WK2 Towbar questions

[JnK]

Hi Guys, I've just placed the order for my Laredo diesel, & as part of my package I'm getting a towbar setup either the Mopar or Hayman Reece - the dealer can't tell me if the Mopar is compatible with my hayman Reece weight distribution setup on my current caravan.... Does anybody know if it would be??

Yes it is - the Mopar tow bar sold and fitted by dealers is made by Bestbars of NZ and is a heavy duty bit of gear - more than happy with it.
The HR WDH head will fit into the receiver although I did have to round off the edges of the solid tongue to fit - took about 2 minutes with a grinder.
I felt that it extended too far out the back so had another hole drilled 70mm further back in the tongue and all sits nicely.
We've now towed over 7500k with the WK2 (with quadralift) using a HR WDH and it does the job beautifully - averaging 12.9/100 km with 2200kg van.
John

[Donnat]

Thanks John I appreciate your time... Did you have to grind much off?? I think I would have serious concerns in regards to the integrity of the bar & not sure what an insurance company would think ( i dont really want to bring it up - but in the dreaded event of an accident ) if their investigations found that the engineering specs of the bar had been altered?? I have been given the choice of the Mopar or HR towbar setup from the dealer... So maybe if they're not compatible I'll go with the HR?? But if you only had to knock the paint off the edge John it should be OK...

[ozjeepster]

The Mopar bars are made by Best-bar and it is not a
Requirement to flash the PCM to have the vehicle know it has a towbar harness fitted it will work either way , the only reason we flash your vehicle is to apply any updates to moduals that have a software upgrade available , I have installed every WK tow hitch at work & unless there getting a lot of factory accessories fitted I'll leave the flash upgrade till next service , it's also listed in W-tech for vehicle reconfiguration also for warrenty backup

[snazzi]

Mopar Towbar

Hi All,
Just had a Mopar tow bar fitted to my 2013 Overland CRD. Was a bit of a disaster getting it fitted at a Jeep service center. Went to pick it up at 1700. Had to wait 2 hours while the mechanics hunted down and reconnected the antenna wire for the keyfob and the tail gate closer button. All sorted out now.
Been advised today that you have to manually turn off the park assist and the blind spot monitoring if you want to stop it driving you crazy while pulling a trailer. The junky old Adventra did it automatically when you plugged the trailer in to the car. Does anyone know if this is true? Or am I being told a load of rubbish. I would have thought a car as advanced as this would sort it out automatically.

[deserthucker]

Mine only sets of the blind spot monitoring when turning a corner.
But the monitoring still works well on the freeway.
I would not turn it of my personnel preference.

[fwdjeep]

GDay David,
thanks for your reply....
I did in fact check with Jeep World in the US - who will supply a Mopar bar and harness for a very attractive price.

They confirmed today however that the WK2 must have the PCM reflashed by the dealer so the vehicle canbus will recognise the new harness.

I don't want to get into any position to compromise the comms and raise warranty issues so your advice to go the dealer fit bar I think is on the mark.

If I actually had the new vehicle to hand I wouldn't spend so much time poodling around on the internet and finding things to worry about.
Its going to be a long four months....
John

The US bar is not legal for Australia as it does not meet ADR's for us the BB bar is of a higher standard and meets australian ADR's

[Freotragic]

Hi I'm looking to get a towbar fitted to my MY14 Laredo, but am a little confused about two things at this stage;

Firstly, the local Jeep specialists quote an extra $200 on top of the normal price for 'an ECU' - is this BS?

Also, at vehicle purchase, the dealer fitted a (very cheap) reverse sensor system, and far as I can tell there is no way to switch off the rears - is this likely to mean constant beeping when I have a trailer or bike rack on?

Thanks!

[willow]

Had a tow bar put on mine at my local tow bar specialist, no mention of extra $$ for a ecu. Jeep wanted $1400 got mine for $750. Surely the sensors would only work when reverse is selected?