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Towing a 2010 Jeep

Yahoo Message Number: 71946
A friend of ours recently bought a Jeep to tow behind their gas motorhome. They have the EvenBrake system for braking which requires power to the cig lighter for power when towing. The owners manual for the Jeep says to put the ignition switch on Accessory and to disconnect the battery cable for towing. But if you disconnect the battery cable, there is no power for the braking system. I can think of two options to resolve the issue.

1. Pull some fuses to reduce the battery drain while towing.
2. Run a wire from the coach to keep the battery charged while towing.

Anyone tow a Jeep of similar vintage and what solution do you use for towing?
My Chevy Colorado is much easier to tow since you disconnect the transfer case, put it in park and turn-off the key! But that's one of the few good things about my Colorado.

Thanks

Orlan, 2006 Inspire 51701

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71952
Since the manual is calling for disconnecting the battery it must be a 07 or newer JK. Pull the IOD fuse and I believe one of the cig lighter sockets will still work. Open the fuse box under the hood and the IOD has tabs to allow you to pull it up and disengage it.

Dan 06 Intrigue 11936

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71964
Orlan,

We tow an '08 Wrangler Unlimited and we had the folks install a line to trickle charge the battery so we don't have to pull a fuse. Knock on wood but it has worked great for 3 years. It also avoids any potential warranty conflicts.
Safe Travels,
Kathy

'06 Inspire #51782

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71969

JK Wrangler owner:

We too use a simple charge line to avoid dead battery or fuse pulling. No problem and works great.

Coriwelsh

2011 Rub/2010 Intrigue

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71972
Beaudry installed a charge line coming from the coach but it has never worked. Someone here suggested pulling a fuse. It is white, and substantially larger than the rest of the fuses inside the black fuse box near the battery. Recently, I was told that all jeeps are shipped with this fuse pulled. I have been doing this for 3 years now and it works.

John

2007 Inspire 52028

2008 Wrangler now replaced with a 2011 Rubicon

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72043
Orlan, I have a 2000 jeep Cherokee and every time I tow it is dead in the water... It has died on me 4 times now and as we speak I am waiting for mechanic to open up so they can again try to figure out what's going wrong... At recent friendship rally Kevin installed a fuse buddy to resolve the problem .... 4 hours later the jeep was dead again..,I leave my key in ACC position with car in neutral as instructed to do...
Frustrating....,

Jan

06inspire davinci 51998

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72046
For my Wrangler I turn the key to the first notch that unlocks the wheel, not the ACC. The first notch draws no current the ACC will run the battery down as it draws current. Key one notch and transfer case in Neutral and off we go.

Can't you use the key to unlock the door even with dead battery?

Leonard

97' Magna 5418
97' Jeep Wrangler

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72049
We tow a 2000 Jeep GC, have been since it was new. The battery has never run down. We start the Jeep, pull it up and hook up and then turn the key back one notch from the run position.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72050
?
Jan,

I had a 2001 Jeep Cherokee that I towed all four on the ground. The key should not be in the ACC position but rather in a position that is just before the key goes into the on and start positions. If you start with the ignition switch on and back the key towards off stop immediately after the key drops out of the on position but before it drops into the off position. In that position nothing in the Jeep is on but the steering wheel is unlocked. It is exactly the same way in current 2005 Liberty.
You cannot remove the key but the steering is unlocked. On my current Liberty the ACC position is past the off position toward the driver. Here you also cannot remove the key but all the accessories are powered up and that is what is killing your battery. I just went through the motions to make sure that I am correct. I also got caught by that way back then. The manual is confusing if I remember.
BTW when towing my Jeep the instruction do say that once you place the transfer case (four wheel drive) in neutral then the transmission should be returned to Park while towing. This prevents any wandering movement of the transmission itself.

Don Seager

2004 Allure 31046

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72057
?
Jan:

I have towed a 2000 Jeep Grand Ch., Limited for the past 7 years and have never had a dead battery from towing. As others have just mentioned, put the key in the position one (1) notch forward of the off position ----can't remove the key--- this unlocks the steering wheel but does not turn on the power to the instruments. Place the transfer case in Neutral and the transmission in Park, emergency brake in Off position and you are clear to go.
Tie a small white rag at the top of the steering wheel and you can watch the rag move in the back up camera when making turns. This is your indication that the steering wheel is indeed unlocked.

Roy Simmons

2008 Intrigue #12234

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72058
I never thought of the white rag! Great idea.
BrianO'Day

06 Inspire #51565
Portland, Oregon

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72068
Jan

Did you remember to turn on your lights on the coach. That allows the Fuse Buddy to keep your battery charged.

Bill & Judy Claypool
158 Rainbow Drive #5843
Livingston, TX 77399-1058

bill@...
Intrigue 2004 42' 11696

530 957-7789

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72069
Sorry but I don't know what a transfer case is... I have a 2wheel drive and only have option of putting it in neutral or pArk

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72070
Bill, no one has ever mentioned turning lights on.... As I write this I am sitting in a repair place... Have been here all day... Waiting to hear what is wrong with this..... So the turning on of lights will cause coach to charge my car battery?

