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CMRA325

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
(I hope I put this in the right spot)

I have a new 2014 Patriot Limited 4x4 with a 5 speed, no towing package and I have a few questions in the hope that some can be answered here.

My vehicle did not come with a tow package but I have ordered the wiring harness and hitch components. It looks like I also need to get the engine oil cooler but I dont see one listed for 2014. Will the 2013 part fit?

I will be towing a 4x6 enclosed v-nose cargo trailer that has a dry weight of 700 lbs. It will carry a 280 lb race bike as well as 300 lbs of other gear (leathers, tire warmers, generator, ezup, etc.) While this weight should not be a problem, should I be concerned about the lack of aerodynamics? I live in Texas so hills wont be much of an issue.

Finally, this trailer does not offer trailer brakes. I am quite used to them after years of owning a toy hauler. Should this be a concern?

I have included pics of bike and link to trailer for reference. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Trailer (which matches the color of my Patriot almost perfectly)
Image


Primary cargo
Image
 
#2 ·
Nice looking trailer! You should NOT have any problems towing on the flat, and even in the hills--just don't push it--be gentle. My 5x8' trailer fully laden with construction debris or landscaping products tops out around 3500-4000 lbs. I DO have the tow package--but I don't push it--flat or hills--and no problems thus far.

Good luck!
 
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#4 ·
Nice looking race bike! My wife and I hit the track for our first time this summer and are hooked. We don't have a trailer yet, fortunately her durango has a 7400 lb rating so we can rent any old trailer be thousands below max.

Your pat will work just fine with such a small trailer. And with under 1500 lbs, you won't even feel it in the brakes. I've had near 1000lbs of people and cargo in mine for a 700 mile road trip and it road and brakes nearly normal. The only time I really noticed the weight was while accelerating. Your rig should be a comfortable and safe setup for a long time.
 
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#5 ·
That's a great looking trailer, would love to own something like that one day. The bike I would probably afraid to ride!! I'm sure the 4 wheel disc brakes will be enough for your needs. Mine always feel strong even loaded up with cargo. I'm very happy the Limited FWD has them stock even though I wish I had 4WD, my gas mileage average has been between 22-23. I drive a lot of hills but my patriot seems slightly thirsty, maybe I have a heavy foot enjoying my 2.4L.
 
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#6 ·
Fatty SS said:
Nice looking race bike! My wife and I hit the track for our first time this summer and are hooked. We don't have a trailer yet, fortunately her durango has a 7400 lb rating so we can rent any old trailer be thousands below max.

Your pat will work just fine with such a small trailer. And with under 1500 lbs, you won't even feel it in the brakes. I've had near 1000lbs of people and cargo in mine for a 700 mile road trip and it road and brakes nearly normal. The only time I really noticed the weight was while accelerating. Your rig should be a comfortable and safe setup for a long time.
Click to expand...
My boat runs 1500-1700 lbs( depends on what time of year - hunting or fishing )and I sure as heck know it is back there both because of the engine lag and because of the brakes.

2000lbs is a real max limit for these vehicles.
 
#7 ·
Word of caution:
My wife works for a major American auto insurance company. I can tell you that if you are involved in an accident while towing more than the rated towing capacity of your vehicle, an insurance company can and will deny any claim. Leaving you to foot the bill for any repairs both to your vehicle and to yourself in the case of injury. If the accident happens to be your fault, it could get ugly real quick.
I know a lot of people just hook up and go without much of a thought. Or are only concerned if their vehicle has "enough power" to pull the load. And many of them have never had an issue. But ask yourself if it is worth it. Only you can answer that for yourself.

As for the original poster... what is the factory towing capacity of your vehicle? What parts would be needed for Chrysler to raise that capacity? I would think about your towed set up and what you can do to bring it within line. Perhaps an open trailer would be lighter. Or, most of your gear could go inside the vehicle, and you could still be within the GVWR and towing capacity listed for your vehicle. As to the aerodynamics, in the manual for my 2014 Patriot it lists frontal area of the trailer in square feet. Measure your trailer hieght and the width of each side of the v-nose and you should be able to calculate that and see if you fall within that restriction.
As far as I know, the towing package is a hitch, wiring harness and transmission oil cooler. The suspension is all the same.
 
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#8 ·
Towing package includes an engine oil cooler, not a transmission cooler. You can buy the cooler kit from your dealer and install it yourself in an afternoon. I planned to do this with mine for towing our two bikes on a (very) light open trailer, but we ended up replacing my wife's Avenger R/T with a Durango R/T instead. Now my jeep is just a commuter/fire road queen. No need to tow with a very limited jeep when we darn near have a half ton truck.
 
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#9 ·
Fatty SS said:
Towing package includes an engine oil cooler, not a transmission cooler. You can buy the cooler kit from your dealer and install it yourself in an afternoon. I planned to do this with mine for towing our two bikes on a (very) light open trailer, but we ended up replacing my wife's Avenger R/T with a Durango R/T instead. Now my jeep is just a commuter/fire road queen. No need to tow with a very limited jeep when we darn near have a half ton truck.
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Thanks for the correction. I have transmission oil coolers on my towing vehicles, so I just transcribed from memory without looking it up.
 
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#10 ·

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#14 ·
Did the picture not show up with that post?
 
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#18 ·
I failed to mention, I saw him pulling into the stoneworks yard. So the trailer, yes it was ok, but when he loads it he'll probably be in trouble. Point being, it just looked like an awfully large trailer for a Patriot...
 
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#19 ·
That trailer is probably in the range of 1300-1800 lbs. Perfect legit to tow empty with a Patriot

Sent from my Nexus 4
 
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