Help! Installing Reece hitch on Jeep

[Ellie Mae]

I am trying to put a Reece class II hitch on my 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. I removed the towing hook, and put the bar on the frame. The directions say to make sure the hitch is centered and put the bolts through. I did that, but it still slides back and forth a few inches. I haven't torqued the bolts yet, but I'm thinking that because there are slots instead of holes in the bar, it will always slide a little. Is this normal?? Also I bought the wiring harness, and there were two to choose from, one had a connection for a battery (like on a travel trailer) and the other didn't. I chose the cheaper one, with the battery connection. Is that connection going to cause a problem? (I had to order it, so I couldn't try it on)<br />Any advice is much appreciated. I want to put the boat in the river tomorrow for the first time.

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Help! Installing Reece hitch on Jeep

The movement in the hitch before you torqe the bolts is normal. This is to adjust the hitch reciever to suit your particular vehicle for variations in its construction and possible previous accidents. Jus' make sure you can access the pull pin and that the reciever is flush or sticking out past the bumper if it's this type. or about 4 to 6 inches if its a welded tonge type. The top of the ball shuld be about 16 to 18" above the ground LOADED. If not, check to make sure nothing is dragging. I don't quite understand what type of electricle hookup your using. Generaly, there are to types, splice in at the rear with blue 3M "sandwitch" crimps or the vehicle, if it came from the factory with a towing package, jus plug in the adapter cord and connector. If you have the segregated turn signal and brake lights you need a special adapter between your connector and wiring on the Jeep which may also include the connector in some cases.

 

[Ellie Mae]

Re: Help! Installing Reece hitch on Jeep

Thanks Mark, when ordering the parts I was asked if the Jeep had the 'towing package', and I wasn't sure what that meant. Right now the receiver part of the hitch is sitting about 15" from the ground, and the trailer tongue is exactly that height when the trailer is level. I won the 18' Grizzly Tracker, 9.9 Merc outboard and trailer from a Bass Pro shop promotion last year and didn't have anything to pull it with...the Mustang just wasn't going to do it. *S*<br />Any advice for the new boater? I have ropes, life vests, anchor, gas tank, paddle, long pole. Any thing else besides a cooler full of beer and fishing tackle??

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Help! Installing Reece hitch on Jeep

you might want to go to a dealership or car lots to look at other GCherokees' to see what the tow pkg looks like, and maybe go to a busy boatramp or three and ask questions. snug up the hitch, take the tools, let some boaters check it out and give you tips... its hard to explain some things without a visual aide. maybe look up 'hitches', find the trailer harness kits, print it out and ask questions with the diagram to look at.<br />hope this helps. maybe you'll be ready by tomorrow. is the boat ready? did you put 'muffs' on the motor and make sure you can crank it?<br />i hope the river you're going to isn't fast current, cause without know-how, you'd be better off running on a lake so you can paddle back to shore if need be.

 

[495v]

Re: Help! Installing Reece hitch on Jeep

Ellie, I have a 2001 Cherokee laredo with the class IV tow package. It includes an auxilary trans cooler, power steering cooler, heavy duty radiator, load equalizing hitch receptacle, high pressure gas shocks, and 7 pin connector.

 

[DJ]

Re: Help! Installing Reece hitch on Jeep

Ellie Mae,<br /><br />You can just about bet that your Jeep DOES NOT have the tow package if it was not already wired to the rear bumper.<br /><br />Also, I do not know how heavy your boat is, the Cherokee does not handle a lot of tongue weight well without help.<br /><br />The best way to boost rear carrying capacity on that vehicle is with air bags-NOT air shocks.

 

[495v]

Re: Help! Installing Reece hitch on Jeep

I don't think you will have any problems. Your grizzly is a aluminum john boat and does not weigh much; the hull is approx 500lbs so I would guess the overall rig to weigh around a 1000lbs. I tow a 3500LB rig so the tow package comes in handy but I think you are okay. Djohns is correct, if you didn't get the hitch, you don't have the tow package.

 

[jocko_nc]

Re: Help! Installing Reece hitch on Jeep

Check this out. As much information as THEHULLTRUTH, but exclusively 'bout Jeeps.<br /><br />www.jeepsunlimited.com<br /><br />jocko

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Help! Installing Reece hitch on Jeep

Ellie..remember to mix at least double the oil for the first 6 gal of gas in your new motor. Don't run full throttle till its been running for an hour or so. You can run at various speeds but not full throttle...towards the latter half of the tank of gas. short 1 minute burst at full throttle. You have displaced the fuel with extra oil for break in so extended full throttle running till this fuel is used up could overheat your engine because it is running slightly lean in a tight new engine. This is why the manufactures say avoid WOT (wide open throttle)for extended periods till engine is broken in.<br /> P.S. Be carefull 'bout that beer...here in Florida they'll put you in jail for drinking and driving a boat. I dunno what they do where you live though.<br /><br />Have a blast!!!!!!!

 

[Jersey Jim]

Re: Help! Installing Reece hitch on Jeep

The tow package on a '98 JGC included: transmission cooler,trailer wiring, 3.73:1 rear (as opposed to 3.55:1 which is standard), increased engine cooling. The suspension is not changed. The main thing to add is the tranny cooler. "B&M" (check them out on Google)has one for about $70. If your mechanically sharp you can do it in about 3 hours. I did it on my '98 JGC. Give me a shout if you have any questions.