caperinmuskoka Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 (edited) Well if you told me You had a brand new ride and the window sticker includes "Tow -Prep package"(275.00) I would not even need to guess that a hitch is in there somewhere? Maybe at Ford and GM but not Dodge. Dealer tacked on a extra $475.00 on my invoice (Canadian) for the hitch which was not in when I picked up the Journey R/T on Sat. Even better now in 2012 rated for 2500 lbs. down from 2011 at 3500 lbs. V-6 with 283 H.P .......Is Dodge worried about something we don't know about? My Pontiac GTP 3.8 With super -charger is only at 240 H.P. What are they doing to these V-6 engine to pump them H.P numbers out? Will it cut a few years off the life at the end?...Who knows Journey's been here only since 2009 Makes you wounder about the new Ford Eco-boost also..V-6 with towing rated a 11,300 lbs (close I think) Come on what gives.......Caper.......... Edited November 24, 2011 by caperinmuskoka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drb227 Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 The trailer tow prep package has never included the hitch. It is literally just the 4 pin wiring harness and an engine oil cooler. That's why it is only $275. Many people have been wondering why the 2012's are only rated to tow 2500 lbs when the 2009 - 2011's could do 3500 lbs when properly equipped. Nobody has been able to get an answer yet. I don't think it has anything to do with the engine. The 3.5L V6 in the 2009/2010 had 235 hp and the towing was rated at 3500 lbs. The 3.6L in 2011/2012 models is a much stronger engine at 283 hp/260 lb ft torque and presumably there haven't been any major structural changes to the Journey since it's debut in 2009. Presently this is an unsolved mystery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryl Posted November 24, 2011 Report Share Posted November 24, 2011 When I bought mine the tow prep package was $75 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigardo Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 The new engine needs more cooling due to the integrated exhuast manifolds. To get the higher towing capacity you would need a bigger radiator which is not possible with the current vehicle design. Remember they need to sell this vehicle to customers that tow through the desert and mountains which will be an issue if you cannot keep the engine cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generaltso Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 The new engine needs more cooling due to the integrated exhuast manifolds. To get the higher towing capacity you would need a bigger radiator which is not possible with the current vehicle design. Remember they need to sell this vehicle to customers that tow through the desert and mountains which will be an issue if you cannot keep the engine cool. But it's the same engine that was used in the 2011, which has a 3500 lb. towing capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geer Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 (edited) The tow prep is mostly about the oil cooler - which is best added at the factory and definitely something you want as part of your powertrain warranty as opposed to just getting it put on by a dealer which gets you 1-year only. I like the fact the hitch is seperate. I put the tow prep in when I ordered my R/T but as yet have not had a need to use and therefore not buy a hitch. 'There if and when I need it'. Furthermore I added tow prep because I bought my R/T for performance both street and freeway and an oil cooler is definitely something you want added for that. 2011 tow capacity is only 2,500 lbs. I don't think it had EVER been 3,500. The old 3.5 had significantly less horsepower and also less torque - can't imagine they rated the 09s or 10s at 3,500. There's ALOT of confusion about tow capacity because the hitch ITSELF is rated at 3,500. It doesn't imply you can tow that much, but true enought that is somewhat misleading. Edited January 24, 2012 by Geer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generaltso Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 2011 tow capacity is only 2,500 lbs. I don't think it had EVER been 3,500. The old 3.5 had significantly less horsepower and also less torque - can't imagine they rated the 09s or 10s at 3,500. There's ALOT of confusion about tow capacity because the hitch ITSELF is rated at 3,500. It doesn't imply you can tow that much, but true enought that is somewhat misleading. There's a chart in the 2011 owner's manual. With one or two passengers and the tow prep group, the V6 2011 Journey has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs. I believe the 2009 and 2010 were the same even tough the V6 had less horsepower in those models. This has been debated in several threads here, but the documentation is clear. The 2011 towing capacity (with V6 and tow prep) is 3500 lbs. The 2012 towing capacity (with V6 and tow prep) is 2500 lbs. The chart is on page 458 of the 2012 owner's manual and page 408 of the 2011 owner's manual. Nobody knows why Chrysler changed the documentation since the drive train didn't change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Sixspeedrt Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Maybe the 2500 is just a misprint? OR, someone in engineering felt the 3500 lb limit put too much stress on the drivetrain, and asked the marketing dept to down-rate the towing specs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geer Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 There's a chart in the 2011 owner's manual. With one or two passengers and the tow prep group, the V6 2011 Journey has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs. I believe the 2009 and 2010 were the same even tough the V6 had less horsepower in those models. This has been debated in several threads here, but the documentation is clear. The 2011 towing capacity (with V6 and tow prep) is 3500 lbs. The 2012 towing capacity (with V6 and tow prep) is 2500 lbs. The chart is on page 458 of the 2012 owner's manual and page 408 of the 2011 owner's manual. Nobody knows why Chrysler changed the documentation since the drive train didn't change. Sorry but this is wrong. My owner's manual says max 2500 lbs. I own a 2011. Furthermore check out out Dodge Towing Guide for 2011. http://www.dodge.com/en/towing_payload/2011/ 2500 lbs max for the 3.6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geer Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 There's a chart in the 2011 owner's manual. With one or two passengers and the tow prep group, the V6 2011 Journey has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs. I believe the 2009 and 2010 were the same even tough the V6 had less horsepower in those models. This has been debated in several threads here, but the documentation is clear. The 2011 towing capacity (with V6 and tow prep) is 3500 lbs. The 2012 towing capacity (with V6 and tow prep) is 2500 lbs. The chart is on page 458 of the 2012 owner's manual and page 408 of the 2011 owner's manual. Nobody knows why Chrysler changed the documentation since the drive train didn't change. Chrysler changed the documentation to correct the typo in owner's manuals (some apparently, because mine does say 2,500 lbs and in fact derates that for AWD). They didn't change the vehicle or the mechanicals - so there's no engineering reason to reduces the towing capacity. QuarterSwede 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generaltso Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 (edited) I'm just stating what it says in the 2011 owner's manual that Dodge makes available online. Does your printed manual not have this chart? Does it have the same chart that's in the 2012? It's a whole chart, so if they changed it mid-year it was for more than just a typo. Edited January 25, 2012 by generaltso Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebus Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 The tow prep is mostly about the oil cooler - which is best added at the factory and definitely something you want as part of your powertrain warranty as opposed to just getting it put on by a dealer which gets you 1-year only. I like the fact the hitch is seperate. I put the tow prep in when I ordered my R/T but as yet have not had a need to use and therefore not buy a hitch. 