Towing a 2008 Wrangler

[DonnaB]

Have a question for any of you who tow a 2008 or a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. We follow the towing instructions, but we do not disconnect the battery. We make sure nothing is plugged into either 12v outlet, radio, fan, etc.....everything off. We were "hoping" not to have to do the battery disconnect thing, however....

I had read before where people said they never did the disconnect and had no issues, so that is what we were trying, but it seems we have had to jump it the last couple of times we stopped. Not good especially when you need to unhook before you drive into the campground.

So we are to the point where we will be installing one of those knife disconnect switches if there is no other option, but thought I would check with y'all first off to see if we are missing something. Thanks up front.

[DonnaB]

Have a question for any of you who tow a 2008 or a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. We follow the towing instructions, but we do not disconnect the battery. We make sure nothing is plugged into either 12v outlet, radio, fan, etc.....everything off. We were "hoping" not to have to do the battery disconnect thing, however....

I had read before where people said they never did the disconnect and had no issues, so that is what we were trying, but it seems we have had to jump it the last couple of times we stopped. Not good especially when you need to unhook before you drive into the campground.

So we are to the point where we will be installing one of those knife disconnect switches if there is no other option, but thought I would check with y'all first off to see if we are missing something. Thanks up front.

[DonnaB]

I thank you for your very complete answer. Fortunately our aux brake is air powered from the coach and the nothing requires the cig lighter outlets while in tow.

We will test this out when we leave here on Tuesday morning. Thanks again.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Bill, good to see you back on the forum.
A couple of things when you reset the IOD fuse (you do not remove only disengage) you will need to reset clock and radio setting. The engine ET will go back to 0 and MPG changes (at least that's my experience. Also when I don't pull the fuse on short trips I get a check engine light that goes away after 5-10 starts. The two dealers that checked this out for me said it was caused by water temperature not rising to perscribed level after so many miles of towing.

Ronnie

[Latitude]

Donna
As Bill said Pull the IOD fuse.I have pulled my Wrangler over 10,000 miles and never had to boost!!!

I am using the Brake Buddy.

Bill

When pulling IOD fuse the Door Locks do not work!!! How can I lock the doors???

Rick

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Can you lock them before you pull the fuse?? I'll try the next time I tow...Tommorrow.

Ronnie

[Latitude]

Hey Bill


I had to go check to see if I had Key Locks!!!!!

So Lock with Key and Then pull Fuse!!!

I will try it!!!

Last thing pull Fuse!!!!

Rick

[Latitude]

Bill

When unhooking Do you unlock with Key Or Push in Fuse first???

Rick

[DonnaB]

We did pull the IOD fuse on this last travel. Not a good test to see that the discharge is fixed as it was only a 3 hour period. Have noticed that we do lose the time on the clock (part of the radio) and it must be reset. However the preset stations are still intact. In addition, noticed that the average MPH display drops to 0 also.

The clock time is very easy to reset, so not a problem. Don't like losing the average MPH, but can live with it so this may be a good solution. Thanks guys.

[Latitude]

Hi DonnaB

It does 'Work' for me!!

Rick

[offthewall]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DonnaB:
Have a question for any of you who tow a 2008 or a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. We follow the towing instructions, but we do not disconnect the battery. We make sure nothing is plugged into either 12v outlet, radio, fan, etc.....everything off. We were "hoping" not to have to do the battery disconnect thing, however....

I had read before where people said they never did the disconnect and had no issues, so that is what we were trying, but it seems we have had to jump it the last couple of times we stopped. Not good especially when you need to unhook before you drive into the campground.

So we are to the point where we will be installing one of those knife disconnect switches if there is no other option, but thought I would check with y'all first off to see if we are missing something. Thanks up front. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

DonnaB, you may want to check out this thread. Contains lots of useful information on towing the Wrangler JK.

2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler Flat Towing

[offthewall]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Latitude:
Donna
As Bill said Pull the IOD fuse.I have pulled my Wrangler over 10,000 miles and never had to boost!!!

I am using the Brake Buddy.

Bill

When pulling IOD fuse the Door Locks do not work!!! How can I lock the doors???

Rick </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

As has been discussed, you can go either way -- Lock with the Fob/pull fuse or use the key. I find it much simpler to use the key. I've had the alarm go off too many times using the fob, forgetting to put the fuse back in first, etc.

[SargeW]

For my nickel, I prefer to use the FOB to lock and unlock the doors. I like having the alarm on and set while I tow. Sometimes we stop for lunch and leave the toad in a crowded parking lot. I use a dummy key in the ignition so even if someone got in, the Jeep wouldn't stay running with the key. I just make the IOD fuse the last thing I pull, and the first thing I replace when I unhook.

Sarge

[Cruzer]

If you run a charge line via the lighting umbilical, wouldn't the RV's battery keep the Wrangler's battery charged while driving without having to pull any fuses? There's not a whole lot of amperage involved here.