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11-17-2016, 08:50 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 257
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Just intalled Mopar EPS switch on 2015 Cherokee
So after experiencing 2 "Death Wobbles" on my 2015 Cherokee Trailhawk,
I took my car to the Jeep dealer and had the EPS switch system installed.
I have yet to tow again, but am reading about the procedures to prepare to tow
as well as the unhooking procedures. Here are a few questions I have as I face the unknown:
1) Why the redundancy of a fuse and a switch?
2) Does the new system tax the battery on the tow vehicle while towing
or does the electric hookup to the coach keep the tow vehicle charged?
3) If it does tax the battery on tow vehicle, what is realistic battery life while
towing? 3 hours, 8 hours, 20 hours? etc
4) Are there any problems if I screw up and do some hookup procedures out
of recommended order? ie put Jeep in neutral before turning on EPS
system? If so, what happens and how do I remedy?
5) Finally, is the be-all end-all solution to the "Death Wobble"?
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11-17-2016, 06:12 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Oak Grove Minnesota
Posts: 105
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Was the death wobble when being towed? I have a 2016 Cherokee with Active Drive II and never knew it was back there, behind my 36 Discovery MH. What is the EPS switch system?
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11-17-2016, 07:02 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 257
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Quote:
Originally Posted by samschudi
Was the death wobble when being towed? I have a 2016 Cherokee with Active Drive II and never knew it was back there, behind my 36 Discovery MH. What is the EPS switch system?
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The EPS stands for Electroinc Power Steering. It is supposed to keep the
front end stable when towing. My death wobble occurred twice at slow speed
crossing a railroad. Very violent side to side roll as well as front steering moving back and forth.
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11-17-2016, 11:44 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 24
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I have 2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk which I ordered new with the EPS switch installed.
#1
This basically what the service manager explained to me. The switch hooks the EPS to battery when ignition is off and the fuse is there in case of some type power surge to protect the EPS.
#2 & #3
I just have traveled three consective 9 hours days without disconnecting vehicle and had no dead battery. Hence I assume the charge wire from the coach keeps the battery charged properly over a long period of drive time.
#4
I printed out a copy of the steps from the manual downloaded from Jeep web page. I have this handy and read/follow it precisely each and every time, hence, I have not experienced out of sequence issues. If it is a real concern for you then I suggest you talk to the service manager of a Jeep dealer.
#5
Only time will tell especially if you travel over very rough roads. However I have not noticed any postings here or on the Family Motor Coach (FMC) blog where after the switch installed there was a wobble issue. I did meet a person who recently returned from a trip to Alaska with a 2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with the switch/fuse who stated no wobble issues going and coming. He also stated they did encounter a few roads under construction along the way.
__________________
Steve
Winnie Sightseer 29R
Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
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11-18-2016, 07:57 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 257
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Thanks to Steve HSCOLE
Thanks for your thorough and comprehensive reply. I feel much better about my
new EPS switch. For those of us who experienced the "death wobble" it is very disconcerting and possibly dangerous situation. Amazingly, we towed approximately 15,000 miles in last three years with only 2 incidents. Hopefully this will be a happy ending with no future wobbles.....
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11-21-2016, 05:51 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,730
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I have to ask, what brand Base plate and to bar do you have?
I have towed for back and forth across the country and have not have any issues at all. I have even backed up for a few feet without issues and thru some very rough terrain.
Personally I think the real issue has to do with the Base plate/Tow bar setup and it is made worse by having EPS.
__________________
Retired Navy Submariner
2014 Itasca Sunstar 35F; 5 Star tuned; 2014 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk
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11-21-2016, 06:45 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperGewl
I have to ask, what brand Base plate and to bar do you have?
I have towed for back and forth across the country and have not have any issues at all. I have even backed up for a few feet without issues and thru some very rough terrain.
Personally I think the real issue has to do with the Base plate/Tow bar setup and it is made worse by having EPS.
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Yes, I would think a particular tow setup could exacerbate the issue. Angles, distances, etc. However, the issue remains with varying potential to occur. Powering the EPS seems to be the best route to go.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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11-22-2016, 05:07 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Oak Grove Minnesota
Posts: 105
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I would still be interested in the set-up Guernsey has, or anyone else who has experienced this wobble with a new Jeep Cherokee. As stated, there couple be many contributing factors and solutions. Tire pressure, Steering Stabilizer and yes general physics from the tow system that may be unique to that Jeep model.
