What Are The Best Parts To Flat-Tow a 2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk  

Question:

Expert Reply:

In order to flat-tow a 2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with all four wheels on the ground behind a motorhome you are going to need a tow bar, base plate kit, safety cables, tail light wiring harness, supplemental braking system, and possibly a high-low adapter. There may also be a few other smaller components that are needed depending on options the vehicle is equipped with.

For a tow bar, I recommend the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain Tow Bar part # RM-676. The Nighthawk is one of the best tow bars we offer. It has a non-binding and self-aligning design which makes for an extremely easy hookup. It also comes with safety cables and a wiring extension. This towbar is then compatible with the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit part # RM-521446-5. The Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit is a custom fit for your Cherokee and will provide you with removable arms which makes for a clean look while not in tow (see photo).

Then for a tail light wiring harness I recommend the Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles part # HM56208. This kit plugs into a pre wired connector on your Cherokee which minimizes splicing. In order to then make the harness compatible with the wiring extension on the Nighthawk tow bar you will need to cut off the 4-way and wire the 6-way connector which comes with the tow bar. The other end of the umbilical cord is a 7-way that plugs into your motorhome. This setup will then allow you to use the Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles part # RM-156-25. Please note that an additional wiring harness is needed from the dealer, the Mopar Flat-Tow Wiring Kit part 68321424AB which corrects an issue with the power steering pump while in tow.

For a supplemental braking system, I recommend the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System part # SM99251. I like this system because it is a one time setup and everything will be hidden once installed. In order for this system to operate properly in your vehicle you will also need to use the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit part # RM-751471. Another possible item you may want to consider is the Roadmaster Tow Bar Cover part # RM-055-3 as this will protect your Nighthawk while not in use.

Finally, you may or may not need to use a high-low adapter. In order to determine if there is a need to use one you will want to measure from the ground to the center of the base plate kit on the vehicle and compare that distance to the measurement from the ground to the center of the trailer hitch on the motorhome. If this distance is not within 3" of one another then you will want to use a high-low adapter which I have attached a list of for you in addition to several other review videos on the above products.

To summarize, I recommend using the following parts:

Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain Tow Bar part # RM-676
Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit part # RM-521446-5
Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles part # HM56208
Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles part # RM-156-25
Mopar Flat-Tow Wiring Kit part 68321424AB (Dealer)
SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System part # SM99251
Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit part # RM-751471
Roadmaster Tow Bar Cover part # RM-055-3

expert reply by: Conner L

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Frank

3/18/2019

I bought the following equipment last week to Flat tow my 2016 jeep cherokee Trailhawk: order # Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain Tow Bar part # RM-676 Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit part # RM-521446-5 Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles part # HM56208 Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles part # RM-156-25 Mopar Flat-Tow Wiring Kit part 68321424AB Dealer SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System part # SM99251 Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit part # RM-751471 Roadmaster Tow Bar Cover part # RM-055-3 I cant figure out where to mount the Break away switch for the SM99251 Brake system. Is there a video to show this? the one i looked at referred to it as already mounted. Also I didnt receive the right angle bracket for the 6 conductor tail light receptacle mounting. probably is the Drawtite 118137

Conner L.

3/18/2019

The location of the breakaway switch will vary between installs and vehicles as the owner's manual for the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System part # SM99251 does not specify a certain location for this. However, if you take a look at the attached video on a similar 2015 Jeep Cherokee you will see where we mounted the breakaway switch which was under the front bumper support beam. If you skip to 24:48 in the video you will see the exact process. It looks like the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain Tow Bar part # RM-676 does not come with the 6-way trailer connector mounting bracket for the vehicle so you can obtain this as well with the Mounting Bracket for 4, 5 and 6 Way Connectors part # RM-910030-5.