SRT or Overland to tow 5K???

[skiingj]

Would love to have the SRT 2012 or 2013 but I tow a RV trailer that sits around 4900-5100 pounds with my Limited WK Hemi. What do you all think about towing this trailer with the new SRT8? I only tow this trailer five or six times a year two to three hour drive from my house. I'm not sure I want to tow right at the limit... Overland might be a better choice... Thanks!

[jeep2011]

Would love to have the SRT 2012 or 2013 but I tow a RV trailer that sits around 4900-5100 pounds with my Limited WK Hemi. What do you all think about towing this trailer with the new SRT8? I only tow this trailer five or six times a year two to three hour drive from my house. I'm not sure I want to tow right at the limit... Overland might be a better choice... Thanks!


I would say if you really want the SRT it will be ok towing the RV. The only thing you have to worry about are the tire load and the rims. The vehicle, brakes, and transmission can handle much more than 5K.

[WRX-7]

I don't think it's the tires. Per Tirerack the all season Pirelli's on the SRT8 have a higher load rating than the Overland's 20" Goodyears or 18" Michelin's. I hope someone with inside info can provide the reasoning for the lower 5k tow limit. More power, better brakes, and stiffer suspenion seems like a check list to tow more!

[soontobesrt]

Yea there has been lots of speculation and no answer has been provided. No one knows, but I believe it has to do with the Bilstein ADS suspension system on the SRT8 vs the quadra-lift or non ADS system offered on the Overlands and other GC's! The chassis and driveline aren't the limiting factors (besides the new MP3010 tcase of which know one knows much about yet) and obviously not the 6.4 Hemi. The wheels are forged and those tires are just as good as Overlands as noted above. Brake are better so not those haha. After ruling many things out the only real potential issue seems to be the suspension system on the SRT8. In tow mode the suspension hunkers down the back end pitch so its more stable up to a "rated 5k lbs"

ANYWAYS, in regards to your towing concerns the 5k lb rating is certainly not going to be an issues form what you describe you tow and how often. Plus that rating has to be conservative for many safety and insurance reasons so when they say 5k realistically I believe the SRT8 will tow all of that and some no problem at all. The hitch may even be the limiting factor but that can always be changed out.

If you REALLY WANT THE SRT8, Id say go for it, no reasons to skip out on all the extra fun you'll have just because of a few hundred lbs :)

[jeep2011]

I wouldn't suspect its the hitch as I believe it is the class IV hitch same as the overlands which is rated at 7,500 pounds. The suspension wouldn't be the culprit either because you are no suppose to have more than 500 pounds of tongue weight. Just hauling people will be way more than that.

[mjw930]

IMHO the rating is due to the rear spring rates. I also have a 5000 lb trailer that I towed with little problem behind an overland but I used a weight distributing hitch (WDH) and that made all the difference.

For this application I wouldn't have a problem towing behind an SRT8 as long as a WDH is used to manage rear sag.

[skiingj]

Thanks for all the great info!

[Scottina06]

IMO....this Jeep will be able to tow more...just like the 1st gen SRT. Just upgrade to a grade 4 tow hitch

[jeep2011]

It does include the class IV hitch.

WK2Jeeps:

Trailer Tow Group IV ($300)
Class IV receiver hitch
7- and 4-pin wiring harness
5,000 lb. maximum

[Marlin]

I'm with Scott.

And as I've said elsewhere, I believe they've limited the rating based upon the fact that this Jeep would have the capability of ripping the arse end completely out of it if a fool was to stomp the throttle with a heavy load from a standing start.

They need to rate it and allow for the "lowest common denominator" human user. haha

[WRX-7]

It seems plausible the limitation is the suspension given the emphasis on performance. It's unfortunate considering the rear airbag system already exists. It's something that could be implemented to only work when the vehicle is in tow mode and/or a trailer is plugged in so it would not impact normal performance.
As for having too much power, it's easily rectified by implementing a more aggressive torque management program when in tow mode.
I would hazard a guess this vehicle is capable of towing more than 5k lbs, if demand warranted the additional development cost. I personally would like to see the tow rating increased to 6k to comfortably handle open car haulers, small travel trailers, and boats which toe the current 5k limit.

[soontobesrt]

I'm with Scott.

And as I've said elsewhere, I believe they've limited the rating based upon the fact that this Jeep would have the capability of ripping the arse end completely out of it if a fool was to stomp the throttle with a heavy load from a standing start.

They need to rate it and allow for the "lowest common denominator" human user. haha

100% agree and with what Scott said. I really think this thing w/ upgraded hitch will tow all of that and more, 7klbs or so Id bet :)

[mjw930]

100% agree and with what Scott said. I really think this thing w/ upgraded hitch will tow all of that and more, 7klbs or so Id bet :)

No such thing as an upgraded hitch, it already comes with a class IV 2" receiver if you order the tow package.

[skiingj]

No such thing as an upgraded hitch, it already comes with a class IV 2" receiver if you order the tow package.

I believe the tow package is the upgrade he is speaking about. Order = Upgrade ;)

[SRTDogg]

Bolt-up upgrade, yeah. Some others posted some really awesome pics of the installation. Just search back a few weeks ago in the threads... FWIW, we think MOPAR will see them aftermarket and they will bolt right up. Not sure about wiring though, it could be more than wish to bite off. Going to UHaul and getting theirs put on is NOT recommended BTW!! :D

[mjw930]

Bolt-up upgrade, yeah. Some others posted some really awesome pics of the installation. Just search back a few weeks ago in the threads... FWIW, we think MOPAR will see them aftermarket and they will bolt right up. Not sure about wiring though, it could be more than wish to bite off. Going to UHaul and getting theirs put on is NOT recommended BTW!! :D

????? Posted pics of installation? On a 2012 SRT8??????

Aftermarket hitches on the WK2 protrude under the bumper and mount to the OUTSIDE of the frame rail. The factory unit provides dual axis mounting spreading the load more evenly through the unibody by attaching INSIDE the frame rail and bolting to the side and bottom of the frame. Besides, the current aftermarket hitches most likely won't even fit under the SRT bumper cover and certainly won't take advantage of the built in hitch over that comes with the factory package.

Bottom line, if you want to tow order the tow package OR install the factory tow package, including any additional factory wiring after the fact. I can not think of any legitimate reason to not use the factory parts. I don't think Jeep has anything to worry about with the aftermarket.

I don't really think the OP meant installing a new hitch, he said upgrading THE hitch, which implies a hitch exists in the first place. There's only 1 type of hitch available for the WK2 and it's a Class IV. I think the OP has confused the 5K tow limit with the Class III hitches companies put on crossovers and minivans.

[SRTDogg]

Yeah you need to get the MOPAR/factory hitch, UHaul will likely cut your bumper or something. :D

I meant of a 2011 Cherokee non-SRT8 but it shows all of the bolts/mounting/etc... It's somewhere on here, not sure where though but search and ye shall find...