towing a jeep wrangler sahara

[jagpot]

What is the proper sequence for towing a jeep wrangler (Sahara) in terms of preparing the transmission? Just got the Air Force one installed yesterday and this is our very first tow.

 

[J&JD]

We pull a 2012 Wrangler Sahara JK. Super simple to tow. With engine running and transmission in neutral:
1. Transfer case to neutral
2. Transmission moved between drive and reverse to double check that transfer case is in neutral and then transmission moved to neutral.
3. Engine off
4. Transmission in park
5. ignition turned off and key removed
6. Check that emergency brake is off

A trick I learned when putting the transfer case back into gear as it quite often does not want to go back in;

Put transmission in neutral and start the engine. Now, shut off the engine and very quickly, before the engine totally shuts down, pop the transfer case back into gear. You might get a tiny bit of gear grind but it usually slips right into gear without a fight. Otherwise it can be a real struggle to get it back in.

 

[jagpot]

Do you turn the engine off before transmission in park or after? Or does it matter? You have been so helpful and I really appreciate it.

 

[J&JD]

Do you turn the engine off before transmission in park or after? Or does it matter? You have been so helpful and I really appreciate it.

3. Engine off
4. Transmission in park
Probably doesn’t matter

 

[stang37]

To be sure you're doing the proper things and in sequence I would check the owners manual. My Gladiator has it one way and my JL has it another way. Just better make sure you doing the right thing.

 

[jagpot]

3. Engine off
4. Transmission in park
Probably doesn’t matter

Thanks again and I will keep your trick in mind.

 

[jagpot]

By any chance do you put a lock on your hitch? If so what id you choses.

 

[Chuggs]

The owner’s manual has a detailed process. There may be differences between different models.

We have a 2016 JKU w/auto transmission.

I start the vehicle, shift to Neutral, and turn car OFF.

Next, using transfer case shifter...shift transfer case to neutral.

Start car...place transmission in Drive...ensure the transfer case is not engaged (vehicle should not move)...repeat in Reverse (vehicle should not move)...return to neutral, shut car off..,then shift to park, and you can then remove the key. Before leaving..,check parking brake handle down.

 

[Chuggs]

I may have missed some nuance...

Might need to press brake to allow shifting...

If you shift the transfer case with engine running..,the gears may clash...

The key won’t come out until the shifter is back in Park...

I tried to upload a photo...but it must be too large a file

 

[Kevin D Pem]

All depends on the Trans. My 1500 RAM will flat haul. Transfer case is electric shift and the trans is 8 speed ZF trans. The manual covers all models so is not to much help. But there is hope. I bring up my truck because the same manufacturer is involved, the year and trans may be different. Because of a recall the ZF was reprogrammed so you can't open the door with it in gear without a forced P setting. This is good because your trans should be in park when towed. When the transfer case is in N there is no problem with grinding of gears when you shut off the engine the trans will go into park so you shut off the engine after the transfer case is in neutral and all is set. Before my model there was a cable that my rig does not have you would need to move to flat haul but mine does not have it as described in the manual. Because of the differences between models I would play with it until secure that your transfer case will stay in neutral.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

OH! I will add, if you use a slight incline when the transfer case is in neutral the vehicle will roll This is important for a couple of reasons. One is of course the safety aspect of a vehicle in neutral and where it will go. the other of course is you can play until secure that your method works with your vehicle.

 

[Dutch]

What is the proper sequence for towing a jeep wrangler (Sahara) in terms of preparing the transmission? Just got the Air Force one installed yesterday and this is our very first tow.

We pull a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with a manual transmission(I love the old time manuals and hard to find) and we also have the air force one air brake system with Blue Ox tow bar components.
After hooking up the tow vehicle which is very simple with the Air Force One(tow arms, air hose, chains, break away cable and electrical plug) place transfer case in neutral and confirm it is indeed in neutral trying to gently move forward or backward, make sure emergency brake disengaged, in neutral for manual transmission, engine off and key removed and off you go watching to see brake light indicator for Air Force One behind the mirror in the tow vehicle. A far better system than the inertia brake systems.

 

[jagpot]

We pull a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with a manual transmission(I love the old time manuals and hard to find) and we also have the air force one air brake system with Blue Ox tow bar components.
After hooking up the tow vehicle which is very simple with the Air Force One(tow arms, air hose, chains, break away cable and electrical plug) place transfer case in neutral and confirm it is indeed in neutral trying to gently move forward or backward, make sure emergency brake disengaged, in neutral for manual transmission, engine off and key removed and off you go watching to see brake light indicator for Air Force One behind the mirror in the tow vehicle. A far better system than the inertia brake systems.

Thanks for the info. Our Air Force One doesn't have a indicator light that I know of. The company that installed it and went over everything with us never mentioned that. I will check though.

 

[Chuggs]

Thanks for the info. Our Air Force One doesn't have a indicator light that I know of. The company that installed it and went over everything with us never mentioned that. I will check though.

The brake actuator air piston should have a reed switch mounted to it. This activates a small LED light strip. Instructions recommend mounting the LED strip to the back of your rear view mirror. Might download a set of instructions an give it a read. Maybe DEMCO dropped this feature. It was part of the kit when SMI was selling kits.

Anyway...it allows you to confirm brake activation from the helm by looking at the toad thru the backup camera system.

 

[jagpot]

The brake actuator air piston should have a reed switch mounted to it. This activates a small LED light strip. Instructions recommend mounting the LED strip to the back of your rear view mirror. Might download a set of instructions an give it a read. Maybe DEMCO dropped this feature. It was part of the kit when SMI was selling kits.

Anyway...it allows you to confirm brake activation from the helm by looking at the toad thru the backup camera system.View attachment 4468

Thanks Chuggs. I checked and it is there. Did not know this at all. I will check it out when we take the coach out. I love this site. You learn so much from people like you.

 

[Chuggs]

Happy to help.

Might see if the installer left you the instructions. If not...it's a good thing to download and print...to keep in your black bag.

I installed my system...so I read thru the instructions a half-dozen times. But if someone else did the installation...they may have missed telling you a couple of things. The light being one. They also tell you how to do a breakaway test. After connecting the toad...run the coach and apply the coach brakes a few times. This is a good opportunity to see if you have the LEDs facing well enough to see in the camera display. Then shut the coach off...the brake application charges the air accumulator in the AF1 box. Next...have a helper pull the disconnect pin, while you view the brake pedal of the toad for actuation. Make sure to plug the breakaway pin back in when finished. Not something you have to do all the time. But it's a good systems test...to make sure everything works...and a confidence builder. The pin is plastic. I wound up ordering a spare to have incase it breaks during a trip.

Enjoy towing! I love how easy it is to tow our Jeep. And it all fits in a bag, we leave in the back floorboard. Nothing to move to the floorboard and connect to the brake each time. It all stays in place hidden pretty much from view.