Community Forums

Shadow5501 · 11-23-2020, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jthigh

As for the parking brake, I believe the manual states that you need to make sure to turn off automatic park brake setting in the setup menu.

I don’t find that in the “Recreational Towing” section of the 2020 owners manual. The lengthy step by step instructions have you set and release the parking brake multiple times, but not change the setting in the options menu.

The formal instructions would have you place the Jeep in neutral tow mode, then connect the tow bar to the MoHo. I prefer to connect the tow bar, then gently reverse the Jeep to extend and lock the tow bar arms, and finally go through the neutral tow procedure.

It generally goes smoothly except when my spouse wants to help, because then the drivers door is inevitably open while I talk her through the process, and the anti-rollaway feature engages the parking brake and won’t respond to the switch to turn it off. We’ve achieved detente by having her walk the dog while I hook up the car, then we don’t have to spend 15 minutes troubleshooting.

Shadow5501 · 11-24-2020, 06:01 AM

Stumbled across this description of the “safe hold” feature that sets the parking brake in specific circumstances. This was implemented across the FCA vehicle line after a rollaway killed an individual - IIRC a celebrity actor. This can drive you crazy when setting up the Cherokee to flat tow.
——-
SafeHold is a safety feature of the Electric Park
Brake System that will engage the park brake
automatically if the vehicle is left unsecured. If
the automatic transmission is not in PARK, the
seat belt is unbuckled, the driver door is open,
the vehicle is at a standstill, and there is no
attempt to depress the brake pedal or accelerator pedal, the park brake will automatically
engage to prevent the vehicle from rolling.
SafeHold can be temporarily bypassed by
pushing the Electric Park Brake Switch while the
driver door is open and brake pedal is pressed.
Once manually bypassed, SafeHold will be
enabled again once the vehicle reaches
12 mph (20 km/h) or the ignition is cycled to
the OFF position and back to ON again.

Jthigh · 11-24-2020, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow5501

I don’t find that in the “Recreational Towing” section of the 2020 owners manual. The lengthy step by step instructions have you set and release the parking brake multiple times, but not change the setting in the options menu.

The formal instructions would have you place the Jeep in neutral tow mode, then connect the tow bar to the MoHo. I prefer to connect the tow bar, then gently reverse the Jeep to extend and lock the tow bar arms, and finally go through the neutral tow procedure.

That’s interesting about the 2020 Manual. Here is a screen shot of our 2019 Manual. It’s not listed in the step by step but in the application table notes.

I also lock the tow arms as you mention. Just seems to make more sense.

Shadow5501 · 11-24-2020, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jthigh

That’s interesting about the 2020 Manual. Here is a screen shot of our 2019 Manual. It’s not listed in the step by step but in the application table notes.

I also lock the tow arms as you mention. Just seems to make more sense.

OK, it’s there - I didn’t read the notes under the table carefully enough. My bad.

tundra9 · 05-10-2021, 05:14 PM

Just curious, what has anyone paid to have the flat tow wiring harness installed? 2017 Jeep cherokee. Thanks Tom

sedaliaterry · 05-10-2021, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tundra9

Just curious, what has anyone paid to have the flat tow wiring harness installed? 2017 Jeep cherokee. Thanks Tom

When I had mine done by the dealer at purchase as part of the deal, most threads at that time (2017) on here we’re indicating around $500 for those that had to pay for the install.

Bikinjim · 05-10-2021, 07:53 PM

When I went to have my flat tow harness installed on my 2015 Cherokee, the local dealer wanted $120 for the harness and $600 to install. I wound up just buying the harness and installing myself. The instructions are pretty good and I didn’t have much trouble installing and testing it.

Isaac-1 · 05-10-2021, 08:55 PM

Same here, did most of the install in an afternoon, taking my time, finished up the second half in part of an afternoon a couple days later. Hardest part was contorting to get to the CAN terminator block in the rear of the center arm rest. Also when you think you have the screws unscrewed enough to lift out the fuse box, you don't keep unscrewing, then unscrew some more as the screws sandwich multiple threaded parts together.