Hitch & wiring not present on Overland

Purchased Overland a few weeks ago. Had read that Tow Group was standard on the Overland model, so I failed to remove the tow hitch bumper cover before purchase (that's on me). I was so disappointed this weekend to pull the cover off and find a flat metal bracket.

Have been on the phone with Jeep Cares this morning (feels like they don't) - am told that the sticker said Trailer Prep Group, not Tow package so I'm out of luck. Jeep Cares says there is no escalation path, and told me to talk to the dealer.

It feels like a massive bait and switch to have Tow Package listed on all the Overland documentation as standard, but for it not to be there. Jeep Cares was also not able to tell me what the Trailer Prep Group actually includes - does it include the larger alternator and heavier duty cooling? The tow package also listed rear leveling suspension, is that present or not?

The Overland was supposed to also include the Air Suspension, but at least in that case there was a $750 delete credit (doesn't seem like enough). Not sure if the rear leveling suspension only comes with the Air Suspension?

Has anyone had luck escalating within Jeep? Yes I can ask the dealer, but I know what they'll say...

I only know they deleted the quadra lift air suspension from the newly assembled cars due to the chip issue. I looked at a summit this past weekend, and yes i was confused just like you and i asked the dealer what is the "Trailer Prep Group", from what i'm understanding it's basically jeep had the wiring set up for your to tow, but not the actual hitch.
I thought the exact same thing as you, i thought the "Trailer Prep Group" should include everything for me to two, but no it only means the wiring part i guess, that's why it is called "prep", lol!

2ns2ls said:

Purchased Overland a few weeks ago. Had read that Tow Group was standard on the Overland model, so I failed to remove the tow hitch bumper cover before purchase (that's on me). I was so disappointed this weekend to pull the cover off and find a flat metal bracket.

Have been on the phone with Jeep Cares this morning (feels like they don't) - am told that the sticker said Trailer Prep Group, not Tow package so I'm out of luck. Jeep Cares says there is no escalation path, and told me to talk to the dealer.

It feels like a massive bait and switch to have Tow Package listed on all the Overland documentation as standard, but for it not to be there. Jeep Cares was also not able to tell me what the Trailer Prep Group actually includes - does it include the larger alternator and heavier duty cooling? The tow package also listed rear leveling suspension, is that present or not?

The Overland was supposed to also include the Air Suspension, but at least in that case there was a $750 delete credit (doesn't seem like enough). Not sure if the rear leveling suspension only comes with the Air Suspension?

Has anyone had luck escalating within Jeep? Yes I can ask the dealer, but I know what they'll say...

Click to expand...

Unfortunately it is Exactly as you write:
Overlands that were built through mid August had the QL and "Trailer-tow Package" as part of the Base Price $54,995
Overlands that have been built since then have had the following changes:
1. Base Price hiked $500 to $55,495
2. Trailer-Tow Package is no longer par of the Standard equipment.
3. Optional equipment (required) has been added $695 for "Trailer Tow Prep Group" which as you point out is NOT the same as Trailer Tow Package
4. QL and Active Damping have a delete credit for $750.

So you are basically getting a $55 credit for removing 3 major features QL, Active Damping and Tow Package.
Not a real credit since now you have to add whatever is missing from Two Package and Tow Prep

My dealer was able to get Jeep to reimburse them for installing a hitch and wiring on the Overland I was dealing on. I would not buy without a written guaranty that they would put the hitch and wiring on when they became available at no added charge to me. Your dealer should be able to work this out as well.

I was also disappointed that I got fooled a bit by the tow prep package. I thought it meant much more. It is my own fault for not making sure, but it still bugged me. I just paid $1300 to get the receiver and wiring installed. (And no, the prep package did not include wiring.)

Wow, thats a ton of money.
So its basically $695 for the tow prep plus $1300 to have the receiver and wiring installed.
2K
That is crazy

elsabito said:

Unfortunately it is Exactly as you write:
Overlands that were built through mid August had the QL and "Trailer-tow Package" as part of the Base Price $54,995
Overlands that have been built since then have had the following changes:
1. Base Price hiked $500 to $55,495
2. Trailer-Tow Package is no longer par of the Standard equipment.
3. Optional equipment (required) has been added $695 for "Trailer Tow Prep Group" which as you point out is NOT the same as Trailer Tow Package
4. QL and Active Damping have a delete credit for $750.

So you are basically getting a $55 credit for removing 3 major features QL, Active Damping and Tow Package.
Not a real credit since now you have to add whatever is missing from Two Package and Tow Prep

Click to expand...

Thanks for these clarifications, looks like mine fell after that change.

Prybry said:

My dealer was able to get Jeep to reimburse them for installing a hitch and wiring on the Overland I was dealing on. I would not buy without a written guaranty that they would put the hitch and wiring on when they became available at no added charge to me. Your dealer should be able to work this out as well.

