Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Tow Package: Easy Guide

Photo Source/Copyright: Jeep

Can a midsize SUV handle your heavy weekend adventures without breaking a sweat? Fortunately, the Jeep Grand Cherokee answers with an absolute yes, towing up to 6,200 pounds when properly equipped: a best-in-class figure for a midsize SUV, and enough for a fishing boat, a small camper, or a loaded utility trailer. Both available gas engines reach that maximum, and the plug-in hybrid pulls up to 6,000 pounds. Reaching the top rating comes down to one thing: adding the right tow equipment and matching your setup to what you actually plan to haul.

How Much the Jeep Grand Cherokee Can Tow

Two gas engines anchor the lineup, and both are rated to tow up to 6,200 pounds when properly equipped. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 powers the base trims and produces 293 horsepower, plenty for lighter trailers and everyday hauling. Stepping up to the 2.0-liter Hurricane turbo four adds 324 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque for grades and highway pulls.

Meanwhile, the eco-conscious 4xe plug-in hybrid architecture handles up to 6,000 pounds. Range matters on a towing trip, too: the Grand Cherokee delivers a best-in-class driving range of up to 529 miles, so you make fewer fuel stops with a trailer in tow. The maximum still depends on the tow equipment covered in the next section.

• Up to 6,200 lbs: properly equipped, either gas engine
• 3.6L Pentastar V-6: 293 hp, base trims
• 2.0L Hurricane turbo four: 324 hp, 332 lb-ft
• 4xe plug-in hybrid: up to 6,000 lbs

What’s in the Trailer Tow Package?

The Trailer Tow Package unlocks the Grand Cherokee’s full towing capability, and its contents vary by trim. It comes standard on the Summit and is available across the rest of the lineup. At its core, the package adds the hardware and cooling a loaded trailer demands, plus a camera feature that eases hitching up alone.

The rear load-leveling suspension is the quiet standout; it keeps the SUV sitting level under tongue weight, which sharpens steering, braking, and headlight aim. For regular towing, it is essential, not optional. Here’s what it typically includes:

• Class IV receiver hitch: frame-integrated, rated to the maximum tow capacity
• 7- and 4-pin wiring harness: trailer lighting and brake-controller connections
• Rear load-leveling suspension: maintains level ride height under tongue weight
• Heavy-duty engine and transmission cooling: manages heat under sustained load
• Trailer-hitch camera zoom: magnifies the rear view to line up the hitch ball

4WD and Capability Systems

Towing is only half the story. The Grand Cherokee’s 4×4 hardware keeps a loaded trailer composed on slick surfaces. The lineup offers two full-time four-wheel-drive systems, and the more capable one pairs with a rear electronic limited-slip differential that shifts power to the wheel with grip.

Layered on top is the Selec-Terrain system, which lets you dial in five drive modes to match the surface. Higher trims add an available air suspension that raises the body for clearance and lowers it for efficiency, and works with the rear leveling to hold the vehicle steady under a trailer. Here’s how the systems compare:

Choosing the Right Setup for Towing

The best configuration depends on how much you tow and how often you do it. Match the engine and equipment to your heaviest regular load, then build in a margin. A good rule of thumb is to keep the trailer weight below about 80 percent of the maximum rating, leaving headroom for cargo, passengers, and tongue weight. These starting points cover the most common towing needs:

• Light towing, under about 3,500 lbs: The base V-6 with the Trailer Tow Package handles small campers, jet-ski trailers, and light utility loads with ease. It’s the most affordable way into confident towing.

• Regular mid-weight towing, 3,500 to 5,500 lbs: Step up to the Hurricane turbo four with the tow package. The extra torque holds speed on grades under a mid-size travel trailer or loaded boat, and four-wheel drive adds wet-ramp confidence.

• Maximum towing, up to 6,200 lbs: Choose a Hurricane-powered trim with the tow package, and add the rear electronic limited-slip differential and air suspension where available for the most traction and the steadiest stance near the limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Grand Cherokee come with a trailer hitch standard?

A: On most trims, no. The hitch is part of the Trailer Tow Package, which is standard on the Summit and available elsewhere. Adding it also brings the wiring, rear load-leveling suspension, heavy-duty cooling, and camera zoom.

Q: Can the V-6 tow as much as the turbo four?

A: Yes. Both gas engines are rated to tow up to 6,200 pounds when properly equipped. The turbo four’s advantage is torque, which makes heavier loads feel more composed on hills and at highway speed, not a higher maximum.

Q: Does the Grand Cherokee L tow the same as the two-row?

A: Yes. At an equivalent engine and equipment configuration, the three-row Grand Cherokee L matches the two-row towing capacity. The longer body doesn’t reduce what it can pull.

Ready to set up a Grand Cherokee for your trailer? Compare trims, match the right tow package to your needs, and take one for a test drive today.