OK, so heres my deal. IM very interested in getting a new srt8. However, I have to haul a boat out of the water which is more than 3500 lbs out of a gentle ramp. After that it moves about 100 feet to its parking space. Thats it, no extended towing, etc. Why does Jeep rate the towing capacity so low as compared to the limited 4X4 or Overland? Considering the torque and hp in the srt, wouldn't this be more than enough to haul it out? Also, any news on the hitch for the SRT? Im kinda hooked on the srt, so getting something else sounds crappy to me already. Any info you can give is hugely aprecciated.

I'd wager you won't have any issues. I believe the reason the tow rating is low is because SRT had concerns about longevity issues with the transmission that were discovered during WOT towing in Death Valley (oddly enough though I believe the ML55 with the same transmission -albeit less power- is rated to tow 5000lbs).

Any info on the hitch and if its available yet?

I bet that part of the limiting factor is the style of hitch that the GC SRT8 will accept. If you look underneath at the rear, you can see the probable mounting points. There are a couple of threaded studs and, farther towards the front, a threaded hole. I'm guessing that the hitch will have a tripod style mount which has considerably less capacity than the parrallel frame mount found on higher capacity receivers. As far as whether or not the hitch will take the strain, we won't know until seeing the actual hitch.:confused:

some hitch examples:

http://www.***********/forums/showthread.php?t=811&highlight=hitch
http://www.***********/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=154&d=1142521501
http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=31&size=1
http://speedomodel.com/cannonball/img_0859.jpg

I have been towing a 23 foot Yamaha Jet Boat for about 4 months now. The boat weights about 3000lbs plus whatever the dual wheel trailer weighs. The Jeep has no issues what so ever. I back down a steep incline to drop off mine and it does it with ease. Also there has been discussion about engine temps. I live in FL and when I tow for about an hour in stop and go traffic mine barley gets over 215 degrees. It tows like a champ and has no issues with shifting. As for the hitch I use the stardard hitch thats for the normal Jeep GC that you buy at the dealerships and did the install myself.

I have been towing a 23 foot Yamaha Jet Boat for about 4 months now. The boat weights about 3000lbs plus whatever the dual wheel trailer weighs. The Jeep has no issues what so ever. I back down a steep incline to drop off mine and it does it with ease. Also there has been discussion about engine temps. I live in FL and when I tow for about an hour in stop and go traffic mine barley gets over 215 degrees. It tows like a champ and has no issues with shifting. As for the hitch I use the stardard hitch thats for the normal Jeep GC that you buy at the dealerships and did the install myself.

It's a great tow vehicle for those who devise their our towing solutions. Check out the blue SRT8 site for more accolades about this vehicles towing capabilities. I have a Jeep Class III hitch installed on stock mounting points on the GC frame, and am very pleased with its towing capabilities.

I have been towing a 23 foot Yamaha Jet Boat for about 4 months now. The boat weights about 3000lbs plus whatever the dual wheel trailer weighs. The Jeep has no issues what so ever. I back down a steep incline to drop off mine and it does it with ease. Also there has been discussion about engine temps. I live in FL and when I tow for about an hour in stop and go traffic mine barley gets over 215 degrees. It tows like a champ and has no issues with shifting. As for the hitch I use the stardard hitch thats for the normal Jeep GC that you buy at the dealerships and did the install myself.

Good info. Do you have any pics of your setup?

Here are a few in action shots. I will have to get close ups next week when I get back from vacation.

Here's pic's of mine. 5000lbs hitch. Also pulling a Jet boat(20'). Tows like a dream with no temp issue's at all in the ugly Houston traffic.
394

395

396

One more pic

397

nice, I kind of like the exhaust tips spaced apart like that. If I were you, when not towing I'd cover up the hitch with a skid plate.

I put put one of these on the wifey's avalanche and it saved her bumper plenty of times, plus it looks nice.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/G_14932G_SW_1.jpg
________
Live Sex (http://camslivesexy.com/)

Here are a few in action shots. I will have to get close ups next week when I get back from vacation.


Is this a class 3, 4 hitch from the dealer? did you hace to cut into the bumper to accomodate it?

