what makes a tow package a tow package?

[Paul]

I just bought a 1987 Grand Wagoneer and I want to do some towing. Tow package was not included on this particular GW. So, what do I have to do (in addition to having a receiver installed) to tow? What did the original tow packages have--Trans cooler? different gears? anything else? Thanks!

[Michael]

What kind of load are you towing.

To answer you question I believe they came with diffrent gears and the tranny cooler. If you are not towing heavy loads you should be fine as is. If they are more than say 2k lbs then I would but a tranny cooler on it. My.02

[Lindel]

The "tow package" on my 87 consisted of a Valley Industries reciever hitch, relabeled as "Jeep", a trans cooler, and 3.31 gears.

The hitch was what really did it, since it basically spread the tounge weight of the trailer along the rear 1/3rd of the truck.

All you really need, would be a decent hitch and the trans cooler.

[Thomas DeBusk]

But wait! There's more!

Surely the factory 7-wire trailer harness I've been having trouble with was part of this "package"? (I have a voltage leak somewhere that keeps the parking light relay engaged after the lights are shut off.) I got mine from a later '80's Wag and I've seen it on others. Like certain special trailer harnesses you can find at parts stores for late-model vehicles, this one lets you "splice" in the proper trailer wires just by separating the factory harness at the plugs and plugging in this trailer harness. It has factory-style plugs. No broken or corroded wires due to poorly-spliced connections.

But even more, it includes a black relay box that provides stepped-up voltage to the trailer lights and a special bracket to mount the vehicle 7-wire plug. This bracket puts the vehicle plug receptacle behind the rear bumper at a 45-degree angle where it can't be ripped off by brush and stones. Keeps the wires out of harm's way, too. My '83 Wag that didn't have the package either still had the pre-drilled holes in the frame behind the bumper to accept this factory-designed bracket. It's really slick. Especially when it works properly.

Thomas

[slinky11]

In regards to the two package, I have a 1990 yet I am undable to locate the stock wiring harness for lights on a trailer. I have the tow package with 3.31 gears, a Jeep hitch and a trans cooler.
Any ideas as to where this is??

[Lindel]

Therein lies the difference between the "factory" hitch, and the dealer installed "factory" hitch. I'd forgotten about the adapter box, mine had it.

You must remember, that was when you still had some options available that you could order with a vehicle that wasn't made yet!!

[Dutch]

And to make it more confusing... The "factory" offered (2) trailer towing packages "A" and "B". With both you got 3:31 gears and H.D. wiring harness. The harness was typically spliced at the dealership via a factory kit while the gears, of course, came from the factory installed. Only package "B" gave you the factory installed auxiliary auto. transmission cooler from the factory. If you ordered "A" you would typically see the dealership install the cooler and you would not be the wiser. As proof, my original window sticker lists the cooler and tow package "A" as seperate (and costly) options but the 3:31 gear ratio was a N/C option, go figure. Sort of like getting a full size spare for a vehicle of this size... my 87 GW's window sticker has it as a $93. option but has anyone actually seen one delivered without it?

Dutch

[McBain]

slinky11,
I recall the harness on my 91 is tucked up behind the bumper/ body on the driver side. It seemed to be recessed fairly high and I think it had a hinged cover over the connection point. Mine is very dirty up there and it would be easy miss if you weren't looking specifically for it. If your still having trouble shoot me an e-mail and tomorrow I will go out and slide underneath.

[Paul]

Thanks everyone! As soon as I get from my brother's place in Colorado, I'll look to see what gears it has.

[coolram]

Limited slip also came with the package as mine still has the tag on my rear 44.Mine came with package "A" which came with a class 2 platform hitch(shin bruiser),the trailor wiring package(although without the relay package-that only came with package "B")the connector is tucked up under left side of bumper like McBain's and Thomas's,trans cooler and 3:31's

[David Simon]

My 88 GW came with:

Trailer towing package "A"
Includes:
3500 lb Max trailer weight frame mounted hitch
Heavy duty flasher
Wiring connector

It cost $116.00. It also came with an auxilary auto. trans. oil cooler for $69.00. Unfortunately it came with 2.72 gears as well. I'm guessing the tow package was added at the dealership. You can see the window sticker that came with mine on my site.

[ February 09, 2002: Message edited by: David Simon ]</p>