Flat towing 2021 Jeep Rubicon

[Big Bob]

I have had problems flat towing my Rubicon. After a long tow, it is difficult to move the gear box lever from Neutral to 2H or 4H. I have to move mine to 4L after disconnect and then drive for a few blocks, let it warm up, and then it easily shifts into 2 or 4 H. It drives normal after that. I talked to a dealer who stated that Jeep is aware of the issue, but that it causes no harm to gear box or transmission. Does anyone else have this issue or problem?? More importantly, does anyone have a solution to the issue. By the way, there is no grinding of gears or anything like that….it just has to warm up. It tows great and rides great…it is just difficult to return it back into gear after towing. I have had 2 other JKs and never had this issue or problem. Hmmmmm!

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[JDBoss]

We flat tow our 2020 JLUR and have had no issues. Sorry you do.

 

[acomputernerd]

I have had this issue, just seems to go away from wear the more I put it in 4 low or neutral. I am more terrified of it slipping back out of neutral truthfully.

 

[dragoneggs]

I’ve only flat ‘toad’ my JLR a handful of times and no issues so far. Does this happen whether in cold or warm weather? How many times have you had to do this?

If you are ‘cold’ and shift from 2H to N can you get back to 2H immediately without any towing action?

One thing I might try is to try to ‘break it in’ by repeated shifting back and forth from neutral to 2H, 4H, 4L.

 

[JDBoss]

I am more terrified of it slipping back out of neutral truthfully.

So am I - I check like three times, just to make sure.... definitely hate for it to re-engage.

 

[SnowyJeep]

On the couple occasions I've gone down past 4H it was a dance to get it out. In general, the JL gear stick for the transfer case is stiff when new or unused. Mine was hard to get into 4H when I first got it, but now it goes in with ease. As I've only gone into 4L a couple times early on I'm unsure if that has now eased up, but as acomputernerd indicates, it should likely ease up there as well with use.

 

[Archie PJ]

I.ve flat towed my 2020 JLU Sahara for about 2 and a half years. The first say half year it could be hard to get back into 2H. I would just start over with the procedure again per owner manual and it would usually work out. Now, 23k on Jeep and 15k towing Ivery rarely have an issue. Yours will probably loosen up before long, too.

 

[Big Bob]

Great ideas…I think it needs to “break-in” as well. I am going to start using all the gears more often. And yes, it usually happens more noticeably in cold weather….. Thanks for all your thoughts. I have towed this Jeep about 2500 miles since the summer. It tows great, except for this minor issue. I drive it everyday when home…and doing so again, without issue. I am heading for Jeep Safari in Moab again, and will be doing some desert driving near Tucson before hand. Trust me….I’ll be giving the Jeep a workout in the next few weeks. Just strange how it acts immediately after towing. After I put it back in gear, it runs great. Thanks again.

 

[zb39]

I have flat towed my JLR over 4 years now. just got back from another 3K trip last week. It was a little stiff at first. The more you mess with it the easier it gets. I prob have 20K miles flat towing on it now. 27K driven. Just picked up a set of new take off tires and wheels.

 

[Shibadog]

The T case on Jeeps are notoriously stiff when new. It was a struggle on mine to get it into even 4H, much less neutral or 4L. The more you use it, the easier it gets. I’ve flat towed mine 10k miles with no issues. Practice shifting into and right back out of 4 H ( while traveling in a straight line at low speed). Once this process gets smooth, start doinf the shift from 4 H to N and then to 4 Lo following the manual. The more times you do it, the easier it will become.

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