Mine is a class III from the dealer and yes I had to cut into the bumper. Wasnt that big of a deal actually. Hitch is rated at 7200lbs. I believe part number for dealer is 82208219.

Mine is a class III from the dealer and yes I had to cut into the bumper. Wasnt that big of a deal actually. Hitch is rated at 7200lbs. I believe part number for dealer is 82208219.

The same for me, Class 111 Jeep Hitch (2006 GC, not the 2005 version), and used a dremel tool to cut in to the bumper.

shooter_t1, is your hitch the same as the Mopar class 4 (#82208219)?

Why does yours come out below the bumper and the others need to use a Dremel tool? Is it because they have the class 3 hitch?

shooter_t1, is your hitch the same as the Mopar class 4 (#82208219)?

Why does yours come out below the bumper and the others need to use a Dremel tool? Is it because they have the class 3 hitch?

MNBob,

The hitch I went with is rated at 5000lbs made by Reese for the 06 Commander and GC. I'm not sure of the class#. I looked at the Mopar hitches and didn't want to have to cut it to fit. I could be wrong, but I think even the regular 05/06 GC's have to be cut out to fit the stock hitch. The Reese has a 2" longer drop to the reciever than the stock Mopar hitch so there is no Dremel required. If a guy went with the side exit (behind the right rear wheel)Corsa Exhaust, you might get away with zero dremel work.

I am probably the only one who didn't like the look of the stock center exhaust on the Jeep and knew that I was going to re-route mine anyway's.

I'll climb under later and take a picture of the hitch without the trailer attached.

I hope this answered your question.

Rob

Here`s a couple of pictures of the UK spec Grand Cherokee tow attachment, that I fitted to the SRT8.
Only required the exhaust hanger bracket to be re fabricated, the bar simply bolted into place using the stock fittings. Didn`t have to cut the bumper either.

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/5893/srtbar1qt3.gif
http://img336.imageshack.us/img336/3887/srtbar2ki9.gif
http://img336.imageshack.us/img336/1554/srtbar3nk7.gif

This is the stage where you thing "what am I doing !!"

shooter_t1, thanks so much for responding. I already ordered and am awaiting delivery on the Mopar 2" hitch. I will measure the drop, but it looks like I am going to have to get the Reese. Where did you get it?

Rob Dance, was the bumper hard to remove? I am going to have to do this as well.

shooter_t1, I have answered my own question with an internet search. The part number is 75338 and I can get one here:

Reese Class IV Hitch (http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=s-2126&bool=AND&category=k_reese_search&maxhits=25&keywords=2006&keywords_2=Jeep+Grand-Cherokee&GO=GO%21)

It looks like you don't even need to remove the bumper to install it!

Thanks, again for you help.

shooter_t1, I have answered my own question with an internet search. The part number is 75338 and I can get one here:

Reese Class IV Hitch (http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=s-2126&bool=AND&category=k_reese_search&maxhits=25&keywords=2006&keywords_2=Jeep+Grand-Cherokee&GO=GO%21)

It looks like you don't even need to remove the bumper to install it!

Thanks, again for you help.


Let us know if you need to do anything with the exhaust or bumper if you plan on keeping the exhaust in the center.

My plan is to drop the exhaust below the hitch, whatever distance it takes. I am sure some will not like the look, but if I ever want to put it back or do what shooter_t1 did, I can always adjust.

Someday, I would also like to add the Kooks and Corsa, but I have too much on my plate now for that (getting the boat out, speaker upgrades, new grille, etc.)

I will post pictures of this setup when I get it; as I ordered the Reese tonight.

MNBob,

The hitch I went with is rated at 5000lbs made by Reese for the 06 Commander and GC. I'm not sure of the class#. I looked at the Mopar hitches and didn't want to have to cut it to fit. I could be wrong, but I think even the regular 05/06 GC's have to be cut out to fit the stock hitch. The Reese has a 2" longer drop to the reciever than the stock Mopar hitch so there is no Dremel required. If a guy went with the side exit (behind the right rear wheel)Corsa Exhaust, you might get away with zero dremel work.

I am probably the only one who didn't like the look of the stock center exhaust on the Jeep and knew that I was going to re-route mine anyway's.

I'll climb under later and take a picture of the hitch without the trailer attached.

