Jeep Checklist - Manual Transmission

[Renipladlo]

Hello all,
Well after reading several post herein about how to tow a jeep, I deceided to create my own list because our 09 Sahara has a 6-speed tranny.

I am going to post it here, so the folks who have done this for a while can tear it up, and let me know what I am missing. I have not hooked up the jeep to the MH using the Blue Ox Aventa II tow bar, that happens Thursday when MH comes home from storage. This is a test to see if I have forgotten anything about the jeep. I will have three checklists once this whole thing is working like it should, the jeep, the towbar to the jeep, and the Roadmaster Even Brake hookups.

Oh well here goes:

TOWING – 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODES – MANUAL TRANSMISSION ONLY – LEFT out Automatic Information

NOTE – The Transfer case must be shifted into N (neutral) for recreational towing.

Shifting into Neutral (N)

Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for recreational towing.

CAUTION
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the transfer case is fully in N (neutral) before recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts. Position vehicle behind Motorhome sufficiently close so the tow bar can reach the toad.

1. Turn the engine off.

2. Depress the Brake Pedal.

3. Depress the Clutch pedal on Manual Transmission vehicles.

4. Shift Transfer case Lever into N (neutral).

5. Start the engine.

6. Shift manual Transmission into 1st Gear.

7. Release Brake Pedal and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.

8. Shut the engine off and place the ignition key into the ACC Position – Position 2 on diagram in book.

9. Apply Parking Brake.

10. Attach vehicle to the tow vehicle with the tow bar assembly and follow hook up by manufacturer of tow bar system.

11. Release Parking Brake

12. Disconnect the negative battery cable and secure it away from the negative battery Post – DO NOT DO THIS – Alternative Procedure is as follows:

a. Disconnect the IOD Fuse from the fuse box; this does not cause the 2a draw from the accessories in system.

b. Additionally disconnect the M1 Fuse, so the brake lights DO NOT STAY LIT. This is because of how some vehicles are wired. If you have an alternative wiring/lighting system installed where the jeeps system is not used from the Motorhome, this fuse must still be pulled as the brake pedal depression from the auxiliaryy devise will cause the jeeps brake lights to illuminate.

This should allow you to tow the jeep successfully.




USE THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE TO PREPARE YOUR VEHICLE FOR NORMAL USAGE – DAMAGE TO TRANSFER CASE COULD OCCCUR IF NOT FOLLOWED. Perform the below in a large parking lot with space around the vehicle so no one is injured. Most RV Parks have an area where this can be accomplished.

1. Set the parking break. Install the fuses IOD and M1 back into the fuse box. Check to see if the vehicle will start, if so let run for a minute or so to build up the battery. While Running - Unhook the tow bar, and assorted equipment and cables so the vehicle is no longer hooked to the motorhome.

2. Turn the engine off.

3. Depress Clutch Pedal.

4. Shift Transfer case lever into desired position – 2H = 2 Wheel drive high-Toward the front of vehicle.

5. Start the engine.

6. Release the clutch – vehicle is still in gear from when “Setup to Tow” was initiated.

Drive vehicle away from Motor Home, Turn over to co-pilot to follow you into campground.

Well that is it, please let me know if I have forgotten anything, the manual seems easier than an automatic to hook up.

[DeanLinAZ]

Monty:

You did a great job creating this procedure. I have a new to me 2007 Sahara 6-speed which works just like you describe. The only difference I have with mine is that the IOD fuse does not come out of the fuse box--it disengages but remains in place in the box. The M1 fuse does come out as you describe. Maybe I'm not pulling on the IOD fuse assembly hard enough? Let us know how your hookup goes when you get your coach home and do your first connection.

Thanks, good job.

[ernieh]

The IOD "puller" on my 07 has two positions. The first one just barely clears the fuse from the socket. The second one provides a little more space. If I just pull to the first click, I can still jiggle the fuse and make contact. I've never tried to remove it all the way. If it works, I don't try to fix it.

[Renipladlo]

I don't believe the IOD fuse is removable. It clears the contacts but stays in the housing. This is a guess on my part, because I have not done that part of the procedure yet. Wednesday is the day I set up the even brake and check all the little things necessary to tow. I can then add those things to my checklist above. Then I will divide it into three parts and laminate them and keep a copy in the Jeep, Motor Home and handy to review.