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72078
Ditto here on our 98 Jeep Wrangler TJ, with our 5 speed in 3rd gear... Never had a battery go down on me.
Remember to release your parking brake. Ain't going to say how I know that...

Bill, 05 Intrigue #11881

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72082

Re 2010 Wrangler.....the JK Wrangler's first off key position runs accessories like radio. It is necessary to either disconnect battery as Jeep recommends or install a charge line. Pulling fuses is far more cumbersome than either above options. Our charge line works like a charm.

Coriwelsh

2011 Wrangler/Intrigue 12314


From: dons2346 To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, June 20, 2011 7:53:52 AM Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

We tow a 2000 Jeep GC, have been since it was new. The battery has never run down. We start the Jeep, pull it up and hook up and then turn the key back one notch from the run position.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427

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Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72088
The secret to the whole problem wAs to make sure the coaches lights are on when towing as that is what activates the fuse daddy

Jan

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72096
I might be mis-informed but I don't think you can tow a 2 wheel drive auto transmission Jeep 4 wheels down with out some modifications like an electric transmission recircuitalating pump. Check the owners manual.
Bert
Beaver

Jeep GC Limited, 4X4 full time

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72103

It pays to read all the messages on this board. One of my fears is pulling the toad with the steering wheel locked. Can't wait to try the white rag on the steering wheel. sure beats me running beside the toad as my wife drives a test run.

Robert Huffhines

2007 Tribute #81042

Georgetown, Tx

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72105
I use bag clips, one for unlock steering wheel and one for transfer case in neutral. Clip them to top of steering wheel. Can see them in camera and know things are correct.

Leonard

97' Magna 5418

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72149
As for a 2010 Jeep Wrangler 4 wheel drive, there is NO STEERING WHEEL lock anymore. Jack up the front of your Jeep and turn the wheels with the key in your pocket. And its one of the easiest to hook up. We finally switched to the M&G Braking system and my Roadmaster air brake sits in the storage area. Quick hook up. 4 wheel transfer case into neutral and transmission in park and go. There is a great explanation in the owners manual-that's the book in the glove box that MANY people never read. We do not have to remove any fuse or disconnect the battery as the key is removed. Also, I would never hook my charging line from the motorhome to my light circuit. I would go directly from the m-home battery system via a fuse to the cable to the toad. This allows the toad to be charged at all times from the m-home.

Bill 'N Barb, 1998 CC Prevost 40' XL #30365

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72173
Bill, you said that you have the M&G brake system in your 2010 Wrangler. We bought a 2011 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and I'm still in the process of deciding between M&G and US Gear for the auxiliary brake system. I like the simplicity of the M&G system but after talking on the phone to the folks at M&G I got a little nervous. They said that a section of a plastic support tray forward of the brake cylinder on the Jeep had to be cut away in order to allow clearance to insert the M&G module. When I looked under the hood of our 2011 it appears that it would be a sizeable chunk that would have to be cut away. What was your experience? I don't know how different the 2010 and the 2011 are in that region. If you have a photo of the installed module and the cut away area that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Steve B

2002 Intrigue #11382

Re: Towing a 2010 Jeep

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 72219
I traded my 2008 Sahara Wrangler and now have a 20011 Jeep Rubicon. There is no Owner's Manual only a Users guide and a DVD with an owner's manual. The user guide says Park, 4WD neutral, Key in ACC, and disconnect the neg battery terminal. The "manual" ONLY says park and 4WD but nothing about the key and terminal. I suppose that means to a newbie that is all that is necessary. I read it and took it to mean Park and Neutral with (key and terminal implied) I was curious about your statement and jacked the front up a little and was pleasantly surprised to see you were correct. There is no longer a steering wheel lock and of course you are right, nothing could be easier, Park, 4WD Neutral, key in pocket and off you go. What a great undocumented feature. I tied a rag to the wheel and as suggested by someone else and towed it about 100 miles. Worked great! Thanks John Shankland
2007 Inspire 52028

PS my solution for my 2008 was going to be have someone disconnect the lock mechanism but then someone here made the suggestion to remove the IOD (Ignition Off Draw) fuse. When discussing this with the 2011 dealer, he mentioned the all the jeeps came from the factory with this fuse disconnected so that the jeeps can be started and driven off the truck at destination.

As for a 2010 Jeep Wrangler 4 wheel drive, there is NO STEERING WHEEL lock anymore. Jack up the front of your Jeep and turn the wheels with the key in your pocket. And its one of the easiest to hook up. We finally switched to the M&G Braking system and my Roadmaster air brake sits in the storage area. Quick hook up. 4 wheel transfer case into neutral and transmission in park and go. There is a great explanation in the owners manual-that's the book in the glove box that MANY people never read. We do not have to remove any fuse or disconnect the battery as the key is removed. Also, I would never hook my charging line from the motorhome to my light circuit. I would go directly from the m-home battery system via a fuse to the cable to the toad. This allows the toad to be charged at all times from the m-home.

Bill 'N Barb, 1998 CC Prevost 40' XL #30365