Towing 2002 Jeep - Steering wheel lock
We are towing a 2002 Jeep Wrangler behind our RV. I know the steering wheel has to be left unlocked. 2010 and newer jeeps do not have a steering wheel locks so please answer this only if you have a 20...
Forum Discussion
We are currently towing a 2004 Jeep Unlimited, with 82,000 miles on it, behind our truck camper, when needed. About every other summer we tow it out to Western Colorado to run the Jeep trails so put about 5,000 miles per round trip on it. This one is the 14th Jeep I have owned but the first Unlimited (long wheelbase model) that I have towed. The longer wheel base seems to not have any problems with the steering wheels not wanting to straighten out after a turn. Some of the previous CJs and other models we towed did at time have some issues. I tended to use a bungy cord from the bottom of the steering wheel to the fastened seat belt to solve that problem if it occurred.
Real important to make sure the Jeep front end is tight. Before my next 3 month trip to Colorado I will have my mechanic check the tie rods, ball joints, steering stabilizer, front shocks etc. Loose parts up front will sure show up when towing it seem to me. Most trips after running the Jeep trails all summer, I have to replace all 4 tires, due to rock damage, etc.
Lot of good info in Bill's posts and others, above. I do the same as Jim Shoe with the key. I think my extra key cost me about $.75 at my local hardware store to have cut. For braking, I use a Ready Brake set up which used no electricity to operate, as it is a surge type brake between the tow and towed. For tail lights I bought a set of boat traier tail lights and used double sided 3M tape to attach them to the rear bumper, then ran the flat 4 wire bundle to the front bumper of the Jeep, going underneath it. Then I use a 4 ft. four wire extension to plug it into the 7 pin on the back of the tow vehicle, my truck in my case. The original Jeep lights are not used in any way when towing. The LED boat trailer lights only work when the tow vehicle is running, when the truck brake lights come on, then the ones on the back of the Jeep do as well, turn and running lights the same. The LED lights use so little electricity I didn't have to make any changes in the truck to handle the extra needed for the towed.
Now I keep my rear seat in place, as with the unlimited, there is an extra 16 inches of wheelbase, and most of that room is in front of the rear seat. (great for hauling my 2 preteen age grandsons at times. I use the Jeep as my daily driver when not towing it somewhere.
On edit: I have both a hard and a soft top for my Jeep. I tend to leave the key in the ignition with the hard top much more than the soft top. As most Jeep owners know, locking a soft top is just something to do. Have locked my keys in my Jeep here in Florida with the soft top on it and it is just a matter of unzipping the driver's side rear window and reach in to unlock the door. LOL Little or no security in a soft top rig.
Real important to make sure the Jeep front end is tight. Before my next 3 month trip to Colorado I will have my mechanic check the tie rods, ball joints, steering stabilizer, front shocks etc. Loose parts up front will sure show up when towing it seem to me. Most trips after running the Jeep trails all summer, I have to replace all 4 tires, due to rock damage, etc.
Lot of good info in Bill's posts and others, above. I do the same as Jim Shoe with the key. I think my extra key cost me about $.75 at my local hardware store to have cut. For braking, I use a Ready Brake set up which used no electricity to operate, as it is a surge type brake between the tow and towed. For tail lights I bought a set of boat traier tail lights and used double sided 3M tape to attach them to the rear bumper, then ran the flat 4 wire bundle to the front bumper of the Jeep, going underneath it. Then I use a 4 ft. four wire extension to plug it into the 7 pin on the back of the tow vehicle, my truck in my case. The original Jeep lights are not used in any way when towing. The LED boat trailer lights only work when the tow vehicle is running, when the truck brake lights come on, then the ones on the back of the Jeep do as well, turn and running lights the same. The LED lights use so little electricity I didn't have to make any changes in the truck to handle the extra needed for the towed.
Now I keep my rear seat in place, as with the unlimited, there is an extra 16 inches of wheelbase, and most of that room is in front of the rear seat. (great for hauling my 2 preteen age grandsons at times. I use the Jeep as my daily driver when not towing it somewhere.
On edit: I have both a hard and a soft top for my Jeep. I tend to leave the key in the ignition with the hard top much more than the soft top. As most Jeep owners know, locking a soft top is just something to do. Have locked my keys in my Jeep here in Florida with the soft top on it and it is just a matter of unzipping the driver's side rear window and reach in to unlock the door. LOL Little or no security in a soft top rig.
