Trailer Wiring Recommendation for a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited

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Question:

is a 1996 Jeep grand Cherokee limited wired for a trailer hitch from the factory?

asked by: Robert

0

Expert Reply:

Your 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited most likely came with either no trailer connection at all or a 7-way round trailer connector.

If you have a round connector at the rear of your vehicle near the hitch that looks like the part # 20135 then you have a 7-way.

To see if you have the connection point to install the wiring harness designed for factory wired vehicles (part # C55260) you will need to look on the driver's side behind the spare. You will see an access panel there. Open it and both connections are there.

Otherwise you can use the # C55349 harness that we list for vehicles without factory wiring. What's great about this harness is that it can fit on vehicles with or without factory wiring. So if you didn't want to mess with tracking down the factory wiring you could just use this option.

The hitch you referenced part # C13048 would be a great option for a hitch if your vehicle doesn't have one.

If you plan on doing some towing you might be interested in etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.

If the ball mount kit does not have the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, use the link I have included to the right that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Answer 1

It is possible that the connectors for wiring harness #C55260 will be in a different location on your 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee than what is stated in the instructions. You may have to pull additional panels out of the way or check the opposite side…

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Answer 2

If you click the provided link, you can see the installation instructions for the Curt #C55260 trailer connector. Curt does a nice job of providing detailed color photos, which helps make the installation easier.

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Answer 3

The Curt trailer wiring harness #C55260 is designed for models of the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee that came with the factory tow package. It is possible that yours does not have the factory tow package so not all of the wiring is present. If you have…

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Answer 4

On the product page for Curt trailer wiring harness #C55260 there is a section below Features called Installation that reads "This custom-fit T-connector plugs into your Jeep Grand Cherokee's factory tow package wiring harness, which is…

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Answer 5

In most cases you'll be able to tell whether or not your Jeep has the factory tow package because it came with an unbranded (no manufacturer) hitch and a wiring harness installed on the rear of the vehicle. Even if those two things aren't…

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Answer 6

According to my research, the most well equipped 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend you tow more than this but since you are very close to the maximum towing capacity you would most…

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Answer 7

The Hopkins #HM48895 is intended for use with vehicles that have LED tail lights and is not the recommended harness for your 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee. There are 4-way harnesses with converters that will fit your '96 Grand Cherokee that I…

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Answer 8

Converter boxes like what is on the Tow Ready Wiring Harness #118349 can short out. Actually if there's a short on the trailer wiring they tend to short out pretty frequently. If you tested the input side of the box and the voltage is there when…

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Answer 9

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 10

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 11

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 12

When it comes to choosing between the Blue Ox Patriot #BLU37TR and the Brake Buddy Select 3 #HM39524, these systems are extremely similar in their setup and functionality. Both of these systems provide proportional braking in a compact and easy to…

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Trailer Wiring Recommendation for a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited

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