Jeeps Get Hitched To Prevent Fiery Union
As we reported yesterday, Chrysler will be recalling the 2.7 million 1.56 million Jeeps being targeted by NHTSA over rear-end crashes that can lead to a fiery death. The solution; a trailer hitch out of the Mopar catalog.
Both Chrysler and NHTSA get to walk away from this one without losing too much face; NHTSA appears to have compelled Chrysler to take action on the matter, while Chrysler’s “voluntary” action allows it to maintain that there’s nothing wrong with the vehicles, while also having the PR bonus of making them look responsible and caring in the face of a safety issue.
It’s likely that most of the Jeeps will pass the “visual inspection” and dealers won’t need to install too many of the Mopar factory trailer hitches. And every person that comes in is a potential sales lead. After all, some of these Jeeps are 20 years old by now. Certainly time for a new Jeep, isn’t it?
More by Derek Kreindler
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So what would Chrylser do if someone didn't want a hitch installed? I'm sure there are people out there who don't want to clutter up the rear end of their vehicles with a ready-to-rust ugly trailer hitch. Resale of these vehicles will also suffer if hitches are installed; I have seen many people pass on purchasing the vehicle they wanted simply because the previous owner had a hitch, which always raises red flags to a prospective buyer who has no idea what was towed, how it was towed, and how often...
That's a great fix! Not only does the backing plate protect the plastic tank and hitch give the Jeep more utility, it punctures the radiator of the car that hits you, spraying coolant on the fire.
Since the hitch is being installed as a protective device and not for its intended function, are they going to bother with the trailer wiring? Or maybe offer that at an inflated price to offset the cost of the recall?
Wife had an 06 Liberty. I added a hitch to it, not because I wanted to tow with it but extra steel in the rear never hurt and they're just useful to have. Four months after installing it we got slammed into from behind while we were stopped by a Chevy Colorado PU going 45MPH. When I gave it to wife as a gift for XMAS (there were others) she was angry. The hitch bore the brunt of the collision and the Firemen on the scene commented that it probably saved us. Liberty was fine and able to drive away, Colorado was crushed to the windshield. You could see how the hitch kept fuel tank from getting hit. Wife now makes me put a hitch on every car we buy, even a new Sonata. Comes in handy when she gets stuck in snow, I can use it to pull her out.