I might have screwed up - tow package

[BrianR]

Ok I didn’t get the tow package and forgot you have to order that to get the auxiliary switches. I’m hoping the Aux switches come standard. Does anyone have the answer? Can they be added? SPod is expensive and I here they don’t fit the 392.

 

[MOrubi]

Ok I didn’t get the tow package and forgot you have to order that to get the auxiliary switches. I’m hoping the Aux switches come standard. Does anyone have the answer? Can they be added? SPod is expensive and I here they don’t fit the 392.

Auxiliary switches come standard on the 392

 

[JD37064]

Auxiliary switches come standard on the 392

Yes and even the standard Rubicon. Not sure how the tow package correlates with the 4/7 pin wiring but it will have the switches. You can use Uconnect to program the switches.

 

[BrianR]

Yes and even the standard Rubicon. Not sure how the tow package correlates with the 4/7 pin wiring but it will have the switches. You can use Uconnect to program the switches.

Sweet! Man that’s good news. Thank you

 

[Shortcut]

Sweet! Man that’s good news. Thank you

The hard part is to find a brake controller that can be mounted without interfering with your knees. I tried a RedArc controller but there is no place/space behind the dash to drill a hole to mount the control knob. Ordered the MOPAR brake controller and had to give up the aux 12 volt outlet in the dash to allow for installation of the controller's control knob. The actual controller itself installs under the dash on the left side of the driver's compartment along the exterior body wall. They actually planned a mounting point for this controller, nothing has to be engineered by the installer, it was all deliberatly planned for by the Jeep designers/engineers for the installation of this brake controller. Now why Jeep didn't make this controller an option from the git-go I have no idea.

 

[Ten4Jeep]

Yes and even the standard Rubicon. Not sure how the tow package correlates with the 4/7 pin wiring but it will have the switches. You can use Uconnect to program the switches.

I know this is an old post but wanted to make a correction in case someone is searching for this information, like I just did. The auxiliary switch package is not automatically included on the standard Rubicon. It is only standard in the 392 model. It is ~$900 option on the standard Rubicon.

 

[hardhat]

The hard part is to find a brake controller that can be mounted without interfering with your knees. I tried a RedArc controller but there is no place/space behind the dash to drill a hole to mount the control knob. Ordered the MOPAR brake controller and had to give up the aux 12 volt outlet in the dash to allow for installation of the controller's control knob. The actual controller itself installs under the dash on the left side of the driver's compartment along the exterior body wall. They actually planned a mounting point for this controller, nothing has to be engineered by the installer, it was all deliberatly planned for by the Jeep designers/engineers for the installation of this brake controller. Now why Jeep didn't make this controller an option from the git-go I have no idea.

I have the mopar brake controller as well. Installation pretty straightforward, just take your time to avoid scratching interior plastic. Gonna get to test the controller out next month (hopefully). I don't miss the 12v outlet at all due to the abundance of usb hookups in the jeep.

 

[Shortcut]

I know this is an old post but wanted to make a correction in case someone is searching for this information, like I just did. The auxiliary switch package is not automatically included on the standard Rubicon. It is only standard in the 392 model. It is ~$900 option on the standard Rubicon.

Is Jeep including the brake contoll system on newer 392 Rubicons as part of the tow package? If so, great to hear! My 21 did not include the controller with the tow package which was about $350 if I remember correctly.

 

[@JC]

No, the controller is not included, only the wiring like always.

 

[Shortcut]

No, the controller is not included, only the wiring like always.

Too bad, I'm a firm believer that a brake controller should be offered with the tow package option even as a seperate add-on option.

 

[Ten4Jeep]

Too bad, I'm a firm believer that a brake controller should be offered with the tow package option even as a seperate add-on option.

For the 392, the towing package is only an additional $350 because the auxiliary switches are standard. And if I had to choose between the Auxiliary Switches or Brake Controller as OEM, it is a no-brainer that the OEM Auxiliary Switch Package is much better integrated into the dashboard than the aftermarket version. The 392 configuration was well thought out

 

[Shortcut]

For the 392, the towing package is only an additional $350 because the auxiliary switches are standard. And if I had to choose between the Auxiliary Switches or Brake Controller as OEM, it is a no-brainer that the OEM Auxiliary Switch Package is much better integrated into the dashboard than the aftermarket version. The 392 configuration was well thought out

Got the aux switch part as standard but I’m baffled as to why Jeep does not offer a brake controller at least as an option. Had to buy one separate from my vehicle order.

 

[Ten4Jeep]

Got the aux switch part as standard but I’m baffled as to why Jeep does not offer a brake controller at least as an option. Had to buy one separate from my vehicle order.

Gotcha, now I see your point. Basically, lose the 12-volt outlet on the dash and replace with brake controller knob. Agree, should definitely have been an option.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Got the aux switch part as standard but I’m baffled as to why Jeep does not offer a brake controller at least as an option.

The towing capacity is only 3,500 pounds. They dont expect it to be bought as a tow vehicle. Lighter trailers dont need brakes at all. In FL for example, you are not required to have trailer brakes until you reach 3000 lbs.

 

[@JC]

Mopar offers a trailer brake controller that mounts in place of the 12 volt outlet by your right knee.. unlike the Grand Cherokee I had where you just bought a pigtail hooking it up to the brake controller of your choice, this one is quite involved in my opinion to install. So much so I’m giving it a pass after looking at the installation instructions...

It's not that hard, took me about 2 hours but only because moving the christmas tree wiring retainer and mounting the control box to that outer frame member was a pain. The rest is simple but I recommend buying this tool - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ID3H3SC/ - to pull the lighter socket out of it's retainer cleanly.

It's easy to use, works great and it's a tidy piece of kit, much nicer than mounting a 3rd party brake controller module hanging below the dash somewhere like I had on my GC.