Recommended Towing Setup for a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Without Towing Package

Published 01/15/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(1594)

$155.90

Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class IV - 2"

(272)

$184.12

etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 3/4" Rise or 2" Drop - 7,500 lbs

(1375)

$51.66

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 7-Way and 4-Pole Flat Connectors

(718)

$34.44

Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Brake Controller - Dash Knob - Off-Road Mode - Up to 3 Axles - Proportional

(1676)

$290.00

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers

(66)

$13.94

Question:

Looking to install a class III hitch. 7 way plug and brake controller on my vehicle. What would my best route be to get this done. thanks

asked by: Eric S

Expert Reply:

The best towing setup for your 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch # 75699, the Curt T-Connector # C55774, and the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite # RED44FR.

The reason I the Draw-Tite # 75699 is the best is because it features a hidden crosstube design for a clean look as well as a built-in bracket for mounting your wiring connector. If you happen to have the diesel model then you would need to go with Draw-Tite # 75713 instead. This doesn't have a hidden crosstube but it does feature the highest weight rating and a bracket for mounting your wiring as well.

There should be a round US Car Connector behind the driver's side of your rear bumper that allows you to use the Curt T-Connector # C55774 (see attached photo). This comes with a mounting bracket that attaches to the built-in bracket on the Draw-Tite hitch.

Since you don't have the tow package you may need to go to a Jeep dealer though to have this activated. There is a way to route wiring without having to get the tow package activated but then you would be splicing into your OEM wiring which is time consuming and would probably cost about the same (or maybe a little more) than just getting the tow package activated.

The brake controller I recommend using is the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite # 331-EBRH-ACCV2 because it gives you both types of braking options (proportional and time-delayed) so that you get the best braking control when towing. Another great feature of this controller is the variety of places it can be installed. Since the control box can be oriented in any direction you can mount it virtually anywhere and then run the wiring for the control knob to a convenient location (see attached picture on a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee). You would simply connect this to the plug behind the driver's side kick panel of your Grand Cherokee using the Adapter # TK93VR. You would need to cut off the black connector side of the adapter and splice it to the pigtail that comes with the Tow-Pro Elite. I have attached an installation video of this using a different brake controller.

To complete your towing setup you also need a ball mount kit like part # 989891 but you will want to reference the attached ball mount article to make sure that the 3/4" rise/2" drop is correct for your towing application.

I have attached some videos for you to check out as well as some helpful articles to assist you with the installation.