Trailer Hitch Receiver and Vehicle Wiring Harness For 2016 Jeep Patriot Towing a 5x8 Utility Trailer

Updated 07/10/2021 | Published 07/08/2021

Products Featured in This Question

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

(384)

$162.49

etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs

(1375)

$93.58

Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller - 7-Way Plug-in w/ Bluetooth App - Up to 2 Axles - Proportional

(1769)

$279.95

7-Way RV Upgrade Kit for Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 12 Gauge Wires

(337)

$96.74

Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(42)

$88.43

Question:

Hello, I have a 2016 Jeep Patriot Latitude. Im moving from IA to FL and am not sure if I would be able to tow a 5x8 trailer filled with my stuff. Or if its too much weight, would I need to get a moving truck to pull my car instead because I will have the 5x8 trailer filled.

asked by: Corina

Expert Reply:

Your 2016 Jeep Patriot Latitude is limited to either 1,000lbs or 2,000lbs of towing capacity. If you have either the Freedom Drive II Off Road Package or Trailer Tow Prep Package with the 2.4L engine your towing capacity is 2,000lbs, anything else you are limited to 1,000lbs. If you are unsure, be sure to consult your Jeep dealer for exactly what your vehicle came from the factory with. Be sure to include the trailer weight into your towing weight if you wish to use the trailer.

If you determine that you will be able to haul your stuff with a 5x8 trailer you will need a etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98836 for your Patriot. The Class III receiver will accept the etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches # 989900. With the ball mount kit you get a 2" ball and 1-7/8" ball as well as 2 separate ball mounts with different amounts of drop/rise to level the 5x8 trailer you will haul.

A Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness # HM11142175 will give you a 4-way flat connector to control the lights on the trailer. If the trailer has a 7-way blade connector you will also need a brake controller and 7-Way RV Upgrade Kit # ETBC7L. The upgrade kit will allow you to plug the vehicle 4-way flat connector into the upgrade kit and run a charge line to the battery on your Patriot. The Curt Echo # C51180 is a wireless brake controller that controls the brakes on the trailer wirelessly from your smartphone via the Echo app. It works with Android phones or iPhones.

If you determine that it is not enough weight capacity to pull your trailer you should opt for renting a truck and towing your Patriot behind it. If your Patriot is front wheel drive you can pull it on a dolly with the front wheels off the ground. If you have all wheel drive you will need to put the Patriot on a trailer with all the wheels off the ground.