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Topic: 2012 Jeep Wrangler (Read 922 times) previous topic - next topic

2012 Jeep Wrangler

Anyone towing a 2012 Jeep 4Dr wrangler?
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #1 –
Howdy Bruce,  We tow a 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4 tires down.  Does this help? Have a question?
Dave Abel
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #2 –
Mr Wonderful is angling for one ... big time. We test drove the 4dr Sahara.  I was impressed by how well it handled, quieter than I had imagined, and the ride seemed very good ... in the FRONT seats.  The back seat was not a place where I wanted to spend much time.  No recline at all to the back, very short bench with minimal padding.  We travel a lot with another couple, and the ladies wind up with a lot of back seat time.  For me, that was the deal breaker (plus the fact that I can't get a color that agrees with the motor home paint scheme).  But he is like Chinese water torture, so I may have to fold, eventually.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #3 –
From Forbes:

Jeep resale values

The original SUV traditionally commands among the highest resale values in the industry, particularly in relatively unadorned versions that off-road enthusiasts covet to customize with aftermarket add-ons. A model-year 2008 two-door Wrangler having clocked 46,500 miles in top condition is estimated to return a whopping 90 percent of its original retail price in trade-in value. The four-door Wrangler Unlimited version fares slightly better, holding onto 91 percent of its MSRP according to NADA Guides. By comparison the off-road ready Rubicon versions – which can be too rough for casual owners – retain 77 and 84 percent of their original sticker prices
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Dave and Nancy Abel –
Howdy Bruce,  We tow a 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4 tires down.  Does this help? Have a question?
Dave Abel
Thanks Dave, Looking forward to the new 4 dr, the old 2 dr rag top unlimited is a bit rough for any distance. What are you doing for tow lights, diodes, 3rd bulb in the tail light with it's own harness? Me thinks one wants to be carefull about back feeding any control modules and such.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #5 –
For comfort go with the Grand Cherokee... It is amazing. I have to say I pulled and still pull my wrangler all over the country. I have about 37K miles on it and pulled it over 300K miles.  It is wonderful to drive and fits in small places. In yellowstone you can park off road easily to see the wildlife too.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #6 –
Last month we purchased a new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit 4WD V8 and could not be happier with the ride, improvements over our 2002 Grand, lots of bell & whistles, interior quality, interior size and power. Great car for off-road and on-road. Much more comfortable than our 2002 Grand for long drives.

Price was Dealer Invoice bottom line less $1,000 factory incentive. ($45,680)

Dealer kept $1,472 HoldBack amount.

We added Mopar side rock rail sliders ($1,000 installed. Bought Chrysler Lifetime MaxCare Service Contract ($2,000) and Essential Care 6-yr/12 Oil change coupons ($200).

Car beeps if something is in the way when turning, backing and driving, which are mazing safety features. Has rear camera.

We installed a Blue Ox baseplate, fantastic Tow Daddy wiring module that uses Jeep rear lights without cutting any wires, and ran air hoses to our air cylinder toad brake. Jeep weighs over 5,000 lbs and tows fine.

But it's hard to beat a 4WD Wrangler for climbing rocks and towing.

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #7 –

Howdy Bruce, 
  Our old tow was a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.  Kind of a stretched two door. The 4 door is a giant improvement!!  Much more room, better ride, etc.  The Ruby comes ready for off-roading right from the factory..Lockers, skid plates, rock rails, sway bar disconnect, etc.
We opted for the GPS display, and we love that feature..Since we full time, its easy to find Post Office, Walmarts, etc, plus find your way home!!!
  Can't help with the wiring for the tow lighting..I bought a new 10,000lb Blue Ox for the, then new Jeep, and had the tow and lighting installed at a RV shop (MidAmerica in Carthage, MO was a Foretravel dealer for a short time) that I trusted.
  One thing, our owners manual, indicated that the ground (neg) had to be disconnected before towing.  I used a readily available battery disconnect from WalMart. I got on a couple of Jeep formns and they all recommended. Its quick and easy to use..Also, can act as a theft deterrent. here's a couple of links: Battery Disconnect Switch
Amazon.com: Battery-Disconnect Switch - Will Fit Both Side Post and Top Post:
A google search for battery disconnect will return lots of options. 
  We use a Brake Buddy for auxillary braking, so I just ran a separate, fused, wire and power outlet plug from the battery for the Brake Buddy.  No problems running the battery down (over 18 months of towing).
Good Luck, Dave Abel

