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Thank You JeepCares for Flat Tow Harness

30K views 106 replies 27 participants last post by  Gordon1152 
#1 ·
I just wanted to post a Thank You to Kori (JeepCares) a jeep customer service.
I had requested to get the Flat tow cable only so that I could do my own install and make it automatic (no switches or fuses to pull).

Kori responded quickly, and stayed on top of things. She contacted my dealer and ordered the Flat Tow Cable for me.
She is also reimbursing me for the cost.

I had expected to get the run-around and hear that only the dealer could install it.

Very pleasantly surprised.

Thanks Kori…

Regards,

Dan
 
#2 ·
Can you explain what the "flat tow cable" is and what the Jeep part number was? I am in the process of setting up my Trailhawk to tow and have ALWAYS hated the procedure so this seems ideal if I'm reading you correctly. Thanks!
 
#4 ·
Please post the part number. I'm assuming this is a t-harness for 4 pin flat wiring?

Pureformance, Puresistance, Purefection
Long story short, the "Accessory Kit to Enhance Flat Tow Performance" enables the driver to energize (insert a fuse) the EPS (Electric Power Steering) while the ignition is off. The EPS system has shimmy mitigation software that detects if the steering is going into a wobble while being towed and counteracts that wobble.

The part number is 68321424AB as defined in this TSB ==> http://www.wk2jeeps.com/Misc/Cherokee/KL_TSB/KL_08_029_16a.pdf.
 
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#6 ·
It's great to have her on this board and to assist KL folks with their challenges. It's the little things that matter sometimes.
 
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#7 ·
Thank You for the explanation. I called Jeep yesterday and they are setting me up at the dealer for the cable / switch install next week. I specifically told my dealer I wanted to flat tow the Cherokee and they said there would be "no problem". Apparently, a recall notice came out notifying owners needing to trickle charge their batteries and be able to leave the Cherokee in the "run" position while being towed. This enables the Cherokee's electric power steering to become active which makes sense. What doesn't make sense is that every other system will become active as well in the "run" position so the battery drain will become substantial. Trying to read through as much as I can, it looks like owners have been using the motorhome to trickle charge the toads battery while driving. I'm assuming this harness allows the power steering to energize without the need for the other systems??? Am I correct in assuming that ?? Thanks
 
#8 ·
You won't be in run mode on the start switch. The new "cable" includes a switch to enable only the PS and not have to be in "run" from the starter switch.

I have a small trickle charger installed on mine and towed 2000 miles earlier this year. I never had a problem with the TH starting using it. My biggest challenge to getting the TH ready for tow was tapping into the break lights in the rear and getting the diodes installed. The wiring on them is very thin stuff and I had to be careful splicing in the diodes.

Safe travels.
 
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#9 ·
So I take it that the procedure now is to put the vehicle into true neutral (transfer case set to nuetral, shifter into park like my JK) then enable the harness by inserting the fuse (or wire it for a switch which I believe you did) without turning anything on inside, no ACC, no Run.. Correct ??

Did you also install your own base plate as well?? I've watched the YouTube videos on that and am pretty handy, but when it comes to automobile "snap" fittings being used for the bumper fascia, I fear the worst. I can run the trailer wiring, etc. and probably even the AirForce One on the vehicle itself, but the cutting of the metal bracket attached to the bumper itself has me a little squeamish too. Is it worth the $$ to get it installed?? Thanks for your help :)
 
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#10 ·
@Bigtrace - You're right. The procedure remains the same with the addition of flipping the switch in the center console box and inserting the fuse.

I'm on my phone now so I can't tell if you set up a signature identifying your model. I installed Blue Ox base plates on my Limited. No metal trimming required. IIRC, the TH does require a little trimming or grinding. While removing the fascia is not trivial, typical backyard mechanic skills will do. There are a number of members that have done it and I'm sure they can answer any questions you may have, including me.
 
#11 ·
Hey Array, got everything installed and working great so far. I have to install the SMI Air Force One brake controller this weekend. Jeep Wave took care of the harness but I'm not satisfied with the whole fuse, no fuse, switch setup. Terrible design in my opinion.
 
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#12 ·
Glad you got it set up.

