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

Both Paul's and my Jeep were also fitted with tow bars, from new, by the Jeep Dealer and THAT is the important point.
Dealers either pre-purchase vehicles, from manufacturers, for resale or, take them on a 'sale or return' basis.
Jeep themselves have never fitted tow bars to their vehicles, even in 'the states', it was the dealers.
So, they are classed as 'after market' items or accessories.
Note that, even in the states, the 'so called' OEM towbar was MOPAR, owned by the Chrysler/Jeep group I admit, but trading as a separate company for spares and accessories.
That was the original problem, here in the UK.
The MOPAR tow bar was never tested or certified outside the US, so could not be legally supplied or used in the UK.
It was never supplied by Jeep, but by their dealers from MOPAR.
If you check the various forums, you'll see that the new owners of Jeep (Fiat) are re-thinking fitting of the tow bars in the states as their 'answer' to this problem.
Many are complaining of not getting the full tow bar, as promised, just the basic bar (the safety bar they are fitting here).
Also, in Canada, only just over the border, they are having the same problems as us.

I'm not letting Jeep off lightly but, honestly, if you want to tow with it, Tow Trust is the only game in town and it's an excellent solution.
Jeep have caused me enough problems, I'm not having an almost new (replaced it not too long ago) 505 sitting there unused because of them.
Ignoring the costs, for a moment...
The Jeep is rated at 3000kg for towing.
The Tow Trust bar is rated at 3500kg for towing.
Look at the weight of a 505 with 2 horses in it - there are not many vehicles that can legally cope with that weight.
And, that's the major concern to me, to tow, as intended, legally, safely and fully insured.

At least we now have the time to pester Jeep, for as long as it takes, without it impacting on our personal needs anymore.
 
If you haven't had a letter, does that mean your model isn't affected? I have a 2006 Jeep Cherokee CRD (bought two months ago & have had lots of 'other issues' with the engine management light etc....). I have had the registration documents through, but nothing about a recall? It has a witter tower.... TIA
 
Twas the night before Christmas two oh one three
I was deciding which tow car was the right one for me
With its stylish good looks and cute little lights
I decided jeep’s Cherokee would suit me just right

Looking around I found just the one
With a towing capacity of just over three ton
Down to the bank I made a quick dash
And went to the garage to hand over the cash

Towing the trailer was absolutely no strain
My jeep Cherokee she pulls like a train
One day in October on my doormat did drop
A recall letter that would make my towing stop

Because of a problem that was their fault
I could not use my car for the job which it was bought
To tow my trailer that contains my horse
So we could go to shows of course!

Jeep Uk had not a clue
Just what the hell we owners could do
Customer services were very rude
While the storm just brewed and brewed

To facebook and twitter we took our rage
Jeep just blocked us from their page
W for wrangler was the name
Of the post on which we played a word game

December came with an early gift
Tow trust tow bars had seen the rift
They could help us where jeep could not
Let’s hope jeep just go and rot

Tow trust Tow bars will see us right
My jeep will be back to her usual might
Towing trailers day in day out
Jeep customer services need a mighty clout

Jeep were going to leave us high and dry
The cost of replacing a tow car was making us cry
Now we just need to find the cost of the tow bar
Rather than thousands for a new towing car.
 
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Mother was shouting, she had quite a grouse.
Those barstwewards at Jeep were not playing fair,
the towbar replacement was not in their care.
The customer service department decreed,
We're not going to pay for the final deed.

Mother continued to shout through the night
I don’t believe it, it’s surely not right.
If they want to play dirty, then so can we
A war of attrition it shall be.
She set to the computer, planning the way
To get the barstewards to agree to pay.

Money was tight, but that didn’t matter
Mother was mad, mad as a hatter
She was looking at ways to make them pay
Especially as they thought it was going their way.
A class action was possible she thought
But the cost of it would not be nought.

Perhaps Father Christmas would find a way
to get a towbar down the chimney Xmas day.
Mother wept and wailed - Oh what to do?
I need more than just a quid or two
Jeep you really need to decide to pay
Or angry customers are coming your way
 
Hi Sundae,

Bad news I'm afraid.
Mine is also a 2006 CRD, originally fitted with a Witter tow bar from new.
Your vehicle IS affected and subject to the recall.
The fact that you have not received a recall letter suggests that, as you only had it 2 months ago, either the change of owner has not caught up with you yet or, the previous owner has had the recall letter and not passed it on.
You WILL need to arrange a recall inspection with your nearest Jeep dealer and, because it's a Witter tow bar, it WILL fail.
No way out, if you don't want insurance problems etc.
The choice is to either take it for the check and have the tow bar replaced with their puny 'safety bar' and forget towing or, get the new Tow Trust product fitted, then take it for the test and it WILL pass and your worries are over.

