[missmayhem]

I purchased a 2018 Jeep Trailhawk 4x4 with 3.2L engine which I love.

Had no plans to tow anything when I bought it, but now I need to relocate halfway across the USA (CA to TX). Using shipping pod services would cost about the same amount as just replacing all my furniture (I just have a studio). U-haul says they can install a hitch on my Jeep for about $500, and that I can pull one of their 6x12 enclosed trailers ($1800). This seems more reasonable to me as the total cost is less than the cost of replacing my belongings.

Uhaul said I can tow 4500 lbs, and that even with the trailer full I would still be under the maximum capacity.

Max load: 2,480 lbs.
Gross vehicle weight: 4,400 lbs. max.
Empty weight: 1,920 lbs.​

I've been seeing various posts online saying my max tow capacity is 2000 lbs unless I have a Factory Tow Package and that installing a hitch at this point doesn't increase the towing capacity to 4500. There is currently no hitch on my Jeep, and as far as I'm aware it didn't come with a Factory Tow Package. I don't know how to tell if that's on there or not, but I don't see any tow hitch. But I've also seen other posts that say it doesn't matter, that only the engine size matters (and I do have the 3.2L engine).

I don't mind only being able to go 55mph and having a two day drive take three days. But my $5000 worth of belongings isn't worth destroying my Jeep which cost much more, so I want to be sure if U-haul is correct that I can tow their trailer loaded.

Can my Jeep tow the uhaul trailer?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[missmayhem]

Here is info from my build sheet based on my VIN (I'm not sure if this information is helpful)


Equipment Listing
Vehicle Description 2018 JEEP CHEROKEE TRAILHAWK 4X4

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Monotone Paint
Off Road Group
Battery Run Down Protection
Electronic Stability Control
Anti-Lock 4-Wheel-Disc Brakes
Rr 60/40 Folding Split Recline Seat
Vinyl Door Trim Panel
6-Way Manual Passenger Seat Adjust
Front Seat Active Headrests
Red Interior Stitching Accents
Front Height Adjust Shoulder Belts
Child Seat Anchor System-LATCH Ready
Drvr Inflatable Knee-Bolster Air Bag
Advanced Multistage Front Air Bags
Pass Inflatable Knee-Bolster Air Bag
Jeep Rack Kit
Supplemental Frt Seat Side Air Bags
Supp. Side Curtain Frt/Rr Air Bags
Supplemental Rear Seat Side Air Bags
Cargo Tie Down Loops
All-Season Floor Mats
Jeep Rack Cargo Management Sys
Three Rear Seat Head Restraints
Driver Seat Back Pocket
Rr Seat Armrest w/Cupholder
3 Passenger Assist Handles
Overhead Console w/Sunglass Holder
Full Length Floor Console
Media Center Electronics Storage
Leather Wrapped Shift Knob
Illuminated Front Cupholders
Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
Rear Window Defroster
Sliding Sun Visors w/Illum Mirrors
Power Multi-Function F/Away Mirrors
2-Door Passive Entry, Frt Door Locks
Keyless Entry with Panic Alarm
Engine Immobilizer
Pushbutton Start
Air Cond ATC w/Dual Zone Control
Instrument Panel
Cluster 7.0" TFT Color Display
140 MPH Primary Speedometer
Tachometer
Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
12V Cargo Power Outlet
Locking Glove Box w/Damped Door
115V Auxiliary Power Outlet
Air Filtering
Speed Sensitive Power Locks
Power 8-Way Driver Seat
Pwr Front Windows, 1-Touch,Up & Down
Illuminated Entry
Front Passenger Seat Belt Alert
LED Taillamps
Vehicle Information Center
2 Frt O/Head Incandescent Map Lamps
Rear Reading/Courtesy Lamps
Ambient LED Interior Lighting
Cargo Compartment Lamp
Headlamp Off Time Delay
Automatic Headlamps
LED Daytime Running Headlamps
Bi-Xenon HID Headlamps
Front Fog Lamps
Enhanced Accident Response System
Accent/Body Color Fascias
Black Headlamp Bezels
Accent Color Grille Surrounds
Black Lower Dr Cladding
Black Day Light Opening Moldings
Off Road Wheel Flares
Body Color Door Handles
Rear Fascia Skid Plate Applique
Jeep Badge
4X4 Badge
Accent Color Exterior Badging
Accent Color Roof Rails
Black Hood Decal
Cherokee Badge
Trailhawk Badge
15.8 Gallons Fuel Tank
Speed Control
Granite Crystal Met. Clear Coat
Uconnect 3C with 8.4" Display
6 Speakers
Removable Short Mast Antenna
Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Ctrls
Remote USB Port
Electric Power Steering
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
Off Road Suspension
Tilt/Telescope Steering Column
Full Size Spare Tire
P245/65R17 OWL All Terrain Tires
ParkSense Rear Park Assist System
Selec-Terrain (TM) System
ParkView Rear Back-up Camera
Blind Spot and Cross Path Detection
Occupant Classification System
Electric Park Brake
Red Tow Hooks (2 Front, 1 Rear)
R1234YF A/C Refrigerant
Front/Rear Climate Control Outlets
Tire Pressure Monitoring Display
Trailhawk Logo Tag, Console Netting
Rear Seat Heat Ducts
Power Locking Fuel Filler Door
'Why Buy' Label
English/USA Language
Jeep Active Drive Lock
Door Trim Panel Module
Steering Column Cover Parts Module
Rear Spring Parts Module
Rear Brake & Knuckle Parts Module
Center Console Parts Module
Front Fascias Parts Module
Front Brake & Knuckle Parts Module
Headliner Parts Module
Seat Parts Module
Instrument Panel Parts Module
Door Parts Module
Front End Parts Module
Power Train Parts Module
Tire & Wheel Parts Module
Front Suspension Damper Parts Module
Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications
GVW Rating - 5500#
U.S. Dealer Retail
Zone 71-Los Angeles
Jeep Wave Owner Care (N/A Fleet)
KL/5753 Vehicle Family
Four Wheel Drive (4WD)/(4X4)
Left Hand Drive (LHD)
2018 Vehicle Specifications
Vehicle Order Tracking
U.S. Specifications Label
California Ship to State Code
California Sold to State Code
Cloth/Leather/Vinyl Bucket Seats
Black
Cold Weather Group
Comfort/Convenience Group
180 Amp Alternator
700 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
Hill Start Assist
Hill Descent Control
Selec-Speed (TM) Control
All Speed Traction Control
Electronic Roll Mitigation
Trailer Sway Damping
Frt Pass Forward Fold Flat Seat
Jeep Rack Off Road Accessory Kit
Silver Anodized Door Trim Appliques
Lock On Sync Tire Press Sensor
All Automatic Transmissions
Electronic Range Select
9-Spd 948TE 4WD Auto Trans (Make)
Jeep Active Drive II
3.517 Final Drive Ratio
Locker Rear Axle
3.2L V6 24V VVT Engine w/ESS
Rear View Auto Dim Mirror
Temperature & Compass Gauge

