty is also heavier than the Patriot, weighing in at anywhere from four,076 to 4,290 pounds.

Here's the flat tow skinny on the Jeep Freedom, however: While you lot tin can flat tow a 4WD (4-wheel-drive) Liberty, the transfer example MUST be shifted into Neutral, with the transmission in Park.

2WD (2-cycle-bulldoze) trim levels can only be flat towed if the driveshaft is removed/asunder (requiring pregnant effort and/or third-political party parts installation).

And – let'due south sing it all together now – check the possessor's manual or consult your Jeep dealership to be sure you tin safely flat tow the Jeep Liberty you're considering, and to familiarize yourself with all specifications for flat towing that detail vehicle.

Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator tin can tow or be towed! All trim levels of the Gladiator can exist flat towed, however very specific instructions must be followed to the letter. (Photograph courtesy of Jeep.com.)

This one'due south like shooting fish in a barrel. All trim levels of the current Jeep Gladiator can exist flat towed behind an RV. While this is great news for Gladiator loyalists, equally you might expect there are some caveats here…

The Gladiator'south owner's manual has very specific instructions for flat towing, and they must be followed to the letter unless yous don't mind risking your manufacturer's warranty (which is never a practiced idea because specs and instructions are by and large laid out with skilful reason) and the life/wellness of your Gladiator'south drivetrain.

To apartment tow your Jeep Gladiator, you may need to take a flat towing package professionally mounted to the frame of the vehicle, for case. Otherwise, yous may void the warranty which means that if your Gladiator is damaged due to improper towing techniques, yous'll exist responsible.

All together now…to the tune of Yankee Doodle Dandy…

Check your owner's transmission or consult your Jeep dealership for details.

Which Jeep Models Tin can Not Exist Flat Towed?

There are ii Jeep models that aren't worth considering when looking at vehicles that can be flat towed. These are the Compass and the Renegade:

Jeep Compass & Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Compass and the Jeep Renegade aren't suitable for flat towing (no – not even if you lot shift them into Neutral).

With sure vehicles like these, towing with the drive wheels on the footing is likely to result in damage to the powertrain. (The powertrain consists of both the engine and the drivetrain. The drivetrain delivers the power to motion the wheels.)

With the Compass and the Renegade, yous'd probably want to have a dolly for the front-wheel-drive models or a trailer for the four-wheel-drive models. But you definitely – without question – do NOT want to flat tow either of these vehicles.

If you attempt to flat-tow a vehicle that isn't suitable for flat towing, ane meaning consequence you're likely to meet is an improperly lubricated transmission. And as y'all might imagine, this can issue in serious damage.

Let'southward take a expect…

Why is Transmission Lubrication Critical to Flat Towing?

Some years back, and not all that long agone really, any vehicle with a manual transmission (and many vehicles with automated transmissions) could be flat towed without risk to the transmission.

Multiple gear ratios in newer vehicles (including many with transmission transmissions) prevent them from existence safely flat towed due to the lack of proper lubrication during the apartment-towing process.

Non so with the newer generation vehicles that have advanced electronic features. The advent of multiple gear ratios has rendered many vehicles incapable of being safely flat towed, and that includes many manual transmission vehicles.

The principal reason for this change involves the pump inside the transmission. The task of this pump is to continuously supply oil to properly lubricate all components of the transmission. However, when the vehicle isn't running, the pump isn't running either, and therein lies the bulk of the problem.

When you're flat towing a not-running vehicle (all iv wheels on the ground), the differential and other internal components are forced to continually rotate without lubrication (vehicles with CVT – continuously variable transmission – are particularly sensitive to this issue).

So, in a newer model manual transmission, for case, you lot accept the input shaft spinning the clutch, and lubrication continuously being distributed to internal components when the engine is running. However, when flat towing, the input shaft doesn't spin considering the engine isn't running. But the rear wheels rolling forth will spin the main shaft (yes, even with the transmission in neutral) without lubrication, thus damaging the transmission.