If you bought it from from a dealer, you could always try returning it, for a full refund, as 'not fit for purpose' under the sale of goods act.
If you bought it private, that could be more difficult.

Tow Trust can be contacted on www.tow-trust.co.uk or 01827 717412.
 
Puddleduck,

It depends on what you need.
I'm fitting myself, It's only 6 bolts so easy to fit, aroung half to three quarters of an hour with removing the old one first.
Easy job to do, even just lying on your back, under the parked vehicle.
If you already have a tow bar with electrics, you can reuse the existing electrics, so save on that cost.
If your existing tow bar is a fixed, then you can reuse the existing towball.
If it's detatchable, then you need a tow ball for a fixed bar etc. - Price on their web site, not expensive.

ALL of the bolts, washers etc. needed are included with the tow bar, you even get a new cover for your tow ball.

I suggest you phone or email Tow Trust (sales@tow-trust.co.uk 01827 717412) as I did, tell them what you've got and let them advise you on what you need to change etc.
You'll find them really helpful. They are 'back in' on January 5th.

Unless you happen to live in, or near Atherstone, by the time you have driven there for fitting, you'll allready have it on and be on your way for a retest.
 
Only a minor point, I'm being picky but at 250 +vat it's going to be 300 for the towbar. It says rrp, so maybe different on phone. I'll be contacting them once I've paid for Christmas.
 
oh bum....... its been nothing but a pain since I've had it to be honest & dealer isn't the most customer focussed so its not looking good then! Don't have the money for a trailer yet, so wondering if I should try & sell instead now!!! What a nightmare for all the people affected & good on the jeep owners for trying to get it sorted (not that they should have to)....
 
Hi All,

I hope you have had a good Christmas. Now, it's going to be even better.
I have just had the following message to pass on...

58% reduction Special offer to all KJ JEEP owners 58%reduction

Tom has sent me a email with a a great OFFER to all KJ owners who buy direct from TOW TRUST will get a 58% discount from the web site price of £250.This will mean the VAT and carriage cost of £7.50 to their door you will only pay £135 ...yes £135.Again Tom is aware that Chrysler are not going to pay and is making this offer ..This is really good NEW YEAR news for all KJ owners and at a very reasonable cost.Tom and Tow Trust have yet again come up with the goods I thank him for this GREAT OFFER


£135 INCLUSIVE OF VAT AND CARRIAGE TO YOUR DOOR
 
They don't seem to have a very good reputation, didn't Jeeps have a 4 wheel drive Diff issue a few years ago, and they weren't very helpful then either as I remember, don't think I will be buying one.
 
Hi All,

Yesterday, 28th December, I fitted my new Tow Trust tow bar.
This was done just lying underneath the vehicle, on the drive.
Including removal of the old one, it took approximately 1 hour.
Looks a good, heavy piece of engineering, with it's EU approval labels.

This morning, 29th December, I took the vehicle to the Jeep dealer, for a retest.
He put it on the ramps, looked at his 42mm 'test tool', looked at my 115mm gap and just laughed.
He said "of course it's passed" - End of story.

Thank you Tow Trust.
Their company motto is "Tow with Trust" - I CAN!
 
Glad you're sorted. I've looked at the Towbars Direct site again (link above) and it's definitely the Tow Trust bar. Same diagrams with the logos etc. But it's priced cheaper at £127 inc vat and delivery. That's even after the 58% discount.
I suppose selling through somebody else gives people more options if they want to use ebay and get it cheaper.
 
Hi Paul, welcome. Things have gone very well in a short space of time. Better than waiting for Jeep to do something.
The same towbar seems to be available from another supplier cheaper at £127. (See link above).
With regard to your contact with Tow Trust any thoughts as to why they're doing it that way?.I'd have thought they'd shift loads direct themselves.
 
Hi all

We've been following this discussion since we took our Jeep into the dealer on 19th December. We weren't advised when we booked it in that the possible solution to the problem might be that the tow bar had to be removed! Have to say, it came as quite a shock!! It just doesn't give people time think! Very convenient ...

We signed the disclaimer that others have mentioned, but with an added note to say that we were not happy with the solution and would be contacting Jeep (Fiat)

To clarify the situation with insurance companies, we called our own which has advised that our insurance is not 'invalid' unless the damage resulting from an accident was proved to be part of the Jeep recall problem, in which case they would not payout and it would be down to the manufacturer ... this is obviously why Jeep are getting people to sign a disclaimer!!

Many thanks to all of the people who have listed the solution by fitting a Tow Trust bar ... we've ordered ours today! What we find annoying is that the Jeep dealer that we used was not even aware of this possible solution and their answer to it was either fit the original Jeep approved tow bar, which he then said was no longer available! or have the strengthening bar fitted with no tow bar!!

