Just bought a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude. Also bought a Demco Dominator hitch as my old Demco hitch was almost 20 years old. The problem is this: Jeep says to put the Latitude in Neutral (N) BEFORE hooking to the MH and the Demco Dominator says to hook up the Jeep and then back up to lock the arms of the towbar BEFORE putting the Jeep into Neutral (N). For those of you that are already towing this vehicle, which would you do? It just seems intuitive to me to lock the arms on the towbar first and then to put the Jeep in Neutral (N). But with all the electronics on this vehicle, I would hate to ruin the transmission by not following the exact procedures Jeep recommends. Thanks,TedToo

Jeep doesn't know you have a telescoping tow bar. Follow Jeep's recommended steps after locking the tow bar in place and you should be okay. Good luck!

gemsworld wrote:Jeep doesn't know you have a telescoping tow bar. Follow Jeep's recommended steps after locking the tow bar in place and you should be okay. Good luck!X 2 BTW: Yes Jeep does but not all tow bars are equal!

Crossing my fingers the OP bought the Latitude WITH the Jeep ACTIVE DRIVE II.....:E....Dennis

All models of Jeep for many years have said to put the transfer case in NEUTRAL, then back the motorhome up to the Jeep and connect the towbar.I never have, and don't with my Dodge Truck, either!I have ALWAYS hooked up FIRST, then put the transfer case in Neutral, whether it was with my old fixed arm Reese towbar or my old used Stowmaster telescoping towbar.My reasoning is simple: With the towbar hooked up to the motorhome, the toad can not roll away when it is put in Neutral, and I don't have to set the parking brake. If I don't SET the parking brake, I can NOT forget to release it! That is one less thing to go wrong.Besides, IMO it is MUCH easier to drive the Jeep or the truck to the motorhome than it is to back the motorhome to the truck or Jeep!When I arrive at my destination, the FIRST thing I do is put the transfer case in 2 HI or 4 HI (it really makes no difference), and the LAST thing I do is unhitch and fold the towbar.I think so long as you do all the required steps, the order in which you do them is irrelevant! Do it YOUR way, just don't leave out any steps!

Tedtoo wrote:Just bought a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude. Also bought a Demco Dominator hitch as my old Demco hitch was almost 20 years old. The problem is this: Jeep says to put the Latitude in Neutral (N) BEFORE hooking to the MH and the Demco Dominator says to hook up the Jeep and then back up to lock the arms of the towbar BEFORE putting the Jeep into Neutral (N). For those of you that are already towing this vehicle, which would you do? It just seems intuitive to me to lock the arms on the towbar first and then to put the Jeep in Neutral (N). But with all the electronics on this vehicle, I would hate to ruin the transmission by not following the exact procedures Jeep recommends. Thanks,TedTooYou're talking about disconnecting the drive train using the little nuetral button next to the round 4x4 position selector? That is the button used to get into "neutral" .... NOT THE GEAR SELECTOR stick shift ( although it will be in neutral too along with the correct procedure using the neutral button).If so, just hook up your tow bars and lock them like you mentioned - then put the drive train into nuetral. If you put the drive train into nuetral first you can always push the car back by hand to lock them. It doesn't take much effort to move the car, as long as your on flat ground.

Conflicting requirements for towing 2014 Jeep Cherokee

mowermech
Explorer
Aug 01, 2014
All models of Jeep for many years have said to put the transfer case in NEUTRAL, then back the motorhome up to the Jeep and connect the towbar.
I never have, and don't with my Dodge Truck, either!
I have ALWAYS hooked up FIRST, then put the transfer case in Neutral, whether it was with my old fixed arm Reese towbar or my old used Stowmaster telescoping towbar.
My reasoning is simple: With the towbar hooked up to the motorhome, the toad can not roll away when it is put in Neutral, and I don't have to set the parking brake. If I don't SET the parking brake, I can NOT forget to release it! That is one less thing to go wrong.
Besides, IMO it is MUCH easier to drive the Jeep or the truck to the motorhome than it is to back the motorhome to the truck or Jeep!
When I arrive at my destination, the FIRST thing I do is put the transfer case in 2 HI or 4 HI (it really makes no difference), and the LAST thing I do is unhitch and fold the towbar.
I think so long as you do all the required steps, the order in which you do them is irrelevant! Do it YOUR way, just don't leave out any steps!
Executive45
Explorer III
Aug 01, 2014
Crossing my fingers the OP bought the Latitude WITH the Jeep ACTIVE DRIVE II.....:E....Dennis
sch911
Explorer
Aug 01, 2014
gemsworld wrote:
Jeep doesn't know you have a telescoping tow bar. Follow Jeep's recommended steps after locking the tow bar in place and you should be okay.

Good luck!

X 2 BTW: Yes Jeep does but not all tow bars are equal!
Community Alumni
Aug 01, 2014
Jeep doesn't know you have a telescoping tow bar. Follow Jeep's recommended steps after locking the tow bar in place and you should be okay.

Good luck!

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