I ran two 10 gauge charge wires through the umbilical cord, one positive and one negative, from the MH to the KL. Tied the negative wire to the ground post on the fender well next to the battery. Used a 10 gauge fuse holder and a 30 amp fuse on the positive wire just before the terminal connector for the positive battery terminal. My MH 12V+ charge line is switched with its ignition, so I didn't need to use a diode.
@dpinvidic automated the switches issue using relays. He posted a wire diagram in another thread.
 
#17 ·
Chances are you could get it done for free, especially since your TH is a 2015. Send a message to Kori at @JeepCares on this forum. She may be able to help.

FCA did not publicly recognize the problem and announce the flat tow harness solution until early 2015. When announced it was hard to tell customers the harness/installation would cost them when the customer bought the vehicle without this disclosure. Seems like with the 2016's the typical response is it's documented in the owner's manual.
 
#19 ·
Hello Kori, I just purchased a new 2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland with the full intent to flat tow. I read everything that I needed and spoke with the dealer. However after reading through the manual (after installing all the tow plates and brake light kits) hidden in the back is another required part. I have been trying to do some research on this and wanted to make sure I still need this and am trying to get one so I can install it. My wife is pretty upset as we purchased the jeep so that it would be easy to tow without removing fuses. All we had to do was place in neutral with drive in park and keyless off. However it seems that is not the case. Is jeep still providing this part under warranty?
 
#20 ·
Hi taylordr61,

The Mopar flat tow kit is not a warrantable part, it is considered an accessory. Your dealership will be able to order it for you--part # 68321424AB, and the dealership can reference Technical Service Bulletin 08-010-17.

Kori
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 
#22 ·
.... Can I install it myself.
Here are instructions that were posted for the 2014 & 2015 models. They are probably good for 2016/2017 too. When you purchase the harness from the dealer, maybe they include the install instructions. Anyway, the instructions at the link below show what's involved. Others have installed the harness components on their own.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_FMSsMCU-3jbVpCSUJTVk5lTjQ

One modification that is recommended is to put a switch in series with the 10 amp fuse that is part of the harness. That eliminates pulling and inserting the fuse which is a PITA.

We know quite a bit about this harness now. It's helpful to know the harness does not carry current that powers the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) motor. The vehicle has a separate cable that runs from the battery to that motor. The harness is about 1) energizing the system in the engine compartment to allow current to flow over that heavy cable to the EPS motor when the ignition is turned off, and 2) turning off EPS communications to the CAN bus by adding a switch to the interior console; this eliminates CEL and DTCs that would otherwise occur if the EPS were fired up without the ignition being on.

Others have gone further and added relays to automate the switching in both the engine compartment and interior. There are threads on this forum they posted. This 577 post thread covers about everything on the subject, and some of its posts link to other threads on the automation techniques: http://jeepcherokeeclub.com/337-towing-towed/119874-severe-shaking-problem-towing-behind-motorhome.html#post1350418.
 
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#26 ·
@taylordr61 - On the charge wire, a "battery maintainer" as abjbrtd linked to above is a good idea if the 12 volt pin on your motorhome's trailer outlet is not switched. That's because the battery maintainer includes a diode that prevents the KL's battery from draining back into the motorhome's battery. However many motorhome's trailer outlets are switched (turns on and off with the motorhome's ignition switch) and in that case a simple fused wire is all that is needed. This is the fuse holder I used at the KL's battery: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NI5DCY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
 
#27 ·
Kori
I have a quick question for you. I recently (Delivered Yesterday) purchased a 2017 Cherokee Latitude for flat towing behind our RV, the Cherokee VIN # is 1C4PCB1HW622602. I was concerned about the problem with the severe shaking some people encountered while towing the 2014-2016 Cherokees, so I called 800-925-JEEP to see if this problem had been corrected in the 2017 models. I was told that sales code XEYP had been installed in my Jeep and that this was the fix for the Flat Tow Wiring Harness. However, my owners manual still states that I should have the harness installed. I'm a tad confused, do I need to have the dealer install the harness or has the problem been corrected with my VIN. I appreciate any assistance.
Thanks
Frank
 
#28 ·
FWIW, my 2015 build sheet says I have XEYP Trailer Tow Wiring Harness. That is not the flat tow wiring kit/harness.
 
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#32 ·
Since early 2014 I've probably seen 5 KLs in tow on the road and in RV parks. That's a minimum of 3000 miles and 5 months each year. There's not a lot of knowledge out there about towing the KL. Towing Wranglers is much more common.
 
