Towing Capacity of 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 3.6L V6 and Brake Controller Installation

Question:

To whom it may concern, I have a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 3.6L V6 that I am interested in putting a hitch on. I bought the vehicle without a tow package and want to put one on. That being said, I currently have a boat that weighs with trailer, gas, and gear around 5000-5500lbs. I see that these vehicles are rated for 6200lbs and am curious as to how true this is. The Jeep is 4wd if that helps any as well. I have a 2011 5.7L V8 Toyota Tundra TRD Rock Warrior that I use only to tow my boat. I’m looking to get rid of this as it is a wasted expense if I’m fact the Jeep can handle this kind of towing capacity. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated, Thank You.

asked by: Josh W

Expert Reply:

A vehicle's towing capacity depends on the entire complement of factory equipment installed on it. The best place to confirm this is the owner's manual. I checked an online edition of the manual for the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with 3.6L engine and page 488 does indeed indicate that this 6200-lb towing capacity applies to both 4 x 2 and 4 x 4 versions.

In any towing system, the lowest-rated component will determine the overall capacity. In your case the vehicle can tow 6200-lbs but the aftermarket hitches made for it can vary in their own weight capacities. For instance, Draw-Tite hitch # 75699 is rated for 5000-lbs unless you use a weight distribution hitch setup, which increases the hitch's (but not the Jeep's) towing capacity to 7500-lbs.

Curt hitch # C13182 offers a 6000-lb tow rating so this will be a better choice. This 6K rating means you can tow 5500-lbs without having to use a weight distribution system (but you still could use one if you want). I linked an installation video for this Curt hitch which fits GCs that are NOT the SRT-8 or diesel models.

You will also need a wiring harness and potentially a trailer brake controller unless the trailer uses surge type brakes. For a basic 4-pole wiring kit use part # 118727, which is shown in the linked video. This 4-pole kit provides basic stop/turn/tail light functions.

If you do need a 7-way type wiring set-up and a brake controller like the Prodigy P2 # 90885 you will also need our installation kit # ETBC7. This includes all parts needed to install the brake controller and it includes a 7-way vehicle socket with all circuit functions shown in the linked photo.

expert reply by: Adam R

click to enlarge

Bernie S.

8/2/2020

Ex: 4 /200# people in Jeep & 200 misc cargo in Jeep. I need to find out how much my 20’ travel trailer weights empty then add the passenger weight & misc. weight (1000#) then figure your propane tank (1/2), bedding, clothing dry food & refrigerator goods! Other than a weigh station for large trucks where else can you weigh your traveling setup? Thx.

Jon G.

8/12/2020

The only other way I know of that you can verify your empty trailer weight is to know the year/make/model and look it up online or reach out to the manufacturer to verify. You'll find this listed as the "dry weight". Aside from that you're going to have to take your trailer to the weigh station.

Samantha S.

10/23/2020

@JonG I found a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6 Limited with an aftermarket hitch. Dealer is trying to figure out the hitch rating but I was told aftermarket hitches dramatically reduce your tow capacity without the other pieces of the factory tow package like the upgraded suspension, HD brakes, and fan. I'm pulling a travel trailer but I don't want to put myself in a dangerous situation buying a vehicle with something that isn't as-advertised if it really can only pull 3-5k with the aftermarket hitch.

Jon G.

10/26/2020

@SamanthaS That is a great point. When it comes to aftermarket hitches they are tested for strength separately from the tow vehicle. This means that you always need to compare the weight rating of the tow vehicle to the trailer hitch and go with the lower of the two. Sometimes this is the vehicle and sometimes this is the hitch. The dealer should be able to look up the specs for your specific vehicle and tell you what that vehicle can handle. Then for the hitch that's currently installed there needs to be a sticker on it with the weight rating. If you can't find that sticker then you might consider replacing that aftermarket hitch with another one (like part # e98901) so that you know the weight rating.