Towing???
#1
JK Newbie
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Location: Smithtown, NY
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Towing???
I have a 2015 Unlimited Sport, 3.5 in lift 35 in. tires, 373 gears, 6 speed and trailer brakes installed. I used to tow my little pop-up camper with no problem. I just got a new 15 ft. travel trailer, only 2500 lbs. Do I have any need to be concerned about towing this with my JK???
Last edited by mikehd666; 03-24-2016 at 06:54 PM.
#2
JK Enthusiast
I have a 2015 Unlimited Sport, 3.5 in lift 35 in. tires, 373 gears, 6 speed and trailer brakes installed. I used to tow my little pop-up camper with no problem. I just got a new 15 ft. travel trailer, only 2500 lbs. Do I have any need to be concerned about towing this with my JK???
#3
JK Junkie
I've probably towed a heavier load than 99% of the folks on here. I've towed a 5000 pound toy hauler all around in NJ, PA, VA, and NC. I have 2012 JKU sport with manual trans and 3.73 gears. I've covered well over 5000 miles of towing. Bottom line: it can do it if you take the proper precautions. Trailer brakes. Brake controller. Weight distribution hitch. Anti sway bar. Drive responsibly. In addition, I upgraded the rear bumper to smittybilt XRC which is rated for 5000 pounds. Makes a tremendous improvement over stock receiver when using the weight distribution hitch. I can't comment on whether your lift will have an impact. I kept my JKU basically stock.
#4
JK Junkie
I'll add this: the rating of only 3500 pounds is stupid. The same JKU is rated for as much as 4400 pounds in other countries. The general theory in the US is that the jeep is considered a convertible, hence the low rating. Remember the placard above your head - the doors and top do not protect you. Consider this: you can get a Jeep Liberty rated for 5000. It's lighter, skinnier, shorter wheel base, and less powerful engine. IT MAKES NO SENSE.
#5
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You shouldn't have any issues just keep in mind by the time you load up the trailer, water, gear, etc. your going to be pushing you max tow of 3k. There is a bit of built in fudge factor on the max limit but folks tend to ignore those limits and it can get you in trouble with handling as well as accelerated wear and tear in the long run. I have pulled my 16' deck over atv trailer with my 6 spd 3:73 geared 2 door JK with no problems but there again I am loaded well within the Jeeps max tow. Gross ratings are listed for your safety.
#6
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I've probably towed a heavier load than 99% of the folks on here. I've towed a 5000 pound toy hauler all around in NJ, PA, VA, and NC. I have 2012 JKU sport with manual trans and 3.73 gears. I've covered well over 5000 miles of towing. Bottom line: it can do it if you take the proper precautions. Trailer brakes. Brake controller. Weight distribution hitch. Anti sway bar. Drive responsibly. In addition, I upgraded the rear bumper to smittybilt XRC which is rated for 5000 pounds. Makes a tremendous improvement over stock receiver when using the weight distribution hitch. I can't comment on whether your lift will have an impact. I kept my JKU basically stock.
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#8
JK Jedi
just bought this and my wife and I are going to live in it for 5 or 6 months as of April 4. I went with the prodigy P3 and other than having to be a contortionist to hook up the cold brake sensor it was a piece of cake to install. the P3's were the same price as the P2's on Amazon a couple of days ago and also store when not in use. I also did the Mopar factory harness which is plug and play.
#9
JK Junkie
just bought this and my wife and I are going to live in it for 5 or 6 months as of April 4. I went with the prodigy P3 and other than having to be a contortionist to hook up the cold brake sensor it was a piece of cake to install. the P3's were the same price as the P2's on Amazon a couple of days ago and also store when not in use. I also did the Mopar factory harness which is plug and play.
#10
JK Jedi
dry tongue weight is only 260lbs and it did not cause my back to drop very much at all surprisingly enough but I know when loaded it will be more. I plan on getting wdh at some point tho. I was surprised at how easy it towed. I did not even know it was back there. I had read all the horror stories but I have a 14 with 4.10 auto and it never even shifted down going up a 55 mph hill just maintained the speed. I would however have liked to get the smallest version of this but we are going to be living in it for 5 or 6 months while we build so this was the absolute smallest I could go.