I installed a Hidden Hitch on my Limited last week. I ordered it online, and it was easy (about 30 minutes) to put on. The only problem was when the exhaust system got warmed up, the tail pipe started to hit and vibrate against the hitch frame. Created an amazing noise level! My dealer was very helpful. They heated the tail pipe with a torch and bent it out of the way, all for $20.
Trailer hitch install
jagd
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I installed a Hidden Hitch on my Limited last week. I ordered it online, and it was easy (about 30 minutes) to put on. The only problem was when the exhaust system got warmed up, the tail pipe started to hit and vibrate against the hitch frame. Created an amazing noise level! My dealer was very helpful. They heated the tail pipe with a torch and bent it out of the way, all for $20.
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i've been (by parts department) told getting an aftermarket tow package voids the warranty on the whole jeep. guessing it's either a way for them to make someone purchase mopar only. any others been told this?
did you have to cut out the bumper?
What did you do for the wiring harness? I ordered the tow prep package and am curious if the harness is included.
I can't see how an aftermarket hitch would void the warranty. Maybe if you were towing something that was overwight and damaged the transmission because of it. But just adding the hitch? Call Chrysler and see what they say?
I can't see how an aftermarket hitch would void the warranty. Maybe if you were towing something that was overwight and damaged the transmission because of it. But just adding the hitch? Call Chrysler and see what they say?
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If my memory is correct, the tow prep package only includes the engine oil cooler and the wiring harness... it does NOT include the hitch assembly itself.
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WHERE ARE THE PICTURES
I want to see the HIDDEN HITCH, was looking at it online also, and fairly cheap.
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Typically, the Tow packages only ever include the oil cooler and the wiring back to the back of the rig, but not the actual receiver (the big honking metal bracket thing under your bumper). I think the theory here is that there are different choices on receivers as far as size is concerned. They mainly come in 2” or 1-1/4”, of which our Patriot should probably have the 1-1/4” because of what its tow rating is. That way you have the choice of what you want to put on based on your needs or your vehicle. Kind of the same thing for the wiring….It will get it all back to back of the rig, but depending on what trailer you are using and how much wiring it requires, can dictate what adapter you need. These are usually available from UHaul or similar for fairly cheap. The only other part you need to buy is the actual stinger, or slide in with a ball on it. Of course those can vary in size as well, so be careful.
I just talked to my sale guy again, and I told him I want to MOPAR receiver for a couple of reasons. Most MOPAR accessories can be rezidualized in the lease, so I don’t have to pay full retail for it, plus, I would imagine it fits much better so I don’t have to bend the exhaust as someone mentioned above. I would be too worried about the warranty after making mods like that. We may have another outfit install it though, because they know more about putting those on than the dealer, who doesn’t do it as much as a trailer type of dealer. We will see, and I’ll be sure to let you guys know how it all goes. This should all be happening in the next few days!
I just talked to my sale guy again, and I told him I want to MOPAR receiver for a couple of reasons. Most MOPAR accessories can be rezidualized in the lease, so I don’t have to pay full retail for it, plus, I would imagine it fits much better so I don’t have to bend the exhaust as someone mentioned above. I would be too worried about the warranty after making mods like that. We may have another outfit install it though, because they know more about putting those on than the dealer, who doesn’t do it as much as a trailer type of dealer. We will see, and I’ll be sure to let you guys know how it all goes. This should all be happening in the next few days!
Except for the Liberty, G.C. and Commander in which case you do get the "big honking metal bracket thing" installed at the factory.....wish they had this option with the Patriot....
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3,969 Posts
I would love to see a picture as well. The dealer will be installing a hidden hitch as part of our agreement.
Not true, they have to prove the defective part/s were directly caused by the add on. For example, they can't deny the warranty repair for the seat heater because you have a hitch installed.
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3,969 Posts
Correct but if your engine melts down and you did not install a towing prep package and you have a 3rd party tow bar capable of 5000lbs they will argue you violated the warranty and are not covered. You will be forced to prove you never towed anything more than 4 bikes on a rack. Doesn't matter that you only went 10 miles to a trail and bought the extra capacity due to a sale.
From discussions in this forum and personal experience I can tell you that DCX will do everything they can to avoid taking a big warranty hit.
If a dealer tried to void your warranty because of a trailer hitch I'd be on the phone with the local attorney and printing out a copy of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act pretty fast.
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-2669.html
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-2669.html
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srothfuss I agree but they will try and may make you get an attorney. Need to just be sure everything meets or exceeds the DCX specs and / or limits. I used Magnuson-Moss once because the Chrysler Corp dealer claimed the routine maintenance performed on a transmission from a 3rd party voided the warranty on a failure in an unrelated part. This was in 1985. It took 6 months and I was out $2000+ (about $4500 now) plus buying a new car before my attorney forced a complete settlement. I got the money back.
I am just trying to avoid unneeded pain. My case was clear and the dealer caved.
I am just trying to avoid unneeded pain. My case was clear and the dealer caved.
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54 Posts
Do not order the Mopar/Jeep Factory trailer hitch receiver, part info:82208815AB / Hitch Receiver, 2000-lb. Tow Rating / MSRP $183.00
This is the factory version that is supposed to be for the Patriot, but you have to cut a football sized semi-circle out of the rear bumper cover to install it! It comes with a template to cut with and everything. Thankfully the guys at my dealership called to ask if I really wanted to do this to my new Patriot, and I went down and took a look at it. The body shop guys were doing the install, so they tend to have the eye and the concern for that kind of stuff, where the regular shop guys might have just gone and cut away. Phew! I'll check out that hidden hitch or wait for Mopar/Jeep to come out with one they actually put some thought into!
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292 Posts
Actually now that I'm seeing other 2007 SUV's all of them have tow package coming through the rear bumper, some have a cut out like the Patriot on the bottom of the bumper with rubber lining to cover the cut. It really doesn't look that bad. Before I was disgusted with cutting the bumper, but now I'm thinking of actually getting the cut out, but with a heavy duty tow package. I want one with a 2" not the 1 1/4" which looks whimpy. Any members here that could get a straight on shot of the tow package.
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136 Posts
Is this it!?
Is this how I should have gotten my TOW PREP package from the dealer?
Do I wait till I buy a hitch and do it myself Or should it have been actually INSTALLED?
It is just laying in the spare tire, flipped it over and I certainly DO NOT know what to do with all those plugs!!!!!!
Is this how I should have gotten my TOW PREP package from the dealer?
Do I wait till I buy a hitch and do it myself Or should it have been actually INSTALLED?
It is just laying in the spare tire, flipped it over and I certainly DO NOT know what to do with all those plugs!!!!!!
Attachments
Yeah, they were supposed to install that. Like the giblets in a turkey, sometimes the little bag of extras gets tucked into a little cavity and forgotten.
When I bought my Scion, I fond the frame plugs in the glove compartment, along with a with a HUGE warning that the vehicle was NOT to be driven without the plugs in place (Apparently, water will be able to enter the unibody through the holes, which were left uncapped to aid in shipping, and rot the car from the inside out.)
Tell the dealer you want a Patriot FDII as a loaner, and have some off-road fun with it for a day or two. (Don't want to mess up YOUR ride....!)
When I bought my Scion, I fond the frame plugs in the glove compartment, along with a with a HUGE warning that the vehicle was NOT to be driven without the plugs in place (Apparently, water will be able to enter the unibody through the holes, which were left uncapped to aid in shipping, and rot the car from the inside out.)
Tell the dealer you want a Patriot FDII as a loaner, and have some off-road fun with it for a day or two. (Don't want to mess up YOUR ride....!)
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