Adding trailer and wiring to JL + interstate move help

[MidwestJeeper]

Hey all,

Aside from kicking my own butt in regret for not adding the Trailer Tow package to my custom build, I am exploring alternatives to prep for an interstate move south of the country.

I won't be covered for this relocation expense by my company, hence the questions below

The stuff my wife and I want to take with us will fit in a 6'x12' U-Haul trailer, plus some stuff in the back of the Jeep.

I did some research on the forum and here is what I came up with. Please chime in -- your thoughts and comments will be most helpful.

• Simple trailer hitch to rear bumper: $100-200 range, self install, no wiring harness installation required, no trailer brake lights with this option
• Add 7x4 pin wiring harness and hitch receiver: Is $1000 a good estimate to have a dealer install a Mopar kit? Is it more like $1500?
  This is a good onetime (expensive in hindsight) investment that will stay on the Jeep for life.
  Is this option a major tear up, or is it just the zip-ties and wiring routing undercarriage to the engine bay?
• Option of reordering a 2024MY

What other options do I have that's cost effective?

Pods seem very expensive, U-haul truck & trailer seems more expensive than having the tow hitch and wiring installed, selling our stuff for not much money and buying them again is our last option.

We are shipping my wife's car and will be driving the Jeep.

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[jaymz]

Spot on with the hitch. I installed a CURT on mine. Took about 20 minutes total.

The harness install depends on which version you get. Apparently the earlier version required a ton of interior panel removal and fishing wires through the fire wall. The newer version simply has those wires routed along/through the frame up to the battery. Installation time ranges from 3-6 hours depending on who you ask. Multiply by your dealer's hourly rate and I'd guess $1000-$1500 is in the ballpark. I will say that it isn't something that can't be done by someone with just a bit of ability. Routing the harness is the most difficult part. If you haven't seen it, here's a Quadratec video showing the old harness installation. Obviously you can disregard all of the interior routing as that's now all underneath the vehicle, but the rest is pertinent and informative.

 

[MidwestJeeper]

Thanks Jay.

I did watch the Quadratec video, which is 4 years old (so assuming that installation is relevant for a '18 or '19 MY).
I read the same too, but don't know when the change to route the wiring underneath the vehicle was made.

I have moderate hands-on ability, but no way a DIY expert. I am nervous about touching the electronics, which is why I'm considering giving the job to a competent dealer.

 

[GATORB8]

Make sure you balance the load in the Uhaul trailer per their recommendations, should end up with 10-15% tongue load. It'll get squirrely on you if it's back loaded.

I had no issues installing the Quadratec branded 4 Pin and Receiver kit on our 21. Pop the tail lights and a single power run to the battery under chassis.

 

[MidwestJeeper]

Make sure you balance the load in the Uhaul trailer per their recommendations, should end up with 10-15% tongue load. It'll get squirrely on you if it's back loaded.

I had no issues installing the Quadratec branded 4 Pin and Receiver kit on our 21. Pop the tail lights and a single power run to the battery under chassis.

THank you, Matt. Can you advise if you were able to do this with the vehicle sitting on flat ground or if you needed a hoist? Did it come out at the engine bay without any issue?

How many hours did you approximately spend on the installation?

 

[GATORB8]

THank you, Matt. Can you advise if you were able to do this with the vehicle sitting on flat ground or if you needed a hoist? Did it come out at the engine bay without any issue?

How many hours did you approximately spend on the installation?

Maybe 2 hours? Flat Ground.

The tail lights come out with two plastic bolts at the back of the sports bar (covered by little pop out plastic covers). The box gets stuck on behind one tail light, the tail light connections are plug and play with factory style connectors.

Hardest part is running a single wire with loom already installed under the frame rail, up under the hood, and to the battery. Basically zip ties and fishing through some reasonably accessible areas.

4 bolts for the reciever.

 

[JJ_WA]

Hey all,

Aside from kicking my own butt in regret for not adding the Trailer Tow package to my custom build, I am exploring alternatives to prep for an interstate move south of the country.

I won't be covered for this relocation expense by my company, hence the questions below

The stuff my wife and I want to take with us will fit in a 6'x12' U-Haul trailer, plus some stuff in the back of the Jeep.

I did some research on the forum and here is what I came up with. Please chime in -- your thoughts and comments will be most helpful.

