2014 Cherokee - connect tow bar at tow hooks ?

[sealg]

The new 2014 Cherokee (Trailhawk model) tow hooks are pretty rugged.

Seems I could "modify/replace" the hooks to provide a place to connect my Blue Ox tow bar.

In other words -- no baseplate. That would be helpful since there ARE NO baseplates !

Whatchathink ?

[rr2254545]

sealg wrote:
I checked today with Demco (via dealer).

The product they have does not fit the Trail Hawk. No plans announced for the trail hawk.

They are getting a Trailhawk on Monday they feel that maybe little or no modifications of the Limited base plate that was put on my car.

Their part number for the Limited is 9518307

[sealg]

I checked today with Demco (via dealer).

The product they have does not fit the Trail Hawk. No plans announced for the trail hawk.

[et2]

Anyone getting good lease deals on the Cherokee?

[S-n-L]

Hello everyone,

A few weeks ago I ordered a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited with Active Drive 2. It is an upgrade on the Latitude and Limited, comes standard on the Trail Hawk.

I am planning on using a roadmaster sterling tow bar. Roadmaster now has the brackets/baseplate for the limited and trail hawk, may also have for the latitude.

I will be another 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. Can't wait to get it.

We ordered:
Limited, V6, Active drive 2, luxury package, sunroof, cashmere pearl color, tow package.

Stuart

[et2]

sealg wrote:

rr2254545 wrote:

Should be soon as I was their prototype guy and it was done Dec 6th

Hey rr,

Looking through the the jeep website, it appears that one must have the Active Drive II (with neutral) in order to be able to flat-tow.

And it appears that the Limited does not have Active Drive II.

Can you flat-tow the Limited model ?

If it was ordered with the active drive II. I have seen some on the lot. Trail Hawk comes standard.

[sealg]

rr2254545 wrote:

Should be soon as I was their prototype guy and it was done Dec 6th

Hey rr,

Looking through the the jeep website, it appears that one must have the Active Drive II (with neutral) in order to be able to flat-tow.

And it appears that the Limited does not have Active Drive II.

Can you flat-tow the Limited model ?

[sealg]

rr2254545 wrote:


I saw the Demco setup for my Limited after they engineered it. I was amazed at how much metal was on it. I can not imagine that the red hooks are so well secured.

The Trail Hawk and Limited seem to be substantially different in the front end.

I wonder if the Demco unit will work on the Trail Hawk ? ? ?

[rr2254545]

sealg wrote:

rr2254545 wrote:


I saw the Demco setup for my Limited after they engineered it. I was amazed at how much metal was on it. I can not imagine that the red hooks are so well secured.

Link to Demco - the black one is mine

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50497884/Base_Plate_Demco_2014_Cherokee.pdf

I looked at the document. Thanks for the advanced notice ! !

It looks like a lot of surgery going on there. Similar to the day-long goat rodeo of putting the blue ox on my 2000 cherokee.

Demco does not list this product on their website. Do you know what the availability status is ? ?

THANKS
curt

Should be soon as I was their prototype guy and it was done Dec 6th

[sealg]

rr2254545 wrote:


I saw the Demco setup for my Limited after they engineered it. I was amazed at how much metal was on it. I can not imagine that the red hooks are so well secured.

Link to Demco - the black one is mine

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50497884/Base_Plate_Demco_2014_Cherokee.pdf

I looked at the document. Thanks for the advanced notice ! !

It looks like a lot of surgery going on there. Similar to the day-long goat rodeo of putting the blue ox on my 2000 cherokee.

Demco does not list this product on their website. Do you know what the availability status is ? ?

THANKS
curt

[sealg]

Hey.. thanks for the feedback and good logic.

I note on this particular Jeep, the tow hooks are "rated for 8,300 lbs each". Not sure what that means in this context. The car weighs about 4,200 lbs.

I suspect the strength rating is more than adequate, but the constant torsion loads might be a problem over time.

I pick up the Jeep this weekend and will snoop around under there. If I can find a baseplate that is reasonable, I'll probably go for that.

[UsualSuspect]

FIRE UP wrote:
Well Gang,
I'm not sure of just how sturdy the steel or, frame design or, mounting system in general is for the tow hooks on that Cherokee but, the Blue Ox base plate(s), yes PLATES, are direct replacements for the tow hooks on our present toad, a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Extended Cab. All I had to do to install them was drill one extra hole per side and then, install two long bolts w/nylox nuts per base plate, right through the frame.

It's a very sturdy system and, I've checked it constantly while towing and there is absolutely no evidence of weakening or, stress, or deterioration of the strength in any manor. Now, again, this is our truck and, not a 2014 Cherokee. So, I cannot vouch for the strength in that kind of system, on that kind of vehicle. If it were mine, I'd take a good look at the system to see if it would/could work.

But, I'd sure as heck do whatever re-enforcements needed to make it work, if I was going to do it that way. Good luck
Scott

x2 BlueOx and Roadmaster also use the same mounting points for the 03-07 Classic Trucks. I would think if they were not sufficient there would be posts all over about them failing. For the 2500/3500 GM trucks they use the existing tow hook bolt holes, there is one you have to enlarge as the rear bolt is a bit wider.

[j-d]

Hummer I mentioned was a similar idea to FireUp's setup, but it also included backup brackets behind the bumper, which required drilling a hole or two in each frame rail, parallel to the bumper. The Tow Hook Bolts were also replaced with longer ones and nuts.
Couple points:
1. Chevy Pickup is a Full Frame vehicle, New Cherokee is Unit Body. Frame is more forgiving while UniBody counts on every member to do just what (and probably only what) it was intended to do.
2. I looked at the Demco link, and they're tying into the vehicle several times in several directions. As noted above, Tow Hooks don't do that.
If BlueOx has its baseplate out, the directions should be on line. See what they did. I believe it'll be similar.
I truly want to keep you from losing the toad on the road. I also don't want to be the one it collides with if you do.

[rr2254545]

sealg wrote:
The new 2014 Cherokee (Trailhawk model) tow hooks are pretty rugged.

Seems I could "modify/replace" the hooks to provide a place to connect my Blue Ox tow bar.

In other words -- no baseplate. That would be helpful since there ARE NO baseplates !

Whatchathink ?

I saw the Demco setup for my Limited after they engineered it. I was amazed at how much metal was on it. I can not imagine that the red hooks are so well secured.

Link to Demco - the black one is mine

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50497884/Base_Plate_Demco_2014_Cherokee.pdf

[DiamondDan]

Roadmaster has their baseplates up for the trailhawk models, and the installation appears to require the removal of the tow hooks.