How Do I Know If My Jeep Cherokee Has A Tow Package?
Every Jeep driver out there knows that being able to haul almost any load is the icing on the cake of owning a sports utility vehicle.
But with the various packages available to make this happen, you probably wonder if you should purchase a tow package.
Better still, if your trusted Cherokee already has a factory tow package installed. Well, you don’t have to worry anymore.
The easiest way to know if your Jeep Cherokee has a tow package is by checking your vehicle’s VIN. You can thus figure out if your Cherokee is factory fitted with a tow package by asking a dealer to confirm with this number. Read further to learn all you need to know about Jeep Cherokee tow packages.
Does the Jeep Cherokee Come With a Tow Package?
The Jeep Cherokee comes with a tow package that allows you to maximize your car’s versatility.
This solid car is remarkable for its doggedness, immense cargo space, on-roading finesse, and off-roading capability.
Furthermore, when enhanced, the immense towing ability is the cherry on top.
It is also important to know what a tow package is and is not. And more importantly, what distinguishes a tow package from another closely related term– a trailer package.
A trailering package is a fixture that allows you to pull a trailer behind your vehicle. It is designed to increase the towing capacity of your car by increasing the towing weight.
But you’d agree with me that there are many things worth pulling beside a trailer, like a camper, boat, etc.
On the other hand, a tow package consists of everything that would help you tow your choice load easily and safely.
With a tow package, your Jeep des not only tow trailers; it can even handle weights larger than that. o
Also, note that although you might want to tow everything doable, the safety of your vehicle should come first.
That is because towing very heavy loads puts an additional strain on the components of your vehicle, like the shocks or structs.
Further, there are two types of tow package installation; the factory tow package and the aftermarket tow package installation.
As their names indicate, the former is installed specifically by the car manufacturer while the latter is not.
What Jeep Cherokee Has a Tow Package?
Although all trims of the Cherokee are designed to be able to tow to some extent, towing capabilities differ.
This difference is due to varying size and engine performance, among other factors.
In addition, the Jeep Cherokee comes with an optional factory tow package.
This feature is mostly unavailable on the other trims but can complement with an aftermarket trailer hitch.
However, the Cherokee’s Bigger brother, the Grand Jeep Cherokee, has the factory tow package on most of its trim levels.
The reason is not far-fetched – the Grand Jeep Cherokee is mostly built for off-roading ventures. So it comes factory fitted to weather the rigors that come with its destiny.
So if a tow package is the main deal to you, the fierce Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is your go-to guy.
Pros and Cons of the Tow Package
Though the tow package is highly beneficial to Jeep users, it is not all perfect.
On this note, I will highlight a downside of the tow package after listing their advantages below.
#1. Pros
- A tow package increases your vehicles towing capacity
- Better handling
- Makes towing safer for you and your vehicle
- Reduces wear and tear of the vehicle because of the upgraded features that help withstand the stress of towing
- Saves you money from paying the tow.
- Earns you money, especially if you tow for work.
#2. Cons
- It is expensive: tow packages cost far more than trailer packages because, in addition to paying for the hitch, you’re paying for the upgrades made to the vehicle.
With the advantages and disadvantages outlined above, you might want to look into why you need the tow packages in the first place.
If you aren’t hauling many heavy items, then an aftermarket hitch should be sufficient for your vehicle.
But if you will, then you might not mind spending the extra buck on getting the needed upgrade. But again, it all comes down to what you would use your vehicle for.
How Do I Know If I Have a Tow Package?
The easiest and surest way is to have a trusted dealer check your vehicle’s features from the VIN.
The VIN is specific to each vehicle, like a fingerprint, so with this, any Jeep brand dealer can confirm if you have a tow package.
The VIN is imprinted on:
- the side of the driver’s door
- on the factory-fitted tires, and
- written on your car’s owner’s manual.
A factory tow package, as earlier stated, is more than just an add-on like a hitch at the back. It involves upgrading the vehicle to be up to the task of the rigors of towing.
Thus it includes a proven set consisting of the upgraded vehicle and added fixtures.
A trailer-tow package typically consists of a hitch platform, wiring harness, and several upgrades to the vehicle, including;
- upgraded engine
- improved cooling and electrical systems
- improved shocks and brakes
- Rear-end gearing
Trailer tow packages also come in 4 categories based on the receiver hitch and towing capacity. So, larger numbers indicate larger towing capacities.
How Much Can a Jeep Cherokee Tow with a Tow Package?
The Jeep Cherokee’s towing capacity is 2,000 pounds. However, it can tow up to twice or thrice that amount with a tow package!
Also, the engine power is a key determinant here, so you’ll need to combine the engine capacity with the weight the tow package can handle.
For instance, the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk’s 2000 pounds can max out to 4,500 pounds with the 3.2L engine of the factory tow package.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, maxes out at 7,200 pounds because it can allow larger engines
Before you tow any load, it is important to always keep in mind that you should:
- Know the weight of the load you intend to haul
- Ensure that its weight is lesser than your car’s maximum towing capacity.
- About going above the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle. It comes with unpleasant consequences, as harmless and tempting as it may be.
Conclusion
A tow package protects your vehicle from wear and tear due to the strain of towing heavy loads.
A vehicle with a factory tow package is more efficient and reliable than a vehicle without one.
However, there are different tow packages with differing capacities and downsides. This article guides you to make an informed choice.
