Jeep towing questions.

[Cmccain13]

Ok I know this has proboably been asked here a ton but bear with me please. Do aftery last trip I am fed up with the tow dolly that we have. We have snagged the bumper of my civic too many times and with wet weather it creates so many issues. Ugh I'm going flat tow.

So I was reading and you can have an automatic Jeep and still tow it? I was under the impression they had to be manual transmission.

Also do you still need to get the tow plate installed like on other vehicles or do Jeep's generally come with that stuff already stick on the vehicle?

Thanks for your time!

[wildtoad]

My comments are based on my experience with a 2015 Jeep Wrangler 2dr with automatic transmission. You do not need a charge line to the Jeep, you will need to install wiring for tail, brake, signal lights. You do not need to leave the key in the ignition so after setup put key in pocket. At least on my year model you not need to pull any fuses. You do not have to disconnect the battery. One of the easiest to setup and use, cost effective tow solutions is the Ready Brute Elite package. Give them a call and they can inform you of exactly what you will need.

Simply hook up the tow equipment, put transfer case in neutral, transmission in Park, remove key and go.

[naturist]

CA Traveler wrote:
For me I can accept that the dealer has to install "something" to make the vehicle flat towable.

But I would not accept a condition like "disconnect the negative battery terminal". Since a flat towable vehicle cannot be backed up it's enough should a quick disconnect need arise without having to open the hood, find a wrench and reconnect the battery cable.

Very simple fix for THAT: install a battery disconnect switch on the toad. Don't even have to open the hood, although simpler install if you do put it under the hood.

[CA_Traveler]

For me I can accept that the dealer has to install "something" to make the vehicle flat towable.

But I would not accept a condition like "disconnect the negative battery terminal". Since a flat towable vehicle cannot be backed up it's enough should a quick disconnect need arise without having to open the hood, find a wrench and reconnect the battery cable.

BTW My JGC battery is under the passenger seat and access is much more involved than any other vehicle I've owned.

OP With a pending purchase do your research and understand every aspect of towing requirements. There are thouslands of posts of folks wanting to tow existing vehicles and then the "surprise" game unfolds.

[deltabravo]

Cmccain13 wrote:
Also do you still need to get the tow plate installed like on other vehicles or do Jeep's generally come with that stuff already stick on the vehicle?

Components for tow bar still need to be installed on a Jeep.

[CA_Traveler]

You need tow bar, base plate, aux brake and lights/turn signals. You may also need a charge line involving MH wiring as some vehicles consume DC power when being towed, model dependent.

Most 4WD Jeeps can be towed with the transfer case in neutral. 2 wheel vehicles are less likely to be towable.

Don't depend on towing guides, owners manuals and even mfg on what can be towed. Mfg's make mistakes that are not always corrected and that includes Jeep. Research various boards and irv2 has IMHO some of the best information on Jeeps.

[Cmccain13]

rdhetrick wrote:
Might depend on which Jeep you're interested in - Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Compass, etc....

I've got personal experience with the Grand Cherokee, and can definitively say that some, but not all, automatics are flat towable. It depends entirely on the transmission. I suspect this to be true with other Jeep models, but I'm not certain. If you let us know what model you're interested in, we can give more advice.

No vehicle comes from the factory with the necessary baseplate installed, or wired for the rear signal lights. The baseplates vary by manufacturer - Blue Ox, Roadmaster, etc...I'm partial to Blue Ox, but there are others available.

Ok yeah I am gonna be doing a Wrangler. I totally thought I mentioned that. Ok good to know that I'll still have to install all of that stuff on there also.

[CA_Traveler]

You need tow bar, base plate, aux brake and lights/turn signals. You may also need a charge line involving MH wiring as some vehicles consume DC power when being towed, model dependent.

Most 4WD Jeeps can be towed with the transfer case in neutral. 2 wheel vehicles are less likely to be towable.

Don't depend on towing guides, owners manuals and even mfg on what can be towed. Mfg's make mistakes that are not always corrected and that includes Jeep. Research various boards and irv2 has IMHO some of the best information on Jeeps.

[Y-Guy]

First place to start looking is to check the Motorhome Magazine Dinghy Towing Guides is a great place to start. It provides a great overview, but doesn’t get into many details.

The ultimate authority is the actual Owners Manual that came with the vehicle. In most cases you can do a Google Search with the year make and model to find one online. But you will want to verify with the actual owners manual of that vehicle to be sure since sometimes the online ones might differ from the actual. Generally speaking you want to look for the section on "Recreational Towing" in the owners manual.

Even vehicles that could be towed one year might not be recommended the next year, either changes to electronics, transmission, engine or the bean counters can all influence the change.

Jeep probably the biggest line up of flat tow-able vehicles. The Wrangler is one of the most popular toads that I see, but you see a lot of others too.

[Lwiddis]

Check the manufacturer’s literature carefully as to year, model and equipment.

[rdhetrick]

Might depend on which Jeep you're interested in - Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Compass, etc....

I've got personal experience with the Grand Cherokee, and can definitively say that some, but not all, automatics are flat towable. It depends entirely on the transmission. I suspect this to be true with other Jeep models, but I'm not certain. If you let us know what model you're interested in, we can give more advice.

No vehicle comes from the factory with the necessary baseplate installed, or wired for the rear signal lights. The baseplates vary by manufacturer - Blue Ox, Roadmaster, etc...I'm partial to Blue Ox, but there are others available.

[wanderingaimles]

Yes SOME Jeeps with automatic transmissions can be flat towed, so can some other vehicles.
dinghy guide
Still verify through the owners manual that the one your looking at is capable.