Our tow vehicle is a good example of this. Our 2002 Honda CR-V (manual transmission) has been flat towed behind our motorhome for nigh 18 years, and information technology remains in fantastic condition to this twenty-four hour period. A CR-V makes a nifty tow vehicle, however, the newer model CR-Vs can't be apartment towed (if they could, we'd get a newer model when ours is set for an upgrade!)

But this is the price of progress. Progress in ane area sometimes exerts a cost in another area.

Can an Automatic Jeep Be Flat Towed Behind an RV?

Regardless of model or transmission choice, the Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator tin can be flat towed. With either vehicle, yous'll likely need to depress the brake pedal and shift the transmission to Neutral, merely as e'er consult your owner'south manual or your Jeep dealership for proper flat towing instructions.

Regardless of model or transmission option, the Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator can be flat towed, following the instructions in the owner'south manual.

Tin can I Apartment Tow a Jeep Backside a Class C RV?

Y'all can indeed flat tow several Jeep models and trims backside a Class C RV. As noted in several places in this article, the important consideration (in addition to choosing a model and trim that can exist apartment towed in the first place) is weight.

CONFIRM your Jeep tow vehicle'southward GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) and your Class C RV'southward tow chapters, and then follow all manufacturer'south instructions and specifications related to flat towing your tow vehicle.

As noted previously, the weights of many Jeep models vary significantly from trim to trim, and so be careful to confirm that the trim of the model you're interested in towing falls inside a reasonable weight to be towed by your RV.

What is the Best Tow Bar for Apartment Towing?

As nosotros noted in item in our mail service on the best tow bar for flat towing, the Roadmaster Nighthawk Towbar is the best tow bar for flat towing in our stance. We come to this opinion with wide-ranging feel, having flat towed for nearly 2 decades. We've used several tow bars in that time, and the Roadmaster Nighthawk is our clear favorite.

The not-binding feature of the Roadmaster Nighthawk makes it the outset tow bar we've used that is truly not-binding – every time.

First, the Nighthawks accept non-binding latches which are TRULY not-bounden (we've actually TRIED to make this tow bar system bind and we can't!). Roadmaster'southward Freedom Latch is a game-changer. It'south easy to apply and not-binding every single time nosotros unhook. Every fourth dimension! (If yous've ever dealt with tow bar binding, you'll understand why nosotros're gushing here.)

And y'all don't accept to leap for the nearly expensive model to get the Liberty Latch feature. Less expensive models (listed as "All-Terrain" in Roadmaster lingo) include it equally well.

We also love the prominent LED lights that run along the tow bar artillery and are illuminated anytime our RV'south lights are on. This means that fifty-fifty in total darkness, traffic effectually usa is alerted to the fact that nosotros're towing a vehicle behind our very long Course A motorhome – a safety feature that cannot be overstated.

The Roadmaster Nighthawk is the showtime tow bar arrangement to feature rows of LED lights providing a blanket of illumination around the front of the toad car, improving safety exponentially.

There's also an enclosed channel for the power string and rubber cables, keeping them all safely and conveniently at hand… another feature that makes this tow bar arrangement outstanding.

And hooking upward the Roadmaster Nighthawk is easy – check out our mail service on how to claw up your auto to your RV tow bar for complete details.

Final Thoughts

Jeeps can make a fantastic tow vehicle for RVers, and they're certainly a very popular option. Simply the respond to the question of what Jeeps can exist flat towed is somewhat complicated.

While it's clear that not all Jeep models and trims tin can be flat towed, information technology'southward safe to say that none of the 2WD (2-bike-bulldoze) models are suitable.

In an endeavour to simplify things a bit, we'd say that while many (perhaps well-nigh) of the 4WD (iv-cycle-drive) Jeep models can be flat towed, NO Jeep (or any other vehicle) should be apartment towed without confirmation from the vehicle's possessor'southward transmission or from your Jeep dealership (or both!) that the vehicle is flat towable AND how to properly gear up the vehicle specifically for flat towing.

Equally we've seen throughout this all-encompassing article, even within a model of Jeep, there may be certain engine/transmission combinations that are required for flat towing, while other combinations may not be flat-towable at all. And that can change from 1 model year to the next.

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Source: https://www.thervgeeks.com/what-jeeps-can-be-flat-towed/

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