Mounting a trailer hitch question - can I do it?

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:28 am

The questions:

1. Is the frame pre-drilled so that I could just get a bolt on application?
2. Does adding a hitch from anyone other than the dealer void the warranty?
3. Does having a hitch help or hurt you in an accident? I don’t want to get rear ended and find out my frame is bent b/c I have a hitch. No I would not put one of those hitch bumpers on it, it would mostly be empty other than an occasional bike/board rack or a shackle when off-roading.

I guess finally if the answers to 1 and 2 are both positive answers is there a hitch that everyone recommends or are they all the same? Thanks!

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:33 am

scoobysnax wrote:

1. Is the frame pre-drilled so that I could just get a bolt on application?

Yes. Any and all aftermarket hitches will bolt right in.

scoobysnax wrote:

2. Does adding a hitch from anyone other than the dealer void the warranty?

No

scoobysnax wrote:

3. Does having a hitch help or hurt you in an accident?

Neither... If you get hit hard enough from the back to effect the hitch, your KJ will be seriously F'd up.

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:35 am

Thanks!

riptricket · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:39 am

1. yes, the frame has the holes in it...
2. no
3. not sure

KellyMahan · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:51 am

I bought this one.

http://www.etrailer.com/productdetail.a ... om=2007&h=

The main reason is that the hitch extends just a bit further out past the bumper. All of the other ones that i know of are flush with the bumper. With the spare tire sitting on the back, those extra few inches make all the difference. You just have to watch your shins when you have to get something from the back.

Heres an example.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/855554/1

Putting it on can be done with just one person with a bit of bench pressing it up into position, 30 minute job max. I had to get help though since one of the support arms was slightly bent during shipping and needed to be aligned by pulling on it until i could put the bolts in.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:56 am

1. Already been answered. Six Bolts, all should line up to any Jeep Liberty Compatible hitch. IF yu are alone, get some strong Zip Ties. If you look under at the mounting location you will see 4 holes on each side. 3 are threaded and one is oval shaped. Thread a zip tie through the oval one and it's closest threaded bolt hole. raise the hitch and lock it down with the zip tie. go to the other side , start a bolt or 2 and then back to the zip side. start your bolts and cut the zip tie, remove and insert that bolt. torque down to specs and enjoy. Plug and go wiring harnesses also are inexpensive. As you lay on your back there is a rubber grommet on your left side just above the exhaust pipe near the frame pinch welds and where the tail pipe drops to go out of the underside of the KJ. feed your plug and go wires through there. plug into harness located in the plastic panels that just pull off inside the KJ. TEST and make sure it works.

2. Sholud not void warentee. IF you install a tranny cooler with the hitch, you can help keep from trashing your tranny by over heating it and thus possibly causing a warentee question with the dealer. tranny coolers are inexpensive insruance policies, if you plan to tow over the 2,000 lbs level (which is the amount the factory says you can tow with out the coolers (Tranny, oil and power steering) installed by the factory or dealership).

3. Best advice i have heard about hitches and rear end accidents is to NOT keep the reciever and ball in it all the time. sticks out and is likely to be hit and possibly cause more damage in the event of a rearender. But don't think there is any firm proof of this, just makes sense.

Hitch MAY actually help keep the frame raisl straight WITHOUT the receiver and ball in it in the event of an rear ender.

Good luck and a floor jack is handy in the install.

Jeepman56 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:31 am

I had all of the same questions, once again they were all answered. Thanks to WoodysKJ for the play by play.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:34 am

NP, Glad to help.

I Highly recomend the coolers. if you are towing anything heavy. Good insurance on your engine, power steering and tranny.

Gris · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:44 am

I've heard of KJs that got rear-ended and the hitch stopped the other vehicle from making contact with the KJ.

Someone at LOST posted it about an accident they were in with a crv or something.

JT-KJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:44 am

WoodysKJ,
I pull a trailer with an ATV and camping gear a couple of times a year. Lower elevations are fine, but at 10,000ft or so it is slow going. I would the cooler be a good addition for me? Are they an easy install or need to be done by a dealer?
Any info would be great!

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:48 am

I don’t want to spend a lot of time on this question, just ball park stuff. Any idea how much a tranny cooler will run me and is that something I can install or is it more complicated than just connecting a few hoses?

Regarding the hitch mount, I just realized if I get a hitch mount bike/board rack I won’t be able to swing open the gate right? They make them so that they can fold down but I can’t imagine they’ll be able to fold down enough for gate to open to the side.

Does anyone have a hitch mount bike/ski/board rack? Can you open the gate without taking the entire rack off the hitch?

Thanks for the input everyone!

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:51 am

I would think it could be a big help, if not only to add life to your engine and tranny. At higher elevations it is a question of thinner air and the engine starining to breathe. Cooler oil might help this, not sure. I would bet it would not hurt!

I am suprised to find out how much the power steering is stressed when pulling or more to the point backing a trailer. racking that wheel back and forth as i back up directing the trailer is stressful on the pump.

As far as the dealer is concerned. I had mine done there so i can take it back for warentee concerns. I read on here that they can be very easy to install. Not sure what the capacities are and how they change when adding the heat exchanger and lines, can't be much. but if they do it they are responsible.

Scooby,
Etrailer.com has all the hitches, harnesses and coolers for you to install, get them there, good prices.

KellyMahan · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:45 am

scoobysnax wrote:

I don’t want to spend a lot of time on this question, just ball park stuff. Any idea how much a tranny cooler will run me and is that something I can install or is it more complicated than just connecting a few hoses?

Regarding the hitch mount, I just realized if I get a hitch mount bike/board rack I won’t be able to swing open the gate right? They make them so that they can fold down but I can’t imagine they’ll be able to fold down enough for gate to open to the side.

Does anyone have a hitch mount bike/ski/board rack? Can you open the gate without taking the entire rack off the hitch?

Thanks for the input everyone!

You might look into something like this then.
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-SBR~TH964.htm

_UnLiMiTeD_ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:53 am

i was told all 42rle equipped jeeps have the tranny cooler already with them. My renegade has oine and it didnt come with a tow package standard

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 1:36 pm

I have a 42rle and it did not come with it. had it installed as part of my deal. I did have the power steering cooler standard. that may be the one you are thinking of.

_UnLiMiTeD_ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:21 pm

hmmm...where is the tranny cooler located if it comes from the factory?

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:35 pm

all 3 are up front in front of the radiator, PS cooler is to the right as u look at the front of the KJ.
Tranny cooler is along the bottm of the radiator

_UnLiMiTeD_ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:45 pm

yea i got a big one going along the lower part of the rad, its as wide as the rad.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:53 pm

Tranny or engine oil cooler more than likely. but maybe the AC condenser too, folow the lines and see where they go.

_UnLiMiTeD_ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 4:14 pm

i will later, just finished washing it before i came into this topic, i dont want to get dirty again lol

Mounting a trailer hitch question - can I do it?

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