-
2022-23 Jeep CAUTION
I purchased a new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee to tow behind my motorhome. I towed if from my home in Orlando to Petoskey MI in June without issue except for some problem codes regarding tire pressure, etc.
I left Petoskey traveling just to west of Philadelphia in late September. Stopped at service plaza and had to disconnect toad.(long story). Hooked toad up following manual instructions to the letter. Checked at least twice to be sure the park assist did not activate parking brake. It was definitely not on when exiting car.
Had window down on coach and watching camera to be sure everything ok. Got about 1/2 mile on Penn turnpike with Barriers on both sides and no shoulders. Heard loud tire screeching and heavy black smoke coming from toad. Had to stop in active traffic lane and get out. Discovered the parking brake on. Released it and towed another 50 miles without incident.
While unhooking I noticed the Jeep sitting very low on the driver side. Took to Jeep store and learned air bag had exploded from the heat and rear tires were flat spotted. They did a 4 wheel alignment and said it was good to go. Left there with car pulling badly to right. Obviously there are more serious suspension problems. Will resolve when I get home.
Reason for this post is to share what I learned the hard way. Most likely this problem was caused by the forward collision control malfunctioning applying the parking brake or the parking assist.
I learned the hard way before towing:
A. Be sure forward collision control is turned off in settings.
B. In order to defeat parking assist when you start process attach the driver seatbelt and leave it attached until you are unhooking car. This turns parking assist off
C. When getting the transfer case into neutral keep driver door shut until car is fully turned off. Opening door could activate parking assist which in turn activate the parking brake.
D. Watch for the red brake light on instrument cluster. If lit be sure to releaseHope this help’s
update:
Found out why Jeep pulled hard to right and dived left when braking. There is a large crack in the frame that is easily visible. Amazing the Pennsylvania dealer did not say a word about this. Fortunately the area cracked is a bolt on subframe. Will be an expensive repair, but worst part will be frame damage repaired on the car fax when I want to get rid of It. Sure wish I had chose a different tow vehicle
-
9 Replies
-
I dont know why anyone would buy/tow a jeep with all the tap dancing that needs to occur
Years ago, 2002 to be precise , we towed a 1999 Range Ravoer P-38 when they were towable (1998-2002) by adding a fuse to ket it do its autonomous machination into ” tranfer neutral”. After tires and a transmisdion and a main body control unit computer running amuck, we had enough.
We now tow a 2011 GMC K 2500 or 2004 LR Discovery II, ir 2003 Mercedes C240 wagon manual 6 speed without a single issueswe say “no” to the newest Jeeps
-
Not a problem with the Wranglers, just some others. I am on my 3rd Wrangler unlimited and have no issues…put the transfer case in N transmission in P shut door and go. None of the junk some others have to go through.
-
Our 2021 GC was a nightmare to get set up and programmed correctly for towing with the need to have a kit installed to eliminate the death wobble, then a Victron charger to keep the towing kit from draining the battery in 3 hours, and then a software change to enable the power steering to work immediately after going from towing mode to driving mode.
But Jeep Chrysler finally got it right with new software and it is the best toad we ever had. Not simple like our 1994 GC (with manual transmission and 4WD) but ideal for our toad needs.
-
Covered under warranty?
Mechanic have any idea why that would happen?
-
I made it simple 2011 Honda CRV automatic, Let idle for 3 minutes every 5 or 6 hours in neutral then go, toad it 5 years with Foretravel and almost 6 with Bus,
-
Hi Jon –
Looking to dump our uncomfortable 2020 Jeep Gladiator TOAD for a ’23 GC Summit Reserve TOAD. The dealer claims it is easy to get into N for towing and it will not drain the battery. The Gladiator is pain in the rear sometimes to get into 2H again after long tows from CA to TX and sometimes (sometimes) the battery is dead and has to be jumped to start it (not often and seems to be weather dependent somewhat in the cold). Is there anything about the new GC that should make some of what you have experienced a better purchase choice? We often tow across country and some days do 10+ hour clips going places. Any input would be appreciated before laying out $70K++ on another TOAD.
Many thanks,
Mike & Debra
2004 Marathon H345 w/stacker (2020 Jeep Gladiator TOAD)
-
Highly recommend you read my post above about towing a grand Cherokee summit reserve. My 22 is for sale as soon as repairs are finished. I would not tow one around the block. If that parking brake comes on for no reason you are facing at least 10k in repairs with no warranty coverage from Jeep.
-
My only experience is with the 2021 GC and despite adding the kit for towing to eliminate the death wobble it was a problem getting the power steering to resume after towing.
With the help of the tech at the dealership and my climb up the executive food chain at Jeep Chrysler, Jeep came out with new software and it has become the best toad we have ever had. It goes into and out of transfer case neutral easily and has power steering the second the transfer case goes back in gear.
But when towing the power steering is active on the chassis (not at the steering wheel) and that drains the battery if I do not feed power from the bus to the Victron charger I installed.
Also I have all the assist functions turned off all the time. I don’t want it to park for me, brake for me, steer for me, etc.
I have no clue what Jeep has done for or to other cars or years so my only experience is with my 2021 GC Overland.
-
Was just out on a 7,800 mile, 9-week, 22-stop trip with my wife. Mostly work with a brief 10-day stop in Indio to rest for Christmas and NYE. Coast to coast deal, and was reminded how well everything is with the transfer case right there to shift. So, took the advice and avoided the new GC-SR. Kept our ’20 Gladiator Rubi and it towed like a champ and no real issues to speak of. Sometimes, keeping it simpler is best.
Thanks for the heads up and for responding to me. Sorry you are going through that debacle.
Thanks again……
Mike
Log in to reply.