Tow guide · Recreational towing
Flat towing a Jeep: which models can go four-down behind an RV
Flat towing (also called four-down or dinghy towing) means pulling a vehicle behind a motorhome on its own wheels. Whether a Jeep can be towed that way depends on its drive system, not just the model. Here is what Jeep's own product training says for each model, so New England RV owners can check a Jeep before buying one to tow.
The short answer
A Jeep can be flat towed when its 4x4 system has a two-speed transfer case (or two-speed power transfer unit) that shifts into Neutral. Single-speed 4x4 systems have no Neutral, so they must ride on a trailer. Two-wheel-drive models need their driven wheels on a tow dolly.
Model by model
A car trailer or flatbed, with all four wheels off the ground, is always an option. The table shows what else each drive system allows.
Jeep Wrangler
Wrangler tow ratingsWranglers with Command-Trac, Rock-Trac or Selec-Trac 4x4, which all use a two-speed transfer case with a Neutral position, can be flat towed with all four wheels down.
| Drive system | Flat tow (four-down) | Tow dolly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Command-Trac, Rock-Trac or Selec-Trac 4x4 (two-speed transfer case) | Yes, four wheels down | Not needed | Transfer case in Neutral. Automatic transmission in Park, manual transmission in gear (not Neutral). |
| Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid | Not covered | See manual | Not covered by the training guide. Follow the owner's manual. |
Jeep Gladiator
Gladiator tow ratingsEvery Gladiator uses a two-speed transfer case (Command-Trac or Rock-Trac) with a Neutral position, so it can be flat towed with all four wheels down.
| Drive system | Flat tow (four-down) | Tow dolly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Command-Trac or Rock-Trac 4x4 (two-speed transfer case) | Yes, four wheels down | Not needed | Transfer case in Neutral. Automatic transmission in Park, manual transmission in gear (not Neutral). |
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Grand Cherokee tow ratingsOnly Grand Cherokees with Quadra-Trac II or Quadra-Drive II (two-speed transfer case) can be flat towed. Quadra-Trac I models must ride on a trailer, and 4x2 models need a rear-wheel dolly.
| Drive system | Flat tow (four-down) | Tow dolly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quadra-Trac II or Quadra-Drive II (two-speed transfer case) | Yes, four wheels down | Not needed | Transfer case in Neutral. With Quadra-Lift air suspension, set Normal Ride Height first. |
| Quadra-Trac I or single-speed Quadra-Trac | Trailer only | No | No Neutral position in the transfer case, so no wheels may touch the road. Use a flatbed or car trailer. |
| 4x2 (rear-wheel drive) | Tow dolly or trailer only | Rear wheels on the dolly, front wheels clamped straight | Never with the rear wheels on the ground: it damages the transmission. |
| Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid | Not covered | See manual | Not covered by the training guide. Follow the owner's manual. |
Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer
Grand Wagoneer tow ratingsWagoneer tow ratingsWagoneers and Grand Wagoneers with Quadra-Trac II (two-speed transfer case) can be flat towed. Quadra-Trac I models must ride on a trailer, and 4x2 models need a rear-wheel dolly.
| Drive system | Flat tow (four-down) | Tow dolly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quadra-Trac II (two-speed transfer case) | Yes, four wheels down | Not needed | Transfer case in Neutral. With Quadra-Lift air suspension, set Normal Ride Height first. |
| Quadra-Trac I (single-speed transfer case) | Trailer only | No | No Neutral position in the transfer case. Use a flatbed or car trailer. |
| 4x2 (rear-wheel drive) | Tow dolly or trailer only | Rear wheels on the dolly, front wheels clamped straight | Never with the rear wheels on the ground. |
Jeep Cherokee2014–2023
Cherokee tow ratingsCherokees with Jeep Active Drive II or Active Drive Lock can be flat towed, because their two-speed power transfer unit has a Neutral position. Front-drive Cherokees need a tow dolly or trailer.
| Drive system | Flat tow (four-down) | Tow dolly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Active Drive II or Active Drive Lock (two-speed power transfer unit) | Yes, four wheels down | Not needed | Power transfer unit in Neutral, transmission in Park. |
| Front-wheel drive | Tow dolly or trailer only | Front wheels on the dolly | Never with the front wheels on the ground. |
| Jeep Active Drive I (single-speed) | Not covered | See manual | Not covered by the training guide. It has no Neutral position, so check the owner's manual before towing it with any wheels down. |
Jeep Cherokee2026 and later
Cherokee tow ratingsThe hybrid Cherokee introduced for 2026 isn't covered by the training guide yet, so follow its owner's manual for recreational towing.
| Drive system | Flat tow (four-down) | Tow dolly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid with Jeep Active Drive I | Not covered | See manual | Not covered by the training guide. Follow the owner's manual. |
Jeep Compass and Renegade
Compass tow ratingsRenegade tow ratingsFront-drive Compass and Renegade models may only be towed with the front wheels off the ground, on a tow dolly or a trailer. Flat towing with all four wheels down isn't allowed.
| Drive system | Flat tow (four-down) | Tow dolly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive | Tow dolly or trailer only | Front wheels on the dolly | Turn off the Auto Park Brake in the Uconnect settings first, so the electric park brake can't engage on its own while towing. |
| 4x4 | Not covered | See manual | Not covered by the training guide. Follow the owner's manual. |
Not covered: the electric Recon and Wagoneer S, and Chrysler, Dodge and Ram models. Check their owner's manuals for recreational towing.
