Anytime you can keep your drivetrain components cooler, they will last longer if not abused. Automatic transmissions run hot anyway. The cooler can only help.

 

depends on your driving. if you do a lot of stop and go, harsh driving, I can't see how it wouldn't hurt.

 

The oil cooler keeps the oil from breaking down as fast. It's nice to have, but if you don't, just change the oil more often. I do not have an oil cooler on mine, so I elect to change the oil every 3K; as I tow a boat and trailer once or twice a week.

 

If you don't tow more than 1000lbs there is no need to install it. Do it if you want as it won't hurt but it is not going to do anything for you unless you use the vehicle to tow a lot and tow over the 1000lbs. It is on the vehicle simply to help keep the engine cooler when it is being used hard.

 

Remember it is not just the towing. You need to count the extra weight if you add anything. I am in the process of mounting several items which will amount to roughly 300 lbs extra on the patriot (winch, roof rack, new tires and wheels, jack, etc). This puts more strain on the transmission and engine. I elected to add one and put it in. The only real problem I had was getting the old hoses out and one of the installation clips came off during shipping. I feel it is a great add on for roughly $135 plus labor and fluids especially since I will be keeping mine until it breaks down completely and can't be fixed.

 

I agree with what's been said in this post. My wife and I are making a trip up to the Yukon, Alaska and into the Arctic in a few months. We're leaving the truck and camper at home and taking the Patriot with a small box trailer behind it. Two kayaks will be going on top of the Jeep. The trailer weighs 250# empty and won't even approach 1000# but I'm definitely buying the oil cooler and installing it as soon as the weather gets a bit better.
Dave