I have a 2011 4dr Rubicon with no tow package.

Olympic, Rugged Ridge, Hidden Hitch, MOPAR, Draw-tite, Quadratec, Smittybilt...
So is there any real difference (quality wise) between these brands or any others and their hitch receivers? Or are they pretty much all the same?

Also I haven't checked my jeep yet, but should there be a wiring harness for a trailer's brake light/turn signals in the rear somewhere? Or is that only installed if there's a tow package already?

Thank you!

 

It's a separate harness that plugs into the drivers side taillight. You can buy it at jeep

 

I bought Rugged Ridge's tow hitch. Works great and seemed to be one of the more affordable ones out there. Only set back I could think of, is there's no little notch to neatly hold the trailer light plug, no big deal.

 

Hitch receivers have weight ratings, but the tow rating of a JK is so low that all receivers probably exceed it.

 

yes. this is the case. All the hitches I looked at did exceed the limit of the Jk in general. I found RR to be the most cost effective.

 

I'm pretty sure they're all the same. Maybe painted a bit differently. I bought the cheapest one I could find for around $60. I banged the crap out of it on rocks. Still there.

 

Quadratec sells a combination kit with everything you need. They are pretty much all the same and very easy to install.

 

This pretty much covers it. I picked up a used Mopar hitch for $30. They all will do the job

 

That's strange, mine had the notch.

 

Mopar ones have the notch for the 4 pin harness plug.