I was under the impression that you should only require the engine oil cooler to tow 2000 lbs (and maybe the 140 amp alternator if the trailer has electric brakes...but I don't think that would be required), 1000 lbs without the oil cooler. The FDII comes with the oil cooler and the 140 amp alt. (among other things) from the factory but they can also be added to any of the other models.

 

no trailer brakes, so no need for the alt.

I called the dealer and asked them to check if a factory oil cooler is enough to tow - If so, I might jusy be a new Jeep owner tomorrow.

 

(From pg. 340 of the 2009 Jeep Patriot owners manual)


Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue Wt.

2.0L Auto/Man 22 sq ft (2.04 sq m) 1,000 lbs (450 kg) 150 lbs (50 kg)
2.4L Auto/Man 22 sq ft (2.04 sq m) 1,000 lbs (450 kg) 150 lbs (50 kg)
2.4L Auto/Man with
Trailer Tow Prep Package
(AHC)
32 sq ft (3.0 sq m) 2,000 lbs (907 kg) 300 lbs (136 kg)

 

A 2010 Patriot better tow rather well as I just bought one to do just that!

 

well I was told with my 2009 that all you needed to tow 2000 lbs is the oil cooler. I have the 5 speed manual and I tow my little 4x8 trailer around everywhere. Just be sure to keep an eye on the temp guage when going uphill. The 5-speeds are better for towing and feul economy, just so you know, but if you plan on really 4x4ing the patriot get the fdII. The 5 speed is not geared for crawling and the clutch seems to wear even if you don't use it when you are off-roading. The 5 speed is great for running around town so really do some thinking on what you are going to use the vehicle for.
I filled up my trailer with a yard of barkmulch and the patriot had no problems pulling it home. The trailer's tires were rubbing on the fenders, so it was a bit of weight.
Also make sure you buy a 4x4, you'll be kicking yourself later if you don't.
Personnally knowing what I know now I would buy a used rubicon or sahara, I definitly would have chosen one of those over a cvt patriot. This is based on off road manners, I love driving my patriot around town, but I am afraid of breaking it when I offroad it.

 

Only need the oil cooler for any 2.4L Patriot to change from 1000 pounds to 2000 pounds tow rating. Be careful with tongue weight as the rear suspension is quite soft. Specs say <225 pounds.

 

Equipment required for towing 2,000 pounds depends on the year model. I know that for my 2008 with trailer tow prep it is 2,000 pounds. I wonder if the reason 2,000 pounds requires the FDII on later models is that Jeep has decided that the FDII lower overall gear ratio and CVT puts less stress on the drive train.

I'd sure recommend the oil cooler if you're going to tow or drive in the south. I know that the thermostat and fan will try to keep the engine coolant temp in the middle of the gauge. But, the oil temp is not reflected on the coolant gauge.

Also, towing more than rated may not be a problem, but I'd hate to be in an accident towing more than my specific model was rated and get sued by a sharp lawyer and have my insurance company decline to cover me because I was not operating my vehicle within the published manufacturer limitations.

FWIW, IMO, and YMMV.

 

Equipment required for towing 2,000 pounds depends on the year model. I know that for my 2008 with trailer tow prep it is 2,000 pounds. I wonder if the reason 2,000 pounds requires the FDII on later models is that Jeep has decided that the FDII lower overall gear ratio and CVT puts less stress on the drive train.

Only the oil cooler is required to go 2k on the '09.

 

Personally I'd rather install something like this:

http://www.etrailer.com/Engine-Oil-Coolers/Derale/D15405.html

. . . rather than the Mopar OEM cooler. They both use the oil filter adapter plate mounting. This way I'm not adding extra heat to the cooling system . . . and the 2 radiator hoses (p/n 5058492AE & 5058489AE) you have to replace if you do the Mopar OEM cost $57.35 and $37.93 each. Would hate to try to find those special hoses in some out-of-the way burg on a Saturday night! Guess you could carry your original hoses with you if that happens.

 

Remember you don't have to get a factory oil cooler. Actually you can get after market units that have their own fan. They offer even better cooling solutions. Increased fluid volume as well.

 

Brubakes: I wish I read yours and MINICooperS's comments earlier (actually, I got my oil cooler last year, so I wish this came up a year ago).

