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Flat Towing Package for 2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a great vehicle to bring along on your travels—from the campground to the trail, it comfortably carries the whole family. This article will cover the basic components needed to flat tow your 2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, including a base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, tow bar wiring, and a supplemental braking system.
FT diagram
Flat Towing Components:
  • Base Plates
  • Tow Bar
  • Safety Cables
  • Tow Bar Wiring
  • Supplemental Braking System
  • Additional Components
Flat Towing PackageFinding everything you need to flat tow your Jeep Grand Cherokee can be a hassle—that's why we've assembled our favorite packages for you. Check out our top product picks below. Note: Only 4WD Jeep Grand Cherokees with Quadra-Trac II/Quadra-Drive II are able to be flat towed.
To flat tow a 2011 to 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee there are 5 major components needed: base plates, tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking. The base plates are what attach to the front of the Jeep and provide a safe and proper attachment point for the tow bar. For the 2011 to 2013 Grand Cherokee I recommend Roadmaster EZ5 base plates # RM-521440-5. These base plates feature removable arms that, when removed, makes the base plates almost invisible. I have linked a video showing an example installation for you... View Full Answer
Michael H
-Michael H
diagram
Jeep Grand Cherokee Flat Tow Restrictions Restrictions: There are no distance or speed limitations when flat towing the 2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, note that only 4WD Jeep Grand Cherokees with Quadra-Trac II/Quadra-Drive II are able to be flat towed. Flat towing a 2WD model or a 4WD model with the Quadra-Trac I/Single-Speed Transfer Case option will cause damage to your vehicle. Installation Notes: A common installation question we receive from customers regards the installation of the Automatic Battery Disconnect from Roadmaster, which is required on 2013 model year Jeep Grand Cherokees. While the vehicle's manual states that the negative battery cable should be disconnected during flat towing, the Automatic Battery Disconnect instructs that the solenoid be installed in line of the positive battery cable. The Automatic Battery Disconnect needs to be installed on the positive side of the battery so that the battery can still power certain aftermarket components needed for flat towing while cutting power to the OEM components. Aftermarket components such as supplemental braking systems typically pull power from the vechicle's battery. Some RVers also choose to run a charge line from their motorhome to their flat towed vehicle's battery while towing. Neither of these scenarios would work if the negative battery cable was disconnected during towing. Generally, vehicle manufacturers suggest removing the negative battery cable for safety reasons. Using hand tools to remove the positive battery cable without first disconnecting the negative battery cable can result in sparks flying if the tool simultaneously makes contact with the positive battery terminal and a ground location, such as the vehicle frame. Roadmaster's Automatic Battery Disconnect allows you to avoid this dangerous situation and safely disconnect the battery with the simple flip of a switch.
Flat Towing ProductsBase Plates for 2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Base plates are the custom-fit attachment points that install on the frame of your Jeep and allow you to connect a tow bar to your vehicle. This is the part of a flat towing setup that is truly vehicle specific and custom fit for a particular vehicle and style.
Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Kit
roadmaster crossbar
  • Easily removable arms
  • Compatible with Quick Disconnects and all Roadmaster tow bars
  • Made in the USA
Installation: Trimming of spoiler, air dam, grille or plastic fascia may be required. Product does not fit models with brush guard. Tow hooks, if present, will be removed and remain off the vehicle after installation.
Demco Tabless Kit
demco crossbar
  • Removable draw bars
  • No protruding brackets
  • Compatible with Demco tow bars
  • No welding required
  • Made in USA
Roadmaster Direct-Connect Kit
roadmaster DC crossbar
  • Easily removable arms
  • Steamlined design
  • No Quick-Disconnect crossbar needed
  • Compatible with Roadmaster motorhome-mounted tow bars
  • Made in USA
Installation: Trimming of spoiler, air dam, grille or plastic fascia may be required. Safety chain anchor brackets for Sterling cables does not fit; the Sterling cable anchors must be attached to vehicle frame or welded to receiver portion of bracket. Product will not accommodate Guardian rock shield, Tow Defender # RM-4700, Stowaway, or StowMaster and StowMaster All Terrain tow bars. Product does not fit models with brush guard. Tow hooks will be removed and remain off vehicle after installation.
