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Towing behind motorhome

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#1 ·
Our new Cherokee Trailhawk should be here at the end of the week. We are leaving on vacation in three weeks. We will be flat towing it behind out motorhome.

Does anyone know if there is a recommended break in before flat towing?

I have read the online manual, I could not find anything. I also asked the dealership and they had no thoughts.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
#2 ·
IMO, no break-in required. When the drivetrain is put in Neutral Mode, the Cherokee turns into a trailer, sorta ;). The wheels, half shafts, differentials, and in the rear, the output of the TTD (Torque Transfer Device) spin at road speed. No torque being applied by the powertrain. And there is not much resistance/friction/load created by the things spinning. The engine, transmission, PTU (Power Transfer Unit), driveshafts, and the input to the TTD are quiet.

In three weeks, you should be able to complete the manufacturer's routine break-in procedure. That should be enough to massage the bearings that will be working as your toad is being led by the nose.
 
#3 ·
I agree with the previous reply.
When we got ours, it went from the dealers lot to the RV dealers to have the tow setup installed within a couple of days of purchasing it.
We have had no trouble at all with towing.
Hope this helps.
 
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#4 ·
Interesting, i was under the impression that its not recommended to tow 4x4 flat instead of flatbed towing??? Confused.

None the less i did see one this past long weekend same as how most have mentioned behind RV.
 
#5 ·
The only one that Jeep recommends to flat tow is the Active II transmission.
I believe that any other type tranny has to be trailered.
I could be misinformed about this.
 
#8 ·
Also.....
Make sure it has the New flat low wiring harness when it comes from the factory.
It should have it as I would assume it would have been produced after the recall notice I got on my AD2 recently. But you never know. It was to eliminate any possibility of shaking while being towed.
 
#10 ·
Also.....
Make sure it has the New flat low wiring harness when it comes from the factory.
It should have it as I would assume it would have been produced after the recall notice I got on my AD2 recently. But you never know. It was to eliminate any possibility of shaking while being towed.
Just picked up our Cherokee Overland (not grand) ADII and it DID NOT come with the Flat Tow Harness and its wishful thinking to say that FCA will supply the kit to all ADII equipped Cherokees. Not all owners will actually tow it and they are not going to pre install it, at least not for this rinky dink solution. Maybe do a price increase and redesign the dash for another available button spot.(Not likely) I had to move heaven and earth to get mine ordered in and will finally be installed on the 8th.
 
#9 ·
AD-2 only for flat towing. Anyone with a Cherokee should have recently gotten notification to changes in flat towing and the mailing included a new page insert for the owners manual. My Trailhawk is at the dealership right now having the new harness installed. the harness alone is $136.00 and install time is a couple of hours. All work and parts are covered by Jeep as long as vehicle is still under base 3/36000 warranty. I would doubt very much that a new vehicle will come with the harness installed but who knows. While I have not had any issues with towing mine I have seen images of one going into the "death wobble" and it looks real mean! I would recommend you get the harness installed.
 
#11 ·
My Trailhawk came last week. It did not come with the wiring harness. THe dealer installed the wiring harness. Unfortunately my dealer did not pay for it or the install. The latest TSB, only call for the addition of the page to the Owens manual and what to do if wobbling occurs.

No matter what I really like this car. It is amazing what Jeep has been able to do.
 
#12 ·
According to my dealer's service manager any customer who presents him/herself with a Jeep that is still within the base 3/36 warranty with and issue that is addressed under a TSB Jeep will warranty the work. If you are flat towing the vehicle you will at some point have the "wobble" issue. I just had the harness installed on mine on Friday and it did not cost me a cent. You purchased the vehicle with the understanding that you could tow behind your motor home and if for some reason you can not do that because of the set up of the vehicle the manufacturer should fix the vehicle. I would go back to the dealer or directly to Jeep customer service, I know they will cover parts and installation. best of luck.
 
#13 ·
Mine gets installed tomorrow and I was informed today by the Service Manager that provided we've not exceeded 60,000 kms (36,000 miles) it will be covered as a warranty item.

Yesterday, I provided him with Service Bulletin KL-08-022-16 which makes clearly states it is a warranty cost.

Anyone who had to pay should demand a refund. IMO this kit should be installed even if the vehicle has more than 36,000 miles.

GR
 
#14 ·
Wiring kit installed today. NO CHARGE. Installation looks pretty clean and it doesn't add a huge burden to the connection and operation - but will be a little PITA.

The big PITA will be getting a power supply to the battery from the MH. FCA suggests doing that if you are going to tow for more than 3 hours. Given that a few people have reported running the Cherokee after three hours and at the end of the day still having a flat battery I'm going to get a connection.

I've seen some comments as the the amount of power available via the 7 pin connector with comments that it may not be enough to keep the battery charged.

Anyone have any experience in this area and any advice to offer?

GR
 
#15 ·
No personal experience yet, but got some advice based on other's reports.

The 12V+ on your 7-pin connector should be fine.

jpoutlaw over at JCC just did 1900 successful miles with his charge setup. I've got a question out to him on how he set his up: Severe shaking problem towing behind motorhome - Page 40 - 2014 - 2016 Jeep Cherokee Forums. We'll see what he has to say.

BTW, some of us are putting a waterproof switch in series with the harness 10A fuse to reduce the PITA in removing that fuse.
 
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