[Dapperdanman]

I’ve seen on some forums here that the 3.2L can only tow 2000 lbs but I’m also seeing around 3500 lbs, which is what I thought. I’m sure someone on here knows the answer for sure. Hoping for some feedback from people who have actually towed trailers. I plan on pulling a 6x10 enclosed trailer over a reasonably long distance and want to be sure I’m not going to run into problems. Any experienced input on this would be much appreciated.

 

[toofastgtp]

If you have the factory installed tow package it is 4500. If non factory installed tow and or 2.4L it is 2,000.

 

[Dapperdanman]

If you have the factory installed tow package it is 4500. If non factory installed tow and or 2.4L it is 2,000.

From what I understand there isn’t anything performance enhancing from a factory tow package. Just a mopar hitch and wiring harness. Am I missing something?

 

[toofastgtp]

From what I understand there isn’t anything performance enhancing from a factory tow package. Just a mopar hitch and wiring harness. Am I missing something?

Brakes, engine/oil cooling, final drive gear. In all reality it will tow just fine. even the 2.4 can tow the 4500lbs. It more going to come down to the legality. If there was to be an accident and you are found to be towing more then the factory tow rating then be hefty fines and liability issues.

 

[sothatsprettyneat]

From what I understand there isn’t anything performance enhancing from a factory tow package. Just a mopar hitch and wiring harness. Am I missing something?

I towed a 6x12 U Haul trailer fully loaded over 700 miles, including though the Appalachians and did great. Trans never had any heating issues either. Just be aware traction control will freak out when moving from a dead stop, but the rig is solid at speed. My U Haul had to be maxed out.

Edit: here is my post on my towing experience: My experience towing 750 miles near max capacity

 

[AtlCade69]

From what I understand there isn’t anything performance enhancing from a factory tow package. Just a mopar hitch and wiring harness. Am I missing something?

Safety, Insurance, Engineering, etc.
You would be assuming the liability. The Auto Manufacturer will only warrant the max specs for something that they put on in the assembly line.

Whether it is physically possible is a totally different question.

 

[Mark_]

From what I understand there isn’t anything performance enhancing from a factory tow package. Just a mopar hitch and wiring harness. Am I missing something?

Hi there,

You've started two different discussions on the forum with the same question. Please try to stick with one discussion so we can see what others are posting, so we don't waste time answering if someone else has already answered elsewhere. Thx.

So.. aoccording to the title of the other discussion, you have a 2019 V6 TH, right ? If so, it is trailer prepped, meaning if it didin't come with the Trailer Tow Group, you can have a Mopar hitch and wiring installed at a dealership and then have them program/update your VIN with the Tow Group option, and when they do that you get the official 4500 lbs capacity. If you install the hitch yourself, you can't get the programming done.

The 2019+ V6 TH has all the needed hardware to tow 4500 lbs. If no Tow Group from factory, it can be added. Same with 2019+ V6 AD2s.

 

[Tyler-98-W68]

Of course everyone always focuses on the towing capacity, but the reality is you need to also factor in a few other things.
1. Payload capacity
2. Front and rear axle weight ratings
3. Tongue weight

KL TH's have a 985lb-1000lb payload capacity. That means passengers gear and your tongue weight. Example of your trailer has a 500lb tongue weight which is very common among single axle travel trailers, you only have 485lbs left for you and your gear.

Then you have to factory in the rear axle weight rating as well (which is 2805lbs)

Best thing to do is find the trailer you want, hook it up and take it to a weigh scale to make sure its within legal limits.

After a few months with my Geo Pro 19BH, Dry weight 3200lbs, fully loaded its 3900lbs and the tongue weight is 660lbs.....there isn't even a chance I could have pulled it with my Cherokee, so there is more than just towing capacity

 

[nocaps]

In addition to the above considerations there is a trailer frontal area rating (39.44 sq. ft. with the tow package.) This one is often overlooked and sometimes difficult to calculate but if exceeded can result in excess constant power being required from the drivetrain at highway cruise speeds, resulting in various types of drivetrain over-stress. In the real world it tends to manifest itself as sluggish performance and high fuel consumption at cruise, and difficulty maintaining adequate engine or transmission cooling, even if all weights are within limits.

