Eagle hitch

[89 MJ]

Does this look like a factory/dealer installed hitch? It bolts to both the bumper and the rear crossmember. The trailer wiring is tied into the rear tail light harness with scotch locks, but I have plans on fixing that.

As a side note, these cars tow very well, or at least mine does with its different gearing and slight performance upgrades. I towed roughly 1500 pounds or so with it and could barely feel it back there. Tows as good or better than my Comanche.

[maddog]

I have something similar to that on my Eagle.

[89 MJ]

I have something similar to that on my Eagle.

I’ve seen it on a few cars, which is making me think that it was a factory or dealer installed thing. But the trailer wiring seems sketchy, making me believe it probably wasn’t factory, but maybe more likely dealer installed.

[Ludworks]

According to the manual there's a Class I hitch and Class II hitch that were factory options. Yours looks like a Class I, bolted to the rear bumper with a small bracket that goes underneath. Class II has a much bigger attaching bracket that spans more of the area behind the bumper and has a square hitch receiver that comes out just below the bumper instead of the ball.

[89 MJ]

According to the manual there's a Class I hitch and Class II hitch that were factory options. Yours looks like a Class I, bolted to the rear bumper with a small bracket that goes underneath. Class II has a much bigger attaching bracket that spans more of the area behind the bumper and has a square hitch receiver that comes out just below the bumper instead of the ball.

Good to know, thank you!

[MIPS]

Does the Class II include the upgraded transmission cooler and a trailer harness control box? Mine has what looks to be the Class II (or heavier duty)  hitch but an absolutely massive cooler.

[Ludworks]

MIPS I believe that's correct. There were two towing packages (not including dealer options). Class II or "heavy duty" included different axle gears (3.54?), transmission cooler, heavy duty battery, and load leveling shocks along with the larger hitch and trailer connectors. Also possibly tuning differences such as timing.

Dealers (and buyers) could generally pick and choose add-ons from the factory, or add their own equipment. It's very possibly your Eagle has a Class II hitch that's not factory, and a larger transmission cooler that is...or vice versa.

In case anyone is wondering:
Towing capacity on the Class I is approximately 2500 pounds, max tongue weight of 200.
Towing capacity on the Class II is approximately 3500 pounds, max tongue weight of 350.

It's very possible that if your hitch is not a factory hitch it may look like a Class II, but actually be a Class I. Hitch classes are dependent on their weight capacity and your U-Haul hitch (or whatever) may have a square receiver but only be rated Class I, so be cautious.

[maddog]

I have something similar to that on my Eagle.

I’ve seen it on a few cars, which is making me think that it was a factory or dealer installed thing. But the trailer wiring seems sketchy, making me believe it probably wasn’t factory, but maybe more likely dealer installed.

Here is a picture of mine. And I too have a trailer wiring harness plug attached with wire nuts.

[89 MJ]

I’ll have to get a better pic of mine in a couple of weeks. That isn’t the same as mine, could be a year difference though.

[Ludworks]

89MJ yours looks more like the one depicted in the manual. Maddogs looks different, but yeah could be a year difference or aftermarket.

[maddog]

I have seen other eagles with the same hitch as mine as well as the one on MJ's, so it's hard to say whether mine is aftermarket or not but it definitely feels like it is with as many washers as they have on the underside of it.

[Ludworks]

Maddog. That makes me wonder if maybe it was a popular aftermarket one, maybe distributed by Sears or something.

[maddog]

It's entirely possible that's the case.