[WannabeOutdoorsman]

Hi all,

Recently purchased a 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk to replace a dying Subaru Forester. I'm an avid cyclist, and the Jeep I purchased did not come with the trailer tow package or a set of crossbars. I'm most interested in installing a hitch-mounted bike rack, but the vehicle doesn't have a hitch. After calling a number of local dealerships, I was quoted $214 for the hitch, and about 2.5 hours of labor for install. From what the service and parts departments said, the hitch is just the hitch, not the wiring harness. I had one department tell me that the "harness is still under production" while yet another said that "they're crazy backordered right now" while yet a third said "they're actually integrated in the car". So, my question consists of a few parts:

1. What are the part numbers and components required for installing a hitch (preferably with the trailer-wiring components) for a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk?
2. Were any of the dealers right with what they said? Are the wiring components any different than past model years, and if so, are they actually available? Are they integrated with the car?
3. To have a hitch installed properly is there anything I should be on the lookout for? Are there any other pieces that the dealerships might be missing?
4. What hitch-mounted bike rack would you recommend? I have been using a Thule T2 for a while now.
5. Are there any other hitch-related parts or accessories you would recommend?

Thanks in advance, love the community already!

 

[ptram]

Hi all,

Recently purchased a 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk to replace a dying Subaru Forester. I'm an avid cyclist, and the Jeep I purchased did not come with the trailer tow package or a set of crossbars. I'm most interested in installing a hitch-mounted bike rack, but the vehicle doesn't have a hitch. After calling a number of local dealerships, I was quoted $214 for the hitch, and about 2.5 hours of labor for install. From what the service and parts departments said, the hitch is just the hitch, not the wiring harness. I had one department tell me that the "harness is still under production" while yet another said that "they're crazy backordered right now" while yet a third said "they're actually integrated in the car". So, my question consists of a few parts:

1. What are the part numbers and components required for installing a hitch (preferably with the trailer-wiring components) for a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk?
2. Were any of the dealers right with what they said? Are the wiring components any different than past model years, and if so, are they actually available? Are they integrated with the car?
3. To have a hitch installed properly is there anything I should be on the lookout for? Are there any other pieces that the dealerships might be missing?
4. What hitch-mounted bike rack would you recommend? I have been using a Thule T2 for a while now.
5. Are there any other hitch-related parts or accessories you would recommend?

Thanks in advance, love the community already!

Too bad you didn't ask that question here before you purchased your 2019 as you would have been told to not purchase one without the Tow package if your going to need it. Did any of the sales people tell you that you can "easily" add a hitch after purchasing your TH? It can be done, but will probably cost more if you add the harness too. It doesn't sound like you are going to be towing, but carrying bikes so the 2000 pound towing limit with an add-on hitch probably won't manner. With the factory tow hitch on a KL with the 3.2 it is 4500 lbs and 4000 lbs with the new 2.0 turbo. With the 2.4 the limit is 2000 lbs. Congrats on the new TH and they are great vehicles and hope you can get a hitch on it without too much difficulty or money.

 

[carguy4471]

The factory hitch requires a different rear bumper insert because the hitch comes out in the bumper.

I just installed a hitch on my 2019. I went aftermarket even though I work at a dealer. I went with a curt hitch, the primary hitch bar is completely hidden under the bumper. Minor trimming is required and the install is much easier with two people. At $136 I think it's an amazing value.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer_Hitch/Curt/C13172.html

They also carry wiring for the 2019 and that is also cheaper than my price on factory wiring as a dealer employee.

There are so many bike racks out there it's hard to lend an opinion without knowing what you are carrying. Thule is good stuff though.

 

[BlackHawk2016]

I just purchased this rack and it is awesome. Its a Kuat NV 2.0 and you can get all the details at kuatracks.com
Best rack I have purchased and I have been through a lot of them.

