They typically won't know what your tow rating is unless maybe they had the same vehicle. It gets more complicated once you get into the full size trucks based on what engine is in it. So like most said, unless you get into an accident and it looks like that was the cause of the accident they shouldn't bother you. My thought on weight limits is this. First, how hard is your vehicle working to pull the weight? If you are creating a hazard by not being able to maintain proper speeds then you might want to reconsider. I pulled a Uhaul trailer from Atlanta to Northeast Ohio with my TJ years ago and I was constantly having to down shift on the slightest hill to keep my speed up. I had 32's on it and didn't do anything with the gearing which might have helped. The other issue that is the most important is your ability to stop. How hard do you have to work to stop? If you had to make a hard stop would you be able to? Probably going to have that trailer push you right through whatever you were trying to stop for. I pulled a two horse trailer with my Ram 1500 Hemi with no problem but until I put a trailer brake on it stopping was a whole mother issue. I drive a fire truck and pull a landscape trailer with my JK for many years so I'm comfortable with a lot of weight behind me. But I realize time and time again that people just love to pull out in front of big trucks and trailers. Can you stop if they do?

 

I have a truck for towing, I won't even tow my light sailboat with the jeep. There are so many more things than just pulling and stopping power to take into consideration with towing. The JKU can tow more because the wheel base is able to keep more weight steady, for the same reason my truck can tow 13k pounds granted it has 2x the power and nearly 3x the torque of the jeep. I don't personally feel comfortable with towing in the jeep for may reasons, while it is safe, it just doesn't feel right to me.

 

that's why it's called "investigating" when a cop processes an accident scene. Assuming you're a fireman, you should understand that one. Additionally, the databases available today, are at anyone's fingertips. It takes about a minute to look up any vehicle info.

 

Maybe it would help a little bit - the smittybilt XRC bumper had a placard on it that says it is rated for 5000 pounds as 500 pound tongue weight. Yes, I know that doesn't change the vehicle rating, but it makes me feel better. The bumper makes a significant improvement when using a weight distribution hitch.

 

I agree. And, I think that's where I was a little miffed that the JCR is rated to factory equivalent. Aside from that, the constant nuisance of the low rating is my only true gripe of my JKUR. I had an Isuzu Rodeo in 1995. It's tow rating then was 4500lbs. And odd number, but was available with a factory class III hitch from the dealer. I had a ford ranger, 5,000# capacity. Land Rover was 5500 in high and 7500 in low. My current Volvo, 5000. Back to the Isuzu, if it could handle 4500, being significantly lower in power, torque, braking, etc., no reason the Jeep Wrangler couldn't be there.

 

I'd like to hear from a Jeep engineer about exactly how they arrived at the JK tow ratings.

Forum member Invest2m4 said he wheels with a Chrysler engineer who designed the JK frame. I wonder if he could contact the engineer and get his input.

 

Just found this from popular mechanics. Apparently, it's not about the power, weight of the towing vehicle, braking, acceleration, etc. It's determined by his well the cooling system works. Seems if you can get better cooling to the motor and tranny, you would be good to go!

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...ler-test-drive

 

I have heard that, too. I fixed it by installing a mechanical fan, while keeping the electric fan for enhanced A/C performance.
Everything under the hood is cooler.

 

I've heard that too. However, I've towed my 5000 pound trailer in 95 degree temps. No issues. Also, if temperature was a factor, wouldn't the tow ratings be different depending on auto vs manual and auto with a cooler vs auto without a factory cooler?

 

near sea level, very likely. At altitude, you need as much cooling as possible. Just running in the mountains (8,000-14,000'), I see my temp gauge climb with little effort. Just not enough or molecules for the heat exchange to happen quick enough.