Jeeps >2012 Flat Towed?

[TC_Z]

We are looking to replace our 1997 Jeep Wrangler as a flat-towed vehicle behind out motor home. Our auto mechanic advised NOT to get any Jeep product 2012 or newer. They claim that they have several customers who have these vehicles and every time they tow they have to come into their shop to get the vehicle's computer "re-calibrated". Apparently the computer senses moving yet no engine and it garbles all the settings. Has anyone experienced this? We want to replace our flat-tow and don't know whether to stay away from >2012 Jeeps or not. Please reply with specific details.

Many Thanks as always....

[imgoin4it]

2017 Jeep Wrangler no problem

[FIRE_UP]

Well,
Must not be too interested in answers since it's been over 12 days since he asked for help.
Scott

[navigator2346]

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard about towing Jeeps. You need a new mechanic. I tow a '13 with zero problems.

[RJsfishin]

'12 liberty no problem

[John_Wayne]

2012 Jeep Liberty I don't even have to leave the key in the vehicle to tow. You just have to make sure you get the transfer case that has the neutral setting.

[FIRE_UP]

TC&Z wrote:
We are looking to replace our 1997 Jeep Wrangler as a flat-towed vehicle behind out motor home. Our auto mechanic advised NOT to get any Jeep product 2012 or newer. They claim that they have several customers who have these vehicles and every time they tow they have to come into their shop to get the vehicle's computer "re-calibrated". Apparently the computer senses moving yet no engine and it garbles all the settings. Has anyone experienced this? We want to replace our flat-tow and don't know whether to stay away from >2012 Jeeps or not. Please reply with specific details.

Many Thanks as always....

Your auto mechanic needs to have his head examined. As you can see and read, there's absolutely ZERO issues towing just about ANY year Jeep Wrangler, much less the '12's a and up. If he's getting customers with issues in their '12 and up Wranglers after they've towed, then they themselves are doing something wrong. If you look in ANY OWNERS MANUAL for about 99.9999% of the Wranglers made, (must be 4WD models) including ones before '12 and after '12, the owners manual clearly states procedures for flat towing, behind a motorhome.

We've owned, modified, towed and played with 9 different Jeep Wranglers in the past 35 years and to date, NOT ONE SINGLE PROBLEM has ever emerged from flat towing any of them. And those included CJ's, YJs, TJs and our present one, a '15 Jeep JKUR. I won't bother telling you the procedures for towing, again, that's in the owners manual of the one you choose. And again, your auto mechanic is providing you with false information.

If his information had any validity at all, you'd see and read of it in every single RV forum on the planet, Jeep forums, and more. Now, on a side note, if you actually are thinking of a newer Jeep, I'd suggest you look specifically for a '12 and up simply because, Jeep knew the '07 to '11 models were under powered and got lousy gas mileage. So, in 2012, they developed and installed, the Pentastar 3.6L V-6 285 HP engine. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay superior to the 3.8L mini-van motor that was previously used. Good luck.
Scott

[mleekamp]

While we tow a 2000 Wrangler, I agree with MDK -- key in the ignition most likely cause. In my case, I have to turn the key to unlock the steering wheel, but dont' turn it to on.

Jeeps up to those built a few mins ago can be flat towed. That's their appeal to RVers....that and offroad fun! 😉

[wildtoad]

mike brez wrote:
2015 not one issue.

Same here except not as many miles. Don’t see how it could. Transfer case in neutral, gears in park (or neutral for manual), keys in pocket.

[RichNewcome]

2013 JKU, no key in ignition, transfer case in neutral, I don't think it knows it's moving. 33,000 miles with no problems.

[dodge_guy]

That's not an issue and something I've never heard of.

30 year technician 20 of those (and currently) with Mopar. Maybe the battery died? When that happens they need to be charged and then driven, but nothing needs to be reset.

[mike_brez]

2015 not one issue.

[MDKMDK]

2016 Wrangler JKU, towed over 20,000 miles and never heard of that one. Never had any problems, except once, the vehicle to vehicle charging wiring fuse failed, probably when running both engines at the same time with the unbilical connected. 10 cent part.
Think maybe someone's pulling their legs to make a few extra bucks? More likely, they've left the key in the ignition in the "on" position, which isn't necessary in ours, as the steering doesn't lock. Or the battery wasn't being charged from the tow vehicle, and the dead Jeep battery caused problems down stream.