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The Towing thread

314K views 2K replies 156 participants last post by  SouthernComfort 
#1 ·
Please place your queries and comments regarding towing, towbars, wiring, Brake Controllers, and any other Aussie towing matters here.

This way the information will be contained, and others will not need to plough though other irrevelent threads to find info.
 
#266 ·
Chrysler Aust state in their documentation that a WDH should be used with all available suspension systems when towing an Aggregate Tow Mass over 2268kg.
On our Laredo CRD we have a 3500kg tow rating with 350kg allowed on the ball, but this download changes according to the load in the vehicle.
On checking with my insurance companies for our vehicle and van, both advised that in the event of any claim related to towing, they would expect me to have abided by the vehicle manufacturers recommendations.
Certainly for me, that puts use or not of a WDH out of the realm of personal choice.
Our van goes 2150kg loaded and I use a WDH, but then again I don't need to be convinced of their value.
John
 
#267 ·
I am not Australian and cannot offer REAL value to this conversation.... just more I understand the safety of it and that I would use WD and Sway under that normally.

John, I think you and I are on the same page though. Once you have felt the safety and control of Sway Control and WD it is hard to think of trying without.

Anyway, my main concern is that the Camping Place noted further on said that you don't need and should not use WD. That is the scary thing that an authority on towing published an article that says basically it is OK to tow 350KG on the tongue when that would compromise the control of the vehicle in many situations.
 
#268 ·
I am in Melbourne & I am having trouble trying to get a P3 fitted to my MY14 GC. Three SE suburb dealers have it installed by the same auto elec on the passenger side under the glove box which is not ideal. ?? Some dealers say it cant be fitted at all. I have seen by your photos that some of you have had the P3 installed in the cubby. Is there anyone in Melbourne that can recommend an auto elec, SE suburbs preferably, who can fit it for me? Also is the cubby the best spot for it? I'm would like to tow my van mid next month so starting to panic I won't get it fitted in time :(
 
#270 ·
This country has got so lazy. I can't believe all these auto elecs wimping out on doing a decent job and installing to the "cubby hole". I'd expect an additional cost, but not an "I'm not going to do it" !:mad:

Try a few non-dealer auto elecs. The problem might be that many dealerships are contracted with multinational lamers like Motor-One for their aftermarket installs. They will have a fixed rate for the job, which applies to the installer also, and being too big they are probably not particularly interested in adapting their rate to what you want.

Always ask... who is doing that work for you?

Cheers,
Steve
 
#274 · (Edited)
If you check over on the Carvaners forum in the long running Jeep Grand Cherokee thread
http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17882&sid=07d02b3c12b08804db0abc92e8c99ed3&start=3760
you will see that a number of new 2014 owners are getting their P3's fitted in the cubby.
As previously noted, once it is set up you rarely need to mess with it again, and it is neat and out of sight with the door closed.
Trim removal instructions are here http://www.wk2jeeps.com/wk2_interior_trim.htm
and if the brake switch actuation feed to the P3 comes from the trailer stop light wiring there won't be any issue with canbus conflict.
my remote head Uniden box fitted perfectly into an existing bracket under the passenger seat and the microphone sits on the passenger side of the transmission tunnel in a bracket 3m taped to the trim. Works fine.
John
 
#276 ·
Hello,
I have just had my tow bar and redarc brake controller fitted to my jeep GC 2014 and noticed when I press the manual override button on the brake controller only the left hand brake light comes on. When I use the brakes as per normal all brake lights work.
Is this normal or do I have a problem.
Cheers Brad.
 
#277 ·
Ha, this is interesting. It's not surprising to me to see issues like this as car's become more CAN based. On only cars, the same "brake wire" went from the pedal, to the lights, also to the trailer plug. Now, it is presumably transmitted from the pedal to the lights via CAN. What may happen is that the left and right sides have a separate ECU (or output pin on the same ECU). When the brake controller is connected to this line and the override is activated, it can turn on the light for the side it is connected to only. It won't proper-gate back to the CAN bus.

As I understand it, all common trailer plugs have only one wire for the brake lights. So, to me, the important question is, when you trailer is connected, and you override, do the brake lights come on? As long as that is the case, I think it should be ok.
 
#280 ·
Yes I know manual override only activates trailer brakes, My problem is that when i press the manual override button I only get the left hand brake light of the Jeep come on, trailer lights and brakes work fine. If I use the brake pedal all lights come on.
 
#282 · (Edited)
That is how I believe it should work, all brake lights should come on regardless of manual override or braking normally.
Can any one confirm if there brake controller is doing the same as mine and if my problem can be fixed and how to fix it.
Cheers Brad.
 
