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JEEP TOWING
This is a little premature since I am still dealing with loose ends, but I think this post may serve to make members aware of Jeep towing. First let me discuss the start of this. We bought a new Jeep Grand Cherokee to replace two other vehicles, including our Hummer H2 which was our primary toad.
Before visiting the dealer I pulled up the owner’s manual and read the section on flat towing. In the towing section there is a detailed description of the steps necessary to put the transfer case in neutral. Additionally the manual is silent on speed limits or towing times meaning I could hook up and go cross country without having to restart the Jeep or do anything special. As expected the Jeep manual painted a picture of the Jeep being the gold standard for towing.
When we bought the Jeep the salesman showed me information relating to a kit that he described as necessary for towing. That was a surprise since the manual was silent on that requirement. Before ordering the kit and arranging for installation I did an internet search and found a condition known as the “death wobble” was the reason for the kit. I am being general in using the word Jeep because a more extensive internet search showed this issue is not limited to the Grand Cherokee.
It was disappointing to find the owner’s manual was not forthcoming in its description of towing requirements. But the internet information made that discovery even worse. When the kit is installed and used for towing, it is probable the Jeep battery will be depleted in about 3 hours, necessitating a means of keeping the Jeep battery charged.
Then this omission of towing information was further complicated by the dealer finding there is a design issue with the kit, and as installed it will not work as required. The kit is supposed to keep the electric power steering pump on the towed Jeep running to prevent the “death wobble” which is a violent shimmy that occurs when a bump is encountered while making a turn. The operation of the kit requires a switch that operates the power steering while towing, but reverts back to normal power steering when the Jeep is driven. The error is when the switch is turned off it also disables the power steering system when it is being driven so the dealer has tried for 3 weeks now to get Chrysler Jeep engineers to provide a fix.
I am working through this added complexity and have figured out how to make the kit work as intended. It may not be an acceptable fix for Jeep engineers, but it does make the system work as intended. I have a solution for the battery problem and will install a DC to DC 3 stage smart charger in the Jeep and provide charger power from the bus.
I am hopeful my changes will all prove satisfactory.
The bottom line is that if you are considering a toad, be aware that as currently written Jeep owner manuals are silent on if you need a modification to the Jeep or not. There is ample evidence on various forums, especially RV forums, that the shimmy condition is real and involves more than just Jeep Grand Cherokees of a certain age range.
We really like the Grand Cherokee and have had previous experience towing one. For us it is the right size, was bullet proof when towing and despite the issues described above we think it is going to make an ideal toad.
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45 Replies
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JON. we towed ours for over two years never a problem. 2015 summit gc. great tow toad. only switched to a ram from a friend that quit motor home life.
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This issue is not an across the board issue because of changes from one model year to the next and is not soley related to every manufacturer’s model line.
The issue from all my research on GC relates to the steering system with an electrically driven power steering pump and not necessarily one with the engine driven models. Steering geometry differences may also contribute as does vehicle mileage.
We towed a GC for about 200,000 miles and drove it for another 60,000 miles and while driving it I hit a bridge expansion joint that created a shimmy that was so bad it scared me. That turned out to have been because it had a worn out shimmy dampener. Jeep Chrysler is no help in identifying which specific models or model years may need the kit. However the kit specific to my GC lists a considerable number of Jeep Chrysler products for which the kit is designed, and needed.
Anyone can tow any Jeep product and may never experience the shiummy or death wobble. If it is experienced, pull over and stop, then resume driving. It may be several years before it happens again, never or the next mile.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
Jon:
Sorry to hear about your issue with the GC. We have a 2014 jeep GC Summit and have towed it over 60,000 miles with no issues (it has the electric steering, but has not been modified).
We are considering moving to a newer GC. Guess I better think twice.
Chuck
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I don’t think you need to think twice but you do have to ensure you have the right transmission in your GC and the owners manual specifically details the steps required to tow behind a motorhome. There were a few years (I believe ending around 2019) where they did have a steering issue and Jeep came out with a jumper or something that fixed the Death Wobble problem. If you Google Jeep Grand Cherokee Death Wobble you will likely find all the necessary information. We have a new to us 2020 Cherokee (not Grand) and have towed it without issue for about 7 months.
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Death wobble is a well known potential problem with wranglers particularly raised wranglers. I have not heard of it being a problem for Cherokees.
