Can Jeep Compass Be Flat Towed: What You Need To Know
Reading Time: 6 minutes In most cases, a Jeep Compass should not be flat towed with all four wheels on the road. Flat towing, also called dinghy towing, is allowed only when the owner’s manual for the exact model year and drivetrain says it is. If the manual does not approve it, use an approved tow dolly or a flatbed truck instead.
For U.S. Compass owners, the key detail is the difference between recreational towing behind an RV and emergency towing after a breakdown. Rules for one do not automatically apply to the other.
Is a Jeep Compass approved for flat towing?
Do not assume a Jeep Compass is flat-towable. Check the recreational-towing section of the owner’s manual for your model year. If it does not specifically permit towing with all four wheels on the ground, do not tow it that way.
Compass model years and drivetrains can differ. A front-wheel-drive Compass and a four-wheel-drive Compass may have different towing instructions. The manual may also set requirements for the transmission, steering, or other systems. A generic guide, a tow-bar seller, or a statement about another Jeep model cannot replace the instructions for your Compass.
Flat towing is not the same as towing capacity. A Compass’s ability to pull a trailer does not mean it can be towed behind an RV with its wheels on the road. The vehicle’s manual must approve that specific use.
What towing method should you use?
Use the towing method listed in your Compass owner’s manual. In general, an approved tow dolly may work for some front-wheel-drive models when it lifts the front wheels. Four-wheel-drive models often require all four wheels to be off the ground, but the manual for the exact vehicle must confirm the method.
| Compass setup | Possible method to check | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive | Tow dolly with the front wheels raised | Use only if the model-year manual allows it. |
| Four-wheel drive | Flatbed with all four wheels raised | Do not assume a two-wheel dolly is safe. |
| Any setup not approved for wheels-down towing | Flatbed | This avoids rolling the vehicle’s wheels on the road. |
A dolly is not a flat-tow setup. It supports two wheels while the other two roll on the road. A flatbed supports all four wheels.
Before booking a tow, tell the provider the Compass’s model year and whether it is front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. If you are unsure, check the vehicle’s paperwork or ask a Jeep dealer to confirm the drivetrain.
How to check your Compass owner’s manual
Find the exact manual for your vehicle, then look for its recreational-towing instructions. Do not rely on a manual for a different year or drivetrain.
- Confirm the model year and drivetrain. Check your registration, vehicle documents, or the vehicle’s information label.
- Open the correct owner’s manual. Use Jeep or Mopar’s official manual page and select the model year that matches your Compass.
- Search the manual for “Recreational Towing.” Look for wording about towing behind a motorhome and whether all four wheels may remain on the road.
- Follow every listed condition. If the manual specifies a particular setup or procedure, follow it exactly.
- If the instructions are unclear, stop and ask a Jeep dealer. Give them the model year and drivetrain so they can check the right guidance.
The vehicle’s manual is the deciding source. If it does not clearly approve four-wheels-down towing, use a method it does approve instead.
Common towing mistakes to avoid
The most important mistake is treating emergency towing instructions as permission for RV flat towing. A procedure for moving a disabled vehicle a short distance may not be suitable for extended recreational towing.
Also avoid these errors:
- Assuming all Jeep models tow the same way. Compass instructions may differ from those for a Wrangler or another Jeep.
- Using a tow dolly on a four-wheel-drive model without approval. The manual must confirm the setup.
- Relying on an online list without checking its model-year details. A list may omit drivetrain or year limits.
- Starting a tow before confirming the equipment and setup. If you cannot verify the approved method, ask a qualified towing provider or Jeep dealer.
- Confusing trailer towing with flat towing. They are separate uses with separate rules.
If the Compass is already connected to a tow bar and you cannot confirm that the manual permits the setup, do not start the trip. Have the towing provider arrange a manual-approved method.
Key takeaways
- Can a Jeep Compass be flat towed? Do not flat tow it with all four wheels on the road unless the manual for that exact year and drivetrain explicitly allows it.
- Some front-wheel-drive models may allow a tow dolly, but the owner’s manual must confirm this.
- Four-wheel-drive models may require a flatbed. Confirm the approved method before towing.
- Emergency towing guidance does not automatically approve long-distance recreational towing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I flat tow a Jeep Compass behind an RV?
Only if the owner’s manual for your exact model year and drivetrain permits four-wheels-down recreational towing. If it does not say that this setup is allowed, do not use it.
Can a front-wheel-drive Jeep Compass be towed on a dolly?
Some front-wheel-drive versions may be approved for a dolly with the front wheels raised. Check the model-year manual before towing; do not assume all versions have the same instructions.
Can I use a tow dolly for a four-wheel-drive Compass?
Do not use one unless the manual for that specific Compass expressly allows it. If the correct setup is uncertain, use a flatbed or ask a Jeep dealer or qualified towing provider.
Is towing a Compass in an emergency the same as flat towing it behind an RV?
No. Emergency towing may involve different limits and steps. Follow the emergency-towing section of the manual for a breakdown, and the recreational-towing section for travel behind an RV.
Where can I find the official towing instructions?
Use the Jeep owner’s manual page or the Mopar owner’s manual page. Select the correct model year and search for “Recreational Towing.”
Conclusion
A Jeep Compass is not automatically approved for flat towing. Check the exact model-year owner’s manual before connecting it to an RV. If the manual does not clearly allow all four wheels down, choose an approved dolly setup or a flatbed instead.
Next step: Confirm your Compass’s model year and drivetrain, then check its recreational-towing instructions before arranging a tow.
