Welcome to the jeepExperts.com in-depth web page on the WK Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee trailer towing system. Did we miss something? Please get in contact with us and inform us about it!
Trailer hitch packages, typically, are divided into 4 lessons. Class I and Class II are normally designed to be weight-carrying with use of a ball mount. The Grand Cherokee WJ makes use of Class III and Class IV, which may carry heavier hundreds with the usage of a weight-distributing hitch meeting that distributes the load to all trailer and car axles. A ball mount can be used with Class III and Class IV Hitch Receivers for lesser hundreds.
Trailer Tow Prep Group (requires V-6 engine)
3.73:1 axle ratio
Mechanical cooling fan
7-way and 4-way plug harness (pre-wired for brake controller)
Trailer Tow Group Class III (requires V-6 engine)
3.73:1 axle ratio
Transmission oil cooler (auxiliary, exterior)
Frame-mounted receptacle for load-equalizer sort hitch
7-way and 4-way plug harness (pre-wired for brake controller)
Trailer Tow Group Class IV (requires V8 or Hemi engine)
3.73:1 axle ratio
Power steering cooler
Transmission oil cooler (auxiliary, exterior)
Frame-mounted receptacle for load-equalizer sort hitch
7-way and 4-way plug harness (pre-wired for brake controller)
Before towing a trailer fastidiously evaluation this data to tow your load as effectively and safely as doable. To preserve guarantee protection, comply with the necessities and proposals regarding automobiles used for trailer towing. Perform upkeep providers as prescribed within the car’s Maintenance Schedule.
When your car is used for trailer towing, by no means exceed the gross axle weight score (GAWR) by the addition of:
The tongue weight of handbook. When your car is used for trailer towing, by no means exceed the gross axle weight score (GAWR) by the the trailer.
The weight of every other sort of cargo or gear put in or in your car.
Trailer and tongue weight
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) means the load of the trailer plus the load of all cargo, consumables and gear loaded on the trailer when in precise underway towing situation. The greatest technique to measure GTW is to place your totally loaded trailer on a car scale. The total weight of the trailer have to be supported by the size.
Always load a trailer with 60% of the cargo weight within the entrance of the trailer. This locations roughly 10% to fifteen% of the GTW on the tow hitch of your car. This portion of the GTW turns into the tongue weight.
Trailer sway management and equalizing hitch are required for tongue weights above 350 lbs (159 kg)., i.e., trailer weights heavier than 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg).
Complete towing weight data will be discovered on the finish of this web page within the Towing specs part.
Trailer tow wiring
The Trailer Tow Package features a 4 and seven pin wiring harness situated on the rear underbody of the car. Connect trailer lighting and brakes utilizing manufacturing unit harnesses solely. Do not reduce or splice wiring to the brake circuits. The electrical connections are all full to the car (together with wiring for a brake controller) however you will need to mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Cooling system ideas for trailer towing
To scale back potential for engine and transmission over heating in excessive ambient circumstances, take the next actions:
City Traffic: When stopped, put transmission in N (Neutral) and enhance engine idle pace.
Highway Driving: Reduce pace.
Air Conditioning: Turn off quickly.
To scale back the potential for transmission overheating, flip the “TOW/HAUL” function on when driving in hilly areas or downshift the transmission to the subsequent decrease gear vary to get rid of extreme transmission shifting. This motion may also scale back the opportunity of transmission overheating and supply higher engine braking.
Recreational towing (behind motorhome, and many others.)
1. Towing – 2WD fashions:
Recreational towing is NOT allowed. Towing with the rear wheels on the bottom may end up in extreme transmission harm which isn’t coated below the Limited Warranty.
2. Towing – 4WD fashions:
NOTE: The switch case have to be within the N (Neutral) place, and the transmission have to be within the P (Park) place for leisure towing.
CAUTION!
Internal harm to the switch case will happen if a entrance or rear wheel elevate is used when leisure towing.
Shifting into Neutral (N)
CAUTION!
It is critical to comply with these steps to make certain that the switch case is totally in N (Neutral) earlier than leisure towing to stop harm to inner elements.
Use the next process to organize your car for leisure towing.
1. Depress brake pedal.
2. Shift transmission into N (Neutral).
3. Shift switch case lever into N (Neutral). Refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation” on this part.
4. Start engine.
5. Shift transmission into D (Drive).
6. Release brake pedal and be certain that there isn’t any car motion.
7. Shut the engine OFF and place the ignition key into the unlocked OFF place.
8. Shift transmission into P (Park). 9. Apply parking brake.
10. Attach car to the tow car with tow bar. 11. Release parking brake.
CAUTION!
