2012 Jeep Patriot on dolly..

[Sequim Guy]

In a couple of other threads it has been said that the 2012 Patriot with the automatic CVT transmission should not be towed on a dolly.
I don't understand that, the front wheels are up on a dolly.
Any info appreciated.


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[RvWithHarley]

According to the operators manual, The 2012 Jeep Patriot can be
towed using a Dolly only with automatic transmission and
Front Wheel drive...with Front wheels off the ground only...


We have a 4X4 2012 patriot with manual transmission which can be towed
4 down...A Tow Dolly cannot be used with manual transmission...

Hope this helps,
Charlie

[Sequim Guy]

Yes, that's what my owners manual says too.
Maybe I misunderstood what the other posters were talking about, and they meant that the manual trans. shouldn't go on a dolly.

And speaking of that, why shouldn't you use a dolly with a manual transmission? It's not like having it in Park will keep it from coming off the dolly if your straps break.


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[Rapid Robert]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sequim Guy Yes, that's what my owners manual says too. Maybe I misunderstood what the other posters were talking about, and they meant that the manual trans. shouldn't go on a dolly. And speaking of that, why shouldn't you use a dolly with a manual transmission? It's not like having it in Park will keep it from coming off the dolly if your straps break. .

I also have a 2012 Jeep Patriot with the cvt auto that I plan to put on a tow dolly. Does anyone know if this thing has a steering wheel lock, I have turned the wheel with the key out and it does not seem to have one. So do you tie the steering wheel down or leave the key on?????

[Sequim Guy]

Well, if you turned the wheel and it didn't lock (with key out), I agree that it doesn't have a steering wheel lock.
So why would you tie the steering wheel or leave key on? The front wheels are strapped to the dolly and will turn slightly when you corner, and the only reason to leave key on is so steering wheel isn't locked and can turn a little.
If the Patriot has no steering lock, life just became a little easier for both of us.

Just went out and checked my Patriot, NO WHEEL LOCK!!

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[Rapid Robert]

The reason I ask, is that the tow dolly manual (Master Tow & also U-HAUL) says to lock the wheel (to center) either by the key lock or by strapping it to the seat. Also I read on a Jeep forum that you have to turn the steering wheel nearly all the way around to lock it. I CHECKED THAT OUT AND MY 2012 JEEP PATRIOT WITH CVT DOES NOT HAVE A STEERING WHEEL LOCK ON IT AT ALL, SO NO NEED FUSS WITH THE KEY. The concern I had is that if the wheels lock in a radical off center position when you turn a corner, you are going to do some serious damage.
The last time I used a tow dolly was in the late 80's with a car that had a conventional steering lock and I just locked it centered.

I think the idea is to allow the dolly to do the swiveling and keep the car steering locked to prevent it from coming in contact with the dolly fenders. So a least in my case the answer is to strap the steering wheel in the centered position.

[Sequim Guy]

"I think the idea is to allow the dolly to do the swiveling and keep the car steering locked to prevent it from coming in contact with the dolly fenders. So a least in my case the answer is to strap the steering wheel in the centered position."

Don't agree with you on that one, I think the the front wheels need to turn a little on a dolly. I can see the wheels turn slightly on the dolly when I am making a sharp turn, and I think that takes a lot of stress out of the steering assembly. Have towed 2 different vehicles that way without any problems and will tow the 2012 Patriot that way.

I think the problem may be that the attached ramps will hit the vehicle, I have read others on here complain about that. But my dolly has ramps that aren't attached, so that is not a problem for me, and there is no way my fenders would touch without breaking something else first.

What type of dolly do you have or are going to buy.

[Mr_D]

Our Demco KK-460 says the steering wheel MUST be locked or tied down in some way. So I do.
Our previous dolly was a locally built unit and it also required the steering to be locked. So I did.

[Sequim Guy]

Does the KK-460 have steering (turning) wheels on the dolly, which would remove the need for the wheels on the vehicle to turn? I was talking about a dolly that doesn't have steering wheels or a swivel deck. Guess I wasn't specific enough in my statement. Sorry.

I am happy with my dolly.
I hope you are happy with your dolly, I didn't buy that kind because it cost twice as much and is twice as heavy as mine, and does exactly the same thing.
God, I love this country with the freedom of choice that we enjoy.

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