I too have the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, but not the Trailhawk. Could that be part of the cause, are the suspensions set-up a little different?
How about a picture of your setup?
Thanks,,,,
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11-23-2016, 04:19 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,730
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Quote:
Originally Posted by samschudi
I would still be interested in the set-up Guernsey has, or anyone else who has experienced this wobble with a new Jeep Cherokee. As stated, there couple be many contributing factors and solutions. Tire pressure, Steering Stabilizer and yes general physics from the tow system that may be unique to that Jeep model.
I too have the 2016 Jeep Cherokee, but not the Trailhawk. Could that be part of the cause, are the suspensions set-up a little different?
How about a picture of your setup?
Thanks,,,,
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Yes the suspension is different slightly , just due to the difference in ride height. There has been some reports of people with the TH that have reported the WOBBLE.
Also remember there have also been people that have GM cars that have reported the WOBBLE also.
__________________
Retired Navy Submariner
2014 Itasca Sunstar 35F; 5 Star tuned; 2014 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk
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11-23-2016, 06:16 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,723
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperGewl
Yes the suspension is different slightly , just due to the difference in ride height. There has been some reports of people with the TH that have reported the WOBBLE.
Also remember there have also been people that have GM cars that have reported the WOBBLE also.
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The Trailhawks also have larger tires, which IMHO is a significant factor in helping the steering self center. I am also of the belief (for whatever that is worth ) and have stated in most of the other related threads before, I think the entire tow set up has a signifcant impact on the potential wobble senario.
I have a Blue Ox bar, and SMI Stay N Play.
In 15,000 miles I have only had the wobble occur one time, after a very hard left/right turn through a significant dip going into a gas station. I fully expected it to occur and stopped immediately. I don't think any / many toads would have been able to make that transition, so I consider that one instance a non issue. I am planning to get the kit installed in Jan. as a cya......
All in all, we are very happy with our Trailhawk that replaced a Mercedes GLK 4Matic (not towable).
Regards
__________________
D&S
2015 Tiffin Allegro 31SA; 24k chassis, Sumo springs
2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
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11-27-2016, 06:01 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,730
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Betr2Trvl how is the play in your tow receiver? Does it have any movement side to side or up and down when grabbed from the tow bar without the Toad hooked up?
Let me know, I'm tiring to help nail down the real culprit and or at least all of the contributing factors.
I see you are using the Blue Ox Tow bar setup.
__________________
Retired Navy Submariner
2014 Itasca Sunstar 35F; 5 Star tuned; 2014 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk
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11-27-2016, 06:39 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,723
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperGewl
Betr2Trvl how is the play in your tow receiver? Does it have any movement side to side or up and down when grabbed from the tow bar without the Toad hooked up?
Let me know, I'm tiring to help nail down the real culprit and or at least all of the contributing factors.
I see you are using the Blue Ox Tow bar setup.
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Seems snug to me. Putting in it / out it has to be lined up almost perfectly. Nothing to speak of side to side which is what is important, and a little up / down as I have to lift it a bit to get my hitch pin in.
I should also note that I have the Alpha tow bar, which is a lot simpler double pivot set up than the Aventa with the ball joint.
Regards
__________________
D&S
2015 Tiffin Allegro 31SA; 24k chassis, Sumo springs
2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
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11-27-2016, 11:28 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,730
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Betr2Trvl
Seems snug to me. Putting in it / out it has to be lined up almost perfectly. Nothing to speak of side to side which is what is important, and a little up / down as I have to lift it a bit to get my hitch pin in.
I should also note that I have the Alpha tow bar, which is a lot simpler double pivot set up than the Aventa with the ball joint.
Regards
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Is yours RV mounted or Toad mounted?
Mine is RV mounted and in order to make sure there is no play what so ever I installed the Roadmaster Quiet Hitch, so now there is no movement at all.
__________________
Retired Navy Submariner
2014 Itasca Sunstar 35F; 5 Star tuned; 2014 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk
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