Everything you Need to Know about the Towing Capacity of a Jeep Patriot

The Jeep Patriot (MK74) is the ideal front-engine five-door compact crossover SUV manufactured by Jeep. Marketed under the tagline of Freedom Drive II, the Patriot offers a four-wheel-drive system that can be driven on all surfaces. It was released along with the Jeep Compass in April 2006 for the 2007 model year. Its capable four-wheel-drive system allows the Jeep Patriot to adhere to particular off-road requirements for traction, water fording, and ground clearance. Jeep Patriot is the perfect car for you if you are seeking a compact yet rough and tough traveling companion. Keep reading to discover everything about the Jeep Patriots towing capacity.

What is freedom drive II?

The Freedom Drive II system’s brain is an electronically controlled coupling connected to the rear differential. The electronic control module determines the torque to be applied to the back wheels after it has processed inputs from the wheel speed sensors and the accelerator pedal. It then delivers an electrical current to the ECC proportional to the required torque. 

Jeep Patriots Models and Trims:

All models come with a 5-speed manual transmission system. Engine options include a 2.0 L I4 (4X2), 2.4 L I4 (4X4), 2.0 CRD (4×2, 4×4) from Volkswagen, or a 2.1 CRD (Mercedes-Benz) 4×4. The jeep patriot was initially launched in three basic models with multiple additional features. They are as follows:

  • Sport:

The sport model has manually adjustable front bucket seats, foldable back benches, manual door locks, and roll-up windows. Jeep also included an anti-theft ignition system on its list of safety measures. Vinyl is used to manufacture the seats, making them more comfortable and easy to clean. The automobile can be driven on and off-road surfaces thanks to its 16-inch all-season tires and 16-inch steel wheels.

  • Latitude:

The power windows with a one-touch driver’s auto-down feature and power door locks are an upgrade from the sports model. The latitude model also provides the option to install SIRIUS-XM satellite radio. Keyless entry with a panic feature and security system is part of the security features offered by Jeep. However, the cloth is used as the seating material, accompanied by a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The increased tire size compared to the sports model is another improvement. The car looks bigger and rides better with 17-inch all-season tires and 17-inch alloy wheels.

  • Limited:

The limited model, which initially had cloth seating surfaces, was later changed to leather. In addition to the power windows and the power locks, the limited model has a power front driver’s seat and a power sunroof. This model is the only one with a power sunroof. For the ease of the driver, U Connect hands-free Bluetooth telephone system was also introduced in the limited model.

In 2009 Jeep also envisioned launching an electric version of the Jeep Patriot, which would be capable of traveling 64kms on battery power and 644 km in a single gas tank. However, Jeep never executed the plan because the ENVI division was disbanded in November 2009. 

Jeep made minor interior and exterior improvements to the Patriot in 2011. The “Patriot” lettering was deleted from the bumper, and a more conventional rear bumper was installed. The front fog lamps were also shrunk and shifted. In the U.S., Jeep replaced Latitude X with the Latitude model. In Canada, North Edition, which came with somewhat different equipment, took the place of the Latitude model. In the E.U. market, a 2.2 L Mercedes-Benz Twin-Cam Common Rail Diesel engine delivering 163 hp (122 kW) replaced the 2.0 L Volkswagen PD Diesel Engine.

In 2012, an Altitude Edition model, based on the Sport model, was offered for a few months only. It featured black leather upholstery, unique, black-finished alloy wheels, a nine-speaker sound system, and heated front seats.

To commemorate Jeep’s commitment to the U.S. Army and military, Jeep released a Freedom Edition model based on the Sport model in the year 2013. It has a special star hood decal, power leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Sirius XM Radio, and dark-finished alloy wheels. Jeep offered Commando Green Metallic exterior paint in this model that is not available in other 2013 Jeep Patriots. In 2014, the Jeep Patriot received numerous trim or model changes; nonetheless, 2014 marked the first year that Patriot came with a Hyundai 6-speed automatic transmission rather than CVT.

Towing capacity by engine power

Although the Jeep Patriot was only manufactured from 2007 to 2017, these mid-size SUVs are still in demand today. Even if there are no new models, drivers loved the Jeep Patriots that got sold between 2007 and 2017. Towing additional freight, campers, boats, or other braked and un-braked trailers is occasionally necessary. Towing more than your Jeep Patriots towing capacity can cause damage to the vehicle. Hence, to safeguard your safety and the safety of other road users, it is vital to know the towing capacity of your vehicle.

Towing capacity is not standardized because it differs between models and might even vary between trim levels of one model. Over the years, the Jeep Patriots’ towing capacity did not alter much; it remained within the range of 1,000-2,000 lbs for all model years. The only changes were in some model years’ maximum trailer tongue weight limits and the engine/package combinations. Apart from that, nothing changed throughout the years. Patriots with the 2.0L engine equipped had a maximum capacity of 1,000 lbs. Patriots with the 2.4L engine had a maximum capacity of between 1,000-2,000 lbs.

How is towing capacity determined?

Towing capacity is the maximum load your car can securely haul when towing a trailer. The manufacturer examines several statistics and formulas to obtain this value, including the following:

  • Gross combined weight rating.

