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firetruckin's avatar
firetruckin
Explorer
Jan 01, 2021

disappointing info for Jeep Trailhawk flat tow

We purchased a new Jeep Trailhawk in 2014. We found this Jeep had the transfer case neutral button which would allow flat towing behind our motorhome. The salesman and the owners manual confirmed that this Jeep could flat tow. A couple of years ago I purchased the base plates and related tow equipment to install myself. I later found out I would need to take it to the dealer to have a flat tow wiring harness installed. After dropping it off the dealer called and said this vehicle can not be flat towed. It has to be all four off the ground to two.:h I called the Jeep customer service 800 number to check for sure and they said based on my VIN the Trailhawk doesn't have the right power train. So frustrated to find this out. I see so many Trailhawks being towed.
  • Do you have active drive 2 in the Jeep? I’d question wether the dealer was right or not, what does your 4 wheel drive button in the center console look like? I’d get the build sheet from your vin and look it up. Pm me I might be able to help, I have a 2019 trail hawk

    https://www.edmunds.com/jeep/cherokee/2014/long-term-road-test/2014-jeep-cherokee-can-you-tow-it-behind-a-motorhome.html
  • You could also go the route of a driveshaft disconnect. Now that you're so far into everything for flat towing would be cheaper than getting something else to flat tow and set everything up again.
  • Not being able to rely on the manufacturer’s owner manual is unconscionable.
  • If you have that little button on the console or wherever, I would follow the instructions in the manual just to verify. I would also do some internet research to verify what you were told by customer service. They have been known to give bum info
  • Sorry to hear your news. Towing capability has always been a slipery slope going back many years. I was concerned about our 14 JGC towing due to Jeeps Death Wobble which seems to be related to Electronic Power Steering. Fortunately our's has hydraulic steering which provides adequate damping. It has an electric motor to run the pump but is otherwise hydraulic.

    EPS is a great option that allows different steering based upon road conditions. Jeep's Cherokee solution is a switch that allows the EPS to run while being towed and likely a charge line to the battery would be a "requirement".

    Point being when the mfg promotes invalid information plus whatever a dealer says it can become a owner problem.

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