Recommended Aftermarket Hitch Receiver for new 24 Gladiator Sport S

[ShadowsPapa]

It can then be increased to 7,700 lb by installing the Max Tow Package. The max tow package includes things that actually modify the width of the axle and a supplemental cooler on the transmission.

You can't simply add parts and make it "max tow" unless you pretty much rebuild the thing. Axles, springs, cooling, alternator and more.

That can then be increased to 6,000 lb by opting for the 8-speed automatic transmission.

That's for WITH the tow package, which cooling, alternator and more............

All that being said, it looks like if I attach the underslung 2-in square hitch receiver I'll have 5,000 lb capacity. That being limited by the piece I'm installing. But if I install a class 4 hitch attached directly to the frame I'll have 6,000 lb capacity. Limited by the drivetrain and automatic transmission and not limited by the new hitch hardware.

The truck will be the limit - like a chain - weakest link. You could add a 10,000 pound receiver and it still wouldn't be a 10,000 pound tow capacity truck.
That truck will be limited to the 4500 pounds no matter what receiver or hitch you put on it.

You'll be fine with with the small boat and utility trailer, though - well under the 4,500 capacity.
You'll never have the 6,000 pound tow rating no matter what hitch you put on it.
Again, weakest link - the TRUCK and how it's built/equipped.

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[Okie Gladiator]

As for what I'm towing, I've got a small sailboat on a trailer that weighs 1,600 lb. And a little utility trailer.

I don’t think you’ll have any problem towing 1,600 lb sail boat and trailer or a utility trailer with your jeep. Get the quality hitch if you’re gonna spend the money and enjoy your truck. You’re gonna have blast!

 

[Labswine]

Hey All,

I am rather excited to be bringing home my first Jeep and a substantial upgrade from my 09 Ranger. Only problem being that I need to add a hitch to the new truck. If I am understanding it all correctly, I have essentially 3 options.

(2) This thing that I suspect is also attached to the bumper:

(3) And the more expensive MOPAR version that has the best capacity:


I am not inclined to go with the bumper ball, but If there isn't a lot of difference between options 2 and 3 then what am I actually choosing between?

Thanks!

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT go with option 2.

I got one for a '94 Silverado I had when I moved from PA to MA, back in late '94, and was towing a U-Haul 12' trailer. I got from PA to MA okay with all my stuff but, on the way back to PA (rented the trailer as a local to save money), trailer empty, that damned 'hitch plate' came off just south of the Tapanzee bridge sending the trailer across three lanes of traffic. Fortunately no one was hurt but it did fetch up against the Jersey barrier and a poor woman's Toyota Camry that she had JUST gotten back from the body shop.

Long story short, the bolts that secured it to the rear bumper had worked loose and the stoopid thing simply fell off the bumper WITH the trailer attached. The two bolts that went down from the bumper to attach it were still hanging in their holes. The nuts that were SUPPOSED to secure it to the bumper were gone.

No matter what you're going to tow, I would get option three, the whole schmeggegie hitch assemble that actually bolts u to your frame.

 

[agoldxj]

Not sure where you’re located but I have a #3 for sale. Oem from my 2021, has a little surface rust in a few spots but great shape. Also has all the hardware. I’m in central PA.

 

[NC_Overland]

I can’t imagine putting a hitch ball on the flimsy plastic sport style bumper. I have one disassembled waiting to go to the landfill and there’s not much to it. Anything less than receiver hitch is a terrible idea.

 

[Zachanadandy]

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT go with option 2.

I got one for a '94 Silverado I had when I moved from PA to MA, back in late '94, and was towing a U-Haul 12' trailer. I got from PA to MA okay with all my stuff but, on the way back to PA (rented the trailer as a local to save money), trailer empty, that damned 'hitch plate' came off just south of the Tapanzee bridge sending the trailer across three lanes of traffic. Fortunately no one was hurt but it did fetch up against the Jersey barrier and a poor woman's Toyota Camry that she had JUST gotten back from the body shop.

Long story short, the bolts that secured it to the rear bumper had worked loose and the stoopid thing simply fell off the bumper WITH the trailer attached. The two bolts that went down from the bumper to attach it were still hanging in their holes. The nuts that were SUPPOSED to secure it to the bumper were gone.

No matter what you're going to tow, I would get option three, the whole schmeggegie hitch assemble that actually bolts u to your frame.

Not that is recommend this reciever type because a proper class IV hitch that mounts to the frame is only $100 more, but properly torqued bolts don't just "work loose". That's an install issue not the hitches fault.

 

[RHINO79]

Your middle option from CURT says 500/5000

 

[gladerater23]

Hey All,

I am rather excited to be bringing home my first Jeep and a substantial upgrade from my 09 Ranger. Only problem being that I need to add a hitch to the new truck. If I am understanding it all correctly, I have essentially 3 options.