Return to topTow Bars for 2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Another necessary component of a flat towing setup is the tow bar. While tow bars are not a custom-fit component, it is important to make sure that the tow bar and base plates you choose for your Jeep Grand Cherokee are compatible with each other. A good rule of thumb is to use a tow bar from the same manufacturer as your base plate kit. If you have base plates or a tow bar of one brand and wish to use a counterpart from a different manufacturer, you will likely need an adapter. Check out our base plate adapter table for help on choosing the correct product. Tow bars come in two styles: those that mount on the motorhome (hitch mount style) and those that mount on the vehicle (coupler style). For frequent RVers, motorhome-mounted tow bars are generally preferable. They provide a more stable connection, are easy to adjust, and do not require a separate coupler. On the other hand, those who RV less frequently may consider a vehicle-mounted tow bar for a more economical option.
Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain
roadmaster nighthawk
  • 8,000-lb. capacity
  • Hitch mount style - stores on RV
  • Non-binding
  • LED lighted arms
  • Safety cables and wiring included
  • Made of lightweight aluminum
  • Compatible with Roadmaster Direct-Connect base plates
  • Made in USA
  • 1-year limited warranty
Roadmaster Sterling All Terrain
roadmaster sterling
  • 8,000-lb. capacity
  • Hitch mount style - stores on RV
  • Non-binding
  • Safety cables and wiring included
  • Made of lightweight aluminum
  • Compatible with all Roadmaster base plates
  • Made in USA
  • 1-year limited warranty
Demco Dominator Tow Bar
demco dominator
  • 7,500-lb. capacity
  • Hitch mount style - stores on RV
  • Non-binding
  • LED lighted arms
  • Safety cables included
  • Made of lightweight aluminum & durable steel
  • Limited lifetime warranty
Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain
roadmaster falcon
  • 6,000-lb. capacity
  • Hitch mount style - stores on RV
  • Non-binding
  • Made of durable steel
  • Compatible with all Roadmaster base plates
  • Made in USA
  • 1-year limited warranty
Roadmaster Falcon 2
roadmaster falcon 2
  • 6,000-lb. capacity
  • Hitch mount style - stores on RV
  • Made of durable steel
  • Compatible with all Roadmaster base plates
  • Made in USA
  • 1-year limited warranty
Demco Excali-Bar Tow Bar
demco excali-bar
  • 10,500-lb. capacity
  • Hitch mount style - stores on RV
  • Non-binding
  • Safety cables included
  • Made of durable steel
  • Limited lifetime warranty
Roadmaster StowMaster Tow Bar
roadmaster stowmaster
  • 6,000-lb. capacity
  • Coupler style - stores on Jeep
  • Made of durable steel
  • Compatible with Roadmaster crossbar-style base plates
  • Made in USA
  • 1-year limited warranty
Demco Kwik Tow Bar
demco kwik tow
  • 5,000-lb. capacity
  • Coupler style - stores separately
  • Made of durable steel
  • Safety cables included
  • Limited lifetime warranty
Roadmaster Tracker Tow Bar
roadmaster tracker
  • 5,000-lb. capacity
  • Coupler style - stores separately
  • Compatible with Roadmaster crossbar-style base plates
  • Made of durable steel
  • Made in USA
Return to topSafety Cables for 2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Safety cables are a necessary component of a flat towing setup. Keep the weight of your Jeep in mind when choosing safety cables, as safety cables come in a variety of capacities. Blue Ox and Demco typically include safety cables with their tow bars, making it easy to complete your flat towing setup. Both manufacturers also offer replacement safety cables. Some premium Roadmaster tow bars include safety cables, but most do not. Roadmaster offers a number of capacites and both coiled and straight cables for your flat towing setup. The coiled design helps keep the safety cables from dragging the ground, while straight cables work best with tow bars that have channels, or cable guides, for the safety cables to feed through.
Straight Safety Cables
straight safety cable
  • For use with tow bars with cable guides
Coiled Safety Cables
coiled safety cable
  • Prevents cables from dragging the ground
  • For use with tow bars without cable guides
tow bar channel guide
Tow Bar Cable Channel Guide
Return to topTow Bar Wiring for 2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee
It is important for your Jeep Grand Cherokee to be wired for flat towing. Tow bar wiring allows your vehicle to have functioning stop, turn, and tail lights while being towed. You can use the existing tail lights by installing a tow bar wiring kit that plugs or splices into your current wiring. You can also bypass your factory wiring by installing a bulb and socket wiring kit that uses the vehicle's tail light housings. Finally, you can install a universal magnetic or trunk-mounted lighting kit to add additional lights to your Jeep specifically for towing.