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

12V Auxiliary Power Outlet in IP
NAV-Capable! See Dealer for Details
GPS Antenna Input
Premium Air Filter
Heated Front Seats
Power 4-Way Driver Lumbar Adjust
Power Liftgate
Glove Box Lamp
Ext. Mirrors w/Supplemental Signals
Exterior Mirrors Courtesy Lamps
Accent Color Exterior Mirrors
Accessory Switch Bank Module
Security Alarm
Front License Plate Bracket
Trail Rated Badges
50 State Emissions
Dual Bright Exhaust Tips
Engine Oil Cooler
Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
Exterior Mirrors w/Heating Element
Engine Block Heater
Windshield Wiper De-Icer
Heated Steering Wheel
Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
Granite Crystal Met. Clear Coat
All Radio Equipped Vehicles
8.4" Touchscreen Display
SiriusXM Satellite Radio
Audio Jack Input for Mobile Devices
Remote SD Card Slot
USB Port in Media Center
Uconnect Access
All VP3 Radios
Firestone Brand Tires
17X7.5 Black Painted Aluminum Wheels
All Aluminum Wheels
Remote Start System
Tip Start
Stop-Start Multiple VSM System
Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield
Front Suspension Skid Plate
Transmission Skid Plate
Underbody Skid Plate
Universal Garage Door Opener
Integrated Voice Command w/Bluetooth
Silver Anodized Interior Accents
Humidity Sensor
All Parksense Systems
SiriusXM Radio Service
For Details, Visit DriveUconnect.com
For More Info, Call 800-643-2112
6 Mo. Trial (Registration Required)
Manuf Statement of Origin
3 Additional Gallons of Gas
Spring - Left Rear
Spring - Left Front
Spring - Right Rear
Spring - Right Front
Customer Preferred Package 2TE
Customer Preferred Package 27E
Sales Tracking
Easy Order
United States Region Group
NAFTA Region

 

[Flybynightcru]

I've been seeing various posts online saying my max tow capacity is 2000 lbs unless I have a Factory Tow Package and that installing a hitch at this point doesn't increase the towing capacity to 4500.

That would be totally correct...Good move BTW, and welcome from Utah from a Cali native who escaped from there also, a long long time ago. Best move I ever made...LOL!!!😉😎

 

[AtlCade69]

The max tow capacity on any KL Cherokee with an aftermarket hitch is 2000# (regardless of engine)
From the owners manual:

 

[Mark_]

Because this a 2018 V6 TH... I would ask a dealer if they can update it to 4500 lbs with a dealer installed hitch and wiring. It's free to ask. I never remember if this practice started with 2018s or 2019s... but the TH has all the hardware for max towing, it's just a matter of having the official 4500 lbs tow capacity - or not.

 

[jcool001985]

Your KL being a trailhawk already has the heavy duty cooling. All KL have aux transmission cooling and sway control all things you want when towing. So technically you will not damage your Jeep towing the u haul though per FCA you are limited to 2,000 lbs without the "factory tow package". Basically legal jargon if you were to get into an accident someone could press charges if they found out you were over what FCA spec'd when the Jeep was built. Though you can tow that no issues with your Jeep now if you want to that is another call...

 

[Longship]

Is there a sticker on a doorjam giving maximum weights? On my UK TH, the sticker shows a maximum vehicle mass of 2495kg and a maximum train mass of 4695kg, so a trailer up to 2200kg is allowed here. Any trailer over 450kg must be braked though.