2014 Grand Cherokee Toad

[CA_Traveler]

We bought a 2014 Grand Cherokee set up for towing with a Air Force 1 brake installed and I'm wondering about battery drain while towing.

While I haven't towed the car yet my garage testing shows that when the car is turned off it draws 8A+ (lights etc) and tapers to 0.02A in 10 minutes. That would imply that a charge line is not necessary for towing. Any experience with this or other areas associated with this setup?

Apparently the AF1 does not use any DC power for normal braking other than a visual light indicating the brake is applied.

I would have added a charge line except removing the entire front of the car is required to access the wiring plug.

[dkreuzen]

CA Traveler wrote:
What I've learned: My 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland has hydraulic power steering. It is powered by an electric motor which is off when towed. ...

That's interesting...my 2014 Grand Chreokee Overland (Hemi) has a belt driven pump for the power steering. How did you figure out that yours has a electric pump?

[CA_Traveler]

What I've learned: My 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland has hydraulic power steering. It is powered by an electric motor which is off when towed. In 2016 the steering was changed to electronic steering which can have the wobble. Other models both pre and post 2014 have electronic steering and may have the wobble.

Some Jeep models have a fix which involves a switch on the console which turns on the electronic steering for towing.

One poster said GM uses the same electronic steering. There are posts indicating Ford and GM can have the wobble.

When you put all of this into the internet pot and stir various posts and opinions are posted and it takes time (for me) to sort out my situation.

Disclaimer: I'm no expert and there may be errors above but I hope this post will help others. So as of now I don't think I'll have a wobble problem.

[Gottahaveit]

We have the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited and have never had a problem with the wobble etc. We use the older Brake Buddy, plug it in set to Neutral with a silly ink pin and were good to go.

[NCC-1701]

Executive wrote:
I don't believe the GRAND Cherokee had the dreaded death wobble.

FMCA site has reports of the Grand Cherokee with the death wobble. And worse, from what I read, the wiring harness fix for the Cherokee will not work on the Grand Cherokee. I read that a fix is in development with no release date.

Someone also mentioned that the 2018 Wrangler now also has the electronic steering?

[CA_Traveler]

The AF1 doesn't use any electric power so I should be OK. Well OK I have it set up to light a MH cab LED when the brakes are applied but that is a trivial amount of power.

If I have to replace the harness connector (looks a little worn) then I'd likely add the charge line at that time.

Thanks for the input.

[dkreuzen]

I have been towing my 2014 GC since it was new. RVi 2 brake system (runs off battery) and no battery charge line. Never have had a problem.
Unless you are always on the brakes hard the toad brake system isn't doing anything so very little battery draw.

[sch911]

The 14 JGC does not need a charge line UNLESS you are using battery power for your aux braking system, then yes

.

[Executive45]

I don't believe the GRAND Cherokee had the dreaded death wobble. That was limited to the Cherokee only due to electronic steering. That said, IMO it's always nice to have the added security of keeping the battery at full capacity. If the OP decides not to install the extra wire, it's easy enough to simply run the toad for a few minutes when you stop for fuel, at rest stops or if you stop to eat somewhere. A quick five minutes should be sufficient....Dennis

[rr2254545]

Oops

[gvisnic]

I have the same 2014. I use the older style Brake buddy and have not had any problem with battery life after towing all day. I do not have a charge line