Tech Tip:
Battery must be disconnected to tow the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Battery Disconnect # RM-766 required for 2013 models. Please refer to owner's manual for more information.
Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit
roadmaster diode
  • 6-way plug on Jeep
  • Hardwire installation
  • Won't interfere with Jeep's factory wiring
  • 6-way to 7-way wiring extensions included
Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit
hopkins custom tail
  • 4-way flat plug included
  • Plugs in quickly and easily
  • Custom designed for Jeep
  • Won't interfere with Jeep's factory wiring
Demco Tow Bar Combo Kit with Diode System
demco tow bar combo system
  • Diode wiring kit
  • 6-way coiled lighting cable
  • 7-way to 6-way adapter
  • Vinyl storage cover included
Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit
roadmaster universal
  • 4-wire harness
  • Ideal if wiring included with tow bar
  • Hardwire installation
Roadmaster Tail Light Wiring Kit
roadmaster tail light wiring kit
  • Bulb and socket kit
  • Bypasses vehicle wiring
  • Independent plugs and sockets mount inside tail lights
MaxxTow Magnetic Tow Lights
maxxtow lights
  • Economical option
  • Bypasses Jeep wiring
  • Magnetic light bases hold firmly to any metal surface
  • Long-lasting LEDs provide superior operation
  • Brake-lite relay not required
E-Z Mount Tow Light Kit
ez mount
  • Universal trunk mount kit
  • Bypasses Jeep wiring
  • 20-ft. cord with 4-pole trailer end
Return to topSupplemental Braking System for 2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Using a supplemental braking system, also called a tow bar braking system, helps make sure your towed Jeep slows down as your motorhome slows down. This helps reduce wear and tear on both your Jeep and your motorhome, as well as helps shorten the braking distance of your towing setup. It is also important to keep in mind that supplemental braking systems are required by law in many states. It is important to check the requirements for areas you will be traveling through.
Fixed System
Roadmaster InvisiBrake
roadmaster invisibrake
  • Pre-set braking
  • One-time setup
  • For RVs with hydraulic brakes
  • Integrated battery protection
  • Made in USA
  • 1-year warranty
Fixed System
SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO
stay in play duo
  • Proportional Braking
  • One-time setup
  • For RVs with hydraulic brakes
  • Made in USA
  • 5-year warranty
Fixed System
Roadmaster BrakeMaster
roadmaster brakemaster
  • Proportional braking
  • Recurring setup
  • Options for hydraulic and air RV brakes
  • Made in USA
  • Note: Stop Light Switch # RM-751449 required
  • Installation: Anchors to required seat adapter # RM-88287 at floorboard and clamps around brake pedal.
Fixed System
SMI Air Force One
air force one
  • Proportional Braking
  • One-time setup
  • For RVs with air brakes
  • Made in USA
  • 5-year warranty
Portable System
SMI Delta Force
delta force
  • Proportional braking
  • Recurring setup
  • For RVs with hydraulic, air, or air over hydraulic brakes
  • Made in USA
  • 5-year warranty
  • Installation: If Jeep is equipped with active power assist braking system, this product can be used. Check owner's manual.
  • Note: 12 Volt Outlet Kit # RM-9332 required.
Portable System
Roadmaster Even Brake
even brake
  • Proportional Braking
  • Recurring set-up
  • For RVs with hydraulic, air, or air over hydraulic brakes
  • Made in USA
  • 1-year limited warranty
  • Note: Stop Light Switch # RM-751449 required
  • Note: 12 Volt Outlet Kit # RM-9332 required
  • Installation: If Jeep is equipped with active power assist braking system, this product cannot be used. Check owner's manual.
Portable System
Roadmaster 9700
9700
  • Pre-set Braking
  • Recurring set-up
  • For RVs with hydraulic, air, or air over hydraulic brakes
  • Made in USA
  • 1-year limited warranty
  • Note: Stop Light Switch # RM-751449 required
  • Note: 12 Volt Outlet Kit # RM-9332 required
  • Installation: If Jeep is equipped with active power assist braking system, this product cannot be used. Check owner's manual.
Portable System
Blue Ox Patriot II
patriot 2
  • Proportional braking
  • Recurring setup
  • For RVs with hydraulic brakes
  • Made in USA
  • 2-year warranty
  • Note: 12 Volt Outlet Kit # RM-9332 required
  • Installation: If Jeep is equipped with active power assist braking system, this product can be used. Check owner's manual.
