Jeep Patriot Latitude Towing Capacity

The Jeep Patriot Latitude has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds when outfitted with the towing package.
Written by Melanie Johnson
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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The towing capacity of the
Jeep Patriot Latitude
ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds depending on whether or not you purchase the towing package. 
Whether you’re looking for a sport utility vehicle (SUV) to take camping or to haul some bikes across town, knowing your car’s towing capacity is crucial. 
But the towing capacity of SUVs varies greatly. That’s why
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super app
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is here to walk you through the towing capacity of the Jeep Patriot Latitude. We’ll cover the Latitude’s maximum towing capacity, how to increase it, and how much you can practically expect to tow with your Patriot Latitude.
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How much can a Jeep Patriot Latitude tow?

Base towing capacity: 1,000 pounds
Maximum towing capacity: 2,000 pounds
Engines: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder or 2.4-liter 4-cylinder 
The
Jeep Patriot
is a five-passenger, compact-crossover SUV geared towards off-roading enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Many may not know that this compact SUV has a solid towing capacity, as well. 
The Patriot comes in three trims:
Sport
,
Latitude
, and
Limited
. There are sub-trims and add-ons within these trim levels, including the option to add four-wheel drive.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll be looking at the
Jeep Patriot Latitude
, which has a base towing capacity of 1,000 pounds. However, the Patriot Latitude can reach a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds when outfitted with the towing package.
We’ll dig into that in more detail below.

Trailer hitches for the Jeep Patriot Latitude

There are a number of trailer hitches you can add to your Jeep Patriot Latitude. Some of our favorites include:
You’ll also want to purchase steel ball mounts, RV tow and trailer tow balls, and a wiring harness. You may install the trailer hitch yourself using a few simple tools or have a mechanic install it.

How to calculate the towing capacity you need

Now that we’ve explored some possible hitch options, let’s talk about how to predict the towing capacity you’ll actually need. 
First and foremost, it cannot be overstated that you should never aim to tow more than the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle. 
Therefore, if you purchased a Jeep Patriot Latitude without the towing package, you’ll want to stay away from towing more than the maximum 1,000 pounds. If you purchased a Jeep Patriot Latitude with the towing package, you’ll want to keep tow loads less than 2,000 pounds. 
Here’s what you can expect to tow with a Jeep Patriot Latitude without the towing package: 
  • Bike racks (40 to 200 lbs)
  • Cargo carriers (400 to 500 lbs)
  • Canoe or kayak trailer (600 to 800 lbs) 
And here’s what you can expect to tow with the towing package:
  • Jet ski (400 to 1200 lbs)
  • U-Haul trailer (600 to 2,300 lbs)
Keep in mind that load sizes vary, and you’ll also want to account for the weight of passengers and cargo when estimating tow weight. Err on the side of towing much less than your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity, since towing more than your vehicle is built for is will put a lot of strain on the engine and is very dangerous.
In summary, if you plan to tow mainly lightweight items like bikes, cargo carriers and canoes, you should be good to go with the base Jeep Patriot model. If you want to tow heavier items like personal watercraft or larger U-Haul trailers, you should opt for a Jeep Latitude with the towing package.

How to increase towing capacity

If you want to increase the towing capacity of your Jeep Patriot Latitude, the simplest way to do so is by purchasing one with the towing package. The towing package includes:
  • Engine oil cooler—the single most important upgrade to increase tow capacity. The cooler acts as another radiator for the engine and keeps it from overheating.
  • Trailer tow wiring harness—this doesn’t increase tow capacity but wires the trailer's lights to your Patriot's electrical system for safe braking and turn-signaling. 
  • Full-size spare tire—a nice bonus! 
The engine oil cooler is the main add-on for increasing the Jeep Patriot Latitude’s towing capacity from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds
If you already own a Jeep Patriot Latitude and want to increase its towing capacity, you can install the engine oil cooler yourself if you have the parts and experience—but if you don’t, we recommend taking your Latitude to a mechanic for proper installation.
While the upgraded Jeep Patriot Latitude is functional for towing smaller loads, if you’re interested in an SUV capable of hauling truly massive loads, you might consider a full-size SUV like the
Ford Expedition
with a maximum towing capacity of 9,300 pounds or the
Dodge Durango SRT R/T
with a maximum capacity of 8,7000 pounds
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How to find affordable car insurance

No matter what you’re towing, you’re always towing precious cargo—you! So make sure you’re protected on the road with the right car insurance policy.
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FAQs

The Jeep Patriot Latitude is a compact-crossover SUV capable of towing up to 2,000 pounds when outfitted with the towing package. While the Latitude can handle smaller loads like jet skis, canoes, and kayaks, it’s not fit to tow large boats and trailers.
Yes! There are many trailer hitches that can be installed on the Jeep Patriot Latitude. Our pick would be the Draw-Tite Hitch, which is rated for up to 10,000 pounds of trailer weight.
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