JEEP as TOAD

[RVER]

I have just bought a 2016 JEEP to pull behind a 2003 Newmar Mountain Aire gas unit. I pull a Smart Car now and have NO PROBLEMS so hope the same for the JEEP. THE front bumper has two hooks on top of the bumper. I need to order a base plate, and get it put on with new wiring etc so can pull her. WHAT is the procedure for pulling, like hook up and THEN put Jeep in Park and Neutral in 4WD transfer case. DO you have to go through any procedures special except to make sure transfer case is in Neutral and Automatic tranny in Park which is what the book said but sounds weird to have it in Park. I have an older Blue Ox tow bar and really like it so keeping it for the Jeep.
ANy Caveats to pulling the Jeep Sport model 2D. How ABOUT GETTING A BATTERY CUT OFF SWITCH OR NOT NEEDED? WHEN USING A BRAKE Buddy, does that drain the battery? HOPE I made a good decision to sell the Smart Car and got the Jeep. Jeep was pretty bouncy and rocking a lot on back roads but see so many driving them must be ok.

[rk911]

all speculation until the OP tells us which Jeep he has.

[Horsedoc]

There is no steering wheel lock on a Wrangler of that year. IF it is a Wrangler, you have the right procedure to tow.
It might be a good idea to look closely at your possible intent to tow off the front bumper. DON'T use the bumper. There are baseplates that are relatively easy to install and your tow bar will hook easily with. That said, there are aftermarket bumpers that will work to tow off. My '13 Wrangler? I would not trust that bumper to pull anything. There is a hook under the bumper that is attached to the frame that might work if I get stuck. Spend a few more bucks and get a tested and proven base plate made for that Jeep.

[opnspaces]

RVER wrote:
DO you have to go through any procedures special except to make sure transfer case is in Neutral and Automatic tranny in Park which is what the book said but sounds weird to have it in Park.

If that's is from the manual for your Jeep then yes that is correct.

The transfer case sits behind the transmission and the drive shafts are hooked to the transfer case. So with the transfer case in neutral it lets the drive shafts spin while towing but no spinning makes it to the transmission. Therefore it is correct that you can put the transmission in park and not damage anything.

Again this is all based on you looking in the actual manual and not just getting information from various forums around the internet.

[rk911]

rr2254545 wrote:
What model is the Jeep - a Cherokee will require a wiring harness - yes a brake buddy does drain the battery - need a charge line

and again...to the OP...which model of Jeep? not every model can be flat towed.

[Grit_dog]

Well, I'm not a very smart guy, but I'd start by reading the owners manual. Especially since you didn't give us enough breadcrumbs to figure out what you own. But my detective skills based on your transfer case and tow hooks on top of bumper tell me it's a Wrangler.

[rr2254545]

What model is the Jeep - a Cherokee will require a wiring harness - yes a brake buddy does drain the battery - need a charge line

[wildtoad]

The Jeep is a great toad. I swapped a Chevy Sonic for a 2015 Jeep and it is much more fun to drive, can goes places a Sonic could not, and in my case NO power needed when towing. The manual points out procedure to assure transfer case in neutral, and transmission in Park. I just hook the Jeep to the tow bar, put transfer in neutral etc. then get out and push the Jeep. If it rolls it’s in neutral. Dump the Brake Buddy and get a Ready Brake. No more taking the Brake Buddy in and out. It attaches between your mh and existing tow bar. No power needed to Jeep, you can remove the key. Jeep removed the steering wheel lock around 2008 May a tear or so earlier.

[wowens79]

On my 2001 & 2002 Wrangler you have to turn the key on so the steering wheel doesn’t lock. I don’t use mine as a Toad, but I’ve got a tow bar I bought cheap to tow them if they break down.

[Lwiddis]

“but see so many driving them must be ok.”

Not a good way to make a decision on flat towing. Could get very expensive.

[rk911]

which model jeep? not all models can be flat towed. check the "recreational towing" section in your owner's manual. you should find complete instructions there. let us know.