Hitch

[mergedown]

Wise move. You saved about $60 !

Found the OEM hitch for $168 as well.

Would I need a drop hitch for towing a car trailer? Or would a standard hitch work?

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[FatBoy01]

Found the OEM hitch for $168 as well.

Would I need a drop hitch for towing a car trailer? Or would a standard hitch work?

You would install a regular trailer hitch for the JL/JLU.

Depending on the trailer you may need to use say a 4" or 6" "Drop Hitch Receiver".



You make up for the height difference between your JLU and the trailer with Drop Hitch, receiver/adapter.

Depends on the stance of the particular trailer and the height of the tow hitch off the ground. I use a 6" drop with mine. You park on flat level ground and the end result is you want a level trailer tongue. So, you measure and decide 4" drop, 6" drop or no drop hitch receiver. Drop hitch receivers are not expensive. You can get at Harbor Freight, Walmart. Buy, go home and try and return for credit and get different one if necessary.

Hint: ALWAYS lubricate your hitch ball with marine lubricating grease. Never trailer with a dry, non-lubricated ball.

 

[$uicide$hift]

I know many have and will buy off the lot and their Jeep does not have this feature. I hope the ones that order do see the value in the trailer hitch option at $795.00 and choose to add that option if they feel they may want to tow anything. It can be done a bit cheaper, but you will miss out on the larger alternator as well. The 700 amp battery is OK but does not add value to the package I don't think.

If you are going to order and are on the fence about this option I would choose it.

 

[FatBoy01]

@mergedown

Forgot to mention. You are wise to have say 100 lbs. or so in the cargo area of the vehicle when you go to figure out what drop hitch to go with. Remember, weight in the back of the vehicle makes the back of the vehicle sit lower. Again, very very important to keep the trailer tongue as level as possible. Trailer needs to be loaded 60/40. Should be 60/40 when you go to figure out what "drop hitch" to use.

 

[FatBoy01]

Found the OEM hitch for $168 as well.

You can find on eBAY for $116.00+-. You can buy as new condition/ used for as little as $50 today on eBAY.

 

[Joe Paul]

Found the OEM hitch for $168 as well.

Would I need a drop hitch for towing a car trailer? Or would a standard hitch work?

Standard should do, but an adjustable would be versatile

 

[Joe Paul]

I know many have and will buy off the lot and their Jeep does not have this feature. I hope the ones that order do see the value in the trailer hitch option at $795.00 and choose to add that option if they feel they may want to tow anything. It can be done a bit cheaper, but you will miss out on the larger alternator as well. The 700 amp battery is OK but does not add value to the package I don't think.

If you are going to order and are on the fence about this option I would choose it.

Good advice. I looked and found JLs that didn't have it and others that did. Options will drive you crazy, trying to find the color, options, and price. I found one with what I wanted minus the tow option and decided to add it myself. I don't plan to tow anything that requires a bigger alternator. Just a thought. Dealer gave me a break on price for parts, so I came out better than $795. Just a thought.

 

[FatBoy01]

Standard should do, but an adjustable would be versatile

You are talking about an adjustable ball mount. YES, an adjustable ball mount is great to have but a good one is pricely.








An aluminum adjustable, ball mount can run $150+- . For the occasional trailer tower that pulls the same old trailer all the time, he/she will find it more cost effective to go with a plain Jane, non-adjustable, steel drop hitch with the correct drop. Will cost $15+-.

 

[Joe Paul]

You are talking about an adjustable ball mount. YES, an adjustable ball mount is great to have but a good one is pricely.

An aluminum adjustibe can run $250+ . For the occasional trailer tower that pulls the same old trailer all the time, he/she will find it more cost effective to go with a plain jane, non-adjustable, steeldrop hitch with the correct drop. Will cost $152+-.

True, but I found one for less, and I do use it with a camper as well. I have about three of them anyway for different vehicles. Measure, find the one that's right; it won't break the bank.

 

[$uicide$hift]

Good advice. I looked and found JLs that didn't have it and others that did. Options will drive you crazy, trying to find the color, options, and price. I found one with what I wanted minus the tow option and decided to add it myself. I don't plan to tow anything that requires a bigger alternator. Just a thought. Dealer gave me a break on price for parts, so I came out better than $795. Just a thought.

Exactly my issue. I never find one on a lot with the options I care about. They are either missing options that are important to me or they include them but are fully loaded with options I don't want to pay for. :cwl:

For some it is important to have leather seats with the 8.4" infotainment center / speaker upgrade. Those are options I can live without and those combined add $3,000.00 to the price. Every Jeep I have seen that has the other options I want seem to also have these two expensive options that I don't want to pay for. I can do a lot of things with that $3,000.00 that are more important to me than those two options.

 

[se7en]

Ok, so after getting caught up on this thread, I think I understand a bit more. @Craigb - you are our resident expert on the hitch install because you are one of only a couple that has actually went through the full install. So, I think I read where you said that the OEM brake controller plug that is located under the drivers dash on factory installed hitches is NOT part of the self-install package (but you don't care bc you dont need it), but have you seen any part number anywhere that we could add it if we needed it? I know I need it. How about you, @FatBoy01 , you seen anything?

 

[FatBoy01]

@se7en ... You've lost me. What are you wanting to do.

I believe but am not sure:
If you have the Factory tow harness installed at the factory, you use the plug in under driver's side dash to use with you aftermarket brake controller.

If you do the install of the factory harness yourself or have the dealer do it for you, you still use the same plug under driver's dash for your aftermarket brake controller.

 

[se7en]

@se7en ... You've lost me. What are you wanting to do.

If you do the install of the factory harness yourself or have the dealer do it for you, you still use the same plug under driver's dash for your aftermarket brake controller.

I dont have the factory tow package, currently, but will be adding it. My question is if the plug under the dash exists if you don't have it installed from the factory? Since I didn't get it installed from the factory, I've looked under my dash and can't seem to find it. So, was wondering if it needs to be installed by me when I do the wiring harness install or am I just missing it somewhere?

 

[mergedown]

I believe it is there and just tucked away. I just ordered the harness and will be giving it a shot.

I dont have the factory tow package, currently, but will be adding it. My question is if the plug under the dash exists if you don't have it installed from the factory? Since I didn't get it installed from the factory, I've looked under my dash and can't seem to find it. So, was wondering if it needs to be installed by me when I do the wiring harness install or am I just missing it somewhere?

 

[digitalbliss]

I dont have the factory tow package, currently, but will be adding it. My question is if the plug under the dash exists if you don't have it installed from the factory? Since I didn't get it installed from the factory, I've looked under my dash and can't seem to find it. So, was wondering if it needs to be installed by me when I do the wiring harness install or am I just missing it somewhere?

I don't know if you have it, but on mine with the factory tow package it is on the left side of the driver side. Mine was tied to another bunch of wires running vertically down the left kick panel where your parking break would be if it was in the floor.

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