Hi All,

Did a quick search and did not find much so I thought I would send out a general question.

As I understand it, the GC SRT8 can only tow 3500 pounds and the only hitch kits I see use 1" receivers. Why (other than cosmetic reasons)?

Are the towing limits a result of the suspension? or is it Driveline limitations?

Has anyone added auto-leveling airbags to beef up towing capacity?

Looking to tow and open trailer, track prepped Mini Cooper S, and spare tires...

The Mopar hitch is an 1 1/4 receiver. The main reason for 3500# is that was all the engineers tested for. There are a bunch of people towing more than that with custom hitches. Another reason mentioned but not sure how true it is and don't know many people that would park a jeep and trailer on an incline is the parking pin. Screw the mini and put your Jeep on the track, that's what I do. JK on the mini thing.

Startech,

That is an awesome hitch set-up! Did you notice any strange behavior / wear and tear out of the Jeep after towing?

Do you have a photo showing the rear of the jeep with the receiver and exhaust tips?

CMN1,
The Mini is my Wife's car. I had a BMW 335 AWD Coupe that was track prepped which os what I swapped for the GC SRT8. At this point I am still looking for a club in Seattle that will allow SUVs on the track in to run laps...

Startech,

That is an awesome hitch set-up! Did you notice any strange behavior / wear and tear out of the Jeep after towing?

Do you have a photo showing the rear of the jeep with the receiver and exhaust tips?

CMN1,
The Mini is my Wife's car. I had a BMW 335 AWD Coupe that was track prepped which os what I swapped for the GC SRT8. At this point I am still looking for a club in Seattle that will allow SUVs on the track in to run laps...

Yeah, it is hard to find groups that understand what a Jeep SRT8 can do on the track. If you contact any and they don't believe you show them this video and have them pay attention to where the Subaru is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiPM5hHmXnA

Yeah, it is hard to find groups that understand what a Jeep SRT8 can do on the track. If you contact any and they don't believe you show them this video and have them pay attention to where the Subaru is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiPM5hHmXnA
HAHAHA did u over lap him??

HAHAHA did u over lap him??

I don't remember if he was always behind me when that was taken or if I passed him. I did pass him a couple of times though, at the end of the video I passed him again.

I don't remember if he was always behind me when that was taken or if I passed him. I did pass him a couple of times though, at the end of the video I passed him again.
Hahaha Sik! thats nice

Any other custom hitch applications to showcase?

MANY KEYS= Hey, WarrenS Presently I have a JGCLimited because I feared pulling 7200lbs with an JGCSRT8. I was concerned with the trans & cooling problems among the hitch setup problem. I too am looking to get track time here in the Seattle area one day. I've been hanging with a great bunch of guys here in the Seattle/Tacoma area that all have SRT8's and put up with my limited. I have it set up to look a bit like an SRT8 (nothing like the real thing though. Let me know if you find any track time & try getting together with this Nortwest SRT8 group. Take care M/K

MANY KEYS= cmn1 Greetings, I'm down in Lacey and I too am looking for a place to get some track time to see what my JGCLimited might do. I'm from WI. and at one time ran Datsuns & Vettes at tracks in the Midwest Road America, Blackhawk Farms, Mid Ohio Raceway, Grattan Mich, and other midwest tracks. I'd just like to see what this GC is capable of. No sports car but still could be fun. Let me know if you find anywhere to run. Thanks a bunch M/K

MANY KEYS= cmn1 Greetings, I'm down in Lacey and I too am looking for a place to get some track time to see what my JGCLimited might do. I'm from WI. and at one time ran Datsuns & Vettes at tracks in the Midwest Road America, Blackhawk Farms, Mid Ohio Raceway, Grattan Mich, and other midwest tracks. I'd just like to see what this GC is capable of. No sports car but still could be fun. Let me know if you find anywhere to run. Thanks a bunch M/K

I have found a bunch of places by me. I have run Road America, Gingerman Raceway and Autobahn C.C. There is a company called hookedondriving.com that allows SRT Jeeps and another club called lapsincorporated.com. I also have a speed shop that rents out tracks and allows me to go. Trust me, the people I pass or the ones that can't catch up learn real quick that the SRT means business and is no joke.

Any other custom hitch applications to showcase?

There is a custom hitch for sale for $500 See if he can post pics and ship to USA. He is in Canada.

I'm guessing tongue weight is limited by rear spring travel in the SRT8. In other words, to tow a heavy trailer, you'd need different rear springs over the stockers.

Any other custom hitch applications to showcase?

Search for Kramsay Custom Class III hitch. He has some good pics of a hidden custom hitch. He made a short run of them from his custom builder but now you can only get them used on here (which is what i did). A lot of people have taken his dimensions and photos and gone to their local hitch place and gotten the design copied. Best part is it's hidden and unseen unless towing. :)

Expect to pay $400-1000 depending on the hitch place and design.

I'm getting ready to build one like Kramsy's design.If it turn out nice I may build a few.

The Mopar hitch is an 1 1/4 receiver. The main reason for 3500# is that was all the engineers tested for. There are a bunch of people towing more than that with custom hitches. Another reason mentioned but not sure how true it is and don't know many people that would park a jeep and trailer on an incline is the parking pin. Screw the mini and put your Jeep on the track, that's what I do. JK on the mini thing.

I'm guessing tongue weight is limited by rear spring travel in the SRT8. In other words, to tow a heavy trailer, you'd need different rear springs over the stockers.

the real reason is because the "park pin/key" is only good for 3500lbs... straight from the engineers mouth... the federal regulations dont accept the intelligent person putting the E-brake on... so essentially if you would park on a hill with more ten 3500lbs it could break the mechanism in the transmission...

nothing about power nor suspension (we probably have a much stiffer suspension then the standard grand cher.)

the real reason is because the "park pin/key" is only good for 3500lbs... straight from the engineers mouth...
This is quoted by the Engineers
The trail tow rating is based on a number of factors, which include:

- Cooling in Death Valley at WOT
- Driveline durablity
- Parking gear strength
- Axle GAWR ratings

Many Keys = I'll pass this on for what it's worth. As it was passed on to me, the real concern for the operator of an SRT8 with tow ratings of 3,500lbs is that if ever you are stopped by the law or have a mishap/accident you have a great chance of being liable for any injuries and your insurance is likely to become void due to operating the vehicle illegally. That is towing weights greater than the rated weight for the SRT8. This applies to tongue weight as well, or as a separate figure. M/K