Great forum you have here guys :)

Now after getting to look at the SRT-8 Cherokee in person this weekend I have two prospective buyers in my family (the old man and I). But we were wondering where the hitch goes or how it looks. I read somewhere that they lower the exhaust and fit the hitch above. Pics would be great.

Thanks.

http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=31&limit=recent

http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=31&limit=recent
Just so there is no confusion, the pics in that link are NOT of the SRT8Factory Hitch, which has not been released yet.

see link for other pics, same truck.
http://www.***********/forums/showthread.php?t=690&page=2

Thanks guys... that one looks like a nice job they did and its not too noticeable.

We are going to look into custom fabbing one below the exhaust and then using a tongue that raises it higher... Shouldn't be too much trouble.

Twisted
That is what I wanted to do but the shops here wouldn't touch the project. They will weld up a contraption out of railroad rails and bolt it to a farm truck, but for me at least they wouldn't touch a new truck trying to pull a light trailer. Lots of lawyers here in Louisiana I suspect. I can weld a little but it ain't pretty and might not be strong so I went with the factory set-up just slightly modified. It does work I have pulled my flats boat and a 4-wheeler trailer, a Hobie or jetski would be fine. I think I am going to get a utility trailer so the Jeep will be as useful as my Denali XL my son is driving now.

fasjeep, where in LA do you live.. I am in new orleans.

LilOne
I am in BR. You are brave driving run flats in New Orleans. Roads were bad before the storm, now full of junk as well as the giant potholes. Be careful

found some one who did a custom job for a hitch just in case some one was interested

http://www.***********/forums/showthread.php?t=811

Can anyone know if there is an "official" tow package available yet.?
I ordered the SRT8 , with a factory tow package, but now 3 days before I collect the Dealer says there isn`t one in the UK yet !!and I have traded my current Grand Cherokee 4.7.

As my trade is restoring and building classic cars, I need to tow them about regularly, so I am now stuck !!

I would be very gratefull for any assistance .

Rob

Can anyone know if there is an "official" tow package available yet.?
I ordered the SRT8 , with a factory tow package, but now 3 days before I collect the Dealer says there isn`t one in the UK yet !!and I have traded my current Grand Cherokee 4.7.

As my trade is restoring and building classic cars, I need to tow them about regularly, so I am now stuck !!

I would be very gratefull for any assistance .

Rob
The GC SRT8 is rated to tow 3,500 lbs with the hitch package, if it ever arrives. With a car trailer & a "Classic Car" you'll easily exceed that anyway.

Can anyone know if there is an "official" tow package available yet.?
I ordered the SRT8 , with a factory tow package, but now 3 days before I collect the Dealer says there isn`t one in the UK yet !!and I have traded my current Grand Cherokee 4.7.

As my trade is restoring and building classic cars, I need to tow them about regularly, so I am now stuck !!

I would be very gratefull for any assistance .

Rob

Rob:

Had the same problem. Finally made my own solution. Got a Class III hitch from the jeep dealer, removed the bumper, installed the hitch (need to remove the rear-most exhaust mount). Then cut out the lower bumper fascia for the hitch, and then suspended the exhaust tips below the 2" hitch receiver. I have a black SRT8, so the hitch visually integrates well with the bumper fascia, though it does hide the exhaust tips somewhat. In case you're wondering, I have no experience in automotive body work. Just used a dremel tool, and removed small amounts of bumper fascia until sufficient room was left for the hitch to cleanly fit around hitch receiver. Send me an email address, and I'll send you a picture of the result. Teda's work involves removing some of the hitch frame material, and fabricating a brace. I preferred to keep the stock hitch frame to insure structural strength while towing.

Rob:

Had the same problem. Finally made my own solution. Got a Class III hitch from the jeep dealer, removed the bumper, installed the hitch (need to remove the rear-most exhaust mount). Then cut out the lower bumper fascia for the hitch, and then suspended the exhaust tips below the 2" hitch receiver. I have a black SRT8, so the hitch visually integrates well with the bumper fascia, though it does hide the exhaust tips somewhat. In case you're wondering, I have no experience in automotive body work. Just used a dremel tool, and removed small amounts of bumper fascia until sufficient room was left for the hitch to cleanly fit around hitch receiver. Send me an email address, and I'll send you a picture of the result. Teda's work involves removing some of the hitch frame material, and fabricating a brace. I preferred to keep the stock hitch frame to insure structural strength while towing.


Could you just post the pics here please?

Could you just post the pics here please?

http://www.***********/forums/showthread.php?t=811&highlight=hitch

Don't know if you have seen this yet. If so sorry. Just to clarify, I didn't remove anything from frame or that affects structural integrity. Actually added to strength through lip piece, and use of long brace for additional support and to prevent any flexing or twisting.

Also, did not have to remove bumper or mess with exhaust at all. Just crawled under and we went to work. Note, as Chrysler indicates it is only rated for 3500lbs. On one of the chat sessons, one of the engineers, when queried about the rating, replied that he believed it was 3500 because that was all they had tested it for to date.

The receptacle that is shown in pics, is now attached via an L bracket up under the facia, and is no longer visible. Admittedly, have to lie on ground, or really bend over to plug in and insert locking pin, but to me it's no big deal.

Over 6,000 miles towing with this set up now, and couldn't be happier. No heat issues, and tows like a bear.

Good luck.

The GC SRT8 is rated to tow 3,500 lbs with the hitch package, if it ever arrives. With a car trailer & a "Classic Car" you'll easily exceed that anyway.

I mostly deal with 1960 - 1970 Alfa Romeos, Ford Escorts and the like,they can run to 2500 lbs in Rally trim , with roll cages and under body protection, the trailer is around 900 lbs unladen, so I should be O.K. at a 3,500lb maximum.
Not quite the same weight as the 60`s and 70`s Classics that you guys are used to !!

pjvreede, was the bumper hard to remove? Did it take two people?

Has any one else removed it?

I would like to do this, but I don't want to end up with any paint chips or scratches.

I found a company that will do this, and they are all over.

http://www.torklift.com

Don't know if you have seen this yet. If so sorry. Just to clarify, I didn't remove anything from frame or that affects structural integrity. Actually added to strength through lip piece, and use of long brace for additional support and to prevent any flexing or twisting.

Also, did not have to remove bumper or mess with exhaust at all. Just crawled under and we went to work. Note, as Chrysler indicates it is only rated for 3500lbs. On one of the chat sessons, one of the engineers, when queried about the rating, replied that he believed it was 3500 because that was all they had tested it for to date.

The receptacle that is shown in pics, is now attached via an L bracket up under the facia, and is no longer visible. Admittedly, have to lie on ground, or really bend over to plug in and insert locking pin, but to me it's no big deal.
i'm a new member of the site thinking bout purchasing a GC SRT-8... coming from an Infiniti G35 coupe i want the speed but i need something with more utility for work

sorry to drum up an old post, but teda, what brand of hitch did you use?

yours seems like an excellent solution... it remains hidden when not in use, doesn't interfere with the exhaust system at all, and doesn't require cutting the bumper at all

i would think a plastic hitch cover like that HD one would melt under there.