Jeep Cherokee 2002-2007 (also posted in Club House)

maisie06 said:
What are the dealers saying Lou?? I have tried to PX and the most I get offered is £750. When I rang up pretending to be interested in buying one I was told all work had been done by one dealer and another didn't have a clue what I was talking about...
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Have you tried webuyanycar.com ?
 
maisie06 said:
That is my last resort!!
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Try this site; http://www.cartakeback.com/ For scrap, I was offered £330 for mine (53 plate 101k miles on clock) and when I clicked on the revise my offer I added the mileage, that it still starts, and the MOT expiration date, and it came back with an offer of £525.

Out of interest, what reg is your Jeep and what is on the clock miles wise?
 
That's intriguing Renney! Thanks for pointing it out. Honestly, I just don't know what to think, occasionally there is a glimmer of hope, but then it seems to go back to square one if anyone tackles Jeep customer services! Keeping everything crossed for a fix!!!
 
AandK said:
Try this site; http://www.cartakeback.com/ For scrap, I was offered £330 for mine (53 plate 101k miles on clock) and when I clicked on the revise my offer I added the mileage, that it still starts, and the MOT expiration date, and it came back with an offer of £525.

Out of interest, what reg is your Jeep and what is on the clock miles wise?
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Pretty much same miles as yours - same year as well!!
 
Hi, I am also a member of the 4x4 Mechanix forum and Paul has posted the following message this morning:

hi all...back again with YES additional good news ..i taking my cherokee in next week for fitting check of a NEW MK2 tow-bar and if successful it will go for testing and saftey appoval,again i am at this stage unable to release who is going to do ths, please again bear with me we are all a bit closer to getting a legel way out and DON`T GIVE UP ....Again this news is getting better for all of us ...we may all have a new year wish ....hi hi..

Someone else has asked at whose expense.

I also think we should wait and see. I love my Jeep and the way it tows and do not want to give up on it. I have still yet to receive a response from Fiat but like many of us am unable to finance the cost of a new vehicle to enable me to tow. I will wait until something is definite - either a legal fix or having to get rid of my car.
 
OK so response received from Fiat - important paragraphs as follows:

"We are in the process of identifying a tow bar that will meet the requirements of this recall campaign. At this time, it is not possible to offer a precise timescale for the completion of this process however, we would like to assure you that we are doing all we can to source a tow bar as soon as possible.

We would also mention to you that the recall was issued in accordance with the Code of Practice for Safety Defects as agreed between the Department for Transport and in compliance with UK General Product Safety Regulations 2005. The recall in the USA was launched at the same time as the lunch in the EMEA region.

We will respond to you in more detail once this process in complete."


So perhaps all is not lost - However, there is no timescale, but I would like to think.they are anxious to get this sorted to make us go away and stop creating bad publicity (no I have not been eating 'brownies') Just trying to get through this fiasco.
 
Puddleduck said:
Thanks for the updates Clannad, I for one really appreciate all the effort you have put into researching and posting info. I'm sure everyone else feels the same
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Hi all,
Just spoken with head office and they have confirmed a solution of a towbar is in progress!! Yippee! However no time scales as people have said previously. I was asked if I had cross bar fitted but explained with mares and foals I could not even contemplate not having a tow vehicle in case of an emergency! They obviously said they are advising the recall in the mean time. However I am going to wait for new towbar as I don't really have a choice!
 
Thanks Clannad for all your work. Awaiting with baited breath. I'm still towing with mine. As far as I'm aware the recall is not mandatory so pleading ignorance. Like many others only bought mine a few months ago and can't afford another towing vehicle.
 
Again, thank you Clannad for all your work. It gives me more comfort in holding it off. I had hoped they would leave the diesels alone, but I am much happier now to "wait and see".
Thanks again
 
Good news on the other forum, Paul's post.
He says a trial fitting of new towbar went well.It's now off for testing. So this seems very positive.
 
