Question Jeep mileage adds while towing?

[MoJo]

Barely taking our first baby step. Can't afford to take this path twice so trying to get it right first time. My first question... Looking at an add for a nice looking Jeep. I read this:
"2003 Jeep Wrangler ·
5 speed Manual Transmission
203K miles - Driven about 80K, pulled behind a Winnebago for remaining miles.
Front & Rear Tow Receivers
Convertible Top (Excellent Condition)".
Does the mileage actually accrue on odometer while towing, and if so I imagine there is no real way to validate a claim of 'towed' vs 'driven' miles. Thanks in advance. I'm gonna have a lot of questions.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Barely taking our first baby step. Can't afford to take this path twice so trying to get it right first time. My first question... Looking at an add for a nice looking Jeep. I read this:
"2003 Jeep Wrangler ·
5 speed Manual Transmission
203K miles - Driven about 80K, pulled behind a Winnebago for remaining miles.
Front & Rear Tow Receivers
Convertible Top (Excellent Condition)".
Does the mileage actually accrue on odometer while towing, and if so I imagine there is no real way to validate a claim of 'towed' vs 'driven' miles. Thanks in advance. I'm gonna have a lot of questions.

We have towed three Jeeps now. First was a 1991 XJ Automatic. Then a 1998 TJ and now a 2018 JK. None have logged mileage being towed. I would be passing on this Jeep as I think the seller is trying to pull the wool over your eyes. I'd be asking to see the mileage on the Winny. I would be surprised if it was over 100 thousand.

Darrell

 

[FLSteve]

We have towed several Jeeps and have never had the Jeep odometer register the towed mileage.

FLSteve

 

[Underboss]

Barely taking our first baby step. Can't afford to take this path twice so trying to get it right first time. My first question... Looking at an add for a nice looking Jeep. I read this:
"2003 Jeep Wrangler ·
5 speed Manual Transmission
203K miles - Driven about 80K, pulled behind a Winnebago for remaining miles.
Front & Rear Tow Receivers
Convertible Top (Excellent Condition)".
Does the mileage actually accrue on odometer while towing, and if so I imagine there is no real way to validate a claim of 'towed' vs 'driven' miles. Thanks in advance. I'm gonna have a lot of questions.

Baloney. They do not add mileage when towed. I have owned 3 Wrangler toads including a 2001. There is absolutely no way to add mileage unless the wife was driving behind.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

We have towed three Jeeps now. First was a 1991 XJ Automatic. Then a 1998 TJ and now a 2018 JK. None have logged mileage being towed. I would be passing on this Jeep as I think the seller is trying to pull the wool over your eyes. I'd be asking to see the mileage on the Winny. I would be surprised if it was over 100 thousand.

Darrell

All about new vs old! If the odometer is digital, it may not have power, therefore not log towed miles, but that is speculation. If odometer is analog, the speedo gets its data from the main output tail shaft. What that means is if the rear wheels on the jeep turn, miles are recorded. Another reason to trailer! Remember that everything is wearing, not just the drive train!!!

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

I've towed 3 different years and models of Jeep Wranglers and none have registered miles. The odometers are electronic not the old mechanical with a speedometer cable. I suggest passing on this Jeep.

 

[Rich W.]

Nope. I’ve seen that on a few Jeep adds too. Its absolutely not true. The speedo drive/sensor is on the transmission and it doesn't turn because you tow with the transfer case in neutral. Also I tow with the ignition off (one click so the wheel doesn't lock), which is probably typical, and as Tex pointed out these odometers are electronic.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Nope. I’ve seen that on a few Jeep adds too. Its absolutely not true. The speedo drive is on the transmission and it doesn't turn because you tow with the transfer case in neutral.

Didn't know, now I do! Only had one jeep, back in the American motors days, and that memory is cloudy at best!

 

[MoJo]

Wow. Thanks to all for the incredibly fast response and explanations. I was thinking this might be bunk, but being so new and still learning I didn't want to jump to conclusions. I have read several places that some vehicles need power 'on' while towing and thought, just possibly' that could be the case here. The speedo being connected to transfer case makes sense. As a kid, I'd disconnect my mother's speedo cable somewhere near the front driveshaft of her Cutlass Supreme to conceal mileage when I 'borrowed' her car. Thanks for the advice. I'll dodge this particular vehicle.

I'll be back with more.

 

[MoJo]

All about new vs old! If the odometer is digital, it may not have power, therefore not log towed miles, but that is speculation. If odometer is analog, the speedo gets its data from the main output tail shaft. What that means is if the rear wheels on the jeep turn, miles are recorded. Another reason to trailer! Remember that everything is wearing, not just the drive train!!!

Thanks, Kevin.

 

[Underboss]

Cars are not like the bikes we rode as kids with the speedo connected to the front tire. On the older mechanical ones the speedo gear is in the transmission. Since the driveline is in neutral it will not register miles. Probably on the 2003, its ecm driven. Does not matter if its a digital or mechanical speedo, it will not register miles. I detest liars, you dodged a bullet

 

[MoJo]

.... you dodged a bullet

'dodged a bullet'. Thanks to this forum/thread. I had not contacted the seller yet as I wanted to validate my concerns. Glad my instincts were correct, that is, the instinct to come to an experienced pool of people for advice.

Thanks again.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Cars are not like the bikes we rode as kids with the speedo connected to the front tire. On the older mechanical ones the speedo gear is in the transmission. Since the driveline is in neutral it will not register miles. Probably on the 2003, its ecm driven. Does not matter if its a digital or mechanical speedo, it will not register miles. I detest liars, you dodged a bullet

Hopefully your comment is not directed toward me! But if it were I will double down on my response! I realize that some might expect my real name were Jack, but it's not. My days of repairing cars without manuals are behind me, but the memory still serves pretty well! I do find somethings said offensive, but in the act of helping, I will egnor some.

However as trivial as this thread is, as the PO was able to resolve the question at hand you implied something I will not leave alone!

Least you do "your" research you should hold your tongue!!!

https://www.quadratec.com/sites/default/files/installation_instructions/123579.pdf

As far as where on older jeeps the speedometer gear is this PDF may answer any speculation!

 

[BGMAC]

I will say that in the digital gauges, but with steering wheel locks you had to turn the key at least to Acc position to unlock the steering wheel. If they did not disconnect the battery it “may” record mileage. if the battery was disconnected and the wiring to the to the Jeep tail lights from the motorhome did not contain diodes power could be feed back to the Jeeps system and power the ECM. I know because I just did it a few weeks ago wiring up my Jeep.

Now personally I would not believe it. Plus if it says 200+k miles on it, well that’s what it is. When you go title it you would have to record that mileage and value would drop.

 

[Underboss]

Hopefully your comment is not directed toward me! But if it were I will double down on my response! I realize that some might expect my real name were Jack, but it's not. My days of repairing cars without manuals are behind me, but the memory still serves pretty well! I do find somethings said offensive, but in the act of helping, I will egnor some.

However as trivial as this thread is, as the PO was able to resolve the question at hand you implied something I will not leave alone!

Least you do "your" research you should hold your tongue!!!

https://www.quadratec.com/sites/default/files/installation_instructions/123579.pdf

As far as where on older jeeps the speedometer gear is this PDF may answer any speculation!

I have no idea what you are talking about. Grow up. Transfer case or transmission, it does not matter for this conversation. The transfer case is in neutral in the jeep when it towing, lest, you forgot you can destroy the motor and, if lucky, add 5 miles onto the speedo before doing it. I have not forgot the things that you never knew. I was trying to help the op. I have changed out a number of those gears on different vehicles trying to get the ratio correct for larger tires. Grow some skin