 

[Jeepster1]

* OEM set up from the dealer?
The dealer should have all the parts on a list and will only order by part # for that 2019.
The problem is that most parts are not listed or updated yet for the 2019 Cherokee.
Below is a discounted Mopar parts suppler you could call/contact and they may help you match up parts or id they are interchangeable with say 2018 year.
https://www.moparoepartsonline.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwui92Ojf2wIVisDACh11PwnBEAMYASAAEgIxq_D_BwE
Just try and be patient as the parts will be available.

The diagrams will show you all parts available that need to use. Also one word of caution is use the correct bolts to hold it to the frame. They are special bolts designed to be used once to supply the strength to do the job.

* After market hitch as was mentioned?
In my humble opinion on this subject a person spends 10's of thousands of dollars on a new Cherokee and then puts an after market hitch on it that looks aftermarket.
Net is you save some $$'s but it looks like it does not belong. Also the dealer knows the OEM wiring harness is time consuming and a pain to install.

Spend the $800 or so and install the complete setup. That is the OEM hitch and the OEM wiring for a trailer. The sad truth is you will never know if you want to hook up a utility trailer, boat, or a pop up camping trailer some day. Yes, most of those are less than 2,000lbs. So do it right and install an OEM setup so you do not limit yourself.

You made a small mistake and did not get the tow group, but it does happen. Please do not compound the mistake and put a after market set up on, especially one without trailer wiring.
Down the road the temptation will be to splice into the tail lights if you decide to pull a small trailer in the future. That will come back to haunt you.

That investment in a OEM setup, hitch/wiring will look great going forward and the extra cost fill be forgotten couple years from now. The regret of not doing it correct will stay with you as long as you own the Cherokee.
Also the Trail Hawk has specific clearance for the off road activities which may be lessened with a lower hanging hitch that the OEM one.

Good luck

 

[carguy4471]

My aftermarket Curt looks better than factory!! I don't have a big knot sticking out of my bumper with plugs and crap. Check out the photos on etrailer.

And aftermarket doesn't limit your towing ability. I work at a dealer, we install both factory and aftermarket and deal with this stuff all the time.

I will concede some aftermarket setups look horrible, this one from curt looks great though.

As far as the 18 vs 19, on 18TH you needed a new bumper insert. On the 19TH you need a whole bumper lower. Not super spendy though. Aside from that the remaining parts are the same.

 

[WannabeOutdoorsman]

My aftermarket Curt looks better than factory!! I don't have a big knot sticking out of my bumper with plugs and crap. Check out the photos on etrailer.

And aftermarket doesn't limit your towing ability. I work at a dealer, we install both factory and aftermarket and deal with this stuff all the time.

I will concede some aftermarket setups look horrible, this one from curt looks great though.

As far as the 18 vs 19, on 18TH you needed a new bumper insert. On the 19TH you need a whole bumper lower. Not super spendy though. Aside from that the remaining parts are the same.

I don't believe you need a bumper lower on the 2019, it has a plastic component that pops out of the bumper right where the hitch would sit. How are you so certain of what a 2019 TH needs if even MOPAR doesn't have the parts list for them yet? I think that if I'm going to get a hitch, it'll be OEM because I like the look and I'd like the knowledge that it was installed by a dealer along with the OEM wiring, I have regretted aftermarket accessories in the past.

 

[WannabeOutdoorsman]

@Jeepster1 Awesome response, and thank you for being so thorough. I decided to wait and to have it done right (I don't need to haul anything right now). The deal the dealership gave me on my TH was hard to pass up, and I figured $1000 down the road for the hitch and harness wouldn't be too big of a deal. While I could have looked harder, the dealership worked really hard to win my business.

Thanks again!

 

[carguy4471]

I don't believe you need a bumper lower on the 2019, it has a plastic component that pops out of the bumper right where the hitch would sit. How are you so certain of what a 2019 TH needs if even MOPAR doesn't have the parts list for them yet? I think that if I'm going to get a hitch, it'll be OEM because I like the look and I'd like the knowledge that it was installed by a dealer along with the OEM wiring, I have regretted aftermarket accessories in the past.

There's never anything wrong with going factory. I was looking at the limited bumper, which required a whole new lower to do the hitch. The TH may have just the insert. My parts department has all parts info for the 2019 already. They don't have them under "accessories" yet, only under the OE catalog. Prices are often lower once parts are put into the accessory supply chain but currently you can get anything you'd like under OE.