Return to topAdditional Flat Towing Components To complete your Jeep Grand Cherokee's flat towing setup, a few additional parts may be required or recommended. Some of these components, such as 12-volt accessory outlets, stop light switches, and high-low adapters, ensure that your flat tow setup functions properly. Other accessories work to protect your Jeep from rocks and other road debris while your vehicle is being towed. Required Accessories In addition to your main wiring harness, you'll also need a Stop Light Switch to make your setup fully functional. A stop light switch activates your RV monitoring system to alert you when the brakes of your towed car are being applied. A 12-volt outlet kit provides power to portable braking systems but is not required for fixed systems.
Required
Stop Light Switch
stop light switch
  • Activates supplemental braking system monitor in motorhome
  • Wires directly into towed car
  • Custom-fit for 2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokees
  • Made in USA
Required for Portable Brakes
12 Volt Outlet Kit
12v outlet kit
  • Provides power for portable braking systems
  • Creates 12-volt power outlet with 20 amps power
  • 5-ft. wire included
The battery must be disconnected to flat tow the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Roadmaster's Auto Battery Disconnect lets you easily disconnect your battery so that your vehicle can be towed behind your RV. A charge line kit maintains the battery charge in your towed vehicle (though it is not required when using the Roadmaster Invisibrake, which provides its own charge).
Required for 2013 Models
Roadmaster Automatic Battery Disconnect
roadmaster battery disconnect
  • Lets you easily disconnect battery your vehicle can be towed behind your RV
  • Eliminates inconvenience and the potential danger of pulling your battery cable
  • Comes pre-assembled for easy installation
Required
Charge Line Kit
charge line kit
  • Maintains battery charge in towed vehicle
  • Provides 15 amps to avoid overcharging
  • Requires # RM-156-75 if no charge line present in RV
  • Made in USA
Recommended Components If your tow bar is level when you attach it to your Jeep and RV, then great! You don't need a high-low adapter. However, if your tow bar is not level, you will need a high-low adapter. Your tow bar should always be within 3 inches of level. A tow bar cover is also recommended to protect your tow bar when not in use.
Optional
High-Low Adapter
high-low adapter
  • Allows tow bar to remain level
  • Tow bar should be within 3 inches of level
Optional
Roadmaster Combo Towing Kit
roadmaster towing kit
  • Kit includes wiring, safety cables, tow bar cover, and storage bag
  • Wiring provides 4-pole and 7-way connectors
  • Straight safety cables offer 8,000-lb. capacity
  • Tow bar cover protects stowed tow bar from elements
  • Storage bag lets you keep components organized for easy access
Optional
Tow Bar Cover
tow bar cover
  • Keeps dirt and road grime off tow bar when not in use
  • Various sizes available
Protective Shields Protective guards such as the Roadmaster Guardian Rock Guard and Demco's Sentry Deflector attach to your tow bar and protect the front of your Jeep from road debris.
Optional
Sentry Deflector for Demco Tow Bars
sentry deflector
  • Protects Jeep's finish and resale value
  • Attaches to connecting ears (20-30 in.) of Demco tow bars
  • Adapter kit required with Roadmaster and Blue Ox tow bars
  • Easy installation - no tools required
  • Made in USA
  • 1-year warranty
Optional
Roadmaster Guardian Rock Guard
roadmaster guardian
  • Shields Jeep from rocks and road debris
  • Easily removable
  • Attaches to tow bar mounting bracket and side panels
  • Fits all RoadMaster tow bars with Quick Disconnects
Protective Screening The Roadmaster Tow Defender provides a heavy-duty nylon screen to deflect rocks, gravel, and road debris down and away from your Jeep. The Tow Defender may also be used in conjunction with the Roadmaster Guardian Rock Guard for ultimate protection.
Optional
Roadmaster Tow Defender Protective Screening
roadmaster tow defender
  • Deflects rocks, gravel, and road debris
  • Lightweight - 15 lbs.
  • Rolls up to 4-in. diameter for storage
  • Fits most Roadmaster tow bars with Quick Disconnect systems
Optional
Roadmaster Tow Defender Protective Screening
roadmaster tow defender
  • Deflects rocks, gravel, and road debris
  • Lightweight - 15 lbs.
  • Rolls up to 4-in. diameter for storage
  • Fits Demco tow bars, Roadmaster motorhome-mounted tow bars, and Blue Ox tow bars
Return to topRelated ProductsWritten By: Amber SUpdated By: Jacob JUpdated on: 12/7/2023


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