I would recommend the aftermarket, non-Mopar solution. I've never had a problem with my setup, but it's cooler here, even in the summers only hitting 32C.

 

Did my oil cooler last year because I tow quite a bit in the summer mostly firewood.The only time you really notice a heavy load over 2k lbs is when it is isn't loaded evenly on the trailer or when stopping fast.Other than that I have towed some heavy stuff with no issues at all

 

FYI,
Did my first towing with my new 2010 Sport 4x4 5-spd (no oil cooler) this weekend. Approx 1000# gross trailer weight up a 7 mile, 6% grade with an outside air temp of approx 95 degrees. The temp gauge almost got to 1/2 way but not quite (with the AC off). It didn't seem to mind 3rd gear at times, probably could have done it all in 4th with no traffic. I was satisfied with how it handled 1000#.

 

i wouldn't. it barely has enough power to get out of its own way.:doh:

 

Sounds like you are driving a 2.0 CVT? The 2.4 5-spd does just fine.

 

I pick up my 2010 Patriot 4X4 FDI 5spd next weekend and plan on installing a class 3 hitch for the additional tongue weight when I put bags in the rear suspension. I got the 5spd for towing... I had a 99' saturn sw for 5 years and towed up to 3500lbs with the 5 spd through the rockies and around vancouver, bc even though both the auto and 5spd were only rated for 1000lbs I was just careful with the clutch starting from a stand still and I got over 300,000kms out of the clutch which was still good when the car got written off... just don't rev the engine too high when starting and minimize the time the clutch actually slips and you should be fine...just get trailer brakes for the heavier trailers.

 

Does having a factory installed hitch mean it has the oil cooler as well?

 

@ Vanvouverpatriot88, here's what I've towed (3200 lbs) in relatively flat southern Ontario. I added the oil cooler for this run.
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20468&highlight=tow+boat

...and a scary story to go with it.
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27897&highlight=tow+boat


Be careful.

 

Yes it can tow. I have an FDI and even prior to me installing the oil cooler it towed it fine. This is what I tow.

 

this is what I tow

17' long, 6' wide, 900 pound boat, 240 pound motor, 450 pound trailer, + gear.
No trailer brakes.

 

Bought a 2010 Jeep Patriot Sport Latitude Edition last week, and asked to have the tow package with oil cooler and hitch installed as we tow a 17ft. ski boat a few times in the summer. The dealer ordered the parts, and when they went to install the oil cooler, they found it already had one. The salesman told me it was a change in the 2010 models he was unaware of. So chances are, if you're looking at a 2010 Patriot, it already has the oil cooler on it.

 

Thanks for your input Psaulesl, that's a big help... what kind of boat do you have? and Corgimom, do you have the CVT or 5spd? it would be great if I didn't have to purchase an oil cooler...

Some of the driving I'm going to do with my Patriot with the boat involve 35-38degree celcius driving through the Okanagan and I wouldn't want to overheat...

 

My boat

Thanks for your input Psaulesl, that's a big help... what kind of boat do you have?

A 2006 Maxum 1800 SR3.
http://www.maxumboats.com/sport_boats.asp?modelid=54075
with the 4.3L Alpha I (190 HP)

 

I have the CVT. Haven't used it for towing yet, but it takes the hills well for a 4 cylinder. I'm hopeful I won't have any problems towing with the oil cooler.

 

My ’08 Patriot has a CVT and the trailer prep tow package on it and I have towed several times. I have a homebuilt trailer towed a scooter and a sport bike on it. MPG’s suffered a little but I haven’t really given it a second thought with the loads I have carried. A couple of loads I would almost forget that I was towing a trailer.

 

Do I misunderstand this info on this page? It seems to say that 2000 lbs is the standard towing limit, as well as max for 2010.

http://www.jeep.com/hostc/vsmc/vehicleSpecModels.do?modelYearCode=CUJ201005

 

Yes, you interpret the towing ratings correctly for 2010. Prior years appear to have had some equipment differences. The relevant difference appears to the be Engine Oil Cooler.

 

So now the oil cooler is standard?

 

just bought a Patriot north edition 4x4 cvt four weeks ago and just did 900km towing my wife's bike (harley) on a trailer with no problems at all... drives like a breeze