New Toad

[TEO]

I just got a 2014 wrangler sport and next weekend im installing a Demco stay in play and a vehicle specific plug and play wiring harness for the taillights, along with a charge line. My owners manual says to disconnect the negative battery cable when towing. I believe that is to eliminate the possibility of a dead battery but with the charge line it shouldn't be an issue.
Online it also says I need a brake light relay to keep the brake light switch on the jeep from interfering with the function coming from the motorhome.
From the research I did it looks like I could just add a toggle switch to the cold side of the brake switch and accomplish the same thing, without adding a relay. Does this sound reasonable? I have to switch the braking system on to tow and off again so another switch would be easy to place next to the other one.
Sorry for the long post, any comments welcome.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

I just got a 2014 wrangler sport and next weekend im installing a Demco stay in play and a vehicle specific plug and play wiring harness for the taillights, along with a charge line. My owners manual says to disconnect the negative battery cable when towing. I believe that is to eliminate the possibility of a dead battery but with the charge line it shouldn't be an issue.
Online it also says I need a brake light relay to keep the brake light switch on the jeep from interfering with the function coming from the motorhome.
From the research I did it looks like I could just add a toggle switch to the cold side of the brake switch and accomplish the same thing, without adding a relay. Does this sound reasonable? I have to switch the braking system on to tow and off again so another switch would be easy to place next to the other one.
Sorry for the long post, any comments welcome.

I tow a 2018 Wrangler Sport with a 2019 Jayco Precept. I have a charge line to the Jeep and have never disconnected the battery nor have I ever had a battery go dead. I do not have a relay for the towed brake lights. They work just fine without. I also have a bicycle carrier on the Jeep that has park and brake lights. No problem with them either when being towed.

 

[TEO]

I tow a 2018 Wrangler Sport with a 2019 Jayco Precept. I have a charge line to the Jeep and have never disconnected the battery nor have I ever had a battery go dead. I do not have a relay for the towed brake lights. They work just fine without. I also have a bicycle carrier on the Jeep that has park and brake lights. No problem with them either when being towed.

I haven't verified yet because the jeep isn't at my home but I think it's only a problem if the brake lights illuminate even when the key is off, and the braking system is actually pushing the brake pedal.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

I haven't verified yet because the jeep isn't at my home but I think it's only a problem if the brake lights illuminate even when the key is off, and the braking system is actually pushing the brake pedal.

I am not sure that Wrangler "Sports" have a "keyless" ignition system (push button style). I have the standard "Key in the slot" style and I never have my key on when it is being towed. The steering wheel does not have a lock. Even with no key it will fully turn. My brake lights work with out the ignition being on. If you have the push button ignition system, it may work different than mine.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

@TEO , if you don't have the manual for your Jeep, find one online. Don't go by some random information, but refer to the manual for your year and model. I have had 5 different year model Jeeps and each one has been different in setup for towing. My current 2025 Gladiator with LED taillights is really unique.

 

[TEO]

I am not sure that Wrangler "Sports" have a "keyless" ignition system (push button style). I have the standard "Key in the slot" style and I never have my key on when it is being towed. The steering wheel does not have a lock. Even with no key it will fully turn. My brake lights work with out the ignition being on. If you have the push button ignition system, it may work different than mine.

I have a standard key also.

 

[TEO]

@TEO , if you don't have the manual for your Jeep, find one online. Don't go by some random information, but refer to the manual for your year and model. I have had 5 different year model Jeeps and each one has been different in setup for towing. My current 2025 Gladiator with LED taillights is really unique.

I do have the owners manual and the last thing it says to do after getting everything into neutral is remove the negative battery cable. Just doesn't seem necessary with a charge line. I know jeep isn't going to try and cover all different scenarios in their manual.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

I do have the owners manual and the last thing it says to do after getting everything into neutral is remove the negative battery cable. Just doesn't seem necessary with a charge line. I know jeep isn't going to try and cover all different scenarios in their manual.

Hmmmm I'm surprised they don't give you a reason for the battery disconnect. And I apologize. I should have asked you to check your owner's manual as Texas Clodhoppers suggested right at the beginning. Anyway, the braking system I use is Brake Buddy. It relies on the Jeep's battery to operate a compressor. What does your braking system use? If it does use the Jeep's battery, disconnecting the cables becomes dangerous.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

If you have a locking steering wheel, the key must be in the ACC position, which means you will be using power. Does the Stay and Play require power? I think the reason the manual states to disconnect the negative cable is to prevent draining the battery. With a charge line, you should be fine.

I have a charge line on my Gladiator because when the LED taillights are illuminated, it wakes the computer, and everything comes on. Crazy, but thats the way it is. I've towed for close to 72 hours without starting the Jeep, and the charge line has always maintained a full charge.