Seems Tow Trust are taking orders. Just needs certificate issuing. Ready early January. Clearance details etc have been posted on the 4wdmechanix forum.
 
So it looks as if we have a towbar that will be suitable and allow our cars to pass the recall. BUT before I get too excited I really want to know if FIAT will pay for these. I am concerned that if we all go out and buy the new towbar that Fiat will wash their hands of the cost, which will not help those of us who are unable to pay for the new one (together with the removal of the old one and the fitting of the new one).

I definitely do not want to cast a shadow over this brilliant news, but I have learned over many years not to get my hopes up in cases like this.
 
Yes, I suppose even better news would be that Fiat /Jeep were making a large order to use for the recall.
It would be tempting to order one early on but then jeep might do the decent thing after all and say they'll use these. Think I'll be waiting a bit, see what happens.
Though thinking about it they did say that they were in talks about sorting it?
 
I'm holding off getting too excited as well. IMO jeep need to sort a solution or pay for the new towbar.

I also want to know more about the new towbar as a lot of the after market ones I have looked at online only seem to have a tow weight of around 2500kg, I need something with the full 3500 for my Ifor 510 as will others, I'm sure.
The tow sure solution feels a bit too easy all of a sudden but maybe that's just my cynicism taking hold.
 
Puddleduck, this is the information from the other forum:

"OK, here's the situation.
They have solved the problem.
Never mind waiting for Jeep or Fiat.
Contact TOW TRUST direct. Here's a link to their web site. www.tow-trust.co.uk

They have gathered all of the information from Jeep and VOSA.
They have redisigned their tow bar for the Jeep.
They did a trial fitting, on Paul's vehicle.
They have been running the tests and are now just awaiting the official certificate to be issued, which will be around January 5th. 2015.
They will then go into production.
They even have a night shift on, laser cutting parts, ready for manufacture NOW!
They have ALREADY updated their web site, the item you want is under Chrysler/Jeep, it is item TCH1.
Fitting instructions are there, as PDF.

It gives - WAIT FOR IT !
Clearance between centre of tow bar to tank = 90 mm
Clearance between ends of tow bar to tank = 110mm
Clearance between the ends of the tank and the tow bar mounting points = 35mm

When they have received the actual certificate, they will start to supply and fit if required.
I have already ordered mine - second in queue to Paul, although they are only half hour from work, so I'll race you Paul :-0)

So, do you ALL understand?
TOW TRUST Ltd
Carlyon Road Ind. Estate
Atherstone Warks CV9 1JE

tel: 01827 717412

This is a UK company that have supported us, let's support them - order now and forget this ever happened!"


If you go to the website it gives the weights etc, (tow capacity 3500kg). So if this all works we will be able to tow safely without putting anyone at risk of not being insured. As previously said, I want to wait to see if Fiat will pick up the bill for this - I personally can't afford to buy a new towbar - BUT if that is the ONLY option then I will have to reassess the situation.
 
It gives - WAIT FOR IT !
Clearance between centre of tow bar to tank = 90 mm
Clearance between ends of tow bar to tank = 110mm
Clearance between the ends of the tank and the tow bar mounting points = 35mm


Forgive me If I am wrong but thought I had read somewhere minimum clearance has to be 42mm not 35mm as above ??
 
Hi All,

First thanks to admin, for helping with the registration problems.
Second, Thanks to Clannad48 for copying my post from the other forum.

Yeeharider, I think you misunderstand me.
The tow bars need a gap of 42mm minimum from the back edge of the tank to the tow bar.
The new Tow Trust item makes 90mm.
But All of the tow bar mounting frames also go down the left and right sides of the tank (or would left and right ends make it clearer?)
So, looking from the back of the vehicle, the new tow bar has clearances of...
90mm from back of tank to tow bar.
35mm from left end of tank to left side of tow bar mounting point.
25mm from right hand end of tank to right side of tow bar mounting point.
Does that help clarify?

