2014 Jeep Cherokee With a Trailer Tow Package Problem

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: 2014 Jeep Cherokee With a Trailer Tow Package Problem
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James A. Golden on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 08:05 pm:

Has anyone purchased a 2014 Jeep Cherokee with a trailer tow package and promised the Electric Brake Controller would be ordered and installed free of charge at a later date?

A friend bought one on 9 May 2014 and has had the vehicle back to the dealer several times to have the Brake Controller installed.

The trailer hitch came installed and the rated trailer tow capacity was less than his aluminum open trailer and Model T weigh, but he prefers not to tow without trailer brakes for safety reasons.

His T has remained in the garage for the whole summer, due to the lack of a tow vehicle.

There is always a problem, once the wrong pigtail was ordered, then both plugs were female and did not mate.

He just heard from the General Manager that they are going to close his complaint ticket with no action taken.

That might be the same reason that General Motors is in trouble with electric problems.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 08:17 pm:

In Calif, he could turn it back under the Lemon Law. One of my neighbors sent his new Ford back under the lemon law last year, and bought a Korean car.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Georgetown TX on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 09:00 pm:

If the Jeep is not rated for the weight of his load it is the wrong vehicle for the job. Your friend is very lucky. He should not tow anything over the rated tow capacity. When the accident happens, he would not be covered by his insurance, and he would lose everything.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tyrone Thomas - Topeka KS on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 09:21 pm:

I would be just as afraid of towing much with such a short wheelbase vehicle as that. On the highway anyway. But thats just me.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 09:32 pm:

Tyrone,The word i was searching for was [Stance]which would also cover narrow tread? Any connecter other than the round 7 wire is Dumb!!Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 09:37 pm:

If it is written that he was to get a brake controller, he should be getting 1. Period.
I dont think the weight is the problem.He just wants the brakes for added safety which is wise.
This is a case where as maby a nice letter from the neighbor hood lawyer would work. A brake box is not that expensive and should be easy to drop in as the wiring is preinstalled I am sure if the jeep came with a tow package.
Now here is what I think happened in this case. It is probably all after market equipment dealer installed.IF it were a factory tow package, the brake controller would probably already be in the dash, like the ford trucks.Take a look at the hitch and transmission cooler and such and see what it has for a manufacturer on it. Should be Chrysler-Jeep part numbers.

This can happen because the dodge pickup my dad bought used has a Uhaul hitch on it.The dealer swore it was "all factory tow package" Yeah, just not from the Chrysler factory or their contractor.
Spell check cant decide how to spell chrysler


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James A. Golden on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 09:55 pm:

Royce, I said that backwards. The T and trailer weighed less than the rated towing capacity of the Jeep by about 1,500 pounds.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Georgetown TX on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 10:00 pm:

James,

OK that's different. Take it to a U - Haul dealer they will install the brake controller while you wait.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 11:01 pm:

As far as short wheelbase towing vehicles being bad tow vehicles; I once had a two wheel drive full size Blazer with a 350 small block and it was the best towing vehicle that I've ever had, except for my 83 diesel suburban which got better fuel mileage.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 12:33 am:

It is never good for the tail to wag the dog! Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By keith g barrier on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 04:50 pm:

Not much to installing the new brake controllers. The good ones will set you back a couple hundred though so I would at least make the dealer pay for it. If you get the right one it should just plug into the vehicle wiring harness, most are that way. KGB


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James A. Golden on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 05:46 pm:

Keith, you may be on to something here.

Perhaps that plug has been standardized and comes with the brake controller.

I'll do a search for brake controllers now.

I checked with etrailer.com today and they did not have the cord and plug or pigtail needed, but they told me about another problem, which a person might have and they have a kit to correct.

The Jeep has LED tail lights which take much less current than older lights and the wires are much smaller to carry that smaller current.

That extra current flow has evidently caused problems that can be fixed with a $59.95 wiring kit.

The plug is removed from each tail light and a short splice is added with wires to another device that is apparently an electronic switch, as it needs the 12 volt battery power applied and has evidently heavier wires to go into your trailer socket to apply more power to your trailer for old fashioned bulb lights.

Go to the www.etrailer.com website and Search for C-56208 for more information.


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