 

[Jeepster1]

Brakes, engine/oil cooling, final drive gear. In all reality it will tow just fine. even the 2.4 can tow the 4500lbs. It more going to come down to the legality. If there was to be an accident and you are found to be towing more then the factory tow rating then be hefty fines and liability issues.

Legality has nothing really to do with it, with the vehicle per say.
Its warranty coverage. I guess if you slap on a hitch and the trailer pulls it off the vehicle or the hitch fails then yes you will have some personal liability.
As far as state laws (legality) go they vary on trailers. The big issue is trailer brakes at 2,000lbs in my state and trailer lights size by trailer weight etc.

The big issue is the manufacturer wants to protect itself and the warranty of the vehicle. Having a full size spare in not included in stock Cherokees unless optioned like in the tow pkg. Get a flat and using a temp type tire is not a good idea if you are towing. Its a huge safety issue that will lead to a serious accident.
Also, if you tow with a non OEM hitch and trailer wiring connection there is no way the manufacture can warranty the tow not knowing the hitch and how it was attached. Also you absolutely can not wire power into the wiring as it exists. It must be integrated separately. You can damage the vehicle.
If a dealer puts a Mopar hitch and specific wiring into the Cherokee then you will be in a much better position to tow if you have the proper cooling attachments.

So many variables, so that is why you see the limits the manufacturers put on towing.

 

[Jeepster1]

I’ve seen on some forums here that the 3.2L can only tow 2000 lbs but I’m also seeing around 3500 lbs, which is what I thought. I’m sure someone on here knows the answer for sure. Hoping for some feedback from people who have actually towed trailers. I plan on pulling a 6x10 enclosed trailer over a reasonably long distance and want to be sure I’m not going to run into problems. Any experienced input on this would be much appreciated.

Watch the frontal area on the trailer. The owner's manual states the maximum allowed. If you have a full spare and an OEM installed hitch and OEM wiring you probably would be ok.
You need to be sure the transmission oil cooler is up to snuff. Other things like tire pressure are going to be key issues with your tow. Door pressure listings will not work for a trailer tow.
Tire issues are always a tow issue. underinflated tires for the weight can cause tire failure. An OEM hitch is critical as it is specially set up to balance the load with the vehicle.
Good luck and be sure to let us know how it goes.

 

[AZJeeper]

Legality has nothing really to do with it, with the vehicle per say.

There are no laws per se on exceeding the towing limits, but there are laws that prohibit putting others at risk. So if you cause an accident while towing significantly over your vehicle's limit, officer Friendly may end up giving you a ticket for endangerment (or other such things). If nothing else, a good lawyer could take you to the cleaners.

The key phrase is "significantly over your vehicle's limit". ...and they have to prove it. Maybe something like this:

 

[sothatsprettyneat]

Having a full size spare in not included in stock Cherokees unless optioned like in the tow pkg

I'm fairly certain that a full size spare is standard in 2019+ TH. When I was shopping around, every 19+ TH had a full size spare, even with no other options

 

[Mark_]

I'm fairly certain that a full size spare is standard in 2019+ TH. When I was shopping around, every 19+ TH had a full size spare, even with no other options

All 2014+ THs and ADII Cherokees come with a full-size spare, unless they changed something for 2022 model year.

 

[toofastgtp]

Legality has nothing really to do with it, with the vehicle per say.
Its warranty coverage. I guess if you slap on a hitch and the trailer pulls it off the vehicle or the hitch fails then yes you will have some personal liability.
As far as state laws (legality) go they vary on trailers. The big issue is trailer brakes at 2,000lbs in my state and trailer lights size by trailer weight etc.

