Outdoor enthusiasts worldwide are familiar with the Jeep Renegade as one of the smaller vehicles that Jeep makes. So, it is no wonder why the Renegade is so popular amongst people, and campers nationwide are starting to wonder if a Jeep Renegade can be flat towed. While campers struggle to find a suitable vehicle to flat tow behind, Jeep is a popular option for many.
The 2022 model year of the Jeep Renegade can be flat towed, an upgrade from previous year models that could not be flat towed. 2021 and earlier Jeep Renegades can not be easily flat towed.
Jeep listened to its customers and created a version of the Renegade that can be flat towed behind a motorhome. Over the years, Jeeps have been capable of being flat towed; however, with the increase in electronic monitoring systems, flat towing is becoming a pastime. As a result, each sub-model has its own version of what Jeeps can be flat towed. The results may surprise you.
Can a Jeep Renegade be Pulled Behind an RV?
The Jeep Renegade is the sub-compact model for the Jeep lineup. The Renegade does not come with many features that some of the other Jeeps come with.
Flat towing any vehicle behind an RV comes with its challenges. Although the year models 2022 (source: jeep.com) and above can be flat towed behind a motorhome, its predecessors cannot.
Popular Jeep models that can be flat towed behind a motorhome:
- Wrangler
- Gladiator
- Patriot
- Liberty
- Commander
- Grand Cherokee Laredo
Not all sub-models of the above Jeeps can be flat towed behind a motorhome. For example, although the Grand Cherokee Laredo can be flat towed, the Grand Cherokee Trail Hawk cannot be flat towed behind a motorhome. Other considerations are whether the Jeep should be on a tow dolly to avoid damaging the rig.
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Flat Towing a Jeep with an Automatic Transmission
Mostly found on the four-wheel drive models, it can be flat towed if the Jeep has a steering lockout override and a transmission disconnect on the vehicle.
One must disconnect the transmission and release the lockout override to flat tow the car. This can be done in various manners, all found within the owner’s manual of the Jeep model.
Some are as simple as putting the four-wheel drive mechanism in neutral or two high and releasing the transmission lock override on the gear shifter inside the cabin. Other models require more complicated steps to flat tow with an automatic transmission.
Flat Towing a Jeep with the Manual Transmission
The manual transmission models aim to get the transfer case into the neutral position while keeping the vehicle safe. Each Jeep will have its own process for setting it up to flat tow.
The two-wheel drive models do not have a transfer case to worry about, but the transmission still needs to allow the wheels to move freely without engaging the drive shaft.
This task can be accomplished by shifting the manual transmission into neutral and following the owner’s manual’s instructions for setting the two-wheel drive model up for towing. The four-wheel drive models will require more steps, as the transmission and the transfer case both need to be in the neutral position before the Jeep can be towed safely.
Not All Jeeps Can Be Flat Towed
The Jeep gladiator is the one Jeep that allows all the sub-models to be flat towed behind any vehicle. Otherwise, each Jeep will have a different way to set it up for flat towing, and not all models (source: thervgeeks.com) can be flat towed.
For instance, the jeep Cherokee, aside from the Laredo mentioned earlier, the other models cannot be flat towed.
The Liberty two-wheel drive version requires that the drive shaft be disconnected before it can be flat towed. While the four-wheel drive version requires that the transfer case be shifted into neutral.
These patterns are consistent with each model (Except the Gladiator). However, some requirements can be so stringent that not following them will void the manufacturer’s warranty.
Flat Towing with a CVT Transmission
It is essential to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for towing any vehicle. The main issue when flat towing a CVT transmission vehicle is that the parts move without being lubricated.
This could mean transmission failure or even seizure while towing the Jeep! This problem is not unique to CVT transmissions either.
Most newer vehicles with a complex electronic system provide plenty of obstacles to flat towing. The sensors and other electronics will not register that the car is on, which stops the application of lubricants that are passed through the vehicle while the engine is running, or the transmission is engaged.
Can you flat tow a 2016 Jeep Renegade?
Unfortunately, model years twenty-sixteen through twenty-one cannot be flat-towed behind a vehicle. The exception is on a flatbed trailer with all four wheels not moving and the vehicle secure. The two-wheel drive version can be towed on a front-wheel drive wheel dolly.
Towing the Renegade with a Tow Dolly
The wheel dolly (tow dolly) must have the proper braking equipment installed on the tow dolly to avoid damaging the Renegade. The tow dolly should not be used on the four-wheel drive versions of the Renegade.
The 2016 Jeep Renegade should never be towed with all four wheels down and moving. The four-wheel drive versions of the twenty-sixteen Renegade can only be pulled on the back of a trailer.
Flat towing the Renegade can lead to severe damage to the Jeep. In addition, the drive shaft continues to move the parts which are not receiving support from the rest of the system.
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The Renegade Can Be Towed with Ease
For some models, the Jeep Renegade can be towed easily on the back of a flatbed trailer or a tow dolly. The 2022 models and above can be flat pulled with minimal effort. Flat towing the Jeep is possible with other models.
Nevertheless, Jeep has held true to its adventurous clientele and has found innovative ways to allow for flat towing of its vehicles despite having the same electronics as other manufacturers.