Do I need Trailer Tow/Heavy Duty Electrical Group?

[AndiS]

I'm preparing to order a JLU Rubicon and my husband and I are debating the tow/electrical group. He has a 2020 extended cab Tundra and that's likely to be what we would choose to tow anything of significance, so it seems like we don't have any use for it and it would be cheaper to add a wiring harness and Class II hitch after the fact for the super-rare instance of towing rather than pay $1000+ for the whole package. And by super-rare I mean that I've had two Toyota 4Runners over a period of 14 years and have never once towed a single thing because we always had the truck.

The Rubi will be my primary vehicle - will probably take it camping regionally/locally, to the beach, etc., (i.e., not Moab...) and possibly along some trails in a group with a local Jeep Jam kind of thing.

I keep seeing that it's pain to add all of that later but I'm just not sure we'll ever need it. I should probably add that I'm 52 years old and while I'm a very active 52 it's unlikely I'm going to change my recreational habits significantly and suddenly become the overlanding type.

Would like to hear a few opinions.

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[chevymitchell]

I'm preparing to order a JLU Rubicon and my husband and I are debating the tow/electrical group. He has a 2020 extended cab Tundra and that's likely to be what we would choose to tow anything of significance, so it seems like we don't have any use for it and it would be cheaper to add a wiring harness and Class II hitch after the fact for the super-rare instance of towing rather than pay $1000+ for the whole package. And by super-rare I mean that I've had two Toyota 4Runners over a period of 14 years and have never once towed a single thing because we always had the truck.

The Rubi will be my primary vehicle - will probably take it camping regionally/locally, to the beach, etc., (i.e., not Moab...) and possibly along some trails in a group with a local Jeep Jam kind of thing.

I keep seeing that it's pain to add all of that later but I'm just not sure we'll ever need it. I should probably add that I'm 52 years old and while I'm a very active 52 it's unlikely I'm going to change my recreational habits significantly and suddenly become the overlanding type.

Would like to hear a few opinions.

It's worth every penny to get upfront.

 

[Ratbert]

Even if I never towed I'd still get that package. I do, however, have all of my aux buttons connected to something (three sets of lights and a fridge). It makes it incredibly easy to wire things up. A better alternator is also a plus.

 

[bonniejf]

I'm preparing to order a JLU Rubicon and my husband and I are debating the tow/electrical group. He has a 2020 extended cab Tundra and that's likely to be what we would choose to tow anything of significance, so it seems like we don't have any use for it and it would be cheaper to add a wiring harness and Class II hitch after the fact for the super-rare instance of towing rather than pay $1000+ for the whole package. And by super-rare I mean that I've had two Toyota 4Runners over a period of 14 years and have never once towed a single thing because we always had the truck.

The Rubi will be my primary vehicle - will probably take it camping regionally/locally, to the beach, etc., (i.e., not Moab...) and possibly along some trails in a group with a local Jeep Jam kind of thing.

I keep seeing that it's pain to add all of that later but I'm just not sure we'll ever need it. I should probably add that I'm 52 years old and while I'm a very active 52 it's unlikely I'm going to change my recreational habits significantly and suddenly become the overlanding type.

Would like to hear a few opinions.

Bigger battery and alternator and the aux switches are worth the cost and convenience of the entire package.

 

[BDinTX]

First Jeep didn’t have it so I installed the aux switches myself. It’s probably the most tedious thing I’ve had to do. The switches alone are worth the price in my opinion. The bigger battery, alternator, fan, hitch receiver, and 7 way plug are just icings on the proverbial cake.

 

[j2.pictures]

First Jeep didn’t have it so I installed the aux switches myself. It’s probably the most tedious thing I’ve had to do. The switches alone are worth the price in my opinion. The bigger battery, alternator, fan, hitch receiver, and 7 way plug are just icings on the proverbial cake.

agreed. I do not even tow anything but got the package for this reason.

 

[toothirtyj]

Don't forget potential resale/trade in value as well...

 

[Heimkehr]

@AndiS

I knew I'd be using my new Jeep to tow occasionally, and I still forwent the pricey tow package. My long-established use case, carried forward from the vehicle the Jeep was replacing, was such that I couldn't justify the investment.

Installing the Curt receiver hitch was dead simple. Adding the Quadratec 4-flat tow harness was a bit time-consuming, but not complicated and it's a once-and-done job anyway. DIYing the work allowed me to gain a fair share of the same functionality as the costly factory package for pennies on the dollar.

Wrangler price trends aren't so sensitive that the absence of this particular option will cause one's valuation to crater. This is doubly true given the sheer aftermarket support for accessory switch panels, under-hood control boxes and tow harnesses themselves.

You already have towing capacity via the Tundra, and the anticipated use case for your Jeep (vis-a-vis your history with your 4Runners) seems to provide the answer you're seeking here.

 

[AndiS]

@AndiS

I knew I'd be using my new Jeep to tow occasionally, and I still forwent the pricey tow package. My long-established use case, carried forward from the vehicle the Jeep was replacing, was such that I couldn't justify the investment.

Installing the Curt receiver hitch was dead simple. Adding the Quadratec 4-flat tow harness was a bit time-consuming, but not complicated and it's a once-and-done job anyway. DIYing the work allowed me to gain a fair share of the same functionality as the costly factory package for pennies on the dollar.

Wrangler price trends aren't so sensitive that the absence of this particular option will cause one's valuation to crater. This is doubly true given the sheer aftermarket support for accessory switch panels, under-hood control boxes and tow harnesses themselves.

You already have towing capacity via the Tundra, and the anticipated use case for your Jeep (vis-a-vis your history with your 4Runners) seems to provide the answer you're seeking here.

Thank you for the detailed and thoughtful reply.

 

[Beachcomber72]

If money won’t be an issue adding the package then go for it. It’s in the same category of “there’s no replacement for displacement” and or “better to have and not need than to need and not have”. You never know what situation may arise in the future. And also it’s a very good package option, stronger battery and charge system and obviously the greater tow ability.

 

[Caliguy]

If you ever decide to add it later, it gonna cost way more than $1000. Ask me how I know.

 

[tk1700]

I'll probably never tow more than 1000 lbs with mine, but i got the tow package. Like others have said the aux switches and heavy duty alternator and battery are worth it, especially if you are going to add more electrical items or run a winch.

 

[ChuckQue]

My vote is to get it for all the same reasons others have voiced.

 

[azjl#3]

Order it up front, it's a crime it is not standard on a rubi.

I installed the factory hitch and harness myself, 2 days i will never get back, cost just over $1,000

 

[Ratbert]

Order it up front, it's a crime it is not standard on a rubi.

I installed the factory hitch and harness myself, 2 days i will never get back, cost just over $1,000

That hurts. And that's without the tow package's 240-amp alternator, 700-amp battery, or aux switches and their wiring in the cab and under the hood. Damn.

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