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Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #8 –
We traded a 2-door 2004 Unlimited Wrangler for a 2012 4-door Sahara Unlimited that was asked about in the original question.  Dislike the straightish back seat but all else such an improvement over the 2004 made easy decision.  Other brands were considered.  Vs the 2004, the 4-door is much more comfortable - ride is much better, options, including the navigation and music systems.  The 2012 has important upgraded engine, hp and torque and better mpg.  Like the easily removable top sections. We tend to do a bit of unpaved road exploring so this a good option for us but am sure you can find other toads that suit you.  Uses Ox tow, SMI brakes. And yes, the Wranglers are very good about retained value.  Our 2004 was very trouble free.  Mike
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #9 –
Morning Mike, we traded a 2006 unlimited rag top. 6 years ago when we bought it no top no doors was big fun, and it's my wifes dailey driver, but now closing in on 60 the 2 doors and flaping rag top had to go. The 06 was trouble free, hope the new Sahara hard top is a good with better MPG. I'm not a big Chrysler fan but the jeep is the only thing that has a good deal of off road ability, and is easy to tow. I'm looking foward to Moab in Utah, and maybe the Rubicon trail in the near future. Got the new Jeep $3500.00 off of MSRP and they gave me 14K on the trade.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #10 –
I've towed mine a couple of times now.  The 2012 with the 3.6 Pentastar motor is the way to go.  I test drove the 2011 and there is no comparison IMO.  I have the Roadmaster Falcon towbar and I don't even know it's back there so far.  It's been a good few months for me.  ;D

David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #11 –
Bruce, I got the same off of MSRP and $15K for the 2004 Unlimited (2 dr) jeep, sounds as though we saw about the same.  The performance of the 2012 is very different, a friend even traded his 2011 to get the newer engine.  FYI, MOT installed a charge line from the FT to the jeep so I do not have to disconnect the battery when towing.  As you wrote, the toad is my wife's car, as was the 2004, and it is her choice to drive....easy to park, comfortable enough.  Happy Trails.  Mike
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #12 –
In buying a new car of any brand, I recommend going to a dealer that you don't plan to buy from and asking for a copy of the dealer invoice. We used the saying, we don't deal down from the sticker, we deal up from the invoice. No sales manager has refused to give me a copy of their invoice, so it must be widely asked for. Jeep has a coded "HB" on the last line of the invoice, which stands for "Hold Back" and is considered dealer profit. Some buyers try to get part of the Hold Back as a price reduction. Some dealers will not let go of any part of the Hold Back. The dealer may not even get all the Hold Back from Chrysler at the time of the sale.

LSL, the maker of the popular Trik L Start, has a nice device called Toad Charge that connects motorhome house or start battery to the tow car battery to keep toad charged when tow cable is connected. Toad Charge is a relay device, not a diode device.

Relay turn-on voltage is approx. 13.0 volts. Relay turn-off voltage is around 12.8 volts.

The logic looks at the MOTORHOME voltage levels - Naturally, whenever the relay is closed, the voltage is the same on the motorhome and dingy vehicle sides.

When the relay contacts are closed, any reverse current flow is detected almost instantly - in which case the relay opens in a fraction of a second. So, from a practical standpoint, current can only flow in one direction.

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #13 –
I was looking at the Wrangler as our Suzuki XL-7 (automatic FWD) cannot be towed four down.  I've decided to look for a late model used Suzuki Grand Vitara 4WD automatic.  It has a true neutral for easy four down towing and is lighter than the four door Wrangler.  The ride should be fairly comfortable and the price should be waaay lower than the Wrangler.  This is Suzuki's version of the RAV4 or CRV.  I've had good luck with the 2002 XL-7 which is the smallest SUV with 7 passenger seating on the market.  The rear most seats aren't comfortable but my wife was carpooling elementary school kids at the time and it worked out great.
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060
 

Re: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Reply #14 –
Dwayne,

I tow a 2007 Gran Vitara with no problem.  Ride is very good, has all the goodies except navigation that I do not wish for anyway.  Real easy to set to neutral and away we go.  Get 22 mpg.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas