Towing Grand Cherokee 4WD

[BarbRN]

We plan a 2-3 month trip so we are rethinking purchasing all the tow equipment necessary. A tow dolly might be a more economical idea but now our manual says you can't tow the Jeep that way.

Anybody have any more information on this? Other suggestions?

I guess what we don't want to do is permanent changes to the Jeep for this one trip in order to install the brake system in the Jeep.

[RickO]

It is a pretty big investment for only one trip. I can't help with the Jeep/tow dolly question. I towed my GC four down. Many/most toad brake systems don't actually make any changes to the toad but rather sit on the floorboard and activate the brake via a snap on arm.

Good luck.

Rick

[RVThere]

If your GC has Quadra-Trac II, then it would be easier to tow 4 down and invest in the baseplate, tow bar, lights and braking.

I used a tow dolly for 10 years and towing 4 down with a GC over the last two years has been much happier!

[Coached]

First, you cannot tow a four wheel drive jeep using a front wheel dolly. All four wheels must be lifted off the ground, using a dolly for the rear wheels as well, in order to tow a (disabled) Jeep. Second, any four wheel drive Jeep can be "flat towed", that is, with all four wheels on the ground. Transmission is in "Park" and Transfer case is in "Neutral". On the newer Grand Cherokees you can remove the key and lock the doors for added security without impacting the tow process - a nice feature? Also, the odometer does not move on the newer Jeeps while being towed. An added benefit to Jeeps is that no matter which tow setup you decide on (we prefer Roadmaster), you will almost certainly be almost "even" across the whole set up, meaning that the attachment point on your Jeep will be almost level with the receiver on your Motorhome, minimizing stress and providing for less chance of binding etc.

[Cousin Ed]

The base transfer case (AWD) in the GC is not flat towable. It has to be the real 4WD, then it's easy. You need a neutral in the transfer case!

[Coached]

Of course, you are correct. I figured if I mentioned the fact that the transfer case has to be in "neutral" that would pretty much take care of that issue? I forgot that there are some GC's out there with that "all wheel drive" setup - they were mainly fleet vehicles and you don't see many unless they're being driven by liquor, beer, or pharmaceutical sales reps.!?? Good point though, thanks.

[deandec]

For one trip with the Jeep. Put it on a rented trailer and tow it. But that would be very inconvenient for three months of travel.

Or, buy used tow bar and base plates and have them installed and buy a used Brake Buddy for the braking system.

The Brake Buddy could be sold at the end of the trip recovering some or all of its cost. The base plates could be removed and sold as could the tow bar.

You would be out at minimum the cost of installation of the tow brackets and the Toad wiring.

Do be sure that your JGC can be towed four down. Not all can be.

[BarbRN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec For one trip with the Jeep. Put it on a rented trailer and tow it. But that would be very inconvenient for three months of travel. Or, buy used tow bar and base plates and have them installed and buy a used Brake Buddy for the braking system. The Brake Buddy could be sold at the end of the trip recovering some or all of its cost. The base plates could be removed and sold as could the tow bar. You would be out at minimum the cost of installation of the tow brackets and the Toad wiring. Do be sure that your JGC can be towed four down. Not all can be.

Yes, thanks, we checked that out. That's what we need to do I guess. Does the brake buddy have to be installed in the car? Holes in the floor? I don't know how they work.

[deandec]

The brake Buddy itself just rests on the floor of the car, attaches to the brake pedal, is plugged to the cigarette lighter, and is pressurized by the electric.

It must be removed to drive the car. No holes.

The only wiring is from the breakaway switch mounted at the front bumper area and wires run through existing holes in the firewall to ultimately attach to the Break Buddy connection ports. The wires can lay under your floor mat when not in use.

I have to admit that on two occasions when the Brake Buddy failed in the past nine years, I actually drove my rig and car home crossing the Siskiyou, the Rockies, and the Sierra mountain ranges with no toad braking, and had no problems. The BB was sent to the manufacturer for repair from where ever it broke.

I think the biggest benefit of Toad braking is in the event of a disconnect of the Toad from the hitch.