Community Forums

Full.Monte · 08-03-2013, 11:49 AM

I'm about to tow for the first time. The 2012 Liberty manual page 78 shows that you put the transmission in neutral, put the transfer case in neutral by pushing the little LED button, then put the transmission in PARK. Is PARK the correct towing gear? Thanks!

stik · 08-03-2013, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full.Monte

I'm about to tow for the first time. The 2012 Liberty manual page 78 shows that you put the transmission in neutral, put the transfer case in neutral by pushing the little LED button, then put the transmission in PARK. Is PARK the correct towing gear? Thanks!

Yep! I pulled a Liberty for quite awhile. Granted it does "feel" strange to put the little beast in Park, but if the Transfer case is in Neutral, then all is good to go and you should put it in Park.

I do remember that for some time I used to leave the key in and turned to the first position to "unlock" the steering wheel. I did that 'til someone here on iRV2 told me that Jeep stopped putting steering wheel locks on Liberty's (and maybe some other models) several years back. Sure enough, I went out to my Liberty and with no key in the ignition, I could turn the steering wheel lock to lock, it was hard, but I did prove to myself that the guy was right. From that day on, I would put the transfer case in neutral, the transmission in Park, and the key in my pocket.

Spidey · 08-03-2013, 12:09 PM

The intent of putting it into park is to prevent the transmission gears from spinning without lubricant while you tow.

vsheetz · 08-03-2013, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spidey

The intent of putting it into park is to prevent the transmission gears from spinning without lubricant while you tow.

Agree

Xfer case to nuetral
Transmission to park (auto) or any gear (manual)
Steering unlocked

MJFZ · 08-03-2013, 02:32 PM

I have towed my 2012 Liberty for the last 18 months just as the manual states in Park and no problems. I always check that the transfer case is n neutral by rolling the Liberty just a few inches with the shifter in Park and the the tow bar hooked up. Please don't forget to release your emergency brake

Mike

stuhly · 08-03-2013, 02:42 PM

Another way to check if transfer case is in neutral is when you think it is, put trans in gear and see if the car wants to move. If it does not move then shut off ignition and put trans in park.

Full.Monte · 08-04-2013, 07:05 AM

Thank you all for your helpful posts! I test-towed the Liberty yesterday with the tranny in PARK and it worked fine. It was also a good test of the RVI2 brake system I purchased. I think I'll like the setup, though I have to admit that hooking up the Liberty with the towbar the first time was more time-consuming than I expected. With all the safety equipment, I don't think there's any way the Jeep could come loose (knock on wood).