Can a 2012 JKUR pull a Coleman Evolution E1 comfortably?

[Longtallsally]

So we are trying to figure out our family camping setup. I have debated high and low on how to do this as I want to bring at least 1 dirt bike as well, which greatly reduces our options. We looked into adventure trailers, a rack with a RTT, designing our own trailer, modifying a pop up, and now are to the Evolution version of a pop up.

I know they won't do hard core off road, but that's fine as I don't have any interest in dragging something through difficult terrain- that's what the Jeep by itself, or the dirt bike are for. Also, the convenience of having having everything right there in a "hook up and go" setup is very appealing. We both work a lot and just don't have the luxury of a long and drawn out build

So on to the campers themselves. I'd really like the E2 as it has a built in bathroom and more space for more bikes on the front, but it probably is too much for the Jeep. The E1 however, has a max gvwr of exactly what the Jeep can handle. I think we can figure out a bathroom and shower, but my big thing is will the Jeep struggle to pull the thing around?

I'm also open to suggestions on solutions. Again, convenience comes before performance in many ways. Adventure trailers are really pretty stupid expensive for what they are and I know you get what you pay for in a pop up, but I'm not spending $15k on a glorified utility trailer and still sleep in a tent, and I've seen E1s for sale a couple years old for around $6k.

 

[jet noise]

So you're saying a "dry" E1 is your jeeps max capacity? I think you've answered the question already. Throw in gear, and exceed your vehicles capacity=a dangerous situation.
An option: Look into a quicksilver trailer from livin lite. Some of them have a toy hauler deck like the E series do, only with a much lower starting weight and IMO, better build quality. You can find em used if you look long enough. Seems like people hang onto them when they get em.

 

[Dr. Marneaus]

So you're saying a "dry" E1 is your jeeps max capacity? I think you've answered the question already. Throw in gear, and exceed your vehicles capacity=a dangerous situation.
An option: Look into a quicksilver trailer from livin lite. Some of them have a toy hauler deck like the E series do, only with a much lower starting weight and IMO, better build quality. You can find em used if you look long enough. Seems like people hang onto them when they get em.

maybe he edited, but his post clearly says the GVWR of the E1 is what his jeep can handle, not the dry weight. That would be 3500lbs total for the GVWR.

I have no input on the abilities of a 2012 v6 though, so, i hope you find your answer!

 

[Power Wagon Family]

I tow our Palomino Banshee BS-V1 (like the E-1) with our 2012 JKUR and it does fine, I added an electric brake controller and ordered a 7pin round harness for the jeep and wired it up. The brakes helped and so do the 5:13 gears in the jeep but I am also running 37” tires. I will say going up the really steep Hwy passes in northern NM and in CO I am doing 55 mph in the slow lane.

 

[Kssting]

You can pull an E1 for sure since we pull a E2 with our 2012. We load ours up pretty good but I wouldn't trust putting anything too heavy on the front deck. The quality of the Evolution trailers are great. We do use an Equalizer hitch and a brake controller but we climb the Utah mountains with no problem.

.

 

[jet noise]

maybe he edited, but his post clearly says the GVWR of the E1 is what his jeep can handle, not the dry weight. That would be 3500lbs total for the GVWR.

I have no input on the abilities of a 2012 v6 though, so, i hope you find your answer!

My bad, I misread OPs post. You are correct.

 

[Longtallsally]

You can pull an E1 for sure since we pull a E2 with our 2012. We load ours up pretty good but I wouldn't trust putting anything too heavy on the front deck.

.View attachment 121100

THIS was the pic I have been looking for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks a bunch for the input guys. I think we'll be fine with an E1.

The E2 looks like we'd be able to do it, but unsure if I'd be able to put a bike on the front. I'm thinking I would be able to modify the E1 to handle 2 bikes.

 

[HenryJ]

I can't speak to the abilities of the Jeep, but can offer my BLT Offroad Evolution E1 for some ideas.

With a bike loaded on the front deck, weight behind the axle to compensate helps. The hitch mounted cooler on the back and a full water heater helped ours.
Best mod thus far has been the bigger water tank

 

[Kssting]

I really like the grey water storage idea. I might have to copy that as well as a few of the other modifications.

