I'm shopping around for an Unlimited X and one option I'm debating is the trailer tow group. I'm going to eventually be towing a small boat with the Jeep and the tow group is listed as $250 if you get it as an option from Jeep. I checked around and I can get the tow hitch and wiring harness separately for less than that and they both are just easy bolt-ons. Seems like its a no brainer to just skip the option. However, I came across a page on Jeep's site that says the towing capacity is 1000lbs without the Trailer Tow Group option and 3500lbs with it. Is there something else to this option that I don't know about?

Forgot to mention, I will be getting the A/T with 3.73 gears.

 

I wondered the same thing when ordering my JK. Eventually my dealer threw it in for the price I would pay for the hitch and harness. They said I would be better off that way. When I pushed the issue, they did a nice dance around out.

I wonder if the tow group includes different springs. I thought I read somewhere that Jeep uses 22 different springs depending on what options you order.

 

I hear ya. For the price though (roughly $250) I just can't imagine the option comes with more than the hitch and wiring harness

 

different gearing if it isnt a Rubicon, instead of 3.21 the 08's come with 3.73 gears, if it has the trailer tow group.
Basically if I was getting a Rubicon I wouldnt bother, if I was getting a X or Sahara I would get it just for the gearing.

 

Yup, the gearing is why I did it, but he is getting the auto that already comes with the 3.73s so I think it is a wash for the O.P.

 

didnt even notice that....

then go with an aftermarket one....4 bolts, hitch is on. Finding a ground point for the wiring harness took longer than mounting the hitch. Wiring harness is stupid easy to install also...left tail light...remove 4 screws and plug it into the existing plugs. Done

 

Does the aftermarket hitch come with a place to hold the plug? I just swapped out my rear bumper and had to remove the stock hitch as hte new bumper had it built in. Works great except now my plug hangs down until I can get something to hold it up in place. Just something to consider, but otherwise, save the few bucks and get the aftermarket.

 

Just do your research,,, not all aftermarket hitches are tow rated! some are just rated as a place to put the bike rack.. You can find the factory ones online for $110-145 shipped.. I found mine at a local dealer for $140 and the wire kit for $40.. The aftermarket ones I looked at at a local 4x4 shop stuck out farther than the stock one and were stamped "not tow rated". They also weren't as heavy duty, only $50 more for the factory one so I went that route. Also the wiring is so easy it feels wrong!

 

The only variable I can possibly see would be if thee are unique spring rates for the tow package. There are something like 21 different spring rates for the JK, so this is a possibility.

If you've got the 3.73 gears and an equal (or better) hitch then I wouldn't be too concerned.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm not going to sweat the hitch option too much then. If the ones on the lot I'm looking at have it then that's good, if not I'll add it. The Jeep website just freaked me out a bit when I saw the two different towing capacity numbers.