Click to expand...

Well done - I'm asking for the same from my dealer. Are the hitch and wiring available yet? Is your install completed?

I wonder if Overland also lost the heavy duty engine cooling and trailer sway damping features.

2ns2ls said:

Well done - I'm asking for the same from my dealer. Are the hitch and wiring available yet? Is your install completed?

Click to expand...

They are still waiting on the parts…
I should also mention that I ended up buying a different Overland with air suspension and advanced pro technology package.
The Overland without the hitch is still on their lot and I was talking with my sales person about the status…

I recently had my 20 year old F150 tranny go out and decided to replace it with a Jeep GCL due to its tow rating. I found a 2021 4x4 with the tow-prep package an hour away and went to purchase it. I spent a couple of hours at the dealership and talked to the salesman and several employees about using the GCL to pull my boat. This past weekend, I went to hook it up to my boat, and was surprised to find that there was no receiver or wiring under the bumper cover. I then discovered the fraud that Jeep has been perpetrating on consumers and I am so disappointed in my purchase. Being that I have had the vehicle for 2 weeks, I am sure the dealership will not take it back. I have someone at the dealership working on a solution, but I am not hopeful they will voluntarily fix the issue for free. I am going to wait and see what they do. If the dealer does not make me happy, I will install an aftermarket and sue them for the cost in small claims court. This is a horrible and misleading business practice. I am also going to contact the Federal Trade Commission, because this is just outright fraud on consumers who thought they were getting "Tow Ready" vehicle with this package Very bad idea for Jeep to treat people this way and sad that they ruin a $55k purchase over $500 in parts.

sz_31 said:

I only know they deleted the quadra lift air suspension from the newly assembled cars due to the chip issue. I looked at a summit this past weekend, and yes i was confused just like you and i asked the dealer what is the "Trailer Prep Group", from what i'm understanding it's basically jeep had the wiring set up for your to tow, but not the actual hitch.
I thought the exact same thing as you, i thought the "Trailer Prep Group" should include everything for me to two, but no it only means the wiring part i guess, that's why it is called "prep", lol!

Click to expand...

The wiring harness is not there just going threw this on my jeep. I was told it was there by the dealer and sales guy just needed the adapter plug to connect into harness. Went back to the dealer no help even after I offered to pay for the part if they would install it contacted jeep they could care less. Dealer quoted me 500.00 plus for harness plus install 3 to 4 hours. Thats not including the hitch which no one wants to install because you have to remove the rear painted bumper and wheel wells. Good luck big scam Thank for nothing Jeep.

When I expressed dismay that there was only a tow "prep" the dealer lowered my receiver and wiring to $1095 installed. Seems this would be a good bargaining tool.

Hello I can’t tell you too much about the jeep trailer issue you’re having but I will definitely tell you that “JEEP CARES “ is utterly useless

I had an issue where my Jeep was in for service (Tranny issue 21 L limited ) they released it with the problem not being fixed As they had to order parts. I told the service advisor that I had a 800 mile (1600 mile round trip) to New York and I didn’t feel comfortable driving a vehicle with a known transmission issue that’s far they told me well if the dealership released the vehicle to you it’s safe to drive I told them that my dealer told me to keep driving to a minimum but it is safe to drive but driving 800 miles on a road trip from South Carolina to New York is not driving it lightly and then I should be provided a loaner they disagreed with me and ultimately I had to pay for a rental for my trip JEEP cares was a big disappointment

Unfortunately there was no way without getting a rental car which cost us about $700 because God for bid we break down somewhere my wife would look at me like I was the biggest fool taking a vehicle with a known transmission issue on a 1600 mile round-trip with two kids.

I explained to JEEP cares my situation of having a brand new jeep with a transmission issue and having to do a trip with two kids.

They couldn’t give a crap less very disappointing considering this is my 8th new jerp in a row consecutively. Very very disappointed.

Jeep Care SUCKS

Jactan said:

The wiring harness is not there just going threw this on my jeep. I was told it was there by the dealer and sales guy just needed the adapter plug to connect into harness. Went back to the dealer no help even after I offered to pay for the part if they would install it contacted jeep they could care less. Dealer quoted me 500.00 plus for harness plus install 3 to 4 hours. Thats not including the hitch which no one wants to install because you have to remove the rear painted bumper and wheel wells. Good luck big scam Thank for nothing Jeep.

Click to expand...

In earlier JGC model years there was a plug harness taped up under or near the rear bumper. There was a short pigtail that plugged into that and went to the 4/7 pin on the hitch being added. The salesperson may have been confused about this with yours.

I checked before I bought. At two dealers I was told it had the hitch and leveling. Inspected the cars and they did not.
I found another dealer and it had both. I bought it.
Salespersons were either lying or ignorant. I'll let them choose which.