The big issue is the manufacturer wants to protect itself and the warranty of the vehicle. Having a full size spare in not included in stock Cherokees unless optioned like in the tow pkg. Get a flat and using a temp type tire is not a good idea if you are towing. Its a huge safety issue that will lead to a serious accident.
Also, if you tow with a non OEM hitch and trailer wiring connection there is no way the manufacture can warranty the tow not knowing the hitch and how it was attached. Also you absolutely can not wire power into the wiring as it exists. It must be integrated separately. You can damage the vehicle.
If a dealer puts a Mopar hitch and specific wiring into the Cherokee then you will be in a much better position to tow if you have the proper cooling attachments.

So many variables, so that is why you see the limits the manufacturers put on towing.

That is part of it but for some reason the north American KL have a low tow rating compared to the European KLs. Same goes to most all other makes and models.

 

[Dapperdanman]

Hi there,

You've started two different discussions on the forum with the same question. Please try to stick with one discussion so we can see what others are posting, so we don't waste time answering if someone else has already answered elsewhere. Thx.

So.. aoccording to the title of the other discussion, you have a 2019 V6 TH, right ? If so, it is trailer prepped, meaning if it didin't come with the Trailer Tow Group, you can have a Mopar hitch and wiring installed at a dealership and then have them program/update your VIN with the Tow Group option, and when they do that you get the official 4500 lbs capacity. If you install the hitch yourself, you can't get the programming done.

The 2019+ V6 TH has all the needed hardware to tow 4500 lbs. If no Tow Group from factory, it can be added. Same with 2019+ V6 AD2s.

Yeah the 2 threads were an accident. So basically I’m good, but it would be better if the dealer updated my vin for liability purposes. Got it. Thank you.

 

[AZJeeper]

That is part of it but for some reason the north American KL have a low tow rating compared to the European KLs. Same goes to most all other makes and models.

That is true, EU tow ratings are much higher. Why?

• US uses SAE J2807 as the standard. EU uses its own standard that uses other assumptions. For example, the "Davis Dam Grade" test in SAE is quite brutal - 3,500 feet of climb in under 12 miles, 100F day at bottom, A/C on. EU has no such requirement.
• US speed assumptions are much higher. EU can take advantage of lower speeds, especially with wind resistance and cooling.
• US trailer brakes are considered optional by the SAE standard. I believe the current assumption is 2000 lbs. In EU, trailer brakes are mandatory.
• Tongue weights are different. US assumption is 10% of trailer weight. I believe the EU is 4%. Transfers some of the load to capacity for EU markets.

I'm sure there are more reasons, but just those above make a huge difference in establishing towing limits.

Oh, yeah. Add in the fact that in the US anybody can sue anyone for just about anything and, well, you get the idea.

 

[Dapperdanman]

Watch the frontal area on the trailer. The owner's manual states the maximum allowed. If you have a full spare and an OEM installed hitch and OEM wiring you probably would be ok.
You need to be sure the transmission oil cooler is up to snuff. Other things like tire pressure are going to be key issues with your tow. Door pressure listings will not work for a trailer tow.
Tire issues are always a tow issue. underinflated tires for the weight can cause tire failure. An OEM hitch as it is specially set up to balance the Th k you

Watch the frontal area on the trailer. The owner's manual states the maximum allowed. If you have a full spare and an OEM installed hitch and OEM wiring you probably would be ok.
You need to be sure the transmission oil cooler is up to snuff. Other things like tire pressure are going to be key issues with your tow. Door pressure listings will not work for a trailer tow.
Tire issues are always a tow issue. underinflated tires for the weight can cause tire failure. An OEM hitch is critical as it is specially set up to balance the load with the vehicle.
Good luck and be sure to let us know how it goes.

Good advice on the tire pressure. Thanks I will update once the trip is complete.