You most certainly can as long as the Patriot is on a trailer. My outright opinionated answer.

 

I would think a manual tranny, but no way with the CVT! Too bad Jeep didn't follow GM's system--a friend has a Saturn Vue--same size as Patriot, and with auto trans, all he has to do is start and run the engine for 5-10 minutes every 1,000 miles.....

 

I'm pretty sure I read a thread here about a year ago where the manual states the Patriot is not a towable vehicle. So if it was on a trailer, only then could you tow it.

 

You can tow a manual, but not the CVT.

As per JeepCares:

=================

STAR Case
Case Number K43022402
Vehicle Issue Recreational flat towing capability information.;This note provides information concerning recreational flat towing capability of these vehicles.
System or Component Towing,Recreational Towing
Recommendation Concerning recreational flat towing capability, any (MK) or (PM) model equipped with manual shift transmission can be flat towed (all wheels down) at any safe, legal speed. Models equipped with the CVT automatic transmission can not be flat towed. NOTE: For 2007 MK 1st edition Owner's Manual is not accurate and indicates no flat towing. The 2008 - 2009 (MK) 2nd and 3rd edition Owmer's Manual is correct and can be viewed at: http://www.jeep.com/en/owners/index....ers/index.html. The printed Version and the electronic versions of both 2008 - 2009 (PM) (MK) Owner's manual is correct.

Modification Date 12/15/09 11:36 AM
__________________
Lee
Jeep Customer Service
Chrysler Group LLC

 

in my manual it says not to tow a 4x4,regardless the transmission type.
this brings up a question:
if you are driving a manual and just shift to neutral as you go downhill,would this damage your transmission,as it would be like being towed?

 

The issue with the CVT (and most any automatic) is that the torque converter spins the CVT fluid pump only when the engine is running, keeping the CVT properly lubricated. There were some older automatics that could be flat towed (the GM powerglide for example), but they were designed to have both a front and rear pump (also one of the few automatics that could be push started in gear like a manual...albeit you had to get it moving about 20-30mph to do it). You could flat tow it if you kept the engine running, but then you risk over heating due to the poor air movement behind the RV.

Any manual transmission vehicle can usually be flat towed without issue.

 

I wonder if that would b e the same for a 4x4 like my Tracker that I can shift the transfer case to N with?

 

Yes, any transfer case that can be shifted into neutral can be flat towed. I tow my Suzuki Sidekick (same as Tracker) frequently with the transmission in gear (Park on automatics), and the transfer case in neutral.

 

The Patriot power transfer unit / transfer case can't be shifted into neutral, it's always engaged.