jeep wrangler towing

[scrubjaysnest]

Jeep Wranglers are not rated for towing a TM. Every Wrangler owners manual I have read rates them at a quarter ton or 25 square feet of frontal area. We have one member that uses his but its heavily modified. They do work well to move the TM in the yard using low range.

[w120013]

Originally Posted by Frenchy

How well does it stop in an emergency?

The normal Jeep Wranlgers have a 2000lb tow cap. No where near enought to tow the TM. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimiteds have a 3500lb tow. I have the Unlimited, I did some tests when I drove it home the past weekend, 60mph was great - got up to speed really well - 65pmh little trouble but no biggie - 70mph it was tough, and 75mph was crazy - i tried to stick to 65mph. It stopped just fine, but I did have them install the a new wiring harness on it so it would charge the battery and use the electic brakes on the TM.

[Sopper]

Originally Posted by w120013

The normal Jeep Wranlgers have a 2000lb tow cap. No where near enought to tow the TM. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimiteds have a 3500lb tow. I have the Unlimited, I did some tests when I drove it home the past weekend, 60mph was great - got up to speed really well - 65pmh little trouble but no biggie - 70mph it was tough, and 75mph was crazy - i tried to stick to 65mph. It stopped just fine, but I did have them install the a new wiring harness on it so it would charge the battery and use the electic brakes on the TM.

I'm still in the camp that this is a bad idea. The short wheel base and you maxing the tow weight are all bad factors and setting you up for potentially catastrophic results.

I tow with a Nissan Xterra (5000lb tow max, 500lb hitch max, brake controller installed, transmission cooler installed) and with a loaded 2720 (likely near 3800lbs) and kids in the truck I am still afraid and very cautious when I pull.

I would highly recommend you find a better tow vehicle for your TM...

[hillbillyhotel]

not to beat that drum,
but I have had everything from a willys,a cj7,a wrangler, 2 honcho trucks and a cherokee,
I tried towing a 13 ft boat with the wrangler, it was 4.0, 5 speed, soft top if that makes a hill of beans, pulled fine, stopping caused a white knuckle ride.
the trucks was the only thing I ever used again
lesson learned

[Padgett]

I agree, he needs to trade the Wrangler for a Grand Cherokee with towing package. Will never notice the 1" shorter wheelbase.

[w120013]

Originally Posted by Sopper

I'm still in the camp that this is a bad idea. The short wheel base and you maxing the tow weight are all bad factors and setting you up for potentially catastrophic results.

I tow with a Nissan Xterra (5000lb tow max, 500lb hitch max, brake controller installed, transmission cooler installed) and with a loaded 2720 (likely near 3800lbs) and kids in the truck I am still afraid and very cautious when I pull.

I would highly recommend you find a better tow vehicle for your TM...

The wheel base on a Wrangler unlimited is 116", compared to the wheel base on the Xterra is 106".

[Sopper]

Originally Posted by w120013

The wheel base on a Wrangler unlimited is 116", compared to the wheel base on the Xterra is 106".

And yet I have a transmission and engine that pull the camper. With a fully loaded camper you're over 3500lbs. Pulling anything beyond your towing capacity is dangerous.

[w120013]

Originally Posted by Sopper

And yet I have a transmission and engine that pull the camper. With a fully loaded camper you're over 3500lbs. Pulling anything beyond your towing capacity is dangerous.

I dont keep anything in my camper though - its all in a second vehicle (wife's mini van) when we go out. Only time there is extra weight is when I have to fill up the water at the campsite, which is still not over the 3500lbs. Also, Trailmanor on their website says that 3500lb tow vehicle is fine unless you are traveling throught he mountains. I bet if you drove my Wranlger with the TM on it you would agree with me :-)

[Redtail Cruiser]

Originally Posted by w120013

I dont keep anything in my camper though - its all in a second vehicle (wife's mini van) when we go out. Only time there is extra weight is when I have to fill up the water at the campsite, which is still not over the 3500lbs. Also, Trailmanor on their website says that 3500lb tow vehicle is fine unless you are traveling throught he mountains. I bet if you drove my Wranlger with the TM on it you would agree with me :-)

That's different, with all your gear and family in the other vehicle and pulling dry, you're fine. Just watch those mountain roads.

Another interesting note is that the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is tow rated at about 4400lb and 440 lb tongue weight overseas for the same vehicle. Here's a link for Australia (tow rating weights 2000/200 given in kg).
http://www.jeep.com.au/compare-model...gler-unlimited