Towing with Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012 minimize transfer case wear

[pawntan]

Hi All,

I am towing my trailier 5000 pounds with Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021 5.7L Hemi.

The car does not have a 2WD. It always run in 4WD full time as the dealer call it, It only has the following setting Auto, Sand Rock, and Sport.



I have blown my transfer case once, and do not want to happen again.

Therefore I need advise on what setting should I set to minimize transfer case wear when towing ?
Please see the power distribution of each setting here:

https://jeepspecs.com/wk2-generation...errain-system/


I tow mostly in late spring/summer where the road is hot and dry.



To me, I feel like I need to set the selec terrain in sport mode where 80% of the torque is done by the rear wheel, and therefore the clutch in the transfer case has little role to play to transfer power to the front axle.



Dealer said that transfer case was blown because the clutch inside transfer case is worn down.



I now have a brand new transfer case and would like to minimize the wear on the clutch this time around.



I do not know the internal working on how Jeep transfer case vary the torque between front and rear axle.






I see from this, that sport mode distribute 80% of the torque to the rear axle. It seems like that is the setting that i need to do when towing RV trailer. Because the clutch has little role to play transferring the power to the front axle. Dealer said the transfer case was blown because the clutch was worn out They showed me that the transfer case has a lot of destroyed clutch material (like a fine dust from sand paper) I now have a new transfer case and would like to keep it as long as possible, as I tow RV thousands of miles every year, climbing rocky mountains several times. The Jeep GC with Hemi does not have a problem towing 5000 lb , since it has 7700 ln tow capacity. I can climb rocky mountains with ease.

https://jeepspecs.com/wk2-generation...errain-system/

[bikendan]

Moved thread from the General TT and 5th Wheel Discussion section to the Towing and Tow Vehicles sub-forum since the OP's questions are specific to Towing and Tow Vehicles.

[SeaDog]

Have you actually weighed your trailer or are you going by Mfg sticker? I would recommend contacting the Mfg not the dealer and checking your owners manual under towing section for what they recommend. It would seem to me Auto would be the best position. On another note a transfer case just like a transmission need periodic maintenance (more under harsh conditions like pulling heavy loads). JMHO

[RedRoverComeOver]

I have only gone about 4K miles the last couple of years and have left mine in Auto. My RV scale weight up to about 3.5K lbs.

[nvs4602]

I'm not a big fan of the auto mode on our jeep Cherokee trailhawk elite. I feel the front wheels skip on dry pavement every now and then when turning and accelerating. There are jeep grand Cherokee forums out there if you don't find the answer here.

[aceinspp]

I would find a scale and weigh also what is the Jeep tow rating. You maybe over loaded depending on what you haul in the Jeep and what is it rated for. Later RJD

[RedRoverComeOver]

Originally Posted by nvs4602

I'm not a big fan of the auto mode on our jeep Cherokee trailhawk elite. I feel the front wheels skip on dry pavement every now and then when turning and accelerating. There are jeep grand Cherokee forums out there if you don't find the answer here.

Grand Cherokee and Cherokee have different engines, transmissions, 4WD systems etc.
Up to 7,200 lb. vs. 4,500 lb. towing

[pawntan]

My RV weight total with everything in it is 5900 lb . The jeep with tow package is rated for 7200 lb

[Guspech750]

I thought I recall reading a few years ago that Jeep GC have had an issue with transfer cases breaking due to tire sizes not being the same due to wear or if an owner just replaced two tires instead of all four. That it seems the Jeep is pretty sensitive to tire wear or partial tire replacement.

Maybe towing with your Jeep is not much of a concern and just put the pedal to the metal.

[Hersbird]

I would say "auto". The sport mode is "up to 80% rear" so it varies the split all the time. The "auto" mode just runs 60/40 split so it's not varying the split constantly.

Both modes should still go completely 100% rear drive if on hard dry pavement.

Jeep has been using that transfer case since 1998 without major problems in the Grand Cherokee so if anything it's the fancy "select- terrain" that's causing more issues. Using "auto" I assume it just works normal like it has since 1998.

[Flybob]

The tow rating on a vehicle is generally a marketing gimmick. You need to look at hitch weight and load capacity ( from the sticker on drivers door). In addition the front surface wind load on the TT increases the load on the TV. I would also add a high quality aux trans cooler before I did much more towing. The additional load on the trans creates considerable heating.

[Dakota 1120]

On my Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk IIRC in the owners manual under towing it says to put the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in park -- but remember, I haven't read the manual in awhile and haven't towed my Trailhawk yet.

[Rockwood Travelers]

Since I have virtually no experience in reference to the Jeep FWD options I'll leave that to those who know what they're talking about.

I will, however, comment on some things I have had experience with such as installing a good quality aftermarket automatic transmission fluid cooler. Heat is by far the most devastating element to all automatic transmissions. Eliminate as much heat from the transmission as possible. I would also highly recommend a ScanGauge II or a device equivalent to the SG II to accurately monitor in real time transmission fluid temperature.

Also, you will do yourself and your transfer case a huge favor by changing the lubricating fluid well within the parameters of the factory recommendations for drain and refill. You're pulling a substantial load well into the upper half of the factory guidelines regarding towing capacity.

[RedRoverComeOver]

I like how replies are all over the place...from those without any direct knowledge, to the wrong model and even to the towing of the vehicle.

The WK2 ran from 2011-2022.

Posts that are more than a few sentences are typically skimmed and lost in translation.

What are you using for a WDH? How about break controller?

Here's the owner manual if you don't have it.
https://vehicleinfo.mopar.com/assets...erokee/335.pdf

Pg. 202
WARNING!
You should switch off the ACC system:
•When driving in fog, heavy rain, heavy snow,
sleet, heavy traffic, and complex driving situations
(i.e., in highway construction zones).
•When entering a turn lane or highway off ramp;
whendrivingonroadsthatarewinding,icy,
snow-covered, slippery, or have steep uphill or
downhill slopes.
•When towing a trailer up or down steep slopes.


Pg. 309
Transmission Temperature Warning Light
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
missionfluidtemperaturethatmightoccur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g., snow plowing, off- road operation). If this
light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Tempera-
ture Warning Light illuminated will eventually cause
severe transmission damage or transmission failure.


Pg. 536
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the
TOW/HAUL mode (if equipped), or a lower gear range,
should be selected.
NOTE:Using the TOW/HAUL mode (if equipped) or
selecting a lower gear range (using the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) feature) while operating the vehicle under
heavy operating conditions, will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shift-
ing and heat buildup. This action will also provide better
engine braking.
The transmission fluid and filter should be changed if
you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 minutes
of continuous operation. Refer to “Maintenance Sched-
ule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE:Check the transmission fluid level before towing
(5.7L engine).
Electronic Speed Control – If Equipped
−Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
−When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.