Anyway, latest new is this...
I'll be meeting my friend Paul tomorrow.
He will have the new bar, fitted at Tow Trust, tomorrow morning.
Certification has finally arrived.
The vehicle will then immediately be taken to the Jeep dealer, half hour away from Tow Trust, for a re-test and to have the 'magic' Jeep yellow label fitted to show a pass (already booked in).
Then, it's just a case of letting Tow Trust finish for Christmas and start manufacturing and fitting in the new year.

Paul, after tomorrow, will be able to tow his caravan again.
As soon as they are ready, after January the 5th., I will have mine fitted and re-tested at the dealer, for my 'yellow label'.
I can then start to tow both my caravan AND my IFOR 505 again, which is the most frequent use.

I'll post confirmation tomorrow, that all went 'as expected'.
THEN, we just keep 'hounding' Jeep for compensation.
 
Just read jeepermare's post on other forum, the reply from jeep. They're "working with colleagues in US" on a suitable towbar. They haven't tested the Tow Trust etc. It would be great if after seeing the one on Paul's jeep if they contacted Jeep in the US and said stop developing or whatever you're doing, there's one here in the UK.
I'd then like to slap a union jack sticker over their yellow one.
 
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Hi cobgoblin,

Just working off the N46 recall instruction sheet that I got a copy of.
Once the tow bar passes, Section G tells them to fit a yellow label, as the final act.
Maybe they are not doing this?
Not bothered about a yellow 'sticky', that's the least of the worries.
 
Hi All,
Here is the current situation:
Paul has been to Tow Trust this morning and had the new tow bar fitted.
He also has a copy of the official EU certification from Tow Trust.
The Vehicle was re-presented, within half hour, at the Jeep dealer for re-test on the N46 recall.
Passed EASILY and Jeep records amended to show this.
He then drove over to me to have a look. VERY professional product from Tow Trust.

Tom, at Tow Trust then phoned me, to let me know the results and that he had stock ready.
I have just collected my new tow bar from them, AND had a tour of their production facilities.
Being an engineer myself, I assure you VERY IMPRESSIVE.
It is too late for me to have mine re-tested, at the Jeep dealer, until Jan. 5th.

Also, JUST has a phone call from Jeep customer services.
They have enquired if there is any news on the Tow Trust tow bar.
I’ve told them fitted and passed on first vehicle and ready to supply.
They have informed me of the following OFFICIAL decisions…
1. They WILL allow a re-test, free of charge, with the new tow bar.
2. They have taken the formal decision that THEY WILL NOT contribute to the cost of replacement tow bars, because THEY never sold the vehicles with a tow bar in the UK and Europe and any dealer fitted, aftermarket tow bars on the vehicles are NOT THEIR responsibility.

SO, there you have it.
Want to continue towing? – Contact Tow Trust.
Want to wait for Jeep? – You can FORGET IT, they don’t want to know.

Merry Christmas to all of you.
Merry Christmas to Tom and all at Tow Trust
Jeep UK? - A pox on you!
 
D
MikeK said:
Hi cobgoblin,

Just working off the N46 recall instruction sheet that I got a copy of.
Once the tow bar passes, Section G tells them to fit a yellow label, as the final act.
Maybe they are not doing this?
Not bothered about a yellow 'sticky', that's the least of the worries.
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Thanks MikeK - this is the first I've heard of the yellow sticker, we asked for some sort of certification but haven't yet received any. Will get on to the stealer ship.
 
So back off to their Facebook page and Twitter we go then.
Quite frankly Jeeps response is not acceptable.
The USA vehicles didn't roll off the production line with towbars already on, they were fitted after production.
 
My towbar was fitted at the stealership on the day of registration before collection, therefore supplied and fitted by JEEP. The war of attrition will have to commence if they say they are not compensating or contributing to the cost.
 
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