Can you flat-tow a Jeep Renegade? The answer actually depends on the model year. If you’re talking about the 2022 model year of the Jeep Renegade, then yes, it can be flat-towed. However, 2021 and earlier Jeep Renegades cannot be flat towed, not only because Jeep specifically advises against it but also for a few other dangerous reasons I’ll show you in this article.
Before we dive into the reasons why you can’t safely and easily flat tow a Jeep Renegade, let me give a little more context to the situation.
Last week, a family was planning to travel cross-country in an RV, and they reached out to me on how to flat-tow their car so the whole family can ride peacefully inside the camper. Convenient, right?
In such a situation, the first question I asked is what type of car they plan to flat-tow behind the RV because, for some vehicles, the drivetrain or transmission is on the line when you haul them for long distances.
Sadly, the Jeep Renegade is one of those lineups that sets you up for expensive repair bills when you attempt to flat-tow it.
In the rest of this article, we will go over how flat-towing a Jeep Renegade might damage the vehicle and then the proper way to tow it. We will also look at some of the popular Jeep models that can be flat towed, so you can keep that in mind when shopping for a Jeep vehicle to buy in the future.
Why you shouldn’t flat tow a Jeep Renegade
The Renegade and Compass are the two Jeep models that I won’t advise anyone to consider when choosing a vehicle that can be flat-towed, not even when you move it into neutral.
The general response is that it can damage the vehicle and void its warranty. But more specifically, towing a Jeep Renegade with all four wheels on the ground damages the engine and the drivetrain of the vehicle—both of which constitute the powertrain.
Here’s how:
As you flat tow the Renegade, all the internal components are forced to rotate continually, and because it’s not actually running, the input shaft doesn’t spin, and then there is no lubrication, therefore damaging the transmission.
At the end of the day, there is a deduction in your bank account for repairs and replacements. You don’t want that. So, how do you tow your Jeep Renegade? This leads us to the next section.
How to safely tow Jeep Renegade
Now, there are alternatives to towing a Jeep Renegade and similar lineups that are not ideal for flat towing. The few common options that I recommend are:
1. Haul the Jeep Renegade on a flat-bed truck or trailer.
2. Use a tow dolly
Flat-bed truck or trailer
The good thing about using a flatbed truck and trailer is that it works for all kinds of vehicles. In this situation, all the wheels of your Jeep Renegade are kept off the ground and then hauled to your destination.
It is also the safest way to tow the car not only because all wheels are off the ground but also because it is in a secured place.
Tow dolly
In a tow dolly situation, which is the most common way people tow their vehicles, you’ll drive the Jeep’s front wheels onto a small trailer while the tow vehicle’s rear wheels roll on the road. Nothing beats this method in terms of versatility, but it is an expensive investment compared to flat towing.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Jeep renegade is a step up
One would assume that the customers’ complaints about the Renegade’s flat-towing shortcomings made their way to the ears of Jeep manufacturers, and the effect is what we see in the 2022 model year of the Jeep Renegade.
In this model, the manufacturers ensured that users can flat-tow the vehicle behind a motorhome without fear of transmission damage.
It is no news that the adoption of electronic monitoring systems over the years has made flat towing a thing, but it’s good news for the 2022 model.
How do you tell if a Jeep can be flat-towed?
For a Jeep that can be flat towed, you will need to depress the brake pedal and adjust the transmission to neutral. But I won’t guarantee it because the ultimate source of information should be your car’s owner’s manual.
If you can’t place your hand on that, then consult your Jeep dealership for proper flat towing directions.
Generally, models like the Wrangler and Gladiator are examples of Jeeps that can be flat-towed. But there are others.
Jeep models that can be flat towed
I mentioned earlier that the Jeep Wrangler can be flat towed, and this is probably the one and only Jeep model I can recommend you look at if towing is top of your priority list while shopping for a Jeep vehicle.
I particularly love the model for its narrow body and lightweight features. As a result, it stands to reason that this vehicle is suitable for the majority of RVs.
Meanwhile, you can also look into other interesting models like the Patriot and Liberty (all 4×4 models). They can all be flat towed without problems, including the Jeep Gladiator, as I pointed out in the last section.
Many people argue that the Jeep Cherokee cannot be flat towed; that may be correct, but definitely not if you are referring to those with ActiveDrive II or a 2-speed PTU.
The best way to be 100 percent sure is to check the owner’s manual of the particular Jeep model for towing specifications. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Conclusion
As far as subcompact SUVs go, the Renegade is one vehicle I fell in love with easily, especially because of the off-road travel perks. However, if you are not referring to the 2022 model year, then it is not ideal to flat-tow a Jeep Renegade behind your RV.
Being the smallest car a Jeep produces, you can only prepare your Renegade to flat tow using a flat-bed truck or tow dolly such as the Roadmaster Tow Dolly.
If you are looking into Jeep models that can be flat-towed, then consider the Patriot, the Liberty, and the 4×4 models of the Jeep Wrangler (JL and JK).
