More than just your standard auto manufacturer, Jeep is synonymous with outdoor expeditions for the nature-loving and adventurous crowd. It comes as no surprise that many of Jeep's vehicles can be flat towed behind an RV, but which ones? We've done the research, and here's the breakdown.
These are the Jeep models and configurations that are approved for flat towing:
- Wrangler
- Gladiator
- Cherokee and Grand Cherokee
- only models with the 2-speed power transfer unit
- Liberty
- only four-wheel-drive models
- Patriot
- only models with manual transmission
These Jeep vehicles are not approved for flat towing:
- Compass
- Renegade
- Cherokee and Grand Cherokee
- two-wheel-drive models
- four-wheel-drive models with the 1-speed power transfer unit
- Liberty
- two-wheel-drive models
- Patriot
- models with automatic transmission
In this article, we'll take a closer look at each of the vehicles among Jeep's all-star fleet and what you need to flat tow them. We'll also see if flat towing capabilities are dependent on the model year or drivetrain and the safest speed for flat towing your Jeep safely. Keep reading to learn all about it.
Comprehensive Jeep Flat Towing Guide
Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler is Jeep's flagship and most iconic vehicle. A popular choice for off-road and outdoor enthusiasts, it's no wonder Jeep designed the Wrangler so that it can be flat towed.
The Wrangler will look great behind your RV and keep you ready for any adventure the road (or off road) throws at you.
Can you flat tow a Jeep Wrangler with automatic transmission?
There aren't very many automatic transmission vehicles that can be flat towed on the market, but the Wrangler is an exception. According to the owner's manual, you can flat tow the Wrangler with either the manual or automatic transmission.
The process for preparing the Wrangler for flat towing will depend on the transmission type. Check your owner's manual for more information on how to prepare your Wrangler for flat towing.
Is there a Jeep Wrangler Flat Tow Kit?
While Jeep has approved all Wrangler models for flat towing, you'll still need to purchase and install extra hardware before flat towing your Wrangler. You'll need a tow bar, safety cables, a base plate, a supplemental braking system, and wiring to flat tow safely.
Unfortunately, there is not a single kit you can buy that includes all the necessary hardware. However, a number of manufacturers produce great equipment that is compatible with the Wrangler and other Jeep vehicles.
You can get a breakdown of the hardware and setup you'll need for flat towing the Jeep Wrangler in the video below.
Jeep Gladiator
The Gladiator combines features of the Wrangler with the utility of a pickup truck. One of those Wrangler features preserved in the Gladiator is the ability to be flat towed across trim levels and model years.
You can learn more about flat towing your Jeep Gladiator in this article: Can You Flat Tow A Jeep Gladiator?
Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee
While the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee differ in many ways, they share more than just a name. Both are available with four-wheel drive with a 2-speed power transfer unit, and only those models so equipped can be flat towed.
You can check that your Cherokee or Grand Cherokee has a 2-speed power transfer unit in a few ways. You can check your VIN and contact your dealer, but the simpler way is to look for the 4WD Low setting. Only those vehicles equipped with the 2-speed power transfer unit have this setting.
You can learn more about flat towing the Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee in this article: Can You Flat Tow A Jeep Cherokee? [By trim levels]
Jeep Compass
Jeep's compact crossover SUV, the Compass, offers a lot to drivers. Unfortunately, flat-towing capabilities are not among those features that come with the Compass.
While flat towing is the most convenient way to tow a vehicle behind an RV, it's not the only one. You can learn more about your options for towing the Jeep Compass in this article: Can You Flat Tow A Jeep Compass?
Jeep Renegade
The Renegade is a subcompact crossover SUV that Jeep has been producing since 2014. Like the Compass, the Renegade is not available in any configuration that is approved for flat towing.
However, also like the Compass, you still have some options for towing this vehicle. You can learn more about the best ways to tow the Jeep Renegade in this article: Can You Flat Tow A Jeep Renegade?