[Renipladlo]

I have revised the Jeep Procedure. Please read and comment, and tomorrow is it's test. Enjoy and anyone may use these instructios as you need. It's in word 2007 format, so just coping and pasting into a word document should keep the formatting intact

TOWING – 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODES – MANUAL TRANSMISSION ONLY
NOTE – The Transfer case must be shifted into N (neutral) for recreational towing
Shifting into Neutral (N) - Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for recreational towing.

CAUTION
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the transfer case is fully in N (neutral) before recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts. Position vehicle behind Motorhome sufficiently close so the tow bar can reach the toad. *Once the vehicle has been hooked up to the Motorhome Tow Bar system, following the Aventa LX Manual, Drive the jeep SLOWELY ahead to engage the latch legs on the tow bar - THEN PERFORM THE BELOW STEPS.

1. Turn the engine off.

2. Depress the Brake Pedal.

3. Depress the Clutch pedal on Manual Transmission vehicles.

4. Shift Transfer case Lever into N (neutral).

5. Start the engine.

6. Shift manual Transmission into 1st Gear.

7. Release Brake Pedal and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.

8. Shut the engine off and place the ignition key into the ACC Position – Position 2 on diagram in book.

9. Apply Parking Brake.

10. *This step should be already done, because you need to drive ahead to latch legs on Tow bar. Attach vehicle to the tow vehicle with the tow bar assembly and follow hook up by manufacturer of tow bar system.

11. Release Parking Brake

12. Disconnect the negative battery cable and secure it away from the negative battery Post – DO NOT DO THIS – Alternative Procedure is as follows:

a. Raise up or disconnect the IOD Fuse-relay from the fuse box; this does not allow the 2 amp draw from the accessories in system.

b. Additionally disconnect the M1 Fuse, so the brake lights DO NOT STAY LIT. This is because of how some vehicles are wired. If you have an alternative wiring/lighting system installed where the jeeps lighting system is not used from the Motorhome, this fuse must still be pulled as the brake pedal depression from the auxiliary devise will cause the jeeps brake lights to illuminate.
Turn on the Motorhomes running lights and verify running lights on the towed vehicle are operating properly, also check turn signals for both left and right are operating correctly – if the turn signals operate the brakes lights will work correctly. If NO LIGHTS, or NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY – FIX IT NOW – Tickets are expensive!

The above procedure will allow the Jeep to be towed safely and correctly behind the motorhome.

Stop at a safe place before entrance to a main highway and check system, after entrance to highway use video camera to monitor until you are sure the system is operating correctly.

ANY STRANGE NOISE, PULLING, SCRAPING UNUSUAL MOVEMENT OF TOWED VEHICLE – STOP IMMEDIATELY AND VERIFY SAFE OPERATION – YOUR’S AND SOMEONE ELSES LIFE MIGHT HANG IN THE BALANCE.

2



USE THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE TO PREPARE YOUR VEHICLE FOR NORMAL USAGE – DAMAGE TO TRANSFER CASE COULD OCCCUR IF NOT FOLLOWED IN THE CORRECT ORDER. Perform the below in a large parking lot with space around the vehicle so no one is injured. Most RV Parks have an area where this can be accomplished.

1. Set the parking break.

2. Turn off the ignition switch -- then install the fuses IOD and M1 back into the fuse box. Check to see if the vehicle will start, if so let run for a minute or so to build up the battery. While Running - Unhook the tow bar, and assorted equipment and cables so the vehicle is no longer hooked to the motorhome.

3. Turn the engine off.

4. Depress Clutch Pedal.

5. Shift Transfer case lever into desired position – 2H = 2 Wheel drive high-Toward the front of vehicle.

6. Start the engine.

7. Release the clutch slowly as the vehicle is still in gear from when “Setup to Tow” was initiated.

8. Drive vehicle away from Motor Home, Turn over to co-pilot to follow you into campground.

9. Once in a camping site, put the attachment tabs back into the storage box for safe keeping and store all in the smart beds. Brake device can also be stored in Smart bed as well.

[AL]

Hi All,

Wow I don't know if it's because of model Wrangler -X or years had 95 now have 04, or that I have auto trans ! However I don't have to pull any fuses or disconnect the battery! Which is a good thing, since I need power for my Break Buddy!! I wounder why, after all these years they had to make things harder rather then easier !!!

[ernieh]

The problem started with the 07's.

[mfire1339]

After putting our transfer case in neutral and testing in first gear I put transmission in a (high) gear such as forth or fifth in our 1990 wrangler.

