Jeep Grand Cherokee Toad?

[Ragtop69GS]

Looking to purchase a 5.7L Grand Cherokee Overland or Trailhawk to use as a toad, somewhere in the 2017 to 2020 range. Which years of the GC need the add on wire harness to energize the power steering so you don't get the death wobble? Is that wire harness a DIY job?

[harleyjt]

Never had the issue with my 2017 GC. No extra wiring. It towed well.
jt

[DuaneMiller]

I have a 2019 GC Overland with the 5.7 Hemi, and never had to add the supplemental wiring for the power steering. I make sure the suspension is aired up in the Jeep to regular ride height before pulling out, and never had an issue.

[Ragtop69GS]

Originally Posted by harleyjt

Never had the issue with my 2017 GC. No extra wiring. It towed well.
jt

Originally Posted by DuaneMiller

I have a 2019 GC Overland with the 5.7 Hemi, and never had to add the supplemental wiring for the power steering. I make sure the suspension is aired up in the Jeep to regular ride height before pulling out, and never had an issue.

Thank you both for your comments. Glad to hear that I shouldn't have to add the extra harness. My current toad is a 2009 Jeep Liberty and it towed well and was easy to put into tow mode.

[CWSWine]

I had a 2017 GC and had the death wobble 3 times and the last one cracked welds around the radiator. We sold it and purchased a Jeep Rubicon and had zero problems and now we are towing a Ford Maverick to reduce weight. Just after we sold our GC they came out with a harness. The Cherokee death wobble is much worse than the GC since it will happen at highway speeds and the GC wobble is usually under 5 miles per hour in a left or right turn.

Not sure what year Jeep started putting the harness GC but what it does is keep the electric power steering energized while towing. Search and see they have a new set of problems towing.

Here is some reading and the Death Wobble
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/jeep...le-339594.html

Here is some additional reading on models since 2017 Death Wobble and problems towing.
https://www.irv2.com/forums/search.p...rchid=38240159

[bentjm]

The 2015 model year and earlier had hydraulic power steering. There is natural resistance in that system.

2016 - 2021 had electric power steering. The add on harness that you reference did not work and is no longer available.

What occurs- very infrequently - on the 2016 - 2021 Grand Cherokees is not "traditional" death wobble. It does seem to happen going straight down the road at speed. It seems to only happen when taking a sharp turn at slow speeds. Specially when also going over a decline.

Making sure your tow bar is parallel seems to alleviate the issue.

[Campfamily]

2019 Grand Cherokee, towed 16,000+ miles, no death wobble. No additional harness added.

OP, I like your forum "handle" Ragtop69GS. I have a 65 GS convertible...maybe I should change to Ragtop65GS!!!

Keith

[Ragtop69GS]

Originally Posted by Campfamily

2019 Grand Cherokee, towed 16,000+ miles, no death wobble. No additional harness added.

OP, I like your forum "handle" Ragtop69GS. I have a 65 GS convertible...maybe I should change to Ragtop65GS!!!

Keith

Love the 65 too. Theres a 65 post car sitting under a carport near here, it hasn't moved since we got down here.
Unfortunately we sold the GS in 2019 after owning it for 21 years. We moved to the mountains and wanted something more appropriate for the twisty mountain roads. we found a 2008 Saturn Sky Redline roadster with 32K miles, nowhere near as fast as the GS with a 462ci but the redline rips up these mountain switchbacks.

[jrs]

We have an 2018 Limited and tows great. No death wobble issues here and it's a great toad/vehicle. I think it helps tremendously to have a very level towbar. I installed everything myself and there's great videos showing how to do it.
It has just under 70K miles and 42K miles towing.

[Ragtop69GS]

Originally Posted by jrs

We have an 2018 Limited and tows great. No death wobble issues here and it's a great toad/vehicle. I think it helps tremendously to have a very level towbar. I installed everything myself and there's great videos showing how to do it.
It has just under 70K miles and 42K miles towing.

Thanks for your insights,
What brake system are you using in the GC ? I have an older Blueox brake buddy I use, I'm getting prepared to install the base plate, light wiring and brake away switch.
I'm looking to buy and install the
Etrailer Invisible Base Plate Kit e98950 - removable Arms
, and the etrailer Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles
HM59RR
So far I haven't seen an easy way to get the brake away switch wires through the firewall to plug into the brake buddy, any tips on doing so?

[bentjm]

Originally Posted by Ragtop69GS

Thanks for your insights,
What brake system are you using in the GC ?

So far I haven't seen an easy way to get the brake away switch wires through the firewall to plug into the brake buddy, any tips on doing so?

I use an RVI3 portable system.

I have installed baseplates, light wiring, and breakaway wiring on two different 2015 Grand Cherokees. The first one got Tboned and totalled.

I never could find an existing hole in the firewall that was accessible or enough clearance to drill one.

I ran the lights and breakaway wiring down the passenger side. There is a wiring chase beside the unibody frame rail that you can use. I ran the breakaway wiring up through the battery box that is under the passenger seat. There is a vent hole that you can use. Move the passenger seat all the way forward and all the way up to access the panel that covers the battery box.

[harleyjt]

On my previous GC and my current Wrangler, I installed the breakaway switch and ran wiring up to the cowl in front of the driver. I then coiled it up and set it on top of the brake master cylinder. When I hook up to tow, it aI just uncoil it and route it up under the windshield wiper and into the vehicle through the door opening. I hook it up to my RVi3 and close the door making sure the cable doesn't get in trouble with the door hinge. I just didn't want to deal with drilling a hole and then storing it inside the vehicle. This was it is out of sight and out of the way until its needed.
jt

[Maverick226]

Hello
There is a recall now on 2017-2019 Cherokee Trailhawk for a PTU problem for an unexpected loss of drive power and/or a loss of park brake. I have a 2109 and just received the letter from Jeep two days ago on the recall. As of this date there is no remedy for the problem. I am not sure what I should do--drive it or not. I have registered online to be made aware when a remedy would be available. I am checking with a dealer to see what they have to say. I am not sure if this problem extends to more recent trailhawks after 2019. Anyone else on the forum having a similar problem. Let me know what you are doing.

[jrs]

Originally Posted by Ragtop69GS

Thanks for your insights,
What brake system are you using in the GC ? I have an older Blueox brake buddy I use, I'm getting prepared to install the base plate, light wiring and brake away switch.
I'm looking to buy and install the
Etrailer Invisible Base Plate Kit e98950 - removable Arms
, and the etrailer Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles
HM59RR
So far I haven't seen an easy way to get the brake away switch wires through the firewall to plug into the brake buddy, any tips on doing so?

So sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. Only check forum once/wk. I use a Ready Brute Elite towbar. It's a simple surge brake system that works. Be ready to encounter a double walled firewall. Just pick a spot and drill. I had to run two cables to my brake pedal and the hole is behind it.

I didn't mention it earlier but the Pentastar V6 makes 290 hp and is very sufficient in rapidly moving the vehicle when needed.