Most Jeep owners are big outdoor enthusiasts. If this sounds like you, you may own a boat you’d like to take to the marina during the summertime. But, can you use your Patriot to pull a boat?
As long as your boat does not exceed your Jeep Patriot’s towing capacity, you should have no problem using your SUV to tow it. Patriots have a standard towing capacity of 1000 pounds, and adding a towing package will increase the capacity to 2000 pounds.
Below, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about towing a boat with your Jeep Patriot. Keep reading to learn more!
Can a Jeep Patriot Tow a Bot?
You’ve finally pulled your boat out of storage and are getting ready for a day with the family out on the water. But, before you head to the marina, you need to figure out how you’ll get your boat there.
If you are a Jeep owner, you know these rugged vehicles are famous for their towing abilities. But, what if you own a Jeep Patriot? Can you use your SUV to pull your boat?
Whether or not your Jeep Patriot can pull your boat depends almost entirely on how much it weighs and the modifications you’ve made to your vehicle. Jeep manufactured the Patriot model between 2007 and 2017, and models from all years have a standard towing capacity of 1000 pounds.
However, if your Patriot is equipped with a towing package, this capacity doubles to 2,000 pounds. While smaller boats usually fit within these limits, larger boats often do not.
Some of the boats you’ll be able to tow with your Jeep Patriot include:
- Skiffs
- Fishing Boats
- Sailboats
Below, we’ll discuss more specifics on towing each type of boat.
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Here’s a quick video showing a Jeep Patriot towing 1200lbs to show how the engine handles it:
Skiffs
Skiffs are “mini boats,” often under 20 feet in length. Many people take skiffs into shallow water and other tight spots. Because these boats typically weigh between 300 and 900 pounds, you should have no problem towing it with your Patriot — even if you don’t have the towing package.
Fishing Boats
Not every fishing boat will fit within the Patriot’s 1000 to 2000-pound capacity, so you’ll need to get an accurate weight on yours before you hook it up to your SUV. Fishing boats can weigh anywhere from 300 to 2500 pounds, so it’s usually not a good idea to tow a large fishing boat with your Jeep.
Aluminum fishing boats are much more likely to fit within the weight limits. These are almost always under 1000 pounds, but the size of the engine can put it over the limit.
Sailboats
Again, whether you’ll be able to tow your sailboat with your Jeep Patriot depends on the size of the boat. However, a smaller sailboat generally weighs between 400 and 800 pounds, meaning you can tow it even without the optional towing package.
How Much Will a Jeep Patriot Tow?
As we’ve discussed, Jeep Patriot models manufactured between 2007-2017 have a standard towing weight of 1000 pounds. However, Jeep also offers you the option of purchasing a towing package that increases this towing capacity to 2,000 pounds.
If your boat is even slightly over this 1000-pound maximum, it’s not a good idea to use your SUV to tow it. Exceeding a vehicle’s towing capacity can lead to several expensive problems, including:
- Engine failure
- Transmission problems
- Tire blowouts
- Suspension damage
If your boat weighs even 1,100 pounds, upgrading your Jeep with the towing package will allow you to tow it without causing any of the problems listed above.
What’s Included in a Jeep Patriot Towing Package?
Jeep’s towing packages include everything you need to safely pull boats up to 2000 pounds. This includes:
- Engine cooler
- A spare tire
- Hitch receiver
- Trailer tow wiring harness
Below, we’ll discuss how each component increases your Patriot’s towing capacity.
Engine Cooler
Your engine needs to work harder when more weight is attached to your vehicle. This extra work heads up your engine oil and other fluids to dangerous levels, creating the need for an additional radiator.
The included engine cooler does just this. It allows your engine to work as hard as it needs to without damaging your transmission or internal engine components.
A Spare Tire
As we briefly discussed, towing a lot of weight with your Jeep Patriot increases the potential for tire blowouts. When you purchase Jeep’s towing package, you receive a full-sized spare tire to eliminate the chances of getting stuck on the road with your boat.
Hitch Receiver
A hitch receiver is possibly the most important part of the towing package. Without a hitch receiver, you’d have no way to attach your boat to your Jeep. The included hitch receiver can be fully welded onto your vehicle, allowing a tight, secure pull as you drive down the road with your boat behind you.
Trailer Tow Wiring Harness
The trailer tow wiring harness adds an extra level of safety to your towing experience. It allows you to wire the lights on any trailer directly to your Patriot’s electrical system, meaning any time you hit the brakes or turn on your turn signals, the people behind you will see it.
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Is a Jeep Patriot Good for Towing?
Generally, a Jeep Patriot is a great car for towing small trailers and boats. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you hitch your trailer.
Because the Jeep Patriot is a crossover SUV, it has a car frame rather than an SUV frame. For this reason, it has a lower towing capacity than some other models. Patriots also have a relatively small engine, meaning towing can be tough if you need to go up any hills.
Towing up to 1000 pounds, or up to 2,000 pounds with the towing package installed, is completely safe as long as you account for the passengers and cargo inside your vehicle’s cab.
Patriots have a gross weight capacity of around 4,500 pounds, depending on the model year. The Patriot’s curb weight is between 3,100 and 3,300 pounds, depending on the model year, giving you between 1000 and 1,400 to work with. As long as you work within these limits, you should have no problem towing your small boat with your SUV.
Final Thoughts
Jeep Patriots have a towing capacity of 1000 pounds, or 2000 pounds with the optional towing package. As long as your boat is under the weight limit, you should have no problems using your Jeep to pull it to the marina.
Boats such as skiffs, some fishing boats, and some sailboats will all fall within these limits. However, getting an accurate weight reading before you attach your boat is essential to ensure a safe tow.