Help In Updating Cherokee “Death Wobble" etc

[Houseofthedog]

I have read through the posts on the Cherokee “Death  Wobble” issue and like to learn if there are any updates on this issue and I have a few other questions. I have currently placed a deposit on the 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk and need make a decision about the purchase.

1.  There was discussion that the Cherokee 2019 Trailhawk model KLJH74 (not the Grand Cherokee version) does not require the Mopar flat tow harness developed for the 2014-2018 Cherokee Models to be installed. Does recent experience bear this out or does the harness need to be installed? There was discussion this issue was not clearly resolved.

2. If I understand the manual correctly the Trailhawk is towed with the power transfer unit shifted into neutral, the transmission in park, the parking brake released, and the ignition turned off,  and the key removed from the ignition.   

With the ignition off and the Trailhawk in park being towed, I assume that the battery is still being drained while in park. There is forum discussion about the Trailhawk battery going dead. When flat towing is the charge from the motorhome though the 7 pin connection to connector on the Trailhawk sufficient through to keep the battery charged while towing on long trips. If not, what is suggested to do?

4. What are the consequences to the Trailhawk is the Trailhawk’s  battery fails (lacks charge) during flat towing?

5. I am considering us a Blue Ox base plate for the Trailhawk. Any coments.

6. I am plan to use a Blue OX patriot braking system with a seperate 12 volt connector installed for the Patriot.  Can I assume that the Blue Ox will work well with this type of system?

I would appreciate any help you could provide.

Thanks,

Ken

[hermanmullins]

Ken,

I can't speak on the Trailhawk per say but Blue Ox is a good choice. However if you run a line from the coach just for the brake, what happens if you have a brake away. Will the Blue Ox brake away still work? My suggestion would be to connect the brake system to your vehicle battery and run a charge line to keep the battery charged. Just a thought. 

Herman 

[Houseofthedog]

Good point. I think that there is a separate breakaway switch that is mounted on the toad and connected to motorhome via a cable. On the toad side the breakaway switch has a cable which plugs into the Patriot. If the switch is activated by the pull of the cable if the motorhome and toad are detached the patriot activates the brake in the toad.. But as you point out I need to check this out. 

[manholt]

When I tow my Jeep, it's 4 wheel in N, Automatic trans in P, key in my pocket...never had a battery problem!  If in doubt carry jump cables!  Blue Ox is fine.  I use M & G braking because it's part of my belief to KISS.  Works for me, Herman and several others.  I have heard that the 2019 Trailhawk is good to go, no harness needed, but like Herman, I have not tried it.

[rfsod48]

Ken, I currently use a system similar to what you are describing. I have the Blue Ox system with the Patriot and tow a Grand Cherokee which set up to tow the way you describe. You do plug the Patriot into the tow vehicle in the center console plug but we generally tow 2-3 days without starting the Jeep with no problems. By that time we like to go out to eat and it is easier to unhook. The Patriot is connected to a breakaway cable and there is a monitor by the driver in the MH, if there is a breakaway it will activate the Jeep’s brakes.

[billnpenny]

Hi Houseofthedog, We have a 2019 Jeep Trailhawk with a Blue Ox tow bar base plate and Patriot brake system. I really like the base plate set up, nothing shows on the front except the electrical plug and the brake away switch. You are correct that the transfer case in neutral transmission in park parking brake off and ignition off. The Patriot brake system is pretty simple just hook it to the brake pedal move the seat up to to just touching the back of it plug it in push set and your done.. We had to have a plug added for the Patriot brake because the dash plugs aren’t hot without the ignition being on. The added plug needs to be powered by the vehicle battery because in the case of a breakaway  if the Patriot were to loose power it might not apply the brakes to stop the vehicle. 

Before we bought the Jeep I had heard of the need to add a harness to be able to tow the Cherokee so I balked at buying it. My salesman came up with a service bulletin that basically says changes were made to the 2019’s and that they no longer will need the harness added.

We really love the Trailhawk it’s a very comfortable car to drive. It’s getting 21-24 mpg and with the V6 in sport mode it can be a lot of fun!

Bill and Penny

[kevinmcquade]

Bill N Penny

Is your vehicle a Cherokee Trailhawk or Grand Cherokee Trailhawk?  Do you know the number of the service bulletin that your salesman came up with?  Thanks

[billnpenny]

It is a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Im on the road now towing it. I know it’s not far but we’ve towed it about 1000 miles and haven’t had any issues. The Patriot brake hasn’t made the battery go dead. I do shut it off at night and run the car for 15 minutes when we stop for an extended period just to charge it’s battery..

[billnpenny]

The communication my salesman gave me was a Star online publication dated 5/22/18.tab b 08-040-18.

if you scroll down in this thread you’ll see another discussion on the 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk. In that thread I quoted the letter.

i hope this helps you.