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Have towed a 2014 and 2019 Grand Cherokees with no problems. Also towing a 2016 Wrangler and have not had an issue with a death wobble…
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Gee my chevy suburban is sure easier. Just turn ignition switch to on position, gear shift to neutral, control switch N position, gear back to park and ignition switch off , remove key. Start driving !!
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The “death wobble” according to the history I have learned was initially ignored by Jeep Chrysler because it was not a universal Grand Cherokee issue. As we can see from some of the posts above some owners will never experience it, and that is likely why Jeep ignored customer complaints initially. But at some point they did realize the problem existed, and from posts on RV sites it usually happened when as a toad the GC was being pulled around a curve at highway speeds and hit a bump.
The death wobble was described as so violent that the GC was attempting to sway side to side and it could be clearly felt in the RV. The driver of the RV had to stop, which would stop the wobble, and then resume driving.
https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-trailer-tow-wiring-harness-flat-towed-behind-82216418aa
For those that want to review the kit applications the link above shows the specific one being installed on my GC. It may be totally unnecessary or it may end up being required. I will never know because I am not going to tow without it being active.
I do not know, nor does anyone appear to know why some owners experience the problem and why other never experience it. Maybe it has occurred with Prevost coaches, but they are so heavy the owner did not realize it was happening. Or maybe a change in the alignment specifications from model year to model year are the cause. Maybe if the steering system on the GC has some wear it happens. Not my job to determine why or when.
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Jon,
I asked about this same thing on the forum in December before we purchased a 2017 Grand Cherokee. I found the same as you when I researched.
I decided to purchase, tow and then deal with it as it happens. No problems yet, but interested in what you find.
Davy
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We have conventional power steering on our 2013 Jeep Wrangle Rubicon. No issues since new. I guess we won’t be upgrading to the newer Jeeps.
The original death wobble, not uncommon in Jeeps, is primarily caused by owner modifications (4+ inch lifts, steering geometry changes etc) and wear. If you leave your Jeep in factory configuration, you’ll be fine. The electronic power steering is a new wrinkle.
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Put a stabilizer shock on it, that’ll take care of it
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Dick, Unless you have been beneath a relatively new GC your thoughts regarding a shimmy dampener or a stabilizer you will not appreciate the chances of that happening are close to zero without some very serious modifications.
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I am on the final stretch of completing the work I am going to do myself to get the Grand Cherokee ready for towing. I am done fishing the air line for the Brakemaster supplemental braking that I have used successfully for years. What made that a problem is so much of the body structure is double walled and contains heat shields for strength, to reduce noise and to reduce heat. Additionally wires and tubes present a potential risk because to gain entry for the air line from beneath the GC to inside the GC I had to be sure to not create an entry point that would damage anything. As it turns out going through the double firewall as suggested is a bad suggestion, but removing a rubber plug and drilling a 1/2″ hole in the Jeep computer plastic case under the driver’s seat was the best option.
Now I just have to create some type of support for the Victron DC to DC charger that I am mounting on a lower panel behind the radiator. Once done the Jeep will go to have the base plate and tail light wiring done by etrailer.
In addition to those items I am going to treat the GC to a new seat track mounted base for the Brankemaster, all new second vehicle valves and parts for the Brakemaster, and finally new power cable and safety cables for the tow bar.
Etrailer is known to some members, and in my dealings with them, and setting up the work I want them to do I am very confident of their expertise and specifically knowledge of the GC itself. If anyone wants to set up a toad the etrailer.com site is an excellent starting point because of the wide range of products they carry for that purpose. But further, they have an extensive video collection showing the steps necessary to install the products used for towing.
I am going to try to document their work which is now scheduled for mid-July.
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I have towed a 2014 grand Cherokee summit since new with no problems as well. Notice link provided by Jon is for 2018-2021 Jeep’s. It does not mention earlier models. This makes me think problem is 2018 forward. I was thinking about getting a new one, but maybe I should keep what I have.
thanks
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Dave, The kit is year and model specific and the problem began with the introduction on GC’s of the electric power steering pump.
Some owners were affected, others not affected. It was that early group of electric power steering GCs that kept reporting the problem to Jeep Chrysler who kept saying there was no problem, but ultimately realized there was and created the original kit.
Some owners have a lot of miles experience towing and never had the problem. Others have had it often enough to know they have to get stopped ASAP to make it go away, but not so much they are willing to have the kit installed. I really like the GC, but it is clear to me Jeep Chrysler considers customer service to be little more than a suggestion. My finger is extended to Jeep Chrysler for all the support they provided to me and the dealer.
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