Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

[River_Lizard]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

With all of this negative feeling about towing with a jeep

It only sounds negative because it's NOT what you wanted to hear.

 

[aquarices]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

It only sounds negative because it's NOT what you wanted to hear.

Agreed, OP is not gonna find anyone on these forums that would sign off on a Wrangler as a tow vehicle. Do I think it's doable, yes. Would I do it, yes. That doesn't mean it's a viable tow vehicle though. OP needs to remember that this is a forum of (mostly) hardcore older and wiser boating gentlemen. I'm a little younger and therefore like to live a little more dangerously. Towing a light load with a wrangler could be dangerous, but so is driving to the store without a seat belt, or off roading with the top removed. Take a chance OP

 

[MTYPockets]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

I own a '76 CJ7 that I use for a tow vehicle to the local lake. If were are going anywhere else with the boat it goes behind the class A motorhome. Handling at highway speed not the greatest. A panic stop from highway speed just it's going to happen without trailer brakes. I think the 4 door would make a fine tow vehicle with it's longer wheel base.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

blah blah blah blah Take a chance OP

and do it on your own private property....... the motoring public does NOT deserve to be exposed to the dangers that you choose to take upon yourself because you "like to live a little more dangerously".


O/P this comment was not directed at you.....

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

When I was much younger I use to do stupid things like tow a 18 ft. Bass boat that had a 150 Evinrude on it with an S10 Blazer. Sure it would pull it, sure I could drive 70 mph with it behind me but the bottom line is during a braking emergency it's like you don't have any brakes at all...you'd have a 2500 lb object pushing at the back end of the vehicle lifting it up so now you only have front brakes attempting to grab the pavement. I'd never do it again, it was stupid back then and it's really stupid now to even think about it. I locked my brakes up out on the interstate in TX once with that rig, I thought I was going to slam into a pile of cars because I couldn't stop...I ended up letting off the brakes some and moving over to the shoulder of the road and passing 3 stopped cars before getting that Blazer stopped. Like I said, it was stupid then and it's still stupid now. Short wheelbases are NOT vehicles to tow anything over 1000 lbs unless the trailer has brakes. A 1000 lbs is pushing it.

 

[aquarices]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

and do it on your own private property....... the motoring public does NOT deserve to be exposed to the dangers that you choose to take upon yourself because you "like to live a little more dangerously".


O/P this comment was not directed at you.....

Noted...but I think you are all getting away from the question. We have established that the wrangler is a bad tow vehicle, no s**t. BUT OP isn't towing 8,000 lbs doing 70 on a freeway. He's towing a light 15 footer down some back roads. I'm not advocating wreckless towing, I'm just saying for OP's use case he's good to go.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

I don't believe we are getting away from the question, backroading 6 miles with a 15' is doable. The 1% trip to the cape is WELL beyond a wrangler. I and many others here wouldn't want to be around an outfit like that, Puttering around the local back roads is pretty easy but when the time does come up to go further a field for the once a year vacation to the cape the mindset is "I've done hundreds of miles with no problems, it will be fine". Been there and almost got bit.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

correct... the o/p clearly stated that while most towing would be local, there WOULD be some highway towing and the short wheelbase wrangler is not safe for that at all ever....... "take a chance" is REALLY bad advice

 

[98Shabah]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

This won't be popular. lol. It's just my opinion but i'd rather share a highway with a (modern) wrangler towing a small 15' boat than a 1 ton dually towing a 28' cruiser.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Ok I'm a truck driver with well over a million miles experience so take it for what it's worth. Is a jeep an ideal tow vehicle, no. Will it work for the op going to the local lake, yes. As far as the further afield once a year trip it is perfectly fine if, and only if, the op uses something that is sorely lacking on the road these days. COMMON SENSE. If you put trailer brake on the rig and drive cautiously ie not speeding like crazy paying attention to your surroundings maintaining a large following distance it will be fine. In my time on the road I've seen people in the best equipped rigs do dumb things and people in the most shotty rigs drive perfectly fine and cause no problems. It's all about knowing your vehicles limitations and safely operating within its limits. Don't get me wrong I would be the first to jump on someone who is doing something dumb and putting themselves and others at risk, but I think people are going a bit overboard here with the doomsday scenarios. Again with a bit of common sense a jeep can do the job the op wants it to do, and if the op has his heart set on one than that's what he should do as long as he goes into it with his eyes open and knows that it will be a slow uncomfortable ride to the lake. No disrespect smoke I usually find myself in total agreement with you but on this one I stand apart. Well enough of my long winded ramblings, that's my two cents worth.

 

[yabuoy]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Ok I'm a truck driver with well over a million miles experience so take it for what it's worth. Is a jeep an ideal tow vehicle, no. Will it work for the op going to the local lake, yes. As far as the further afield once a year trip it is perfectly fine if, and only if, the op uses something that is sorely lacking on the road these days. COMMON SENSE. If you put trailer brake on the rig and drive cautiously ie not speeding like crazy paying attention to your surroundings maintaining a large following distance it will be fine. In my time on the road I've seen people in the best equipped rigs do dumb things and people in the most shotty rigs drive perfectly fine and cause no problems. It's all about knowing your vehicles limitations and safely operating within its limits. Don't get me wrong I would be the first to jump on someone who is doing something dumb and putting themselves and others at risk, but I think people are going a bit overboard here with the doomsday scenarios. Again with a bit of common sense a jeep can do the job the op wants it to do, and if the op has his heart set on one than that's what he should do as long as he goes into it with his eyes open and knows that it will be a slow uncomfortable ride to the lake. No disrespect smoke I usually find myself in total agreement with you but on this one I stand apart. Well enough of my long winded ramblings, that's my two cents worth.