#284 ·
My guess is that the installer took the trigger signal from the back of the closest brake light. The override may be shorting out that brake light or perhaps the CAN senses an impedance imbalance between the brake lights and spits the dummy. It is best to take the trigger from the single brake light wire on the trailer harness.
 
#285 ·
FWIW, I have a Projecta 150A electronic battery isolator trailer kit. I recently ran the trailer battery charge down to 28.5%. The voltage was down to 12.2V. Connected up the Grand and started the engine. The trailer immediately drew 60.4A at 13.4V. Within about 30sec the current dropped to a bit over 50A and the voltage increased. I'm very happy with the performance of the setup and glad I went for the 175A Anderson plug. The popular 50A Anderson would not have coped or at least the circuit breakers would have continually tripped. What I like is that this Projecta unit does not require circuit breakers.
 
#286 ·
Does anybody know what the differance between the MY 2014 and the MY 2013 tow bar wiring is?
Took the Jeep back to the dealer today and they told me they used a modified loom supplied by jeep but it is not the MY2014 loom.
Have rebooked the jeep in on wednesday to get it replaced or fixed hopefully,
He is not saying he is going to replace the loom yet but i am just wondering if i should demand it.
 
#287 ·
The difference is it doesn't plug straight in so they have splice wires and then it screws up the brake lights.

Sorry to be a smart arse. Possibly has something to do with the LED lights???

I would demand the 2014 loom, I did. At least my dealer had the decency to ask me first.

My car has been sitting at the dealer for 4 weeks waiting for the loom and reverse camera. I have refused to take delivery until supplied.

Are you able to post a photo of where the loom was spliced or where I should look before I take delivery of mine. I want to check it first.
 
#288 ·
Will try and take photos over the weekend.
Most of the wires they splice in to are behind the left hand side boot trim and that is not easy to remove as all the floor and spare tyre have to be removed before you can remove the side cover.
One easy check is to remove the right hand tail light and see if they have spliced in to the indicator wiring and that will tell you if it is not a 2014 loom.
Cheers Brad.
 
#289 ·
Can anyone please tell me if all 3 Jeep brake lights (left, right and top of tail gate) come on when you use the manual override button on your brake controller.
Just want to know what other MY2014's are doing.
I think I might have issues with the dealer so I just trying to get my facts straight first.
I have rang another dealer and they told me they splice into the wiring on a MY2014.
Any info would be great.
Cheers Brad.
 
#290 ·
I posted this elsewhere and Snuke suggested i post it here, makes sense.

Hope you can help out as I cannot get any answers from a number of Aussie dealers.

I am looking at buying a 2014 GC Overland CRD been told that the Australian versions come standard with the Heavy Duty Cooling Package, as I already have a ute set up for towing I am curious to what this Package is supposed to include, tranny cooler, bigger radiator, etc ?????

We tow a 2500kg caravan and are concerned that things might be get on the hot side, especially in summer without the appropriate extra cooling.

I have had some answers that the front brakes are bigger and there is a Tranny cooler can anyone confirm this is correct ??

Also,

- Does a HR WDH fit a BB tow bar ??
- Anyone make note of transmission temp while towing ??
- Duel Battery Setups with sep power to Anderson Plug, doesnt seem to be alot of room under that bonnet.

Cheers :D
 
#292 ·
Does a HR WDH fit a BB tow bar ??
- Anyone make note of transmission temp while towing ??
- Duel Battery Setups with sep power to Anderson Plug, doesnt seem to be alot of room under that bonnet.

Cheers :D
An HR WDH will need the edges shaved off with a grinder to be able to fit in the Mopar towbar, no biggie, but I have an HR bar.

I tow a 2400kg van and climbing up Mt Slide my trans temp got into the low 90's but on normal level roads it stays high 70's to low 80's.
I've never seen it reach 100.

Absolutely zero room under the bonnet for a dual battery setup.
Some have fitted one in the rear with a fridge slide, but you contact these guys
WK2 dual battery system. Interested? - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM - AJOR
 
#291 ·
- Does a HR WDH fit a BB tow bar ??
- Anyone make note of transmission temp while towing ??
- Duel Battery Setups with sep power to Anderson Plug, doesnt seem to be alot of room under that bonnet.

Cheers :D[/QUOTE]
Not sure about other questions but this is what my temps do.

I tow a 2300 kg boat up the Adelaide hills freeway (very steep for a long time) and trans temp went to 104 degrees and engine oil temp went to 120 degrees and engine temp went to 3/4.

When freeway leveled out trans temp sat on about 91 degrees and oil temp 93 degrees and engine temp went back to 1/2.

Cheers Brad.
 
#295 ·
- Does a HR WDH fit a BB tow bar ??
- Anyone make note of transmission temp while towing ??
- Duel Battery Setups with sep power to Anderson Plug, doesnt seem to be alot of room under that bonnet.

Cheers :D
Not sure about other questions but this is what my temps do.

I tow a 2300 kg boat up the Adelaide hills freeway (very steep for a long time) and trans temp went to 104 degrees and engine oil temp went to 120 degrees and engine temp went to 3/4.

When freeway leveled out trans temp sat on about 91 degrees and oil temp 93 degrees and engine temp went back to 1/2.

Cheers Brad.[/QUOTE]


Thanks Brad, great info. :thumbsup:

What sought of real world mileage are you getting towing the boat, are the figures of 17ltr/100 being thrown around correct ???

Cheers
 
#293 · (Edited)
Has anyone been checking their oil level during the first 10000 km travelled. I've noticed that at 5000 km, the oil level is at the minimum mark and as I'm about to do some extended towing over the next 5000 km, I'm looking for the right oil to mix in and yes I've read the manual as to the right type of oil to use, just finding it seems to be just as allusive as the tow hooks. Has anyone found the same issue with oil use and where are you guys getting your supply from?
 
#294 ·
#299 ·
*****Surely someone has a brake controller on a MY2014 that they can test for me******
Can anyone please tell me if all 3 Jeep brake lights (left, right and top of tail gate) come on when you use the manual override button on your brake controller.
Just want to know what other MY2014's are doing.
I think I might have issues with the dealer so I just trying to get my facts straight first.
I have rang another dealer and they told me they splice into the wiring on a MY2014.
Please Any info would be great.
Cheers Brad.
 
#301 ·
Brad,
I think the reason you are not getting a response is because most people have MY11-MY13's and there are not many MY14's with towing setup as yet. Hang in there, and you will get a response. However, I can tell you that if 1 brake light comes on, then all SHOULD come on. There should not be a situation where only some light up.
 
#302 ·
There is definitely a problem with your install, as I mentioned earlier. I wouldn't be waiting for a response from here- I would be getting it resolved ASAP with the dealer, as it has not been done corectly.

All brake lights should illuminate with the pedal or manual lever on the brake controller. No exceptions :)
 
#305 · (Edited)
There is definitely a problem with your install, as I mentioned earlier. I wouldn't be waiting for a response from here- I would be getting it resolved ASAP with the dealer, as it has not been done corectly.

All brake lights should illuminate with the pedal or manual lever on the brake controller. No exceptions :)
First off I am testing with a North American model Jeep but I will tell you this.

The wiring for the Prodigy DOES NOT activate trailer lights, they are controlled by the vehicle. The brake trigger causes the Prodigy to be active but it doesn't output brake lights to the trailer.

If you use a P3 or P2 manual actuator bar it DOES NOT activate any brake lights. Now I know you guys don't get the plug but you wire in the the P3 specs so I don't see how the controller could engage lights. I verified this on a 2011 Durango and a 2014 Jeep with the factory plug and factory converter for the brake controller. All brake lights on pedal. None on manual actuator.

Edit: to clarify, I can see how with the different trailer setup that the trailer lights on yours would come on but I don't understand the vehicle brake lights thing (what I am curious about here).
 
#306 ·
Might be a difference with the export models, I have a P3 connected into a 2011 grand cherokee Laredo CRD connected via the trailer harness behind the L/H rear trim panel, all brake lights come on when applying the brake pedal, all brake lights (trailer and all GC) come on when using the manual lever
 
#307 · (Edited)
But how on earth is it triggering the brake lights? That part is the thing that doesn't make sense unless something is back fed. Here is the wiring diagram for the P3... It only has 4 wires and none of them are supposed to go to the brake lights, just the actual brakes on the trailer. I was under the understanding that the P3 shipped globally the same, are you guys saying there is a different PIN out for Australia?

http://www.wkjeeps.com/trailer/electric_brake_inst_wk.jpg

Edit: possibly to do with the different Trailer plug of course? But as you can see there is no output for brake lights from the controller, so how does the manual leaver send that signal anywhere?
 
This post has been deleted
#312 ·
I have an Australian export MY12 WK2 with a Tekonsha P3 bought locally. When applied, the manual override lever functions as follows:

  • It does not disable cruise control (tested without trailer connected)
  • With trailer connected and brake pedal not pressed, all brake lights on the car and trailer come on
  • With trailer disconnected and brake pedal not pressed, all brake lights on the car come on.
I should also test what happens when both brake pedal and the override lever are applied but the missus has gone to the gym.

Yes it is curious how the CAN senses that the override lever has been applied. I think coreys has the answer.
Very interesting, Looking forward to seeing if Cruise gets interrupted
 
#318 ·
Thanks for trying that out for me.
The dealer must have used the 2013 modified wiring loom in your jeep as they did in mine.
Mine will be at the dealers on Wednesday so I will let you know what they do.

Cheers Brad.
 
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