Tow package question

Acxman

Acxman

JK Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 2, 2022
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137
Location
Washington, michigan
2008 Jeep Wrangler jk Sahara. I purchased this jeep about 2 months ago and finally got around to getting a car fax vehicle history report. The report shows that in 2010 a local Jeep dealer did some maintenance and installed a “tow package”. The Jeep does not have a hitch receiver ? But it does have a hook where a receiver would be mounted? Is there something else they would have done as far as a “tow package” ??

Thanks
Acxman
 
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Normally in the trucks i've had that did have a tow package they had a receiver, and trailer wiring plug at the receiver. If it's automatic it would have a upgraded trans cooler also.
 
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Here's what I found:

1671047447839.png


I would seriously question a local dealer installing a tow package and not putting a receiver on. Have you checked your gearing?
I have a 2014 Sahara with a tow kit which has everything listed above.
 
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A tow package should include, at minimum, a receiver, trailer wiring, and gearing. It might also include heavier springs or some variety of leveling kit, and possibly trailer brake controls for heavier trailers.
 
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Please bear in mind your 2-door JK has a 2,000lb towing capacity. Much less if you have 3.21 gears. Matter of fact, I wouldn't even try to tow anything with a 3.21 rear end.
First thing I'd do is verify the gearing. If it is a 3.73 (minimum), adding what's needed to complete the tow package isn't too much to complete in a day. But if the rear end isn't correct, that'll set you back a a few bucks.
 
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According to my build sheet it came with 3.21 gearing and a Dana 44 axle. I think the carfax report is mistaken or the dealership had incorrect records. BTW , the Jeep is a 6 speed manual. I know the Jeep doesn’t have great towing range, so if I added a hitch it would only be intended for a small trailer. Nothing of much weight.
 
My 2018 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk has the 3.6ltr with the tow package. Without the tow package the same engine and transmission has a tow rating of 3500lbs. With the tow package it has a 6000lb tow rating.
 
SteveF said:
My 2018 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk has the 3.6ltr with the tow package. Without the tow package the same engine and transmission has a tow rating of 3500lbs. With the tow package it has a 6000lb tow rating.
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Wranglers are never more than 3500 and that is the four door, the tow package doesn't change that. A dealer installed one would simply be a 2 inch receiver and the wiring. You probably won't even get the ball.
 
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So, is there a way to identify which gearing is now in the Jeep. Is it stamped or tagged on the diff. ? My build sheet says 3.21. But, if a dealer changed the gears, I would like to know.
 
Unless I'm reading this wrong, he said it had a hook which means it could be the receiver. He just doesn't have the hitch that slides into it.
 
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Acxman said:
no, it’s just a hook.
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Part of the issue here is the mix-up in terminology. For us, the receiver is the square hole in the rear of the jeep that accepts the hitch. The hitch is a piece of angled metal that has the ball that the trailer rides on.

What do you have?

Is the hook you are talking about on the left side of the rear just below the bumper? If so, this is a standard recovery hook that comes on all JKs, and should not be used for towing.
 
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I know what a hitch and a receiver are. I do not have one. I have a recovery hook mounted in the center in the same place that a receiver hitch would go.

13D90357-56C6-4EFE-A772-72CF2AB772D2.jpeg
 
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Thanks for everyones input. I don’t have anything that I plan on hauling. Just thought I would ask the question seeing that somewhere along the line a dealership states they installed a tow package. That never happened. I may install a receiver hitch just in case I might want to tow a small trailer.
 
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