Transmission and Power Steering Coolers for 2015 Jeep Patriot

Updated 07/26/2019 | Published 07/25/2019

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"

(392)

$200.78

2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 12,000 lbs

(4009)

$20.63

Curt Class III Drawbar - 2" Rise - 4" Drop - 13" Long - 7,500 lbs

(2327)

$38.94

Derale 4-Pass Tube-Fin Power Steering Cooler - 8-1/8" Wide

(30)

$53.75

Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient

(886)

$104.38

Question:

I just got a 2015 Jeep Patriot yesterday and in a week I am leaving on a road trip pulling a camper to Colorado. The Patriots tow capacity is 1000lbs but the camper I am pulling is 1800lbs. I am just wondering if this is the right product that I need and that it will be able to pull the 1800lbs camper easily though the steep mountain roads because the trailer hitched tow capacity is 4000lbs.

asked by: Brady P

Expert Reply:

The 2015 Jeep Patriot with either 2.0L or 2.4L engine does have a towing capacity of 1000-lbs; the 2.4L models with the Trailer Tow Prep Package (AHC) or the Freedom Drive II Off Road Package (AWL) can tow up to 2000-lbs trailer weight. You can see these towing specs in the page from the owner's manual (page 179) that I linked for you.

Towing capacity for any vehicle is determined by the auto maker and adding aftermarket products does not increase it. Installing a hitch with a higher rating, such as # e98836 that is rated for 4000-lbs, does NOT mean the entire vehicle then has that same capacity. If your Patriot does not have either of the special equipment packages listed above then it is rated to tow 1000-lbs and that's all.

Although you cannot "bolt on" more towing capacity, if you are going to tow an 1800-lb trailer with your Patriot then I strongly recommend you take steps to reduce the heat stress on it that will be caused by towing, especially towing in the mountains, by installing supplementary coolers for the transmission fluid and power steering systems. Reducing the operating temperatures of these systems, which are critical for towing, will help minimize stress on the Patriot.

For a transmission cooler use the Class III Derale # D13502 which you can see in the linked video being installed in a Jeep vehicle. You can install this as long as the Jeep has external fluid lines for the transmission, which you will tap into on the return line to install it. For a power steering cooler use Tube-Fin type cooler # D13212.

You may also need some basic towing items such as a wiring harness and a ball mount and hitch ball to go along with hitch # E98836. For 4-pole wiring use kit # 118552, for a ball mount use # C45270 and for a hitch ball use either # C40051 if your trailer coupler requires a 1-7/8-inch ball or # 40038 if it needs a 2-inch ball.