Transmission harm might happen if the transmission is shifted into P (Park) with the switch case in N (Neutral) and the engine working. With the switch case in N (Neutral) be certain that the engine is OFF previous to shifting the transmission into P (Park) (check with steps 7 – 8 above).
Shifting out of Neutral (N)
Use the next process to organize your car for regular utilization:
1. Turn the ignition key to the unlocked OFF place. 2. Shift transmission into N (Neutral).
3. Shift switch case lever to desired place. Refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation” on this part.
4. Shift transmission into P (Park).
5. Start the engine.
6. Shift transmission into D (Drive).
NOTE: When shifting out of switch case N (Neutral), turning the engine OFF could also be required to keep away from gear conflict.
WARNING!
You or others might be injured should you depart the car unattended with the switch case within the N (Neutral) place with out first totally partaking the parking brake. The switch case N (Neutral) place disengages each the entrance and rear driveshafts from the powertrain and can permit the car to maneuver whatever the transmission place. The parking brake ought to all the time be utilized when the motive force isn’t within the car.
CAUTION!
Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar in your car. The bumper face bar will likely be broken.
Snow plows, winches and many others.
Snow plows, winches, and different aftermarket gear shouldn’t be added to the entrance finish of your car. The airbag crash sensors could also be affected by the change within the entrance finish construction. The airbags might deploy unexpectedly or might fail to deploy throughout a collision.
WARNING!
Do not add a snow plow, winches, or every other aftermarket gear to the entrance of your car. This might adversely have an effect on the functioning of the airbag system and you possibly can be injured.
Towing precautions
| WARNING! Improper towing can result in an harm accident. Follow these tips to make your trailer towing as protected as doable: |
||
|
||
Towing information
| 2005-up Grand Cherokee towing specs | |||
| Engine | Transmission | Maximum gross trailer weight (GTW) | |
| 3.0L CRD V-6 | W5A580 5-speed | 7400 | |
| 3.7L V-6 | W5A580 5-speed | 3500 | |
| 4.7L V8 | 545RFE 5-speed | 6500 | |
| 5.7L V8 | 545RFE 5-speed | 7200 | |
| 6.1L V8 | W5A580 5-speed | 3500 | |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) | |||
| 3.0-Liter CRD (2WD / 4WD) | |||
| 3.7-Liter (2WD / 4WD) | 5700 / 5900 | ||
| 4.7-Liter (2WD / 4WD) | 5850 / 6100 | ||
| 5.7-Liter | 6150 | ||
| 6.1-Liter | 5650 | ||
| Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) | |||
| 3.0-Liter CRD (2WD / 4WD) | |||
| 3.7-Liter (2WD / 4WD) | 8,000 / 8,200 (Class II) | ||
| 4.7-Liter (2WD / 4WD) | 11,200 / 11,450 (Class IV) | ||
| 5.7-Liter (4WD) | 12,200 (Class IV) | ||
| 6.1-Liter | 8,800 (Class II) | ||
Tongue Load Limit
|
|||
| 3.0-Liter CRD | 720 (Class IV) | ||
| 3.7-Liter | 525 (Class II) | ||
| 4.7-Liter | 720 (Class IV) | ||
| 5.7-Liter | 720 (Class IV) | ||
| 6.1-Liter | 350 (Class II) | ||
| Maximum trailer size | |||
| Class II | 20 ft | ||
| Class III | 25 ft | ||
| IV | 30 ft | ||
| Frontal space limitation | |||
| Class II | 40 sq ft | ||
| Class III | 60 sq ft | ||
| IV | 60 sq ft | ||
Brake controller wiring
A typical electrical brake controller installion requires the hookup of 4 wires (see diagram at backside of web page):
1. Power – For the 12v energy feed, an in-line 20A or 30A auto-reset circuit breaker is required which ought to be put in near the battery or energy supply. Circuit breakers are normally not provided with brake controllers and will must be bought individually.
2. Ground – connects to car chassis Ground
3. Brake lamp swap output – connects to Pin 2 on the car brake lamp swap. Depending on the mannequin 12 months, the wire is both white/mild inexperienced or white/tan. See the “brake Controller wiring” picture diagram on the backside of this web page).
4. Trailer brake controller – connects to manufacturing unit provided inexperienced wire feed that’s situated behind the fuse panel (see photograph under). This wire runs again to the rear 7-pin exterior trailer connector.
Jeep gives the brake controller feed, a wire that runs from the rear trailer connector as much as the left entrance sprint. The wire is situated behind the fuse panel and will be accessed by eradicating the hush panel as proven within the photograph under. The steering wheel opening cowl can be pulled down for higher entry.
