JamesWyatt
Active Member
TLDR: For Rubicon JLU X models, you do NOT need to remove the rear steel bumper to install the hitch as the Mopar directions show. Jeep moved to (in 2024 I assume) putting in a simpler, smaller fill plate in between the frame and the steel bumper as a placeholder for the hitch. To install the Mopar hitch kit: 1) remove the two bolts holding in that filler plate, 2) remove the two bolts holding the bottom of the bumper, which releases tension on the filter plate, and 3) with a little wiggling, the plate just pulls right down and out. Toss the plate and the bolts. The Mopar hitch now just slides up in there effortlessly, and all the bolts go through the frame and line up super easy. Torque to spec. Getting the bottom bolts back into the bumper may require a little bit of wiggling with your socket or impact as the bumper will have slid backward slightly, leaving only half the bolt hole showing.
The older filler plate shown in the directions was much wider and also served as the lower bumper support brackets, which is why it has to be reused.
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If like me you were unfortunate enough to buy a JLU Rubicon X that should have had the tow/aux package but didn't (either dealer was too stupid to order it or more likely Jeep ran out of the parts and wouldn't let them order it), installing the Mopar hitch after the fact doesn't follow the manual or any YouTube videos I could find.
The 2025 Rubicon X I bought had everything but the tow package (aux switched and hitch), but thankfully Jeep did include the trailer hitch wiring and receptacle under the rear bumper. It was annoying to have to pay $275 for the hitch kit (includes the two outer bolts/nuts and rubber Jeep cap) when the tow package is just $99, but at least I was able to find the JL I wanted, which the 2.0T 4-door in the X trim. I've heard but not confirmed that these X models that didn't have the tow package do have the wiring ready for the aux switches, and all that needs to be installed is the aux switch itself. I hope that means the alternator is also the tow spec one, but I haven't looked at it to be sure.
Another detail: Mopar makes a confusing number of hitch parts that are the same hitch in different configurations. They have the kit like I bought ($275), which has two welded bolts in the center and two holes on either end along with two bolts and nuts for those holes, and the rubber Jeep cap for the hitch. They have another kit ($108) that's the same hitch but with four welded nuts instead of just the center two. Pair that with the kit of four hitch bolts ($39), and you'll come out cheaper just without the rubber cover. I didn't realize that until I'd already received the full kit. The only caveat would be if you go that route, you may need to unbolt the existing tow plug receptacle/unit and swing it out of the way in order for the outermost welded nut on the driver's side to fit up into position.
Edit 12/7/25: Update to confirm on the 2025 Rubicon X units that didn't come with the tow package, they're just missing the actual hitch. These items are listed for my VIN per my account on mopar.com:
TRAILER TOW PREP PACKAGE
240 AMP ALTERNATOR
TRAILER SWAY DAMPING
700 AMP MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY-CP
The older filler plate shown in the directions was much wider and also served as the lower bumper support brackets, which is why it has to be reused.
//
If like me you were unfortunate enough to buy a JLU Rubicon X that should have had the tow/aux package but didn't (either dealer was too stupid to order it or more likely Jeep ran out of the parts and wouldn't let them order it), installing the Mopar hitch after the fact doesn't follow the manual or any YouTube videos I could find.
The 2025 Rubicon X I bought had everything but the tow package (aux switched and hitch), but thankfully Jeep did include the trailer hitch wiring and receptacle under the rear bumper. It was annoying to have to pay $275 for the hitch kit (includes the two outer bolts/nuts and rubber Jeep cap) when the tow package is just $99, but at least I was able to find the JL I wanted, which the 2.0T 4-door in the X trim. I've heard but not confirmed that these X models that didn't have the tow package do have the wiring ready for the aux switches, and all that needs to be installed is the aux switch itself. I hope that means the alternator is also the tow spec one, but I haven't looked at it to be sure.
Another detail: Mopar makes a confusing number of hitch parts that are the same hitch in different configurations. They have the kit like I bought ($275), which has two welded bolts in the center and two holes on either end along with two bolts and nuts for those holes, and the rubber Jeep cap for the hitch. They have another kit ($108) that's the same hitch but with four welded nuts instead of just the center two. Pair that with the kit of four hitch bolts ($39), and you'll come out cheaper just without the rubber cover. I didn't realize that until I'd already received the full kit. The only caveat would be if you go that route, you may need to unbolt the existing tow plug receptacle/unit and swing it out of the way in order for the outermost welded nut on the driver's side to fit up into position.
Edit 12/7/25: Update to confirm on the 2025 Rubicon X units that didn't come with the tow package, they're just missing the actual hitch. These items are listed for my VIN per my account on mopar.com:
TRAILER TOW PREP PACKAGE
240 AMP ALTERNATOR
TRAILER SWAY DAMPING
700 AMP MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY-CP
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