Does it invalidate a factory warranty to prepare a Gladiator to be towed?

[TMGladOverHighAlt]

I hope this is the correct place to ask...I don't trust a dealer to ask.

I expect to add a high end electrical kit (that provides protection to all electrical circuits) to use factory lights AND charging circuit.

I also will be adding a tow bar system--attaching to frame up front.

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[JRobes]

Think of the warranty as free fixes for things that break due to normal vehicle use. If you install something that causes a failure, Jeep isn't logically responsible to fix that specific issue you created.

As long as the manufacturer of the tow kit you install is competent and designed their system to work with the vehicle, nothing *should* affect the warranty. Jeep is aware their vehicles get flat-towed, they even have info in the Owners Manual on how to prepare the drivetrain for it.

If you search this forum and the JL Wrangler forums you'll find plenty of threads/posts that show what others have done on their flat-tow setups.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

One of the reasons that the steering wheels on Wrangler and Gladiator have no locks is because Jeep knows people will flat tow them. It's expected.
Like already said - they'd have to prove that you messed things up, or the other equipment did.

 

[TMGladOverHighAlt]

Thanks guys!

 

[Kevin_D]

I've had no warranty issues with mine, using the Maximus-3 tow loops and a charging lead from the motorhome.
I guess part of it will depend on what your, "...high end electrical kit," adds to the Jeep.

Kevin

 

[TMGladOverHighAlt]

I’ll post the electoral kit.
Found it.

https://www.cooltechllc.com/2018-je...arness-kit.html#/70-jl_tow_harness_kit-deluxe

 

[Kevin_D]

To install the Cool Tech lighting kit, you have to chop into your stock wiring harness.
That will most probably invalidate warranty coverage for anything related to that wiring harness.
That's the primary reason I didn't use it. I really like the idea, otherwise.

Kevin

 

[TMGladOverHighAlt]

Well, if adding a wire in parallel is chopping.……

 

[ShadowsPapa]

To install the Cool Tech lighting kit, you have to chop into your stock wiring harness.
That will most probably invalidate warranty coverage for anything related to that wiring harness.
That's the primary reason I didn't use it. I really like the idea, otherwise.

Kevin

Can't you do like I did with my need for triggers for my plow's turn signals, park lights and DRLs?
I made a pigtail that allowed me to unplug factory connectors and plug in mine. The plow connects to the headlights the same way - no wires were cut, only connectors unplugged and plugged into the plow's wiring adapters.
I HATE cutting factory wires.

 

[Kevin_D]

Well, if adding a wire in parallel is chopping.……

Can't you do like I did with my need for triggers for my plow's turn signals, park lights and DRLs?
I made a pigtail that allowed me to unplug factory connectors and plug in mine. The plow connects to the headlights the same way - no wires were cut, only connectors unplugged and plugged into the plow's wiring adapters.
I HATE cutting factory wires.

If you follow the Cool Tech instructions, you’ll be cutting into the stock taillight wiring to install their switch.
If you can find a connector that feeds the taillights, building a pigtail harness would be much preferred, but the Cool Tech kit doesn’t do that: you’d pretty much have to fab up your own kit.

Kevin

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If you follow the Cool Tech instructions, you’ll be cutting into the stock taillight wiring to install their switch.
If you can find a connector that feeds the taillights, building a pigtail harness would be much preferred, but the Cool Tech kit doesn’t do that: you’d pretty much have to fab up your own kit.

Kevin

For a few bucks, get the Oracle tail light plug and play adapter they use for their backup lights.

That way you can always simply unplug things to put it back to stock or test to see if anything is messed up.

 

[TMGladOverHighAlt]

Shadows…I appreciate your question. An electronics tech by trade Im sure I could. Um, where are those connections under the hood?

 

[IanNubbit]

The simple answer is No it will not. The complex answer is electrical issues that are in anyway related to the install of those components the tech/dealer has to rule those out first before they can continue diagnostics. That will not be paid by warranty.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If you need tail light connections, that's in the back half only unless I'm mistaken - BCM.
A real Jeep tech can confirm. I don't know of tail light connections under the hood but they are sure as heck easy to get to behind the tail lights themselves.
Not sure if they'd run the tail light wires forward then back again.

 

[TMGladOverHighAlt]

Yes, that’s why connections are made in the drivers door foot rail. Bare a wire join another, solder & seal. Ultimately the wires are 100% isolated from factory., via a switch that toggles control to keep or tow rig. Is about as electrically isolated as you can get, and WAY BETTER than a diode for reliability.

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