What Is The Jeep Patriot Towing Capacity? (2007 – 2017)

The Jeep Patriot was only in production between the years 2007 and 2017 but these mid-size SUVs are still popular today.  There may not be any new models, but the Jeep Patriots sold between 2007 and 2017 were a popular choice amongst drivers.

Sometimes drivers need to tow extra cargo or campers, boats or other braked and unbraked trailers. To keep your Jeep Patriot free from damage and to ensure the safety of other road users as well as yourself, you must never tow more than your vehicle’s towing capacity.

In this article, we share what the towing capacity of all the Jeep Patriot models is, why towing capacity is important and how a tow package can help the Jeep Patriot to tow heavier loads.  

The Jeep Patriot was first released in 2007 and after 11 years of production, it was discontinued in 2017 and the last models were sold that year.

Between 2007 and 2017 the towing capacity for the Jeep Patriot stayed exactly the same, you can tow trailers with a braking system installed that weigh no more than 1000 pounds.

However, certain Jeep Patriot models can have their towing capacity increased to 2000 pounds, as long as a towing package is installed. 

The Jeep Patriot Towing Capacity

If you want to tow a travel or cargo trailer, a boat, or a tent trailer with your Jeep Patriot, it is important that it does not weigh more than the maximum towing capacity. To give you a better idea of how much different trailers weigh, let’s take a look at some examples: 

• Tent trailers weigh approximately 1000 to 1500 pounds. 
• A fishing boat and trailer weigh between 900 to 6000 pounds. 
• An average size travel trailer weighs approximately 5200 pounds when empty (no water, fuel, or gear inside).
• Fifth wheel travel trailers can weigh as much as 12000 – 15000 lbs.
• A single axle 6×12 enclosed trailer weighs approximately 1,200 pounds when empty. 
• An empty 13-foot Meerkat camper weighs only 900 pounds. 

You must always take into consideration the weight of your trailer when it is loaded before towing it. A 900-pound trailer can weigh much more once it is loaded up with all of your luggage and camping gear.

Tow packages can make it possible for vehicles to tow heavier loads than their standard towing capacity, but we will go into this in more detail later. 

There are three separate weights that drivers should be aware of when they are intending to tow using their vehicle. 

Curb weight

The curb weight is the weight of your vehicle when it is parked up on the curb, empty. This weight is calculated when there are no passengers, driver or cargo in the vehicle. 

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The GVWR is the maximum weight a vehicle is rated to carry. This weight is the total of the chassis, fluids, engine, cargo, and load – everything inside the car.

The GVWR is a set figure and exceeding it may negatively impact your car’s performance and cause expensive damage to the brakes, transmission, and suspension. The GVWR can be found inside the driver’s door panel or in the vehicle owner’s manual.

Towing capacity

Towing capacity is the maximum weight a vehicle can tow both legally and safely. If you tow too much weight, you risk losing control of your vehicle and you may have difficulty stopping. When you tow a load that is too heavy you can quickly wear out the brakes and cause damage to the transmission and suspension.

Here are the towing capacity details of all the Jeep Patriot vehicles released between 2007 and 2017: 

How Much Of Your Towing Capacity Can You Use?

The Jeep Patriot has a towing capacity of 1000 pounds (except the 2017 model, which can tow up to 2000 pounds), however, drivers should avoid towing this much if possible. The towing capacity includes the weight of the trailer and any cargo loaded into the trailer.

You may be using a small trailer that only weighs 700 pounds, for example, but if you pile in a heavy load of cargo, you may find yourself dangerously close to your vehicle’s towing capacity. 

It is recommended that drivers do not use more than 85% of their maximum towing capacity if possible. If you get too close to the maximum towing capacity, you can put a strain on your vehicle’s brakes, tires and suspension and increase your risk of being involved in an accident on the road. 

What Happens If I Exceed The Towing Capacity?

There are several consequences to towing a load that exceeds your vehicle’s towing capacity. Here is a list of the most common problems caused by exceeding the towing capacity:

• Engine overheating. 
• Overloading the drivetrain. 
• Increased CO2 emissions. 
• Tire failure. 
• Increased wear and tear on the brakes. 
• Loss of control of the vehicle. 
• Reduced stopping distance. 
• Damage to the suspension.  

What Does The Jeep Tow Package Include?

As you can see, choosing to surpass the towing capacity of your Jeep Patriot can lead to serious problems, and pricey repair work, and the risk can potentially be fatal. To increase your vehicle’s tow capacity, you can purchase a tow package. 