(1) The classic ball on the bumper:

(2) This thing that I suspect is also attached to the bumper:

(3) And the more expensive MOPAR version that has the best capacity:

I am not inclined to go with the bumper ball, but If there isn't a lot of difference between options 2 and 3 then what am I actually choosing between?

Thanks!

Hello.
I JUST did this install this week.
1st of all look under your jeep. My sport s came with the part that attaches to the frame. Which is your number 3 pic MINUS the part you need which is your # 2 photo. If you have the same as me then buy the number 2 and mount it to the piece that is mounted to your frame. Search trailer hitch on quadra tech site and watch the video.

Number 2 pic is NOT NOT NOT a bumper mounted item.

When you do the same as I did do it as quadra tech does (drop the bumper) You can cut out the 2 inch plastic hole in bumper but it will look like shit.

If your jeep did NOT come with the part mounted to frame then buy the whole piece #3 and do it right.

If you only need #2 buy CURT, STAY FAR AWAY from the $50ish knock offs

 

[tysongladiator]

I wouldn't tow with anything less than a frame mounted hitch. In other words, #3.

 

[gladerater23]

If you only tow a small utility trailer and max out at low weight and really low tongue weight, you can go cheap. But for any real towing, nothing but the latter receiver type works.
You are very limited in the weight you can tow with the bumper mounts, limited in tongue weight and cannot use a weight distributing hitch with a bumper mount.
For me, it's a no brainier. Heck, I even have a receiver type on my little SX4 in case I want to haul a bike rack or whatever.

Number 2 is still a bumper mount - so you are quite limited in weight, tongue weight and no weight distributing hitches. They are sold more for those who want to use accessories - receiver mount platforms, bike racks and so on, but IMO, are good for little else. It's basically about the same as a ball mount except you can use accessories with it.

# 2 is NOT NOT NOT a bumper mount. You mount it to the receiver that mounts to the frame IF and ONLY IF jeep put that piece on. (Mine came that way) I have no idea why the send a half of the hitch though.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

# 2 is NOT NOT NOT a bumper mount. You mount it to the receiver that mounts to the frame IF and ONLY IF jeep put that piece on. (Mine came that way) I have no idea why the send a half of the hitch though.

That's not a receiver.
A RECEIVER is a 2" square that you insert ball mounts and other accessories into.
If you have a receiver, you are already setup for towing.

The BRACE you mention is to reinforce the bumper for towing with a ball. It's not a "hitch".
It's a cross-brace for the frame that they use to help handle a ball in the bumper.

They aren't sending half a hitch, they are bracing the bumper for bumper mount balls, and that #2 piece.

 

[gladerater23]

That's not a receiver.
A RECEIVER is a 2" square that you insert ball mounts and other accessories into.
If you have a receiver, you are already setup for towing.

The BRACE you mention is to reinforce the bumper for towing with a ball. It's not a "hitch".
It's a cross-brace for the frame that they use to help handle a ball in the bumper.

They aren't sending half a hitch, they are bracing the bumper for bumper mount balls, and that #2 piece.

Let just 1st say, no one and I mean no one calls these by the correct name. Even the dealership.

2nd of all THEY do send the vehicle with the half of a hitch. Not only did mine come like this but most non tow sport S are

Watch this video.

Mine (curt) was just installed 2 days ago

That brace has NOTHING to do with the bumper.

 

[gladerater23]

Let just 1st say, no one and I mean no one calls these by the correct name. Even the dealership.

2nd of all THEY do send the vehicle with the half of a hitch. Not only did mine come like this but most non tow sport S are

Watch this video.

Mine (curt) was just installed 2 days ago

That brace has NOTHING to do with the bumper.

Here's the link

https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadrat...EWqM87bejplC6e7r6HTiVvAnTXGITbAxoCoX8QAvD_BwE

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You called that piece that Jeep supplies a receiver. It is not.
The receiver only comes with the tow package.
The part you mount IS the receiver.

You mount it to the receiver that mounts to the frame IF and ONLY IF jeep put that piece on.

If you have a receiver that is mounted to the frame, you have the two package. You need nothing else at all.

#2 in the original post is technically a receiver as well - it receives the ball mount or other accessories.

 

[gladerater23]

Call it what you wish. I've called CURT, The dealership and various other places and they ALL call both pieces receivers, I've heard them called half receiver, receiver mount, whole assembly with receiver etc. I don't care lol
I can tell you this, the part in picture 2 is not mounted on the bumper it's 500# tongue and 5000# tow weight rated and mounts to the part that comes on the vehicle.

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