Using Tow Dolly for Jeep-What Am I Missing?

[Grapehound]

Originally Posted by Lt Dan

Transfer case in neutral disengages the wheels from the transmission.

Apparently, as some have suggested, all four wheels are still connected somehow, even when the transmission is in neutral and "disengaged".

That means two wheels can't turn on the ground while the other two wheels are off the ground. Don't ask me how that works! This Jeep cannot even be towed with two wheels down or it will damage it.

From 2019 Grand Cherokee manual: "Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will cause severe transmission damage." This in spite of the explanation which says "The transfer case neutral position(N) disengages both the front and the rear driveshafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll, even of the transmission is in park."

Further it says "Tow with all four wheels either ON the ground or OFF the ground (using a vehicle trailer) [or damage will result]."

What irritates me is the 30mph limit and 30 mile range limit they suggest for flat towing, which I believe means towing while disabled and not recreational towing.

I may have to look at getting a car trailer, as I have a cab tractor I could use it for as well as the Jeep.

As a retired technical writer, if I could not write a clearer manual for these Jeeps I would stick my head in a bucket.

[Steve-W]

The verbiage you are quoting and apparently read is for emergency towing when the vehicle is disabled, such as behind a tow truck etc.

There is a specific section in the owners manual dealing with towing behind a RV (recreational towing). In summary a 4 wheel drive vehicle with Active Drive II can only be flat towed (4 down) or on a trailer with all 4 wheels off the ground, and there is NOT a 30 mph or 30 distance limitation.

[Grapehound]

Originally Posted by Steve-W

The verbiage you are quoting and apparently read is for emergency towing when the vehicle is disabled, such as behind a tow truck etc.

There is a specific section in the owners manual dealing with towing behind a RV (recreational towing). In summary a 4 wheel drive vehicle with Active Drive II can only be flat towed (4 down) or on a trailer with all 4 wheels off the ground, and there is NOT a 30 mph or 30 distance limitation.

Steve, I was reading from a section on two-wheel drive towing, not my 4WD with Active Drive II, so my bad. You are correct, that limitation does not apply to the 4WD Grand Cherokee Limited Jeep we have.
Larry