'There if and when I need it'. Furthermore I added tow prep because I bought my R/T for performance both street and freeway and an oil cooler is definitely something you want added for that. 2011 tow capacity is only 2,500 lbs. I don't think it had EVER been 3,500. The old 3.5 had significantly less horsepower and also less torque - can't imagine they rated the 09s or 10s at 3,500. There's ALOT of confusion about tow capacity because the hitch ITSELF is rated at 3,500. It doesn't imply you can tow that much, but true enought that is somewhat misleading. I just received the build sheet for my 2011 DJ (shout out to DodgeCares!), and, although it did not come with the trailer tow prep group, the build sheet shows "NHAP Engine Oil Cooler". I'm curious if this is, in fact, the same engine oil cooler that would have come with the trailer tow prep group. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Official Dodge Support DodgeCares Posted January 26, 2012 Official Dodge Support Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 I just received the build sheet for my 2011 DJ (shout out to DodgeCares!), and, although it did not come with the trailer tow prep group, the build sheet shows "NHAP Engine Oil Cooler". I'm curious if this is, in fact, the same engine oil cooler that would have come with the trailer tow prep group. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks! Rebus, The engine oil cooler, sales code NHA, is the same as whats included in the trailer tow prep group and is standard on certain models of the Journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Sixspeedrt Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 woohoo! That's what I've got on my build sheet too. I got my Reese hitch and flat-four wiring installed Tuesday, so I should be good to go for summer. May have the dealer add a transmission cooler too, just to be safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstralRT Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 What models of Journey include this? I'm ordered a 2012 Rallye AWD and had to order the Tow Prep Package to get it. Did I pay for something I already have? pacsound 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dre Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 Where would I get the build sheet for my 2011 Journey? I'd really like to know if it came with an engine oil cooler. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Official Dodge Support DodgeCares Posted May 29, 2012 Official Dodge Support Report Share Posted May 29, 2012 Where would I get the build sheet for my 2011 Journey? I'd really like to know if it came with an engine oil cooler. Thanks! Dre, PM me your VIN and I will send you a build sheet. shifa and johnj69 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdewitt71 Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 OK so I installed a hidden hitch kit and trailer brake lights to my FWD 2010 Journey just now.... I have a electronic brake controller box I will get installed this week. Do I really need the Tow Prep Package if I am just pulling a 2,000 lbs (loaded) pop-up? I already installed after market brake pads and disks to get ride of the stock junk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubberdude88 Posted June 30, 2012 Report Share Posted June 30, 2012 Sorry but this is wrong. My owner's manual says max 2500 lbs. I own a 2011. Furthermore check out out Dodge Towing Guide for 2011. http://www.dodge.com/en/towing_payload/2011/ 2500 lbs max for the 3.6 Remember, the manual also recommends the first oil change at 13,000 KM's - NOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstralRT Posted June 30, 2012 Report Share Posted June 30, 2012 Remember, the manual also recommends the first oil change at 13,000 KM's - NOT. My dealer told me that too, but didn't recommend it. He did recommend me coming back at 3000KM for my first Oil change. I won't be though, as little work I can get done somewhere else other than the dealer the better. I'll most likely just pick up the oil and filter and take it to my regular mechanic so I can have record of a licensed professional doing the change as I was told by the dealer that doing it myself would void the warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj69 Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 I would also like the build sheet of my Journey as I am also looking into the oil cooler but I tried to PM Dodge cares my vin number but it would not let me since I do not have 30 posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Official Dodge Support DodgeCares Posted January 24, 2013 Official Dodge Support Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 I would also like the build sheet of my Journey as I am also looking into the oil cooler but I tried to PM Dodge cares my vin number but it would not let me since I do not have 30 posts. John, Send an email to Dodgecares@gmail.com and I will send you one. Include your vin and state you want a build sheet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj69 Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 John,Send an email to Dodgecares@gmail.com and I will send you one. Include your vin and state you want a build sheet. I just sent it. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biohazard Posted January 26, 2013 Report Share Posted January 26, 2013 So is there an answer to the towing debate... I have a 2010 and with 1 to 2 passengers the rating is 3500 for the 3.5 motor. That number decreases as the number of occupants increases to a max of 7 passengers and 2500lbs capacity. The 2013 is rated with 1 to 2 passengers at 2500LBS and thought that dodge underrated it as they must have found some problems over the years and that number needed to be adjusted. Personally I have a popup trailer with a dry weight of 2800LBS and have never had a prob towing it with 5 passengers but we do have the trailer brake controller that takes the stress off the tow vehicles. We live in canada so extreme temperatures that exist from over heating have never been an issue for me and yes we had the tow prep package installed. we are currently upgrading from a 2010 FWD to a 2013 AWD and were a little concerned at first but im sure we will be fine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Official Dodge Support DodgeCares Posted January 28, 2013 Official Dodge Support Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 I just sent it. Thanks The build sheet should be in your email inbox now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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