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3708's avatar
3708
Explorer
Dec 20, 2014

Push button start towables not sure it applies to all !!

After loosing our 2006 Jeep Liberty (totaled)to a person that ran a red light in downtown Spokane last year we ordered a 2014 Jeep Trailhawk which we took possesion of in Feb. of this year. I was able to remove my SMI Brake system, the ram on the brake pedal, the tow bar and male part to the concealed brackets for the Roadmaster TB before leaving the vehicle at the salvage yard and heading home. After finally getting the brake system reinstalled on the new Jeep and the wiring for the brake lights,blinkers, taillights etc.. I was told by the installer that when towing the Jeep i have to hav the Running lights on the motorhome on all the time when towing as to energize the Brake-Lite relay so as not to backfeed from coach to Toad and take out the computer system on toad all due to the fact the Toad has a push button start,WOW!! What bothers me is not that i bought the car (I luv it) its the fact that if i forget to turn the lights on not Daytime lights but running lights i could burn the damn thing up(computer that is). Now i make notes i have a punch list prior to lift off and this is just one more thing but it just irks me that now i have to run the lights on all the time to tow this Jeep and i'm curious if it applies to all push button start cars or just JEEP. Now the installer said just parking lights on Coach but James at Roadmaster said light switch completely on to energize Brake-Lite Relay so as to not get feedback from Coach to car. Somebody may read this and say whats your point? My point is you may want to buy a Key start car for towing to avoid the hassel of the push button start car if it applies to other cars than Jeep.
  • As a Jeep engineer I can say what you were told is a load of crap!

    The ONLY Flat Tow requirements for the Cherokee are clearly spelled out in the owners manual under "Recreational Towing".
  • oldtrojan66 wrote:
    As a veteran appliance repair tech for many years, I have seen several instances of "improvements" in machines. Bottom line, know this, if they change something, it is to comply with some Federal regulation or they found a way to make it cheaper! It all snaps together at the factory and heaven help you if you don't know the "key" that unsnaps it!


    This is not true, at least in the case of push button starts. The 'feature' came from the consumer end, not the regulatory end. In fact, the standards haven't caught up with current 'innovations' (read here for standards regarding keys: http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/571.114). There seems to be problems associated with push button starts...
  • jerseyjim wrote:
    Rather than drill holes for the xtra light bulbs, go with the magnetic lights...or even the newer wireless magnetic lights. Don't forget the READYBRAKE towbar.

    Just a thought.


    Sorry to divert from OP's topic but where can I get info on wireless lights? Just got a new toad and curious.
  • Rather than drill holes for the xtra light bulbs, go with the magnetic lights...or even the newer wireless magnetic lights. Don't forget the READYBRAKE towbar.

    Just a thought.
  • As a veteran appliance repair tech for many years, I have seen several instances of "improvements" in machines. Bottom line, know this, if they change something, it is to comply with some Federal regulation or they found a way to make it cheaper! It all snaps together at the factory and heaven help you if you don't know the "key" that unsnaps it!
  • Because of all the new electronics, I no longer tap into existing systems. It's simpler to add an additional bulb that is wired directly to the coach, nothing in contact with the toad's electrical.
  • I had no idea about push button starter thanks for the info something else for me to stay away from.