Towing a Jeep Liberty 4wd with a dolly

[et2]

We are looking at purchasing a MH. Does anyone tow a 2012 Jeep Liberty 4wd on a dolly? The manual says not to, however you can tow it 4 down by putting the transfer case in neutral. It just seems if disengaged shouldn't it be towable on a dolly.

The dealer and Chrysler are useless to ask. They don't know.

[msmith1199]

Page 429 of the 2012 Jeep Liberty manual for 4x4 Liberties:

Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used.
Internal damage to the transmission or transfer
case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used
when recreational towing.

[msmith1199]

et2 wrote:

sch911 wrote:
Yes Chrysler does know. We (yes we) put it right in the owners manual!

No! It cannot be towed on a dolly period. Serious damage will occur to the powertrain. 4X4 vehicles like these need to have all four wheels turning even when the t-case in in "N". There, you heard it direct from a Jeep engineer.

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately the person answering the phone at the Chrysler help desk wasn't helpful. Nor was the dealer.

I'm looking at the manual as we speak - again. Nowhere does it mention not to tow it on a dolly. There is instructions for 2wd towing on a dolly by the rear wheels. The 4wd can be flat towed but nothing stating not to put it on a dolly (4wd). So that leaves you to wonder if with the trans disconnect a dolly tow would work for the 4wd.

Actually the General RV service guy explained it in a way I could understand. There is too much of a angle (on 4wd jeeps) when being on the dolly and won't allow for the proper fluid circulation.

The reason I wanted a dolly is our lease will be up next year and we will be getting a new vehicle. It gets costly changing base plates every few years. This way I could tow just about anything on a dolly, except a jeep I guess.

Thanks for the help, much appreciated!

In your first post you said the manual says don't do it and now in this post you say the manual doesn't say that. I had a Jeep Liberty, a Jeep Wrangler, and now a Dodge Dakota and I'm pretty sure the manuals for all say do not tow with two wheels off the ground with the exception of short distance emergency towing.

[msmith1199]

naturist wrote:
Fact: differentials are made to slip A LITTLE, but NOT to turn furiously for miles and miles. No matter what you put the transfer case into, at least one differential is going to be churning furiously, which will cause it to heat up. I saw a differential explode in flames, having gotten so hot the heavy oil in it vaporized, and when it blew out the seal and hit the air, it burst into flames instantly. This happened after a mere 30 miles on the interstate.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TOW A 4X4 ON A DOLLY. You will not like the results.

I think I'm confused. When towing 4 down don't the differential's churn furiously too? I thought the reason for no use of the dolly was because of issues in the transfer case with the rear drive shaft spinning and the front one not spinning.

[et2]

sch911 wrote:
Yes Chrysler does know. We (yes we) put it right in the owners manual!

No! It cannot be towed on a dolly period. Serious damage will occur to the powertrain. 4X4 vehicles like these need to have all four wheels turning even when the t-case in in "N". There, you heard it direct from a Jeep engineer.

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately the person answering the phone at the Chrysler help desk wasn't helpful. Nor was the dealer.

I'm looking at the manual as we speak - again. Nowhere does it mention not to tow it on a dolly. There is instructions for 2wd towing on a dolly by the rear wheels. The 4wd can be flat towed but nothing stating not to put it on a dolly (4wd). So that leaves you to wonder if with the trans disconnect a dolly tow would work for the 4wd.

Actually the General RV service guy explained it in a way I could understand. There is too much of a angle (on 4wd jeeps) when being on the dolly and won't allow for the proper fluid circulation.

The reason I wanted a dolly is our lease will be up next year and we will be getting a new vehicle. It gets costly changing base plates every few years. This way I could tow just about anything on a dolly, except a jeep I guess.

Thanks for the help, much appreciated!

[CentralCoastCam]

I know on the old CJ series there were some shops that would put locking hubs on all for wheels, so the differential wouldn't be turning while being towed. I don't know it that possible with the newer ones. Wouldn't do it for any vehicle under warranty.

[naturist]

Fact: differentials are made to slip A LITTLE, but NOT to turn furiously for miles and miles. No matter what you put the transfer case into, at least one differential is going to be churning furiously, which will cause it to heat up. I saw a differential explode in flames, having gotten so hot the heavy oil in it vaporized, and when it blew out the seal and hit the air, it burst into flames instantly. This happened after a mere 30 miles on the interstate.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TOW A 4X4 ON A DOLLY. You will not like the results.

[msmith1199]

sch911 wrote:
Yes Chrysler does know. We (yes we) put it right in the owners manual!

No! It cannot be towed on a dolly period. Serious damage will occur to the powertrain. 4X4 vehicles like these need to have all four wheels turning even when the t-case in in "N". There, you heard it direct from a Jeep engineer.

Isn't this pretty much true of most all 4x4's? I know my Dodge truck manual says the same.

[wbwood]

tandkj wrote:
Why put it on a dolly whren you can do 4 down? You have o find room at most campgrounds to park the dolly if the site is small. That is additional $$'s.

Granted that it can not be towed on a dolly, but why not tow it four down? Maybe because it will cost $3000+ to get it set up to do it. Maybe also that you have to have your car modified that could change some of your car warranty. You can pick up a good used tow dolly with breaks for less than half the price. Storage, well you just need to pick a site big enough.

[Bobbo]

The manual is always the final word.

[lanerd]

And there you have it. Gotta be careful sometimes, never know who's gonna be listening.

Ron

[sch911]

Yes Chrysler does know. We (yes we) put it right in the owners manual!

No! It cannot be towed on a dolly period. Serious damage will occur to the powertrain. 4X4 vehicles like these need to have all four wheels turning even when the t-case in in "N". There, you heard it direct from a Jeep engineer.

[tandkj]

Why put it on a dolly whren you can do 4 down? You have o find room at most campgrounds to park the dolly if the site is small. That is additional $$'s.