The rating is the sum of the weight of the vehicle, passengers, cargo, and the total weight of the attached trailer. This includes the cargo on it.

  • Gross axle weight rating

The maximum weight each axle can safely support.

  • Tongue weight

The amount of downward pressure on the tongue of the trailer. The tongue load changes depending on where you are loading the cargo in the trailer.

  • Curb and dry weight

The curb weight of a vehicle is measured when it is empty of cargo and passengers. The dry weight is without the above.

  • Payload

The maximum weight it can carry onboard includes the weight of passengers and cargo.

The weight of the cargo you are carrying onto a trailer and the weight of the trailer itself must be considered when towing. Generally speaking, you should not pull the trailer with that car if the trailer weighs more than the gross vehicle weight rating. The amount you can tow safely can be calculated by deducting the total weight of the vehicle, occupants, and cargo from the gross combined weight rating. As you can see, having a smaller payload inside your car is the only way to tow up to the manufacturer’s suggested towing limit. It is strongly advised that drivers employ no more than 75-85% of their full towing capability. Your car’s brakes, tires, and suspension may be stressed if you approach the maximum towing capacity, which will raise your chances of getting involved in a traffic accident. However, Jeep Patriots’ towing capacity can be easily increased if a tow package is installed to protect the engine. 

Trailer Weight Examples

Let us look at some samples to understand how much certain trailers weigh. Tent trailers typically weigh between 1000 and 1500 pounds. Between 900 to 6000 pounds is the weight of a fishing boat and trailer. When empty, an average-sized travel trailer weighs around 5200 pounds. Travel trailers with fifth wheels can weigh between 12,000 and 15,000 pounds; when empty, a single axle 612 enclosed trailer weighs about 1,200 pounds. A 13-foot Meerkat camper weighs under 900 pounds when empty. It is pretty evident from the information above that most of these trailers weigh more than the Jeep Patriots Towing Capacity, making it necessary to increase its towing capacity.

How to increase the towing capacity?

Jeep Patriots towing capacity can be increased up to 2,000 lbs. by installing a tow package. Only two distinct packages were offered, which changed the weight rating requirements as a whole. A standard trailer tow prep package and another package, which Jeep refers to as the Freedom Drive II off-road package, were the options. The latter had all the characteristics of the prep package as well as extras that were more suited to off-road use. A tow package includes an engine oil cooler, a full-sized tire, a wiring harness, and a receiver hitch.

An automobile’s engine is under much stress when towing, and this can result in overheating. Oil and other fluids can reach dangerous temperatures when an engine runs at a high temperature. When installing an engine oil cooler, your engine components are shielded from becoming dangerously hot and resulting in irreparable damage. Having a full-size spare tire might ease your mind when pulling heavy items. When utilizing a full-sized tire, you do not have to be concerned about going over a set speed limit or covering too many kilometers, unlike conventional spare tires. The ability of a car to tow a trailer is not increased by installing a tow wiring harness, but it is far safer. Turning signals and brake lights of the trailer and the Jeep are synchronized if you use a trailer tow wiring harness. Drivers in your rear-view mirror may not be aware that they must stop in plenty of time if your trailer is not outfitted with this wiring harness. If you want to tow anything with your Jeep Patriot, you must install a hitch receiver. With just a few tools, you can install the fully welded Curt Class III Receiver Hitch onto your Jeep.

Apart from installing a tow package, if you want to boost Jeep Patriots towing capacity securely, you can make a few other modifications to your car. Having more robust shocks installed in your Jeep Patriot will significantly help. The axles are even more crucial than the shocks. Axles also have weight restrictions, and if tested to the limit, they may deform or snap. This can be avoided by adding more heavy-duty, weight-rated axles. Although the engine oil cooler will assist with keeping the engine cool, only to a certain extent, installing a larger-sized radiator in your automobile will allow your engine to be cooled more effectively. The towing capacity can be increased up to 25% after these modifications are implemented.

What Happens If You Tow Over Capacity?

Following the Jeep Patriots’ towing capacity is essential for your safety and the safety of other drivers on the road. Excessive hauling makes turns considerably more challenging and increases the risk of your trailer spilling or bursting free of the hitch. The brakes on your car have a limit as well. There is a chance that the brake system will malfunction if you are hauling too much weight. We already discussed a few issues that an overloaded trailer might cause the vehicle. Too much weight can harm or destroy your vehicle’s tires, suspension, and axles, in addition to the engine and transmission issues we previously stated. Never take any chances when using a vehicle for towing or hauling. Always be cognizant of the vehicle’s weight, the trailer you are towing, and the goods in the trailer.

Conclusion

Not being aware of your Jeep Patriots towing capacity before hitching a trailer and towing more weight than advised can cause severe damage to the car and be dangerous for you and other drivers on the road. Always go to the owner’s manual for your Jeep Patriot and strictly abide by its instructions before attaching anything to the trailer hitch. We have summarized all the information regarding a Jeep Patriots Towing Capacity for you and how you can easily get it increased to pull heavy trailers. Although Jeep stopped manufacturing this car in 2017, used car dealers still have several in stock. The Jeep Patriot is overall a reliable and compact crossover SUV with a solid reputation.