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

[3708]

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.

[rk911]

ldm468 wrote:

rk911 wrote:

how 'bout just installing a second set of taillight bulbs in the new jeep with a separate wiring harness?

rk911

As the Trail Hawk has LED lights, you would have to use diodes to light up the factory stop, turn and tail lights.

If I recall correctly, with diodes, the center brake warning light does not turn on with the coach brake light, but works OK when the aux brakes are applied.

when we first towed we used diodes to illuminate the factory bulbs using the factory wiring. after losing and replacing the diodes...twice...we installed a completely separate wiring harness and a second set of bulbs in the tail light assembly of our jeeps. when we're connected to the MH the aux braking system uses this aux wiring harness and the second set of bulbs. when we're unhooked the original bulbs and wiring harness are active. simple and effective.

[ldm468]

rk911 wrote:

how 'bout just installing a second set of taillight bulbs in the new jeep with a separate wiring harness?

rk911

As the Trail Hawk has LED lights, you would have to use diodes to light up the factory stop, turn and tail lights.

If I recall correctly, with diodes, the center brake warning light does not turn on with the coach brake light, but works OK when the aux brakes are applied.

[rk911]

3708 wrote:
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.

how 'bout just installing a second set of taillight bulbs in the new jeep with a separate wiring harness?

[Executive45]

Trackrig wrote:
Isn't it great the way they "improve" things?

Bill

Sounds to me like the only thing needing "IMPROVEMENT" is the tech's knowledge on wiring up the toad.....:S.

I'll bet he never installed the diode kit, (read, "saved money") which prevents any backfeeding....Dennis

[YC_1]

sch911 wrote:
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".

Beat me to it! This is a bunch of baloney. No damage will occur. Been working on vehicle electrical systems for 40 years. I have a push button start vehicle.

In my case, having to push the button to the accessory position causes a lot of battery drain so I ran a charge line.

[wa8yxm]

I do not know who told you that but this is fact:

The Diode kit you install so you can use the same tail lights for both driving the jeep and towing the jeep prevents all backfeeding.

Or if you are still worried, you can use what I call the Add-a-Lamp system (I think Blue Ox calls it that too) like the lights that came with my Remco LP-1.

In this system you add a second lamp to the tail lights (I do not know if they did the license plate lamp, will check some day) that is exclusive to the motor home, So I do not even use the car's tail lights. No possibility of backfeeding anything .

[sch911]

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".

[dahkota]

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...

[smlranger]

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.

[jerseyjim]

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.

[oldtrojan66]

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!

[DSDP_Don]

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.

[J-Rooster]

I had no idea about push button starter thanks for the info something else for me to stay away from.

[Trackrig]

Isn't it great the way they "improve" things?

Bill