Shifting into Neutral for towing
The general sequence for Jeeps that can be flat towed. Your owner's manual has the exact steps for your vehicle.
- Stop on level ground and keep your foot on the brake.
- Put the transmission in Neutral (or press the clutch on a manual Wrangler or Gladiator).
- Shift the transfer case to Neutral. Wranglers and Gladiators use the transfer-case lever with the engine off. Push-button systems (Quadra-Trac II, Quadra-Drive II, Active Drive II and Active Drive Lock) need a pen or similar tip held on the recessed N button for about four seconds, until its light stops blinking and stays on.
- Check it worked: with the engine running, select Reverse and then Drive (first gear on a manual) and let off the brake for a few seconds each time. The Jeep shouldn't move.
- Turn the engine off before putting the transmission in Park (a manual goes in gear, not Neutral). Shifting to Park with the engine running and the transfer case in Neutral can damage the transmission.
- Connect the tow bar, safety cables and lights, then release the parking brake.
Getting back on the road
Shifting out of Neutral when you arrive.
- Stop on level ground with the parking brake on and the Jeep still hitched.
- Keep the engine off while the transfer case leaves Neutral, to avoid grinding gears. Push-button systems need the N button held for about a second, until the light goes out.
- Put the transmission in Park, unhitch, then start the engine and check that it drives normally.
Before you tow
The owner's manual has the final word
This guide reflects Stellantis's own training material, but the manual for your exact vehicle is the authority, including any speed or distance limits and steps for the ignition and battery while towing.
Get the drive system right
Two Jeeps of the same model can need different towing methods. The window sticker or build sheet names the 4x4 system (for example Quadra-Trac I or Quadra-Trac II), and push-button systems have an N button by the 4x4 selector.
Electric park brake
On a Compass or Renegade, turn off Auto Park Brake in the Uconnect settings before towing so the electric park brake can't apply itself on the road.
Air suspension
With Quadra-Lift, set Normal Ride Height before flat towing. For a trailer or flatbed, choose Transport Mode in the Uconnect suspension settings before strapping it down, so the suspension doesn't adjust under the straps.
Towing equipment and the law
Flat towing needs a base plate, tow bar, safety cables and working lights on the Jeep. Many states and provinces also require a supplemental braking system above a set towed weight, so check the rules where you'll drive.
Mistakes aren't covered
Drivetrain damage from towing a Jeep the wrong way isn't covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Flat towing questions
Which Jeeps can be flat towed?
Jeeps whose 4x4 system has a two-speed transfer case (or a two-speed power transfer unit) with a Neutral position: every Wrangler with Command-Trac, Rock-Trac or Selec-Trac, every Gladiator, Grand Cherokees with Quadra-Trac II or Quadra-Drive II, Wagoneers and Grand Wagoneers with Quadra-Trac II, and 2014–2023 Cherokees with Active Drive II or Active Drive Lock.
Can a Grand Cherokee with Quadra-Trac I be flat towed?
No. Quadra-Trac I and the single-speed Quadra-Trac have no Neutral position, so no wheel may touch the road. The Jeep has to ride on a flatbed or car trailer.
Can I flat tow a Jeep Compass or Renegade?
Not with all four wheels down. Front-drive models may be towed only with the front wheels off the ground, on a tow dolly, or on a trailer. Turn off Auto Park Brake first. The training guide doesn't cover 4x4 versions, so check the owner's manual for those.
How do I know whether my Jeep is in Neutral before towing?
After shifting the transfer case to Neutral, start the engine, select Reverse and then Drive, and release the brake for a few seconds each time. If the Jeep doesn't move, the transfer case is in Neutral. Push-button systems also light the N indicator steadily.
Can a two-wheel-drive Grand Cherokee or Wagoneer go on a tow dolly?
Yes, but backwards from what most people expect: the rear wheels go on the dolly and the front wheels are clamped pointing straight ahead. Towing it with the rear wheels on the ground damages the transmission.
Source: Towing a Jeep (Stellantis Performance Institute product training), Stellantis North America, summarized in our own words. It covers the Jeep lineup of the early-to-mid 2020s. This is an independent research site, not affiliated with Jeep or Stellantis.