Jeep Liberty
While Jeep no longer produces the Liberty, this compact SUV had a good run from 2002 to 2012 until it was superseded by the Cherokee.
The Liberty was available in either two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Only four-wheel-drive models can be flat towed. To see how to prepare your Jeep Liberty for flat towing, check with your owner's manual.
Jeep Patriot
Another vehicle no longer featured in Jeep's lineup, the Patriot debuted with the Compass back in 2006. This five-door compact SUV lasted through to 2017 when it and the first-generation Compass were both replaced with the second-generation Compass.
Jeep produced automatic and manual Patriots throughout its 11-year run. Only those Patriots equipped with manual transmission can be flat towed.
For more information on flat towing the Jeep Patriot, you should consult with your Jeep dealer or the owner's manual.
What year Jeeps can be flat towed?
It is sometimes the case that you can flat tow certain model years of a vehicle but not others. However, when it comes to Jeep's fleet of vehicles, flat-tow compatibility doesn't differ across model years, even if some aspects of the process do.
This means that you can flat tow any Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator regardless of the model year.
It also means you can flat tow any model year of the Jeep Cherokee or Grand Cherokee with the 2-speed power transfer unit, the Jeep Liberty with four-wheel drive, and the Jeep Patriot with manual transmission.
Can all 4x4 vehicles be flat towed?
It is much more common for four-wheel-drive vehicles to be approved for flat towing than it is for two-wheel-drive vehicles.
However, just because a vehicle has four-wheel drive doesn't mean you can flat tow it, especially in recent years, as four- and all-wheel-drive systems have become more interconnected and complex.
For example, the Jeep Cherokee is available with four-wheel drive with either a 1-speed or a 2-speed power transfer unit. Only those equipped with the 2-speed power transfer unit can be shifted into true neutral and flat towed.
Before flat towing any vehicle, you should always check your owner's manual.
How fast can you flat tow a Jeep?
Towing your Jeep will put some strain on the towing vehicle and affect your ability to turn, stop, and accelerate smoothly. To keep you, your vehicles, and others on the road safe, it's always a good idea to drive more slowly when towing.
While Jeep doesn't specify a speed limit for flat towing their vehicles, we recommend driving under 55 mph when flat towing a Jeep or any other vehicle.
While this may slow you down on highways and interstates, it will also help ensure that you get to your next adventure safe and sound.
Can you tow a Jeep on a tow dolly?
Tow dollies elevate two wheels off the road, and you can dolly tow many vehicles that you can't flat tow.
Here are the Jeep vehicles and configurations that you can dolly tow:
- Cherokee
- Only front-wheel-drive models with the front wheels raised
- Grand Cherokee
- Only two-wheel-drive models with the rear wheels raised
- Compass
- Only front-wheel-drive models with the front wheels raised
- Renegade
- Only front-wheel-drive models with the front wheels raised
- Liberty
- Only two-wheel-drive models with the rear wheels raised
- Patriot
- Only front-wheel-drive models with the front wheels raised
Jeep has not approved any of their four-wheel-drive vehicles for dolly towing. This includes all Wranglers and Gladiators.
Whenever you tow a Jeep or another vehicle with a tow dolly, it is important that you put the correct wheels in the dolly. The wheels that are connected to the drivetrain should be raised off the ground.
Dolly towing a vehicle with the incorrect wheels raised in the dolly can damage the transmission and other mechanical components in the vehicle.
Always check with your owner's manual before dolly towing your Jeep or any other vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Flat towing is a convenient way to get your RV and your Jeep on a getaway. While not all Jeep models can be flat towed, you now know more about which models, configurations, and model years can.
We've also learned more about how fast you can drive while flat towing your Jeep, the hardware you need to flat tow a Wrangler, and which Jeep models you can tow with a dolly.
With this know-how in hand, you'll be all set to plan the next adventure for your RV and Jeep. Safe driving and happy hauling.