I just contacted my jeep dealership and I was told thta the patriot will only accept a 1.25" hitch receiver. I was hoping to get a 2 " one so I could attach a 4 back carrier to it. anyone know why this cannot be done or if it can be done how do I get the parts to do it?

thanks!

I had UHaul install a 2" on mine. No prob! They did a fantastic job on that and the wiring harness. I'm thinking of having them do the trans cooler aswell.

Do a search in the forums there are many posts on 2" receiver hitches. I have a 2" Reese (draw-tite bar) on my Pat/Riot and I installed it myself with help from info in the forums and a little research.

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1342

2" Hidden Hitch and OEM (Mopar) wiring harness here.

does anyone know if the pat is only supposed to have a 1.25 hitch, something about a 150 lbs weight limit? anyone with issues and theri 2" hitch?

thanks again
:dead_horse:

does anyone know if the pat is only supposed to have a 1.25 hitch, something about a 150 lbs weight limit? anyone with issues and theri 2" hitch?

thanks again
:dead_horse:

The towing weight limited is based on the Patriot, not the type of hitch. Most of these hitches 1.25" -or- 2" can handle up to 3500 lbs, however the Patriot can only tow 1000 lbs normally or 2000 lbs with the engine oil cooler.

Hitch tougue weight should also be considered. This is between 300-350 lbs irregardless if the 1.25" or 2" hitch is used.


Hidden Hitch
Reese
Valley
U-Haul
Mopar


All make a 1.25" and 2" hitch for the Patriot (except Mopar). The Hidden Hitch seems to be popular because of the warranty and unlike the Mopar hitch you do not have to cut out your bumper.

Hidden Hitch 1.25" (http://www.hiddenhitch.com/fitguides/hitchsel_moreinfo.asp?vid=3736&partno=90156)

Hidden Hitch 2" (http://www.hiddenhitch.com/fitguides/hitchsel_moreinfo.asp?vid=3771&partno=87422)

Have a draw tite and mopar harness works great!!

I had the Mopar 1.25" hitch and wiring installed. I have a cargo basket which is 2". So I bought the hitch bar that slides into the 1.25" and has the 2" opening. I guess you could call it a hitch bar converter.

so i guess the question becomes, which is better, draw tite or hidden hitch ( obviously there will be some bias but. . .

Actually, Draw-tite, Hidden Hitch and Reese are all built by the same company. Do a little research and take a look. I don't believe that there is an once of difference between any of their hitches.

so i guess the question becomes, which is better, draw tite or hidden hitch ( obviously there will be some bias but. . .

Really does not matter, they are all built by the same company.

The Cequent Group a TriMas company owns drawtite, hidden hitch, reese, Fulton, Wesbar, Bulldog, ROLA, Bargman, Crown Eclipse, and Tekonsha. In regards to drawtite, hidden hitch, and reese...same hitch essentially just different names.

Does anybody know where I can find a 2" reciever that you have to cut the bumper. I would think that the 2" receiver that goes under the bumber would just hang down too low. Anybody have any imput?

anyone with an opinion on valley hitches?

between all of the different 2" hitches available (some being just different names for the same hitch) which will clear the muffler and the bumper...and be a true bolt-in with nothing more to do :icon_rolleyes:?

thanks, j

My Hidden Hitch needed to have 5/16" of grinding to eliminate contact with the muffler/tailpipe. Also had to bend tabs on a body plug to gain clearance.
Otherwise, it doesn't hang any lower than the muffler.

My 2" Valley hitch clears the tail pipe with no problem.

It also uses M12 bolts instead of 5/8", which means I didn't have to drill out the towhook holes.

http://www.valleyindustries.com/ISHEETS/82372.pdf

My 2" Valley hitch clears the tail pipe with no problem.

It also uses M12 bolts instead of 5/8", which means I didn't have to drill out the towhook holes.

http://www.valleyindustries.com/ISHEETS/82372.pdf

have you got any pics?
any issues with clearance of the muffler?

much appreciated!

My 2" Valley hitch clears the tail pipe with no problem.

It also uses M12 bolts instead of 5/8", which means I didn't have to drill out the towhook holes.

http://www.valleyindustries.com/ISHEETS/82372.pdf

thanks

no pics, but two fingers of clearance between the tailpipe and the hitch when cold. I filed off a small corner (1/32" max, and then I got bored of filing) of the hitch anyway, since I took time to paint the already scratched (but new) hitch, but I don't think it was necessary.

So what is the factory hitch 2" receiver or that other goofy size?

MOPAR hitch is the small, useless size.

Gotta go aftermarket for 2", but they're available

contact bells welding just out of winipeg (headingley) i got quoted 415 taxes in for a hitch installed and wireing harness. if you want a 2 inch its an extra 40 bucks

good luck

$415??!?!

Rack Attack Vancouver for a 2" Valley hitch - $185 + $60 install (which I didn't pay). Wiring harness took me an hour.

Hidden Hitch - 3500# towing 350# tongue 2" receiver
Etrailer.com - $117 with the shipping
Just do it yourself folks, if you're afraid to do this than your exactly the person who will benefit most from doing it yourself. Later you'll be saying - Yup! - I installed her myself while sucking down an ice cold Bud, rather than Well, I , er, a ..........stepped aside and let a man work on my car while I was sipping warm french wine.
The hitch - 4 bolts - that's it !
You put the bolts most the way through the existing holes - hold the hitch up and push them the rest of the way - Done !
4 washers and nuts and some tightening and - Bam ! - you're now one of those guys that works on his own car.
By the way, either Jeep changed something or Hidden Hitch did because the only way this hitch is ever gonna touch the exhaust system is if the muffler out right explodes ahead of time. We're talking massive clearance all around.

15/16" socket on a 1/2" drive ratchet and either an adjustable or combo 15/16" is what you'll be needing - get em tight !