Flat towing › Jeep › Cherokee
Four wheels down behind a motorhome
Can you flat tow a Jeep Cherokee?
Only some versions: 4x4 with 2-speed power transfer unit. The others must not be flat towed.
- Transfer case in neutral tow
- Transmission in Park
- Tow facing forward
From the 2023 Jeep Cherokee Owner's Manual, p. 123 ↗
Photo: Mic from Reading - Berkshire, United Kin…, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsStep by step
How to flat tow the Cherokee
4x4 with 2-speed power transfer unit
- 1
Shift the transfer case to neutral tow
Power transfer unit in N (NEUTRAL)
- 2
Leave the transmission in Park
Transmission in PARK
- 3
Tow it facing forward
Tow in forward direction
- 4
Release the electric park brake
Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and remains released, while being towed.
- 5
Give it its own brakes
Ford's towing guide puts it for any towed vehicle: “Ford Motor Company recommends that a separate functional brake system be used on any towed vehicle, including those dolly-towed or towbar-towed.” p. 3 ↗
Steps from the 2023 Jeep Cherokee Owner's Manual, p. 123 ↗. Your owner's manual has the full procedure.
Every version
2023 Cherokee: by version
Every version
2022 Cherokee: by version
Every version
2021 Cherokee: by version
Every version
2020 Cherokee: by version
What you'll need
A flat-tow setup, piece by piece
1. Base plate
Vehicle-specific brackets bolted behind the front bumper — the tow bar connects here. Look it up by year and model.
2. Tow bar
Connects the motorhome's hitch to the base plate. Tow bars carry a weight rating — check it against your vehicle.
3. Safety cables
Back up the tow bar if it ever disconnects.
4. Supplemental braking
A brake system in the towed vehicle so it helps stop itself.
5. Breakaway switch
Applies the towed vehicle's brakes if it separates from the motorhome.
6. Lights / wiring
Carries the motorhome's brake, turn and tail lights to the towed vehicle.
Find the base plate for your exact year and model: Roadmaster FitMaster ↗ · Demco base plates ↗ · Blue Ox ↗. This list is general flat-towing practice, not from Jeep's documents — except the brakes, which Ford's towing guide recommends.
In the maker's words
Before you tow
- “DO NOT dolly tow any 4x4 vehicle.”
- “Tow only in a forward direction.”
- “The transmission must be in PARK for recreational towing.”
Other options
Similar vehicles you can flat tow
A version that can't go four wheels down can still travel on a car trailer or, where the maker allows, a tow dolly. Ford's towing guide adds: “Ford Motor Company recommends that a separate functional brake system be used on any towed vehicle, including those dolly-towed or towbar-towed.” p. 3 ↗
Questions people ask
Can you flat tow a 2023 Jeep Cherokee?
Only some versions. Only some versions: 4x4 with 2-speed power transfer unit. The others must not be flat towed.
Does flat towing void the warranty?
Check Jeep's warranty guide before modifying the vehicle for towing.
Source: 2023 Jeep Cherokee Owner's Manual (FCA US LLC (Stellantis), file P133074_23_KL_OM_EN_USC_DIGITAL.pdf, PDF modified 2022-11-29; retrieved 2026-09-28). Page links open the PDF at the page each number is printed on.
Source: 2022 Jeep Cherokee Owner's Manual (FCA US LLC (Stellantis), file P136739_22_KL_OM_EN_USC_DIGITAL.pdf, PDF modified 2022-06-23; retrieved 2026-09-28). Page links open the PDF at the page each number is printed on.
Source: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Owner's Manual (FCA US LLC (Stellantis), file P135616_21_KL_OM_EN_USC_DIGITAL.pdf, PDF modified 2022-05-17; retrieved 2026-09-28). Page links open the PDF at the page each number is printed on.
Source: 2020 Jeep Cherokee Owner's Manual (FCA US LLC (Stellantis), file P136176_20_KL_OM_EN_USC_DIGITAL.pdf, PDF modified 2022-10-06; retrieved 2026-09-28). Page links open the PDF at the page each number is printed on.