By installing a Jeep tow package you can safely tow heavier loads, but it is always important to check with the manufacturer or dealership what your new towing capacity will be once the equipment is in place. 

Here are all of the additional components included in a Jeep Patriot tow package: 

Full-size spare tire

Before you start towing, you want to make sure you have everything in place in case the worst happens. Towing heavy loads can have a negative impact on your tires and the risk of a tire blowout increases.

Having a full-size spare tire can help to put your mind at rest when you are towing large loads. Unlike with a traditional spare tire, you do not need to worry about exceeding a certain speed or traveling too many miles when you are using a full-sized tire. 

Engine oil cooler

When towing, a vehicle’s engine is put under a lot of strain and this can cause overheating. When an engine gets too hot the oil and other fluids can reach dangerous temperatures.

When you add an engine oil cooler installed, your engine components are protected from getting dangerously hot and causing irreparable damage. 

Trailer tow wiring harness

Installing a tow wiring harness doesn’t increase a vehicle’s towing capacity but it does make towing a trailer much safer. Using a trailer tow wiring-harness will enable the turning signals and brake lights on the trailer and your Jeep to ignite at the same time.

Having your Jeep and trailer lights work in tandem will allow other road users to see exactly where you are going and when you are stopping. If your trailer is not equipped with this wiring harness, drivers behind you may not know that they need to stop in plenty of time. 

Hitch Receiver

If you plan to use your Jeep Patriot for towing you will need to install a hitch receiver. The Curt Class III Receiver Hitch is fully welded and can be installed onto your jeep with just a few tools.

You do not need to weld the hitch receiver onto your vehicle and your local dealership may be able to give you advice on the best hitch and receiver for your Jeep Patriot. 

FAQs

What weight can a Jeep Patriot tow?

All of the Jeep Patriots from 2007 to 2016 have a maximum towing capacity of 1000 pounds. However, this can be increased if a tow package is installed to protect the engine. The 2017 Jeep Patriot has the largest towing capacity, allowing drivers to pull loads weighing up to 2000 pounds. 

Can a Jeep Patriot pull a caravan?

A Jeep Patriot can only pull weights up to 1000 pounds, 2000 if you are using the tow package or driving a 2017 model. Most camper trailers will weigh more than this and it is also advised that you do not exceed 75 – 85% of your vehicle’s towing capacity.

Depending on its weight, you may be able to tow a small camper with a very small amount of camping gear inside. However, the Patriot is not suitable for towing large, full-size travel trailers – you will be safest towing a pop-up tent trailer. 

Can a 2010 Jeep Patriot Tow?

Yes, a 2010 Jeep Patriot can tow up to 1000 pounds. With the towing package, a Jeep Patriot has a towing capacity of 2000 pounds. However, 1000 pounds isn’t that heavy, you will need a different vehicle if you intend of towing large loads. 

Can you put a trailer hitch on a Jeep Patriot?

Yes, you can install a trailer hitch on a Jeep Patriot. If you want to make the most of the 1000 lb towing capacity, you will first need to install a towing hitch.

You may be able to do this task yourself at home or a professional mechanic can install the hitch and make any other adjustments to your vehicle so it is ready to tow. 

Does the Jeep Patriot have a tow package?

Yes, the Jeep Patriot has a tow package. In fact, without the tow package installed, drivers would find it difficult to tow anything more than a small trailer or boat before exceeding the towing capacity of 1000 pounds. 

Conclusion 

The Jeep Patriot is well known for being a reliable, compact crossover SUV. Jeep discontinued this vehicle in 2017 but they are still available to buy from second-hand dealers. Unfortunately, the Jeep Patriot has a very modest towing capacity of 1000 pounds.

This can be increased by installing a tow package – which includes an engine oil cooler, adding a full-sized tire, a wiring harness, and a receiver hitch, a Jeep Patriot will have a towing capacity of 2000 pounds.

If you are driving a 2017 model, it will already have a towing capacity of 2000 pounds.

Remember, exceeding your vehicle’s towing capacity is never a good idea. Not only do you risk losing control of your vehicle when towing too much weight, but you can also cause excessive wear and tear to your Jeep’s brakes, suspension, engine, and tires.

If you need to tow heavy loads, don’t buy a Jeep Patriot, opt instead for a Kia Sedona with a 3,500-pound towing capacity, a Toyota FJ Cruiser that can tow up to 5,000 pounds, or a Lincoln Navigator with an 8,700 maximum tow capacity.