JK flat towing

[jpthing]

Anyone on here flat tow their JK?

I am wondering about JK-specific stuff such as, key position used, whether or not you pull relays or disconnect the battery and why.

From my reseaerch it seems most people use a key in the "first click" position to supposedly unlock the steering, but I've never even been able to make the jk steering lock, does it even have a steering lock? If not is there any other reason to have the key in or in the first click?

I have flat towed my TJ and XJ for years, so I am familiar in general with flat towing.

I am using external and seperate magnetinc signal lights, and also using a brake buddy type system that needs the toad to have lighter socket power, so disconnecting the battery (as reccomended by the manual) is not an option.

thanks

[FiEND]

steering wheel usually only locks when turned upside down.

[jpthing]

steering wheel usually only locks when turned upside down.

I have turned the wheel lock to lock with no key and it has never locked.
Can anyone confirm if JK's have a steering column lock ?

[w squared]

My 2008 has a steering column lock. Some of the other JK owners here seem to think that their does not. I don't know what the definitive answer is.

[jpthing]

My 2008 has a steering column lock. Some of the other JK owners here seem to think that their does not. I don't know what the definitive answer is.

Thanks. A step in the right direction.

Can any of the dealer AST's confirm if a 2010 jk has a steering lock?

If there is no steering lock is there any other reason anyone can think of to need the key in while flat-toading?

[jpthing]

So here's the update:

NOTE INFO PROVIDED IS FROM UNCONFIRMED SOURCES.

Apparently all 07's and some 08's have a steering column lock, and all 09's and10's do not.

This would mean that if yours does not, you should be able to flat tow with no key at all, and you will not need to disconnect the battery.

The reason for the key is to unlock the steering, the reason for the battery disconnect is to prevent the battery from going dead from the 2-3 amp draw present in the first click key position, so therefore, if you have no lock, you don't need to disconnect the batt.

On a side note the manual's reccomendation that you should disconnect the batt while flat towing is foolish. Firstly, the majority by far of supplemental braking systems for flat towing (which are required by law in most cases and places) require vehicle power to be present to function. Secondly, it is annoying to lose all the presets on the radio and to have to reset the time constantly, not to mention the ecu data that is lost which causes the jeep to run funny and idle high for the first 20 minutes after you reconnect.


At this point I beleive the jk's without steering column locks can be flat towed "as-is", which is a bonus, it's enough hassle to hook up all the other stuff.

[jpthing]

Update:

So no key is required, no relay pulling is required, no battery disconnecting is required.

just hook it up and go! You may want to confirm that the tcase is in neutral....

Awesome and one less thing to worry about!

 

[frenchy]

You may want to confirm that the tcase is in neutral....

And Auto tranny in Park, manual in high gear.