Towing with a Jeep Wrangler
- Thread starter TheMTeam
- Start date
billiebob
Well-known member
Fabulous tow vehicles !!
I tow 2000# almost daily. My TJR gets 24K miles a year, at least half of that towing my work trailer. 240K miles on my '05 TJR today.
I can't comment on the newer Wranglers power wise but the 4.0L pulls 2000# effortlessly. And the manoveurability is second to none.
This is my daily work truck
And this is the weekend warrior... 1500# loaded for a week.
Wranglers for their size and weight are over powered by comparison to other compact SUVs and with a separate body frame and live axles pretty much bulletproof
One tip, stick to a 5' wide trailer so the factory mirrors work. I think the Wranglers are also limited to a frontal area of 25 square feet so 5 wide by 5 high works
My 2 trailers are virtually invisible even in cross winds or passing semis.
I tow 2000# almost daily. My TJR gets 24K miles a year, at least half of that towing my work trailer. 240K miles on my '05 TJR today.
I can't comment on the newer Wranglers power wise but the 4.0L pulls 2000# effortlessly. And the manoveurability is second to none.
This is my daily work truck
And this is the weekend warrior... 1500# loaded for a week.
Wranglers for their size and weight are over powered by comparison to other compact SUVs and with a separate body frame and live axles pretty much bulletproof
One tip, stick to a 5' wide trailer so the factory mirrors work. I think the Wranglers are also limited to a frontal area of 25 square feet so 5 wide by 5 high works
My 2 trailers are virtually invisible even in cross winds or passing semis.
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I’ve always viewed Jeep’s as a sense of freedom vehicle similar to motorcycles...traveling with nothing more than the shirt on your back and the wind in your hair kinda things. I guess overlanding (when I ever get to do it) would be similar with some added creature comforts. I like the idea of being free to roam the back-country and boondocking with the Jeep but sleeping on a ground tent for several weeks isn’t as appealing as it once once was. I know there are light weight teardrops & tent trailers but didn’t know how Jeep’s would handle towing in the off-road. I might have to adjust my thinking of how I see Jeep ?.
Both of your responses make me think it’s more like of a possibility than I originally thought.
Thank you!
Both of your responses make me think it’s more like of a possibility than I originally thought.
Thank you!
The Jeep definitely tows better at low speeds than it does on the freeway. I think much of it depends on your particular expectations, tire size, axle gear ratio, vehicle weight, and your willingness to run at high rpm on the freeway. There is a thread in the Jeep section right now about engine alternatives that discusses some of those expectation issues. In addition, I would ensure that your trailer had brakes. Many will say that they aren’t needed, but JK brakes are pretty marginal to begin with. Once you get off-road, low and slow, no problems at all.
jadmt
ignore button user
My jk's all have had 3.6 with 4.10's and had 0 issue running the speed limits even in Montana, Idaho, Utah and Colorado. my little freespirit did not have trailer brakes and never an issue. The Aliner had them and I used them but would have been fine without. The Jayco they were an absolute must. The Jayco and the aliner had tires rated for 65mph and the Jayco was easy to keep to 65 but the Aliner was not. You would look down and be going 80mph. The Freespirit had regular tires so limited to like 99...
jadmt
ignore button user
you never said what jeep you are going to use.
quickfarms
Adventurer
My basically stock LJ tows 3,500 lbs fine at around 60 to 65 mph, ca trailer speed limit is 55, without an issue.
The only modification I made, besides the hitch and wiring, was to add air bags to the rear and that made a night and day handling difference.
If you have experience towing trailers you can deal without having brakes on a M100, M416, trailer in most situations.
Personally if brakes are available I would get and use them.
It only takes one idiot to make you wish you had brakes
The ergonomics in the stock LJ suck in my opinion. In stock form I would need to take frequent breaks. This is not the case when I drive a class 8 truck. With modifications to the seat mounts, and gas pedal I can now drain the tank.
I do agree that the LJ brakes are not great even in stock form. I had planned hand controls and a hydaboost conversation in mine for daily commuting but my work changed and that stopped when the LJ was only a year old.
The only modification I made, besides the hitch and wiring, was to add air bags to the rear and that made a night and day handling difference.
If you have experience towing trailers you can deal without having brakes on a M100, M416, trailer in most situations.
Personally if brakes are available I would get and use them.
It only takes one idiot to make you wish you had brakes
The ergonomics in the stock LJ suck in my opinion. In stock form I would need to take frequent breaks. This is not the case when I drive a class 8 truck. With modifications to the seat mounts, and gas pedal I can now drain the tank.
I do agree that the LJ brakes are not great even in stock form. I had planned hand controls and a hydaboost conversation in mine for daily commuting but my work changed and that stopped when the LJ was only a year old.
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billiebob
Well-known member
ya need to learn about Jeeps roots, following WWII they were the ultimate utilitarian farm vehicle
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