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#33 ·
Wranglers have been around a long time. The design, I think, is the same solid-axle, lever-operated-4WD-neutral that we had in our late 80's/early 90's Cherokees. The KL is quite a different vehicle however. In our wanderings, about 10k mi a year, we have seen quite a few KL's as well as the Wranglers. I haven't kept count but I'd say the KL's are about equal in number to the Wranglers of the same vintage. (Incidentally I never recall any wobble issues with either, except in lifted-off-road modified ones where steering dampers were put on for off road use.)

In over two decades of buying vehicles which will serve as toads, I've never run into any dealer who was thoroughly knowledgeable in this type of use. Responses to questions about flat towing with a motorhome ranged from those aware of it happening to those who never heard of it.

Thankfully today there are forums like this with great information to be had... before that it was the RV-club campfire and happyhour chats that were the source of information.
 
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#41 ·
Is it possible to get the part no. of the kit. My local, fairly large dealer has no idea. They ran my Vin and couldn't find any required updates although their group took off and mounted my front bumper, etc. so I could mount my Blue Ox base plate.


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#42 ·
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#45 ·
I gave the TB to the service manager and the other 08-010-17 reference and they also scanned the ODB on my unit. He said that he didn't know if it would apply to me as the TB referred to the ADII with 4x4 Sales Code 5L4 and mine says 5L4S. After he investigates he said he'll call me back on Monday with the details but that I'd have to pay for it as it is not a recall. Anyone have positive experience with not paying the full price and, if so, how did you do it? Thanks.
 
#46 · (Edited)
There is a thread over at JeepGarage where they discussed sales code 5i4S (it's an *i* not an *L*), and no one could confirm what it is, and this was June last year. The conclusion was... 5i4S is part of 5i4. @Array was a participant in that thread, and another member there was in close contact with Kori ( @JeepCares ). Kori was able to do a VIN check on a TH that had sales code 5i4S to confirm it needed the harness. I suggest you contact Kori via private message here on the forum and give her your VIN so she can confirm.


Source : http://www.jeepgarage.org/f216/2014-jeep-cherokee-rv-tow-wobble-88393-7.html#post1298734

As far as costs : only the 2014s, 2015s and I think a few early 2016s get the kit installed for free. The cutoff date is when they started inserting the addendums in the owner's manuals. So if you had the addendum : you pay for the kit.

Good luck...
 
#50 ·
Will have it installed this Friday at Arigo 2 hrs @ 125 each and 124 for harness plus tax, much better than Wallace at $579 + tax. Do I understand it correctly that after the harness is installed I have to add a waterproof switch in line to disable the fuse in determined conditions rather than removing it and then putting it in again?


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#51 ·
You don't have to but it's much easier than removing the fuse.
 
#61 ·
I already have a charge line from pin 4 of the MH 7 pin, with diode and fuse. Would the the tow harness I'm installing at the dealership tomorrow affect it? I was also going to have them install an extra switch to avoid removing and installing the 10 amp fuse as stated elsewhere and wonder if my charge line would conflict with that or not.


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#62 ·
Your charge line is good. It's electrically isolated from the flat-tow harness. No problem with the switch either. Happy camping!
 
#63 ·
hello Kori
i have a 2014 trailhawk. i am having a real hard time finding a dealer that can order the part 68321424AB , im In Temple TX. I have been to two Dealers now Freedom Jeep in Killeen Tx and Mack Haki in Temple Tx, and they have no clue how to get the part. helpppppp
 
#64 · (Edited)
Hi there and welcome to the forum !

Kori no longer appears to be active with the @JeepCares team :crying:

However... there are two new fresh faces around, and I'm sure they will do their best to assist you. If they don't stop by in this thread by late tomorrow, you should send them a private message from this forum and explain your situation. Give them your VIN and also the part # for the harness, and what it's for (Kori and Andrea knew all about these, the new girls may not..). If you don't get a satisfying answer in a few days, let us know and we'll do our best to help.

Good luck ;)

Edit to add. The following technical service bulletin should help the dealership get their act together :
http://www.wk2jeeps.com/Misc/Cherokee/KL_TSB/KL_08_029_16a.pdf
 
#65 ·
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