Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

Towing a 2012 Unlimited Wrangler

April 11, 2012, 08:51:01 pm

We traded a 2004 Unlimited Wrangler. The 2012 jeep owners manual says to disconnect the battery and leave the key in ACC to tow the jeep.  I heard of a potential problem with an automatic system drive train system if the battery is disconnected.  I emailed Jeep; this may help if you have gotten the 2012 or you are looking at it as a toad (4WD  automatic).

Submit your VIN number to Jeep and they will look up your vehicle.  It turns out that contrary to the manual that came with it, we neither have to disconnect the battery nor leave the key in the ACC position to tow.  The steering wheel does not lock.  Jeep told me to verify:  Start the jeep, turn the wheel all the way to lock.  Turn off and see if I could turn the wheels back to straight.  It worked.  To go counter to the jeep manual took some convincing.  (Do not do this just because works for us!  Check out your particular jeep.) Cheers, Mike

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Re: Towing a 2012 Unlimited Wrangler

Reply #1 – April 11, 2012, 09:06:40 pm

I want one    Dozer yellow   

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Re: Towing a 2012 Unlimited Wrangler

Reply #2 – April 12, 2012, 05:44:55 am

Thats the way mine works, Key in my pocket, trans in park, T/case in nuetral, and away we go. Love the 2012 unlimited, way more better than the 06

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Re: Towing a 2012 Unlimited Wrangler

Reply #3 – April 12, 2012, 09:43:05 am

Bruce.....cannot tell you how glad to get your report.  I been very nervous about this since it is very counter to our 04 and no friends around seem to believe what I found.  One friend though up in DFW area, his father in law, thinks that all they have to do with their '12.

Contact us if you get to Nacogdoches,

THANKS.  mike

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Re: Towing a 2012 Unlimited Wrangler

Reply #4 – April 12, 2012, 11:08:32 am

I have pulled a Jeep Wrangler over 300,000 miles. I took it on one of the top ten off road courses in the country. It is a stock sport and it went everywhere the others went except two places.  Lost a tire but that was it.  You will love the new jeep.

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Re: Towing a 2012 Unlimited Wrangler

Reply #5 – April 12, 2012, 12:41:15 pm

Consider using Tow Daddy rear tail light wiring kit. Works great on our 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Jeep rear tail lights work with motorhome without cutting any Jeep wires. Fantastic.

Tow Daddy - The Best Designed RV Products on the Planet

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Re: Towing a 2012 Unlimited Wrangler

Reply #6 – April 12, 2012, 06:49:58 pm

Barry and Cindy, Hi!  Your early help one day at MOT stays with me.  I use the pump for water and always turn off the water when leaving the coach.  I have met two folks that wish that they had. 

Why would I use that kit on the jeep?  I think the wiring from the FT turns the rear lights on ok, at least in a trial hookup in the driveway.    Isaac at MOT ran a wire from the FT alternator (or battery?) to keep the jeep battery charged, I have the electric SMI duo for brakes.  In the 04 jeep I lost the battery charge once due to no charge wire, but of course the jeep was also "on" due to leaving the key in the unlock mode, just short of running, and I used electricity for the brakes (that were on too often I think).  That drains the battery for each use but I guess that I should have less draw with this new set up?

I need to reread what you wrote.  I am sure I need to consider getting what you said.  Again, good to hear from you two.  Mike

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Re: Towing a 2012 Unlimited Wrangler

Reply #7 – April 12, 2012, 09:18:05 pm

Mike,

We use Toad Charge to keep our Jeep battery charged while being towed.
TOAD-CHARGE Dinghy Vehicle Battery Charger/Maintainer

Most tow car wiring involves cutting rear lamp wiring and inserting diodes. Tow Daddy eliminates cutting any tow-car wiring and makes the whole installation simple. This is a break-through new product.

Barry & Cindy

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Re: Towing a 2012 Unlimited Wrangler

Reply #8 – April 13, 2012, 09:26:47 am

As we use the inverter while traveling I have a trickle-charger routed to our tow'd through the engine-bay. It's a semi-permanent installation, with a plug on the tow-bar that also connects brakes and tow'd rear lighting. Works for us.

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Re: Towing a 2012 Unlimited Wrangler

Reply #9 – April 13, 2012, 04:47:28 pm

On my jeep as long as I do not turn the key too far there is no drain. I pull the Jeep 5 days in a row and never have an issue with start battery. I know the newer jeeps had the key on ACC but the current model year does not require a key in so you should have  no issues.

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Re: Towing a 2012 Unlimited Wrangler

Reply #10 – April 13, 2012, 06:50:57 pm

My 2012 Wrangler works just like you say, very easy.  Thanks Jeep.

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