Community Forums

gramps66 · 10-06-2016, 11:00 AM

My wife and I have a class a motorhome and we tow a tandem tow dolly with motorcycles on it. With a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited front wheel drive. Considering a wrangler or Rubicon 4x4 why cannot you tow on a tow dolly with the trans or transfer case in neutral. Considering the six speed manual

BFlinn181 · 10-06-2016, 11:23 AM

On a 4 wheel drive, the front axle and rear axle are connected. The transfer case only disconnects the transmission from the axles, not the front axle from the rear axle. You'd have to install a drive shaft disconnect on the rear drive shaft to tow such a vehicle.

FIRE UP · 10-06-2016, 11:43 AM

Not only what Bluefinn stated but, it specifically states in the Owners manual to NOT TOW ON A DOLLY, for any 4WD Wrangler/Rubicon etc. Wranglers are very finicky when it comes to drive shaft balance. If you were to consider a drive shaft disconnect, it's highly possible you'd have issues with balance.
My thoughts would be, something that we're considering is, a flatbed trailer. If you're going to hassle with towing any form of a trailer, i.e. "dolly", and you want to carry M/Cs, then your JK would ride on a flatbed with them. You're still going to have to deal with the trailer when you camp. Just an idea.
Scott

Hikerdogs · 10-06-2016, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gramps66

My wife and I have a class a motorhome and we tow a tandem tow dolly with motorcycles on it. With a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited front wheel drive. Considering a wrangler or Rubicon 4x4 why cannot you tow on a tow dolly with the trans or transfer case in neutral. Considering the six speed manual

Also you haven't provide any information as to what coach you'll be pulling the Jeep and motorcycles with. If it's gas powered about the most you can tow would be 5,000 lbs. The Cherokee weighs 4,000 lbs. to 4,600 lbs. depending on options. It would be tough to find a trailer light enough to tow only the Jeep let alone the motorcycles.

If you have a diesel powered coach you could have between 5,000 lbs. and 15, 000 lbs. towing capacity depending on the year make and model. More information is necessary.

gramps66 · 10-06-2016, 02:05 PM

It a 2009 holiday rambler endeavor
The tag on the hitch says 15,000 pound towing capacity
So basic tongue weight would be 1500 but if you balance it by putting the vehicle in the back tongue weight will be lighter but then tongue weight to light then you will get the wiggle effect
Coach has a 400 Cummins

gramps66 · 10-06-2016, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

On a 4 wheel drive, the front axle and rear axle are connected. The transfer case only disconnects the transmission from the axles, not the front axle from the rear axle. You'd have to install a drive shaft disconnect on the rear drive shaft to tow such a vehicle.

I considered a trailer but then getting one custom-made so the front end is lower to put the bikes on a normal trailer deck height would be too much of an angle to get the bikes up

JohnBoyToo · 10-06-2016, 02:49 PM

have seen many a big 4x4 pickups with toys in the bed ....

FIRE UP · 10-06-2016, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

have seen many a big 4x4 pickups with toys in the bed ....

Kind-a like ours...

gramps66 · 10-07-2016, 06:50 PM

Yes I thought of the pickup thing
But we have 2 big Harley's

vsheetz · 10-07-2016, 08:35 PM

The rear driveshaft can be quickly and easily removed/installed.

stevemoores · 10-11-2016, 03:49 PM

You could remove the rear driveshaft completely and run it in 4x4. You'll have a front wheel drive jeep.

I've ran mine without a front driveshaft for a month, never without the rear, though it could be interesting with torque steer.

If you plan on doing offroading, you'd need to crawl underneath and put it back on again.

Steve