I hope this answered your question.

Rob

I can help with this question. Looked in to this option as well. The Reese unit is lower because it was designed to fit below the bumper of a Commander/GC without the factory hitch option (thus no cut-out in the stock bumper as you would have with the factory tow hitch). If you plan to keep the center exhaust, you will need to use the Jeep hitch, if you plan to move the exhaust tips to the side, then the aftermarket Reese units (which are lower) will do the job without cutting in to the bumper.

Hope that helps.

shooter_t1, I have answered my own question with an internet search. The part number is 75338 and I can get one here:

Reese Class IV Hitch (http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=s-2126&bool=AND&category=k_reese_search&maxhits=25&keywords=2006&keywords_2=Jeep+Grand-Cherokee&GO=GO%21)

It looks like you don't even need to remove the bumper to install it!

Thanks, again for you help.

Look underneath the bumper, you will likely need to remove it just to get the exhaust bracket unbolted. Removing the bumper did not prove to be very difficult, and certainly made the install easier for those that have to cut in to the bumper to make the Jeep hitch fit.

shooter_t1, I have answered my own question with an internet search. The part number is 75338 and I can get one here:

Reese Class IV Hitch (http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=s-2126&bool=AND&category=k_reese_search&maxhits=25&keywords=2006&keywords_2=Jeep+Grand-Cherokee&GO=GO%21)

It looks like you don't even need to remove the bumper to install it!

Thanks, again for you help.

That really seems like a big lump of Iornwork to hang under the back of the truck,I guess it picks up on the rear side rails of the monacoque, but the exhausts will have to be substantialy re-positioned ?

The rear bumper needs no special tools to remove,( this is the european modle, but looks exactly the same as the "original" :)

push out the plastic "pop" rivets under the rear wheel arches, and remove the two 10mm nuts from inside the front edge of the bumper.( on studs through the body)
remove rear lights, ( 2 screws from inside lip, and pull out of sockets), release wiring plugs.
remove (2)screws that secure into boot apature lip , remove the plastic plugs ( prize our centre, then pull complete plug out ) 4 at the top, and two from underneath)
ease the bumper back, and it will release from the four lugs either side of teh rear wings.
The park sensor and rear fog light wiring is all on one plug, just needs releasing.
you may need some new plastic "pop" rivets for the wheel arches, or use standard alloy ones.

Took me most of an afternon to figure out, and about 10 minutes to actualy do !!

hope this helps

Rob

I am going to try and drop the exhaust whatever distance it takes below it. We will see how it looks. I am sure some won't like it, but I want to be able to put everything back in case I decide to sell it. The only reason for that would be if I want an 07 or 08!!

Thanks a lot for the bumper instructions. I have printed them out and likely will be using them because from what pjvreede is saying the hitch will hit the hangers and I have to remove them.

Your right, that is a big hunk of iron, 36 lbs. I hate to add that much weight, but because of the above reason, I have to go that route.

I have received both the Mopar hitch with the 2" receiver (#82208219) and the Reese (#75338). The way I measure it, the Mopar is 2" too short and the Reese is 2" inches to long.

The only solution is to cut 2" off the Reese. After this, I will have to drop the exhaust about 2" which should not look too bad. I do not want to reroute the exhaust as I am thinking about the Corsa.

You would think someone would make a hitch for the SRT8 with the correct drop (like the long rumored Mopar).

Thanks to all who have posted information about their hitch installation as this has really helped me. I will post pictures when the install is complete.

[QUOTE=Dave]some hitch examples:

http://www.***********/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=154&d=1142521501

Dave, Is this the MOPAR hitch?

[QUOTE=Dave]some hitch examples:

http://www.***********/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=154&d=1142521501

Dave, Is this the MOPAR hitch?

Bueller?...Bueller?...Bueller??? Anyone? Anyone?

http://www.***********/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=154&d=1142521501

Looks identical to the one I installed, which was the 2006 GC/Commander Class III tow hitch from the dealer
:)

Excellent. I think I might have to have one custom made that will sit behind the painted section of the bumper cover. Then I can have some trim installed around the (small) openning in the bumper, and have a cover made to close out the hole nicely when the hitch isn't being used.

Thanks guys!!!

Eric