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Trailer Brake Control not Included

cpw

Member
I purchased a 21 Reserve with a trailer tow package. In my manual it says “trailer tow - if equipped” that there is a submenu indicating a trailer brake capability.
no submenu.
After confirming there is no trailer brake included I was ok….you guys say capabilities are for 6,200, you sell a trailer tow package, you print in the manual, as indicated in the attached, trailer tow…if equipped…..and mine is equipped… then my great dealer says to me…well they told us they need to change the manual…what?
I know trailer brakes are usually an added item but this needs to be very clear to folks. This is kind of a safety risk.
I really like this vehicle…..but just know IT LEGALLY CAN NOT TOW a normal tailer without this add on. So unless you are pulling a giant 6,000 lb. rock behind your L….you are out of luck.
Thank you to the folks who have identified the correct part. Now need to find and get installed.
‘But…being very real here…..you should not publish a manual that says you have this option, say you can tow 6,200 lbs. Then send folks on their way.
 

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tomaustin

New member
I purchased a 21 Reserve with a trailer tow package. In my manual it says “trailer tow - if equipped” that there is a submenu indicating a trailer brake capability.
no submenu.
After confirming there is no trailer brake included I was ok….you guys say capabilities are for 6,200, you sell a trailer tow package, you print in the manual, as indicated in the attached, trailer tow…if equipped…..and mine is equipped… then my great dealer says to me…well they told us they need to change the manual…what?
I know trailer brakes are usually an added item but this needs to be very clear to folks. This is kind of a safety risk.
I really like this vehicle…..but just know IT LEGALLY CAN NOT TOW a normal tailer without this add on. So unless you are pulling a giant 6,000 lb. rock behind your L….you are out of luck.
Thank you to the folks who have identified the correct part. Now need to find and get installed.
‘But…being very real here…..you should not publish a manual that says you have this option, say you can tow 6,200 lbs. Then send folks on their way.
If you look at page 106 (screen-grab below) of the L Owner's Manual, you'll see a reference to the trailer brake display on the instrument panel. Is your dealer saying they have a trailer brake controller (TBC) to install that will drive that instrument panel display and show "Output" "Type" and "Gain" in the instrument panel display? Is Jeep providing (selling) the TBC or is this a third-party unit? Is Jeep standing behind the integration of the TBC with the instrument panel? BTW -- most of the vehicle manufacturers are jerking around buyers who need to tow trailers 3,000 or more gross pounds. They don't even mention TBCs. In most states, it's the LAW that you use a TBC with a trailer over 3,000 lbs (gross.) And the trailer should be equipped with electric brakes. Yes, there's ONE state I found that doesn't require this stuff until you hit 10,000 pounds but most of the rest require it at 3,000 lbs. And if you tow a trailer with electric brakes without a TBC, you're asking for trouble. (Jeep finally has a TBC for the Jeep Gladiator but I haven't seen any signs of corporate support for a complete, working solution for the Grand Cherokee L. Today, I tow a utility style, one axle car trailer (gross weight of 5200 lbs) with a GMC Canyon Pickup and I was looking to upgrade to the Grand Cherokee L. But I can't until I have full factory support! Do you have full Jeep support here? Or a kludge where the factory can disown your use of what they sold you? I've had 3 Jeeps before (two Grand Cherokees and a Liberty) and Jeep always stood behind them. I'm waiting for evidence they'll do that here...
 

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saleen032

Well-known member
This is an Ebay listing for a Mopar TBC for the Grand Cherokee L's. It does require some disassembly of the console/dash, but If you have the towing package and it is pre-wired, then this is just Plug and Play. Whether or not this integrates into the dash display/control, I cannot say. A dealer may be able to tell you..
 
Are we positive braking isn't included with the full towing package (not the trailer prep discount due to chip shortage)? More towing is the number 1 reason I investigated selling my JLU and ultimately with with the GC-L. I'm not going to be happy.
 
I am thinking the 7 pin includes brakes but they aren't adjustable/smart like the controller above (which mopar says is for the WK anyway); they just brake in tandem with the car. I assume you need a trailer connected to activate that menu - I don't currently have one to test.
 

saleen032

Well-known member
I am thinking the 7 pin includes brakes but they aren't adjustable/smart like the controller above (which mopar says is for the WK anyway); they just brake in tandem with the car. I assume you need a trailer connected to activate that menu - I don't currently have one to test.
The above controller I posted IS for the WL's......... and even if you have the 7 pin connector at the rear of the truck, There is no controller/output for the electric brakes. It is impossible to have them brake in tandem, due to the many factors that change the amount of braking force needed, such as trailer size, number of axles, and weight, a fully loaded trailer will require much more braking power than an empty trailer.....There is a connector under the driver side front kick panel for a TBC connection....
 