If I can help at all with part numbers shoot me a PM. I can have my parts guy look em up when he has a few minutes.

 

[Rand]

I have a follow on question to this.. does anyone have knowledge for 2019 that adding the "factory" tow hitch and wiring at the dealer limits you to 2000lb? (2.0T engine)

There are no add on coolers etc.

The manual itself is odd.. why would the 3.2 be rated for 450lb hitch weight and the 2.0 be rated for 400lb

Sounds like one of those owners manual carry-overs
as IIRC 2014 and 2015 had different gear ratios and possibly coolers.
but 2019 does not.

I have 2 different dealers telling me if they add the factory hitch to the 2.0 it will tow 4000lb.. because there are no changes to the 2019 except the actual hitch and wiring.


PS no I am not trading in the 2017 on a 2019 2.0t :smile:

 

[UN4GTBL]

I have a follow on question to this.. does anyone have knowledge for 2019 that adding the "factory" tow hitch and wiring at the dealer limits you to 2000lb? (2.0T engine)

There are no add on coolers etc.

The manual itself is odd.. why would the 3.2 be rated for 450lb hitch weight and the 2.0 be rated for 400lb

Sounds like one of those owners manual carry-overs
as IIRC 2014 and 2015 had different gear ratios and possibly coolers.
but 2019 does not.

I have 2 different dealers telling me if they add the factory hitch to the 2.0 it will tow 4000lb.. because there are no changes to the 2019 except the actual hitch and wiring.


PS no I am not trading in the 2017 on a 2019 2.0t :smile:

There's a member here who added a hitch to his 2019
@XJ99 I believe

EDIT: https://jeepcherokeeclub.com/337-towing-towed/232769-installing-hitch.html

 

[deez]

I have a follow on question to this.. does anyone have knowledge for 2019 that adding the "factory" tow hitch and wiring at the dealer limits you to 2000lb? (2.0T engine)

There are no add on coolers etc.

The manual itself is odd.. why would the 3.2 be rated for 450lb hitch weight and the 2.0 be rated for 400lb

Sounds like one of those owners manual carry-overs
as IIRC 2014 and 2015 had different gear ratios and possibly coolers.
but 2019 does not.

I have 2 different dealers telling me if they add the factory hitch to the 2.0 it will tow 4000lb.. because there are no changes to the 2019 except the actual hitch and wiring.


PS no I am not trading in the 2017 on a 2019 2.0t :smile:

You might be able to get the full 4000/4500 tow rating with a post-factory hitch on the Trailhawk Trim only.

According to jeep.com (not always accurate), on all the other trims, the Trailer Tow Group adds:

7- and 4-Pin Wiring Harness
Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
Class III Receiver-Hitch
Full Size Spare Tire
Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling
Trailer-Tow Wiring Harness
3.517 Final Drive Ratio (for the 3.2L - up from 3.251)

On the Trailhawk, it adds:

7- and 4-Pin Wiring Harness
Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
Class III Receiver-Hitch
Trailer-Tow Wiring Harness

Because everything else is standard on the TH. The Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler is perhaps the heart of the question...

 

[RhinosGoMoo]

You might be able to get the full 4000/4500 tow rating with a post-factory hitch...

Oh no, not this again...

via tapatalk : 2014 V6 Trailhawk

 

[deez]

Oh no, not this again...

via tapatalk : 2014 V6 Trailhawk

Eek, sorry! Maybe I'm totally wrong about this

Unlike all other trims, the TH seems to have everything in place except the aux oil cooler(?)

edit: oh, I see. This thread already has a somewhat lengthy and nuanced discussion about this:
https://jeepcherokeeclub.com/337-towing-towed/232769-installing-hitch.html

 

[ptram]

My window sticker on my 2017 lists on the tow package Heavy duty cooling and on my 2019 it does not list it on the window sticker--so maybe it is already standard on the TH.