As others have said, we are not happy with Jeep's solution and will be following it up ... we'll post any response we get! As others have said, as Jeep are paying for the solution to the problem in the US, why are they not doing this for other countries?!?!
 
Hi All,

I've been watching the comments, about the 'cheaper' supply of the Tow Trust tow bar.
First, let's realise, we are talking of a difference of only '8 quid'.
Why the difference?
Tow Trust have done ALL of the work and offered a solution at a massive 58% discount (£135) if you buy ONE.
The site on eBay is "Towbars Direct", also trading as "Norbrook Trailers" in Cheshire.
They are a specialist towing company and Tow Trusts biggest customer, buying thousands of tow bars, from Tow Trust, every year.
So, he has 'done a deal' with Tom at Tow Trust for bulk purchase discount but, happily, agreed with Tow Trust to pass the extra saving on to the customers.
That's why the £8 difference.
If you want to buy several, I'm sure Tow Trust would also give a little extra discount.
The idea of BOTH companies, is to just provide an affordable solution to ALL Cherokee owners, where Jeep have failed them.

It doesn't matter which company you buy from, either Tow Trust, or Towbars Direct on ebay.
The important thing is that it IS the same tow bar and THE ONLY ONE that can GUARANTEE A PASS on the N46 recall.

BEWARE of second hand tow bars on eBay etc. or even 'new old stock'.
They are just a waste of money and will leave you in the same position.
Don't forget ! Even the MOPAR/Jeep/Chrysler tow bars, that some are offering or using, are NOT LEGAL, because they never had EU type approval for use outside the US.
Even if they do make the 42mm clearance.
 
I'm really pleased that there is a solution to this problem (bar disclaimer/useless bar route). Huge thanks to all who posted here, took this up with Jeep and to MikeK and towtrust for making the towbar. It's a real relief to something that's been hanging over a lot of us I think.

I am still holding off a little bit longer though because I think it's disgusting that Jeep aren't funding the changes to the cars but I will definitely be getting the towbar in the next month or so regardless :)

This aside I really do like my Cherokee, it's the best 4x4 I've had and I am glad that I can keep my car but after the disgusting customer service by Jeep I'd never EVER get another one.

Happy New Year <3
 
Pocket.Rocket,

Thank you very much but, no credit is due to me.
It's all due to Tom, the Design Director at Tow Trust and my new friend Paul, whome I met on another Jeep forum whilst looking for answers.

Both Paul and I found ourselves 'in the mire' over this issue.
It quickly became clear that any Jeep 'solution' would be 'today, tomorrow, sometime, never'.
Rather than just keep complaining, we both, independantly, started contacting tow bar manufacturers for a solution.
None of them wanted to know.
In fact, more than one told me that their existing bar had been EU approved, prior to this recall, with the 'old' requirements, so they would still legally sell them, even though the buyer could no longer legally use them !!!
Others just took their existing tow bars 'off sale'.

As it happens, Paul contacted Tom at Tow Trust.
Like others he, at first, thought it was some sort of a joke, until he did research and found the scale of the problem.
Being a proactive company, Tom decided to do something about it and asked Paul to take his Cherokee over.
He fitted an existing tow bar, measured up, to see the problem, then started redesigning a new bar.
Paul kept me informed and put me in contact with Tom as well.
They did a 'mock up' of the new design and fitted it to Paul's vehicle to check, then started producing the first 2 of the new design.

The first one was fitted by them, to Paul's then taken for retest at the dealer.
The second was fitted by me and again taken for retest, to ensure that even self fitted had no issues.
Then Tom asked Paul and myself to let everyone, on the forums, know there was a solution.

So, Paul was 'guinea pig' number 1 and I was 'guinea pig' number 2.
ALL credit is due to Tom and Tow Trust and Paul for finding them first and submitting his vehicle as the initial 'test bed'.
For those wondering, neither Paul or myself have any professional connection to Tow Trust.
We just BOTH feel very grateful, for such a 'switched on' British company, who were prepared to take the financial gamble to solve everyones problems when nobody else was interested.
(including Jeep !!)
To give you an idea of the commitment, being an engineer myself, to design, build and EU Type Test a new tow bar is around £8000 (eight thousand !).
That was quite a 'leap of faith' for a family company to take on a discontinued vehicle.
ANYTHING that can be done, to support Tow Trust and help them recoup their due rewards should be encouraged.
 
What do people make of this? I'm not quite sure what to do?