saleen032

Well-known member
Iv'e downloaded the installation instructions, and if you can see they clearly show a WL interior...and disassembly..
 

cpw

Member
I am positive It is not included even though indicating in the instruction manual it is.
My dealer offered to order the $800 part.
so you can pull a 6,200 rock LEGALLY if you have one around but the GCL can not LEGALLY pull much without an add on option.
There are options out there as noted above but in reality Stellantis should not be saying this vehicle can pull 6,200 , offering a tow packing and then not make it clear anywhere that… oh by the way you can not legally tow anything over 3,000 without a TBC.
They note this in the instruction manual but never say clearly. THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER IS NOT INCLUDED in the trailer tow package.
‘Hope this helps all.
 

tomaustin

New member
I am positive It is not included even though indicating in the instruction manual it is.
My dealer offered to order the $800 part.
so you can pull a 6,200 rock LEGALLY if you have one around but the GCL can not LEGALLY pull much without an add on option.
There are options out there as noted above but in reality Stellantis should not be saying this vehicle can pull 6,200 , offering a tow packing and then not make it clear anywhere that… oh by the way you can not legally tow anything over 3,000 without a TBC.
They note this in the instruction manual but never say clearly. THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER IS NOT INCLUDED in the trailer tow package.
‘Hope this helps all.
To be clear, many (not all) manufacturers are not mentioning the requirement for a TBC when they say their truck or other vehicle can tow 3000 or more pounds. So shame on the industry at large (and praise for those who are clear and honest across their product lines.)
This situation is NUTS! I've seen no data on the degree of integration with the GCL's instrument panel.
My potential dealer says he's put in a request to the manufacturer (Jeep) to see if they can identify what integration exists (see page 106, from the manual, which I attached above.)
To me, this was a deal breaker. Jeep has to get their act together. This one issue stopped me from trading my 2017 GMC Canyon tow-vehicle. I was ready to buy. Just wanted Jeep to stand by their product and deliver a complete tow-ready vehicle (even if it required dealer upgrades to meet the TBC requirement.) If Jeep can't deliver and stand by the configuration, then I am not going to spend almost 60 K bucks on a wish and a prayer.
 

Dave180

Well-known member
If you have the factory tow package with the 7 pin plug then the factory (or dealer) should have activated the plug with a sales code. The actual TBC has a four wire plug on it that via the wire harness is supplied 12v power and supplies variable voltage to electric brakes, more voltage=more brake assist.

The TBC wire harness is attached to the vehicle via a wire harness that is concealed behind the left kick panel about where the parking brake pedal would have been located. If you ever had a later model WK2 you would have found a short pigtail in a plastic bag in the glovebox.

Since TBC have a self-test function, somebody on this forum with a TBC wired up should be able to activate it a tell the rest of us whether a) The TBC supplies 12v to the 7 pin and whether b) T activation and connection of the TBC causes the trailer page to appear in Uconnect. Personally, I have reduced confidence in this and suspect that since it's Uconnect we're talking about, only a Mopar branded TBC would be compatible. But, if not, I would be more satisfied with a quality device like a Tekonsha Prodigy instead of a Mopar and a Uconnect screen.
 

cpw

Member
Thank you @JWCJeep. Thank you very much. Do you think a good local hitch installer could hook up without goofing up the electrical on this vehicle?
 

JWCJeep

Well-known member
@cpw Not sure I would be letting some local hitch installer perform that. Scroll down on that link I provided and open the instructions, interior panels need to be removed and would want some hack doing it.. Are you certain your dealer wasn’t quoting the part and install at $800.00
 

JWCJeep

Well-known member

According to Mymoparparts.com #82215834AB is not compatible with a GCL

They may not have updated that site for fitment, if you inquire at your dealership or even search on eBay they will confirm its the correct part as I have found.
 

FlyingAvocado

Well-known member
Was this a GC or GCL Summit? The part which is linked doesn't list GCL as a compatible vehicle, and I have A GCL on order which I want to ensure has the break control.
 

Dave180

Well-known member
They may not have updated that site for fitment, if you inquire at your dealership or even search on eBay they will confirm its the correct part as I have found.

OK, I went back to the instructions PDF they showed on the site. It sure looks like the interior of a GCL is depicted. I now agree with JWCJeep. Have a dealer confirm the fitment for a GCL as they may have a typo on the fitments.
 

cpw

Member
Just for those building a vehicle on the Jeep site, a trailer brake controller is not even offered so there would be a clear understanding it is a stand alone offering. I littersly purchased a car with everything offered except the v8 and engineer heater and still no tbc.
 
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