 

[sander17]

When I picked up my 2019 Trailhawk (no tow package), the wiring harness was unavailable from the dealer and the labor was going to be quite expensive. I only needed to tow a small jon boat and mount a bike rack, so I only needed a flat four conductor wiring setup. I picked up a Mopar hitch from moparonline and a wiring setup from etrailer. The installation was easy and ten times more simple than if I had gotten the 7-conductor setup. The only error in the instructions was no mention of the pop rivets at the bottom of the plastic bumper cover. The removeable cover where the hitch pops out of the back was nice. The wiring harness has a power supply that requires one wire to be run inside the skid plates up to the battery. Etrailer's instructions were right on. I tried to get a wiring kit from a local accessories shop, but they gave me a kit for an earlier model Cherokee which doesn't work with the 2019 model. I took a look at the instructions for the factory wiring harness and it involves disassembling a bunch of parts of the interior, which explains the high labor estimate.

 

[xdetroiter]

Any updates? Similar to WannabeOutdoorsman, the originator, I recently bought a 2019 Jeep Cherokee TH without the Trailer Tow Group. Yes, I should have read this before buying, although I'm not sure it would have changed anything. TBD.

I've looked around at different options for a hitch and harness. Thinking OEM was the way to go, I ordered a Mopar hitch receiver (#82213349AC) and wiring harness (82213938AF) with the stipulation that it was a guaranteed fit. Mopar responded by saying the hitch was OK but there's no wiring harness yet in stock. They also, kindly, added that a wiring harness is not returnable.

In my search for a hitch solution I contacted a few different folks:
* local Jeep dealer where I bought the TH:
- parts: bumper, receiver, harness: about $600
- labor: about $700
- about $1300 total so I am looking elsewhere
* U-haul
- setup an appointment $427.80 P&L
- later realized it would be installed below bumper which I guess might interfere with ground clearance. Also questioned the appearance. Prefer to use existing knockout in the TH bumper.
- cancelled
* etrailer.com
- the combined towbar and harness was priced at just over $200.
- but, again, for the same reason as above, I rejected
- I like etrailer.com and a few days ago purchased several items from them
* local hitch shop
- suggested that OEM hitch would be the only one that fits into the existing bumper knockout.
- so I remain focused on Mopar

TIA

 

[apokerplayer]

The factory hitch requires a different rear bumper insert because the hitch comes out in the bumper.

I just installed a hitch on my 2019. I went aftermarket even though I work at a dealer. I went with a curt hitch, the primary hitch bar is completely hidden under the bumper. Minor trimming is required and the install is much easier with two people. At $136 I think it's an amazing value.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer_Hitch/Curt/C13172.html

They also carry wiring for the 2019 and that is also cheaper than my price on factory wiring as a dealer employee.

There are so many bike racks out there it's hard to lend an opinion without knowing what you are carrying. Thule is good stuff though.

I am told that adding the aftermarket wiring harness on the 2019 Grand Cherokee is a problem (u-haul will not install).

They told me you need to flash the ECU for the wiring to work - and this can damage the ECU.

I confirmed with the dealer and they stated Jeep will not honor the warranty on the ECU if I install the aftermarket harness -

Are you aware of this issue?

 

[jared88]

Okay so I joined the forum just so I could share my experience with others installing a OEM trailer hitch on a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited with dual exhaust. This is an altogether different procedure than the 2014-2018 Cherokees and Trailhawks as the rear bumpers are different.
I couldn’t find anyone else online or on Youtube or anywhere who had done this. Hopefully this will help others as I can’t possibly be the only person that owns a Cherokee who has wanted to tackle this project.
3 things you will need

