Towing Newer Jeep Wrangler 08 and Above

LeeB · 06-23-2011, 10:02 AM

Looked at Remco's site and they are saying I need a Lube Pump for a 4 x 4 Wrangler (Automatic).....

What year do I need to look at the DOES NOT need the Lube Pump. I have to have a automatic, so it needs to have a neutral setting for the transfer case..

Bert3388 · 06-23-2011, 10:35 AM

You do not need a lube pump to flat tow a jeep, automatic or not. Follow the procedures in the owners manual to put the transfer case in neutral, and your good to go.

Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' · 06-23-2011, 10:44 AM

If 4x4 a lube pump is not required. I tow a 2008 Wrangler Sahara 4 dr 4x4 and have just followed the directions in the owners manual. At 1st it was difficult to get the transfer case into neutral, but after 3 years not a problem. I DO believe that the 2 wheel drives are not towable 4 down without a pump.

ernieh · 06-23-2011, 10:50 AM

Your Wrangler is towable 4 down with no modifications. I would suggest that if you have a locking steering column that instead of disconnecting the battery ground, pull the 60A IOD fuse instead. Mine actually came with a T handle on the fuse. Some people also pull the brake lamp fuse (can't remember the number).

LeeB · 06-23-2011, 11:11 AM

I do not have a Jeep yet. Just looking right now. at all my options.

I have a HHR and love it just hitch and go

Thanks for the input...

Rich and Cork · 06-23-2011, 05:22 PM

Just another piece of info that may make your life easier. The '09 and later Wranglers do not have a steering wheel lock, so you do not have to leave your key in the ignition when towing. Also note that the manual of the couple of, '09s that I have read did not tell you this. I have an '08 and it requires the key. To check all you have to do is turn the wheel with the key out of the ignition.

Since you do not have a Wrangler yet and you think you will use your Jeep for remote exploring, I would recommend the Rubicon model. It has a number of desirable upgrades that will cost a lot to add after purchase: 4:1 low in the transfer case vs 2.72, lockers front and rear, Dana 44 front rather that the Dana 30, 4.10 gear ratios, skid plates, plus maybe a couple of other minor changes I don't remember.

Have fun.

Tpflyer · 06-25-2011, 06:21 AM

Well here is a 2011 Wrangler flat towing horror story for you! It happened to me yesterday. In fact I am stiil at the campground. I was preparing for our trip on Thursday night loading the new Winnebago Tour. I decided to get the Jeep hooked up for the trip the next day so I pulled it behind the coach and hooked up the tow bar, safety cables, and electrical cord. I decided to put the brake buddy in the following morning. The mosquitos were having a field day with me. The next morning was pretty hectick and i finally got around to installing the brake in the Jeep. Normally i do all the hooking up at one time. Well you probably already guessed that i didn't put the transfer case in neutral nor did i take it out of first gear (manual transmission). The Tour had no issues towing the jeep that was in first gear although after i left the neighborhood and started going a little faster i noticed the coach was a little sluggish which i passed off to idiling too long. Once on the highway it all seemed fine. (by this time i probably already distroyed the transfer case, clutch, maybe the engine and who knows about the transmission. Never knew a thing until leaving a toll booth in Maine my son in law pulled up beside me in his coach and called me to tell me the jeep seems to be making noise! Thats when the lightbulb went on an i realized i forgot to put the transfer case in neutral. I pulled over and sure enough it was in 2H. I could smell the clutch. Needless to say i was not a happy camper. We got to the campground started the jeep to a knocking engine, could barely move it our of the way because gears in the transfer case were obviously broken. What a mess!
We will be heading home on Monday and i will repost the damages and cost to fully repair once it is fixed. I hope someone who reads this is saved the misery of having this happen to them. I'm pretty sure it won't happen to me again!

LeeB · 06-25-2011, 08:21 AM

Oh My..... Lesson learned for me and all who read this....

Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' · 06-25-2011, 09:40 AM

Ouch onn the towing mishap...CHECKLIST...CHECKLIST after all these years of towing I do not hookup and tow without doing the checklist.

txdutt · 06-28-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tpflyer

Well here is a 2011 Wrangler flat towing horror story for you! It happened to me yesterday. In fact I am stiil at the campground. I was preparing for our trip on Thursday night loading the new Winnebago Tour. I decided to get the Jeep hooked up for the trip the next day so I pulled it behind the coach and hooked up the tow bar, safety cables, and electrical cord. I decided to put the brake buddy in the following morning. The mosquitos were having a field day with me. The next morning was pretty hectick and i finally got around to installing the brake in the Jeep. Normally i do all the hooking up at one time. Well you probably already guessed that i didn't put the transfer case in neutral nor did i take it out of first gear (manual transmission). The Tour had no issues towing the jeep that was in first gear although after i left the neighborhood and started going a little faster i noticed the coach was a little sluggish which i passed off to idiling too long. Once on the highway it all seemed fine. (by this time i probably already distroyed the transfer case, clutch, maybe the engine and who knows about the transmission. Never knew a thing until leaving a toll booth in Maine my son in law pulled up beside me in his coach and called me to tell me the jeep seems to be making noise! Thats when the lightbulb went on an i realized i forgot to put the transfer case in neutral. I pulled over and sure enough it was in 2H. I could smell the clutch. Needless to say i was not a happy camper. We got to the campground started the jeep to a knocking engine, could barely move it our of the way because gears in the transfer case were obviously broken. What a mess!
We will be heading home on Monday and i will repost the damages and cost to fully repair once it is fixed. I hope someone who reads this is saved the misery of having this happen to them. I'm pretty sure it won't happen to me again!

you might call your insurance company for the Jeep, they may (emphasize may) total it if the drivetrain is trashed...can't hurt to ask..

Tpflyer · 08-10-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tpflyer

Well here is a 2011 Wrangler flat towing horror story for you! It happened to me yesterday. In fact I am stiil at the campground. I was preparing for our trip on Thursday night loading the new Winnebago Tour. I decided to get the Jeep hooked up for the trip the next day so I pulled it behind the coach and hooked up the tow bar, safety cables, and electrical cord. I decided to put the brake buddy in the following morning. The mosquitos were having a field day with me. The next morning was pretty hectick and i finally got around to installing the brake in the Jeep. Normally i do all the hooking up at one time. Well you probably already guessed that i didn't put the transfer case in neutral nor did i take it out of first gear (manual transmission). The Tour had no issues towing the jeep that was in first gear although after i left the neighborhood and started going a little faster i noticed the coach was a little sluggish which i passed off to idiling too long. Once on the highway it all seemed fine. (by this time i probably already distroyed the transfer case, clutch, maybe the engine and who knows about the transmission. Never knew a thing until leaving a toll booth in Maine my son in law pulled up beside me in his coach and called me to tell me the jeep seems to be making noise! Thats when the lightbulb went on an i realized i forgot to put the transfer case in neutral. I pulled over and sure enough it was in 2H. I could smell the clutch. Needless to say i was not a happy camper. We got to the campground started the jeep to a knocking engine, could barely move it our of the way because gears in the transfer case were obviously broken. What a mess!
We will be heading home on Monday and i will repost the damages and cost to fully repair once it is fixed. I hope someone who reads this is saved the misery of having this happen to them. I'm pretty sure it won't happen to me again!

Here is an update on the Jeep. Had to replace the entire rear axel. $3,600. Ring and Pinion stripped clean, carrier broken in two, axels twisted in splines. The transfer case and transmission were fine. Putting new main bearings in the motor now. That should take care of it. Certainly could have been worse. Looks like I will be fixed for about $4,500. expensive lesson.

SargeW · 08-19-2011, 10:11 PM

Sorry for your expensive lesson Tom. I have towed a Jeep for 5+ years and the worst I have ever done is forgot to unlock the steering column once. I figured it out in about 200 feet.

My best advice to everyone including myself is when hooking or unhooking the toad is to be very methodical. And don't talk to anyone while you are doing it. Distraction is the mother of disaster.

Good luck, Sarge

**Route 66** · 08-20-2011, 04:25 AM

I always pulled forward about 10~20' or so after hitching the toad, and did a walk around to verify the toad was towing properly.

I also looked in the MH mirrors at the first turn to verify the toad's rear wheels were turning.

RVJeeper · 08-20-2011, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66

I always pulled forward about 10~20' or so after hitching the toad, and did a walk around to verify the toad was towing properly.

I also looked in the MH mirrors at the first turn to verify the toad's rear wheels were turning.

DW stays outside the rig for the first few feet to make sure all the wheels are turning!