i searched but could not find what i was looking for. I have a 2012 jk with 3.73, stock with manual transmission and I DO NOT have the towing package. I was thinking of buying a small boat but I am very new to towing anything. I went to the jeep website and it says Max towing: 2,000 pounds, 4WD+Max payload: 1,118 pounds, 4WD+ with trailer tow group. Now, the questions. What does this mean exactly in layman's terms? What is the tow group, something more than the hitch and wiring harness? What's the difference between max towing and max payload? I am looking at a 17ft boat with a 75 hp motor and trailer. Can the jeep pull this or is this a case of the cart pulling the horse?

 

I am still researching but is max towing just that? I.e the max that I can tow? and payload the max that can be in the jeep when I tow? Also the boat motor and trailer are right at 2000lbs maybe 50-100 less. And again what does the group add other than hitch and harness? Thanks in advance.

 

Towing is what you can tow payload is what you can carry in the jeep. They always under rate a vehicle a little so if your boat is 1900 lbs + fuel in the boat might bring you over but you will be ok. They do the ratings with hard tows in the mountains and starting up on steep inclines. You should be just fine.

 

thanks! I live in DE so everything is relatively flat. How about the tow package? does it include anything more than the hitch and harness?

 

I think the only other difference are the rear springs.

 

Will I have any problem with my current springs ? Sorry for all the questions, I've only towed something with my 09 jku and only a handful of times and I no longer have the jku

 

Don't forget to include the weight of the trailer too. with that being said I saw a 2 Dr pulling a 22ft boat yesterday.

 

Probably not. A lot will depend on tongue weight.
On my my JKU gave a 3500lb towing weight with the factory towing package. Is the JK less? or is it because you don't have factory tow package?

 

I have a 4 door and i tow a boat or my other trailer about every other weekend. I have a 18ft tracker with a 50 on the rear. You are going to hate those hills but it gets the job done.

 

Thanks for checking- the total was for boat trailer and motor