• A rear bumper insert/valence, there are 2 kinds. The non-paintable black that matches the bumper for Latitude or Sport (about $100), and the primed paintable version made for the Limited and Overland (about $200) which is Mopar part # 68408245AA. The paintable valence does not have a paint code, it’s called Crystal Silver or some such nonsense and it appears to be the same silvery color no matter the color of the vehicle. I spoke to Mopar and FCA and was able to confirm this—apparently many painted “trim panels” don’t have paint codes. It has to be paint matched which is totally stupid. I paid my local body shop $150 to match and paint this part. They got the color close enough.
• The receiver hitch itself Mopar part 82213349AB/AC/AD or 68157041AB/AC. Note all OEM hitches for 2014-2020 Cherokees are the same. Dealers and online sellers want $225 for the “hitch kit” which includes the 6 bolts/washers (Metric size: 14x2.00x45.00) and the 2 triangular “supports” that mount to the body when you remove the old bumper. I found the supports totally unnecessary and got the hitch from a 2015 Cherokee at my local junkyard for $75 so hunt around a bit. It came with the wiring panel already in the hitch so there was no ugly empty hole where that is supposed to be. I am using only for a bike rack and a hitch haul carrier so don’t need the wiring kit anyway.
• A riveter to mount the chrome exhaust tips back into the new valence and also reattach the left and right ends of the valence back to the bumper cover panel. It’s possible you could try to use something else to attach these things but they use a metal/plastic rivet for a reason as there is some weight attached to these so just plastic grommets won’t do. I got the cheapest $5 riveter at Harbor Freight and instead of paying the outlandish $5+/rivet that Jeep wanted, I bought what seem to be the identical rivets at Advance Auto. For some reasons they are marked specifically for GM and are made by Dorman, “3/16 blind rivet retainers” part # 963-205D . You will need 8 and they come in packs of 2 @ $4/pack. Most stores only carry 2 packs at a time so I had to go to 2 different stores to get them.

So the good news is this job appears to be much easier on the 2019-2020 models that have the valence insert because you DO NOT need to remove the entire bumper cover, only the valence panel. I did the entire job myself without any assistance. But the valence panel is a pain to get out by itself. You will definitely need some panel removal tools (my cheap set from Harbor Freight worked fine) and quite a bit of patience. Remove the 4 bolts across the bottom and then the clips and rivets from the left and right corners of the valence. Then slowly work your way around the edges pulling it out one locking piece at a time. The Limited and Overland has a chrome strip that runs across the top of the valence and you will need to use a plain old screwdriver and flashlight to separate enough to see where to poke in and wedge the chrome strip’s clips enough to pop out. Not knowing what I was doing and being extra careful it took me about an hour to get the whole valence panel off. NOTE: When putting the new valence panel back on do not put the chrome strip on the panel first. More on that later.
The metal bumper under the valence panel you just removed is longer than the panel so it looks like you will need to take the upper bumper cover off. You don’t. Remove the 6 nuts holding the metal bumper on and shift the whole piece around and down…even though it’s a very tight fit with a little shifting and pulling you can get it to come out without too much work. Plus it's surprisingly lightweight. The OEM hitch then slides right into the frame body as it should so there’s no need for 2 people to hold it. My holes all lined up and since the hitch has the nuts welded to them, putting in the 6 bolts/washers was a breeze.
Then the only thing left to do is put the valence back on but this takes some work because the bumper is flexible and doesn’t just allow you to push against and snap it in. You will need to gradually work one or two of the inserts into place. Then I used a mini pick and hook tool to get into the spaces where the chrome strip will go and pull the bumper pieces toward the valence while pushing the valence against it until each one popped into place. Don’t forget to reconnect the 2 rivets and 2 clips on the very ends. The chrome strip did not want to just push back into place. I resorted to putting cloth over it and banging it into place with a rubber mallet. Again, be careful as this piece looks like it could be more easily broken or damaged.
I hope this info helps others as it took me a couple of weeks to get everything purchased and sorted out in order to tackle the project. My final cost was right around $450 for everything and the final result looks 100% factory…so much better than an aftermarket receiver sticking out the bottom of the bumper.

 

[AustinKL19]

I wish I would have read this thread before I put an after market set up on mine. Ever since I threw one in I started throwing SVC 4wd under auto in selec-terrain mode. They didn’t run line to positive terminal on battery and after I inspected I found out, had them rewire but problem has not corrected. When driving under any other mode in selec-terrain or interactive manual where 4wd is contsantly engaged it never throws … just in auto. Any idea fellas?