 

[R8R ROK]

My Jeep is 5 years old and I have been pulling an E3 over the Sierras and up the siskiyou pass grade the whole time.

Lifted, 37"s and Rock Crawl the **** out of it. Is it smart? No! has it been fun YES!!!!

 

[Longtallsally]

I can't speak to the abilities of the Jeep, but can offer my BLT Offroad Evolution E1 for some ideas.

With a bike loaded on the front deck, weight behind the axle to compensate helps. The hitch mounted cooler on the back and a full water heater helped ours.
Best mod thus far has been the bigger water tank

I had found your site some time back and you really are who got me very interested. I think we're going to an RV dealer tomorrow to check them out.

My only concern on them is that I read on another Jeep forum that the tops prior to 2010 have big problems with leaking and there are not more replacement aluminum tops left. However, it was said that the Coleman was the best design of all of them.

 

[HenryJ]

...My only concern on them is that I read on another Jeep forum that the tops prior to 2010 have big problems with leaking and there are not more replacement aluminum tops left. However, it was said that the Coleman was the best design of all of them.

Any top if damaged , stressed or neglected can have problems. Don't worry too much about tops prior to 2010, IMO.
Avoid the AC on the roof and you will have less stress to the roof structure, not to mention one fewer place to leak. Many complain about cracking on the plastic roof. Mine is a 2007 and has what I believe they are calling plastic. It is in fact FRP. Fiberglass reinforced plastic. Much like a thin camper shell material. Gelcoat over fiberglass. Protect it from UV, don't walk on it or stress it and it will be fine. I give mine a good coating of synthetic wax a couple times a year. Store it with a breathable cover under our car port when not in use. Looks and works great!
I would worry about the aluminum tops with the seam down the center more than the FRP tops like mine. If you must have a AC on top, aluminum is probably the better roof material. I wanted to haul a canoe, so no AC for me. That said, beware the stock roof rails and rack! Mine blew off with the canoe at 65 mph! It is attached much better now I posted a thread about that.

http://www.beckleysrvs.com/ bought the remaining stock from Fleetwood. They are as good parts source until Somerset gets caught up and offers replacement parts. Most of their trailers are almost the same. Built next door and by the same employees if you want new, they would be an option.

The E1 is a nice size and you hardly know it is back there. I would consider the E2 very carefully though. That larger deck will make hauling a bike much easier. The E1 deck is pretty small. The bigger water tank is a must have IMO. 20 gallons in the E1 leaves you wanting more on the third day. Did the E2 get the 35 gallon tank?
We tried the indoor potty thing and my wife prefers the outside enclosure. Get a Pett system. Well worth the investment. I wish I would have gone that way first instead of all the trial and error.
The fridge is still a work in progress. Ammonia absorption sucks after coming from an Edgestar freezer fridge. I will get it figured out. It is better , but not yet where I would like it.
Plan on a new set of tires. Peace of mind. Many have had failures of the stock Durango tires. Mine still look good and serve as spares now.
Keep your eyes and mind open. The Starcraft Baja might be another good option?
Mine was a craigslist find. You will find one

 

[BradJ]

The front deck is rated at 200# so you would probably exceed that with a dirt bike, certainly two.

My 2012 JKUR tows my loaded E1 without any issues with a brake controller on flats. My limited experience towing in hills (West TX/Big Bend) wasn't ideal. Maybe I expected it to be easier, but I did more down shifting than I had thought would be needed with the new stronger motor and 4.10s.

Just make sure you tighten your lug nuts before you head offroad, my dealer apparently didn't...

 

[HenryJ]

...
Just make sure you tighten your lug nuts before you head offroad, my dealer apparently didn't...

Ouch! Good to see what looks like minimal damage. What year is yours?

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Brad: Yours is the perfect size for a JK or JKU. And even at that size, if you had your cooler and jerry cans somewhere else, I believe you could get one bike there on that front deck.

The other alternative would be a tow hitch mounted bike hauler that has a secondary hitch on there rear of it ... for the trailer. Then you could do a trailer like Brad's and not need the large deck on the front. You would also not be "towing" the bike weight.

Just a thought.

D