Random question...

If I added a RIPP, 4.56 and upgraded the brakes, would it be possible to LEGALLY to say 5000lbs? If I had an insurance adjuster come out to see if my carrier would cover it? Any Ideas? I am trying to keep from having go get a truck to haul 4500lb on a monthly basis. I figure the upgrades would be cheaper than a reliable 4x4 truck.

 

No. Nothing you do will legally increase the tow rating.

But if your insurance company says yes in writing, and covers your a$$ in court, good for you, unless someone gets hurt.

 

Ok thanks. Taking a shot in the daek

 

Buy a cheap 3/4 or 1 ton truck for $1-2000. Long run it'll be safer & cheaper. A Wrangler isn't built for that type of towing consistantly. Around here we can raise our GVW anytime so we can legally tow more but that doesn't mean the vehicle is capable of it lol But it's mainly done on fullsize trucks only.

 

I don't know if I have ever seen a running 3/4ton + for less than $4-5k. I thought about that, but I would rather not be broke down with my trailer trying to fix something on the side of the highway. They are pretty consistent weekend trips of 200+ miles. Ill definitely look harder.

 

With a trailer brake set up I'd be very confident with 4500 lbs on an Unlimited.

Small pick ups are rated over 4500, like Tacomas.

 

Yeah, if you want something for consistent weekend trips of high mileage, a Jeep is deff not what you want. Depending on what you carry, you could be over the weight limit and get a huge fine for towing. I tow lots of different trailers, heavy equipment for our construction company and I flip vehicles as well so I'm always towing and travelling. One of our trucks is above it's GVW as a daily driver without even a trailer attached. It's insured at 5500, but comes in at 7500 due to a custom built tidy tank and tool chest, although it can easily tow 20,000lbs so it's not a problem. But there's a big difference between a diesel 3/4+ton compared to a light duty 1/4T suv, which doesn't have HD brakes, strong frame, HD coil springs or the wheel base to safely control the trailer. With a 4500lbs trailer I'd say it'd push the Jeep beyond it's safety limits and if you ever had to emergency brake going around a corner, there's no way you could safely stop without flipping. Unless you have horseshoes up your tailpipe

There's lots of older 1/2T Chevys (80s+) that'll tow heavy loads and the 350 will never let you down. And if you ever broke down on the the highway, most problems can be fixed in a matter of minutes. Towing with my '72 Blazer the water pump bearings went during a heavy haul back up to BC. Pulled off the highway. Got the parts from O'reily's and fixed it in a parking lot and drove home. But you also don't have the creature comforts compared to new vehicles. I drove that thing topless in winter storms doing my hauling...was awsome

Add up what a real HD brake kit would cost (if they even offer them for JKs), full tow setup, gears etc and you'll get to the same price if not more than what you could grab a worthy truck for and know you wont kill your breaks every year, if you tow that much. And you wont raise the mileage of the Jeep and beat on the engine anymore than needed. Just my opinion, better safe than sorry. Personally I'd never tow more than 1500-2000lbs with any Wrangler.

 

I had a '70 blazer that was restored. I loved that thing but had to get rid of it. I would like to rebuild another with 1 tons and a diesel for my towing...dreaming big.

And thanks for the input/information. It makes complete sense to me.