Mike

[RRTraveler]

My toad is a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara w/ a 6-speed manual transmission. I'm glad to hear that I wasn't missing something when I recently tried removing the IOD fuse. I could get it disengaged but not removed.

There are some items in the listed checklist that I'm not sure are necessary. I have been towing my 2007 Jeep for about a year and a half. I only recently started removing the fuses for longer trips. The following are the steps I take in connecting my Jeep to my MH and have never had any issues:

-Pull the Jeep to the back of the MH the correct distance to reach the tow bar.
-Leave the engine idling and put the transmission in neutral and apply parking brake. (I don't put the transfer case in neutral yet, in case I need to move up or back for connection to the tow bar)
-Connect the tow bar, cables, wiring, and breakaway cable.
-Depress clutch, shift transfer case into neutral, shift transmission into 1st gear.
-Slowly let out clutch. (If the transfer case isn't in neutral, you will know it when you let out the clutch with the transmission in gear)
-I then connect my brake buddy allowing the compressor to charge while the engine is still on and charging the battery.
-Turn engine off and place key in ACC position.

[AL]

Hi all,

Thanks for the answer ernieh !!!

[DeanLinAZ]

Monty & RV Travler:

Thanks again for the blow by blow procedure for hooking up, unhooking, etc a 2007-2009 Wrangler. I will use it faithfully on my new-to-me 2007 Sahara 2-door six-speed.

I towed a Miata four-down about five years ago and this is about the same except for pulling fuses.

Thanks again, guys.

[stuyguy]

I asked my dealer's service dept and Chrysler what gear to use for towing and both recommended 5th or 6th.

Does your 09 Wrangler have a steering-wheel lock? According to Chrysler and my experimentation, 09 Wranglers don't have one, which would suggest no need to insert the key and drain the battery.

[DeanLinAZ]

Stuyguy:

I don't know about 2009 Wranglers, but my 2007 Wrangler six-speed steering wheel locks when the wheel is turned one-half turn to the right or to the left with the key removed. I have read that automatics do not have a steering wheel lock, but don't know for sure. With the key in and turned to the first position it keeps the steering wheel from locking.

BTW, my 2005 PT Cruiser works exactly the same way. Maybe its a Chrysler thing?

[CoolTech]

Beginning with 2009 Model Year Jeep Wranglers, the steering wheel lock is no longer a "feature".

As such, with 2009 models, it is not necessary to place the key in the first position and so there will be no electrical draw.

Let me take a minute to explain the electrical system on the Jeep Wrangler:

In model years 2007 and 2008, it was necessary to place the key in the first position to un-lock the steering wheel. Unfortunately, the first key position also was the accessory position. Even though all accessories are seemingly off (Radio, FAN, etc) the Jeep continues to draw 3-4 amps of power in this position. The Jeep Owner's manual specifically instructs that the negative battery cable be disconnected - which definitely solves the current-draw problem. However, some owners also discovered that by lifting the Ignition Off Draw (IOD) fuse, the current draw could also be eliminated while leaving the battery cable attached. As stated previously, the topic is moot for 2009 owners, as the key does not need to be in the vehicle.

The other electrical issue that arises with the Jeep when used as a Toad ONLY occurs when the Jeep is equipped with an in-vehicle braking device that activates by pulling/pushing the Jeep brake pedal. When such a device is used AND the Jeep's battery remains connected, it is possible that both the Jeep and the tow vehicle try to talk to the Jeep's tail lights at the same time. This is all fine when they agree, but not fine when they are trying to do two different things. The scenario is when the tow vehicle is commanding the Jeeps tail light to blink and then the Jeep's own brake pedal activates telling the brake light to illuminate continuously. The Jeep will receive a pulsing 12v signal from the tow vehicle and a constant 12v signal from it's own brake. The result is that the light will illuminate continuously and not blink - essentially blocking out the turn signal under braking.

Please keep in ming that no combination of diodes will correct this behavior. It is not a back-feed type of problem, rather it is two different signals trying to command the light at the same time. Fortunately, the fix is really straightforward - either one will work.

1) Recall that Jeep recommends disconnecting the battery for towing. If the Jeep's battery is disconnected, the conflict cannot occur.

2) If you tow with the Jeep's battery connected, another solution is to remove the M1 fuse. This disables the Jeep from activating the brake lights and eliminates the conflict. If you choose this solution, I encourage you to place the fuse in a bag and attach the bag to your steering wheel. You DO NOT want to forget to re-insert this fuse after you disconnect.