• Simple trailer hitch to rear bumper: $100-200 range, self install, no wiring harness installation required, no trailer brake lights with this option
• Add 7x4 pin wiring harness and hitch receiver: Is $1000 a good estimate to have a dealer install a Mopar kit? Is it more like $1500?
  This is a good onetime (expensive in hindsight) investment that will stay on the Jeep for life.
  Is this option a major tear up, or is it just the zip-ties and wiring routing undercarriage to the engine bay?
• Option of reordering a 2024MY

What other options do I have that's cost effective?

Pods seem very expensive, U-haul truck & trailer seems more expensive than having the tow hitch and wiring installed, selling our stuff for not much money and buying them again is our last option.

We are shipping my wife's car and will be driving the Jeep.

Here is another option - towing package and wiring package https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2022_Jeep_Wrangler+Unlimited.htm. If using a UHaul, I believe they have a braking system. The car hauler I rented did. If not you'll want to get a brake controller (also available on that page).

If you are handy with some tools, you can do this yourself. Both items have instructions on installation.

As a word of caution, be careful loading the trailer to balance the load and stay within weight limits.

Good luck and drive safely.

 

[GATORB8]

Here is another option - towing package and wiring package https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2022_Jeep_Wrangler+Unlimited.htm. If using a UHaul, I believe they have a braking system. The car hauler I rented did. If not you'll want to get a brake controller (also available on that page).

If you are handy with some tools, you can do this yourself. Both items have instructions on installation.

As a word of caution, be careful loading the trailer to balance the load and stay within weight limits.

Good luck and drive safely.

Note, other than Mopar, all the wiring kits I've seen are 4 flat, which don't have electric braking provisions.

I do believe all the UHaul trailers have the tongue installed hydro/mechanical braking setups, which don't require a controller.

 

[Santana74]

I purchased my towing hitch and wiring harness from Amazon. The towing hitch took 30-45 minutes to install. It would have been quicker but the 3.0l ecodiesel DEF tank was in the way. The wiring harness took about 1hr. I also soldered/heat shrinked my connections so it took a little longer.

 

[MidwestJeeper]

Here is another option - towing package and wiring package https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2022_Jeep_Wrangler+Unlimited.htm. If using a UHaul, I believe they have a braking system. The car hauler I rented did. If not you'll want to get a brake controller (also available on that page).

If you are handy with some tools, you can do this yourself. Both items have instructions on installation.

As a word of caution, be careful loading the trailer to balance the load and stay within weight limits.

Good luck and drive safely.

Hi JJ
thanks for the info. Did you use the etrailer products and option?

I will have to watch the Quadratec video again to better understand the wiring routing and difficulty level. Seems to be doable.

I have a mental map of what I'm going to load in the trailer, assuming I can get the kit installed before the move in ~4 weeks. lol

 

[MidwestJeeper]

Note, other than Mopar, all the wiring kits I've seen are 4 flat, which don't have electric braking provisions.

I do believe all the UHaul trailers have the tongue installed hydro/mechanical braking setups, which don't require a controller.

Would you recommend the Quadratec or the Mopar? I think they are about the same price.

 

[MidwestJeeper]

u haul will install pigtail lights for minimal expense.
will also 8nstall the hitch for you.

if you only need lights it’s easy and maybe a hundred bucks.
the complication comes if you need to connect trailer brakes.
smaller trailers don’t have trailer brakes that attack to your brake signal.

gotalk to u haul.

Thank you sir! U-Haul will do just the hitch and bracket install for basic tow purposes from what I understand.
They won't do the 7x4 and wiring harness routing, correct?

 

[GATORB8]

Would you recommend the Quadratec or the Mopar? I think they are about the same price.

Should be a pretty big difference. I remember Mopar being $300+ and didn't include the reciever.

 

[MidwestJeeper]

I purchased my towing hitch and wiring harness from Amazon. The towing hitch took 30-45 minutes to install. It would have been quicker but the 3.0l ecodiesel DEF tank was in the way. The wiring harness took about 1hr. I also soldered/heat shrinked my connections so it took a little longer.

Hey Jamie,
Thanks! Do you have a pic or two of your wiring harness routing during/post installation?
Is the heat shrinking a necessity or is it just you wanted it to look cleaner and fit more snug?

 

[MidwestJeeper]

Should be a pretty big difference. I remember Mopar being $300+ and didn't include the reciever.

Hi Matt,

Can you confirm the following Mopar parts are accurate, if I went with Mopar?

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