My Jeep Cherokee had the tow bar removed and the replacement bar fitted under the N46 recall in November. I'm desperate to order a tow bar from Tow Trust asap and have contacted both Jeep UK customer services and the local dealer (Oxford) regarding a re-test. Jeep UK have fed me the usual line about no tow bars being authorised by them for use in the UK, including the Tow Trust one - arghhh!!! The local dealership has said there is no facility to re-issue the recall, but what I do after having the replacement bar fitted is up to me - ie they will not re-sign any paperwork. I just want to know that everything is being done by the book so that I'm covered for insurance purposes and for if/when I come to sell it.
 
Moomin14 said:
What do people make of this? I'm not quite sure what to do?

My Jeep Cherokee had the tow bar removed and the replacement bar fitted under the N46 recall in November. I'm desperate to order a tow bar from Tow Trust asap and have contacted both Jeep UK customer services and the local dealer (Oxford) regarding a re-test. Jeep UK have fed me the usual line about no tow bars being authorised by them for use in the UK, including the Tow Trust one - arghhh!!! The local dealership has said there is no facility to re-issue the recall, but what I do after having the replacement bar fitted is up to me - ie they will not re-sign any paperwork. I just want to know that everything is being done by the book so that I'm covered for insurance purposes and for if/when I come to sell it.
Click to expand...



So basically that dealer won't retest? If that's correct then what a total farce. HOW do these companies get away with it...
 
Yes, correct Pocket.Rocket. Well, they said they could check the dimensions for me, but wouldn't re-issue any paper work. But basically I'm on my own regarding insurance etc. How unhelpful can you get?!
 
It's making me feel rage on your behalf!

I mean I am glad that there's a towbar that WILL pass the test, but how unhelpful can Jeep actually be. They won't even acknowledge all the work that someone else had to do to create a new towbar - something Jeep should have done IMO.

The worst part is that you have done everything properly and 'by the book' and seem to be getting penalised now. Whereas I've basically been doing the opposite and ignoring it all, haven't had my Jeep tested and hopefully I will get the good towbar and pass first time.

Ridiculous customer service.

Ring Jeep and get other dealers in your area, perhaps one of them will retest for you?
 
Well, this is getting absolutely ridiculous!

First, let's make one thing VERY clear...
Jeep have NO LEGAL RIGHT to authorise or not authorise ANY tow bar for use on ANY of their vehicles.
That is the responsability of VOSA in the UK.
It is THEY who issue EU type certification for the use of tow bars on vehicles.
That is why it costs more than just design and manufacture.
The tow bar has to be fitted onto a special 'rig' which simulates the fitting to the vehicle, then subjected to 'test strains' at the tow ball, in ALL directions at maximum towing weight for 2 million cycles.
The tow bar then has to be submitted to them, along with all of the data that proves the test was done.
They then inspect the towbar for cracks, deformations etc. and, if it's structure is 'as good as new', they issue the official EU type approval certificate.

The ONLY thing that Jeep are required to do, is verify that, if a towbar is fitted, it makes the minimum 42mm clearance.

It seems that every time someone talks to Jeep, they get a different story.
Bear with me, I will try and find out more details on exactly what is recorded and what, if any, can be updated.
This may take a while, I still have to work for a living.

Meanwhile, have you still got the original recall letter?
You should have as it is YOUR property, not Jeeps or the dealers.
If you have, I would just turn up, at another dealer, with the new tow bar and letter, get them to test and then let them and Jeep worry about how they need to update records.
 
Bit more info re' the price difference between Towbars Direct and TowTrust . The eBay one is only a bit cheaper but if like me you need to update the electrics or are starting from scratch it's all included. The TowTrust one doesn't have electrics or tow ball, they'll be extra. Fine if you're just swapping the bar over but relevant to some if you need the extras.
 
MikeK - thanks very much for the clarification on this, and also for all your help generally - its very much appreciated!! I'm very much looking forward to hearing if you can find out any more, I just seem to get nowhere with them! I just read on the Facebook page that someone else has experienced the same, although unlike me, their insurance company was happy to continue cover. I cannot believe how much time and effort all of this is taking! I think I still have the recall notice, good idea, although I'm guessing they will ask for the vehicle reg when I book in and see that it's already been signed off. Worth a try though!

PocketRocket, I couldn't agree more! The more I have to deal with them the angrier I get! I'm very much regretting not taking your line now, although at the time I felt I had no choice due to my insurance company.

Renney thanks, that's really helpful.
 
Well the new Tow Trust bar has been fitted, and Jeeps cross bar dumped. Do I go back to Jeep and get it checked? no chance. Why should I have to, the new bar is VOSA approved ect. If I had a tow fitted to any other car would I have to take it to a dealership to have it checked out " No" I have wasted enough time and money.
Jeep could have got involved in the whole process and checked out the first tow bar, they will not be see me again
 
Well good news finally for me - my insurance company have said they will insure me with the Tow Trust tow bar, woohooo! So following thwingers post this is what I'm going to do to! Thanks to everyone for such a brilliant thread!
 
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