Well, as a truck driver with experience towing heavy loads, I think you are smart enough to choose a tow vehicle that is more than adequate at towing a load. The OP is choosing to put himself at a disadvantage right from the get go. Why do that?

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

I'm not saying he isn't handicapping himself with a less than ideal tow vehicle I'm just saying if that's what he chooses and is responsible about it he is not the menace to the motoring public that some are making it out to be.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Ok I'm a truck driver with well over a million miles experience so take it for what it's worth. Is a jeep an ideal tow vehicle, no. Will it work for the op going to the local lake, yes. As far as the further afield once a year trip it is perfectly fine if, and only if, the op uses something that is sorely lacking on the road these days. COMMON SENSE. If you put trailer brake on the rig and drive cautiously ie not speeding like crazy paying attention to your surroundings maintaining a large following distance it will be fine. In my time on the road I've seen people in the best equipped rigs do dumb things and people in the most shotty rigs drive perfectly fine and cause no problems. It's all about knowing your vehicles limitations and safely operating within its limits. Don't get me wrong I would be the first to jump on someone who is doing something dumb and putting themselves and others at risk, but I think people are going a bit overboard here with the doomsday scenarios. Again with a bit of common sense a jeep can do the job the op wants it to do, and if the op has his heart set on one than that's what he should do as long as he goes into it with his eyes open and knows that it will be a slow uncomfortable ride to the lake. No disrespect smoke I usually find myself in total agreement with you but on this one I stand apart. Well enough of my long winded ramblings, that's my two cents worth.

Thanks for a ?common sense? answer. I live in Jeep country where most everyone is a hunter or boater and I see Jeeps pulling ATV trailers,jet skis and small boats (like the OP) daily. I do not feel threatened when I meet one on the road. The Urbanite in the dually is the one I most often see following too close,changing lanes and driving as if there is not a load behind them. Most of us farm boys know how to tow. Welcome to iboats Mikeyboy!

 

[l008com]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

This thread was mostly a hypothetical when I started it. But since starting it, I've had to put a whole new exhaust system on my S10, and now I've also had ANOTHER brake failure, this time one of the few remaining original brake lines has failed. One by one, every brake line has failed. And this truck only has 85K.

I've had it with this truck. So for a few days, I had decided that I would try to sell it, and pick up a cheap, older wrangler.
Long story short, I found an interesting candidate on Craigslist, it's only problem being this thing called "Death wobble". Spent the night researching Death wobble, and jeeps are OUT. Even new jeeps do it. And mass roads SUCK. The last thing I need is a jeep getting death wobble on the highway with a boat behind me. No ****ing chance. Before finding out about this problem (which is apparently a very common problem in all solid front axle jeeps as the suspension and steering systems wear), I thought it seems like a good idea. But death wobble has completely changed my mind.

But I had a great plan B: ZR2 2-door blazer. I've owned 2 of them in the past, and if I can find one in good condition under $5000, i'd be thrilled! Towing capacity is something like 4800 lbs, which would easily two my 1500 lbs boat (guess). The wheelbase is shorter than my current extended cab, but still looks longer than a wrangler. Looks about as long as a regular cab s10. I'd lose the truck bed, but i'd gain seating for four humans, plus plenty of internal storage. Not as much as an S10 has external but I'm fine with that. In the future, I'll probably pick up a small utility trailer, and everything will be good.

The one downside is the giant 31" spare tire mounted where a normal vehicle has it's rear windshield. I've heard they have kits for lowering the tire, or I could always just stick it inside the back of the truck. This is not a daily-driver so it shouldn't be a problem at all. So this is my new tentative plan, and I'm pretty excited about it.

 

[l008com]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Hey wait a minute.
I was just comparing specs. The 2 door blazer's wheelbase is 8.3ft vs 8ft of the jeep. Why would the blazer have an almost 5000 pound towing capacity and the jeep only 2000? The ZR2 blazer's turning radius is only about 3 inches bigger than a wrangler's. That's a very large difference in towing capacity, for what is a pretty minor difference in specs. The Wrangler's curb weight is 3100lbs, the ZR2 blazer is 3850 lbs. Certainly more, but is it enough to make that much of a difference?

 

[Shortbuss]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

I tow my 195 bayliner with my 07 jk unlimited. It's lifted 2.5" on 35" tires. They are very reliable too. I have over 100,000 miles on it and it still drives great. I can wheel with old school jeepers all day Saturday then hook on to my boat and tow it 45min thru the mountains to the lake. It tows pretty good. Little down on power, but the handling and braking are great. Jeeps are no longer a one trick pony as one poster put it.

And yes it is awesome driving to the lake with the roof off. Dogs are dry by the time we get home.

 

[The DM]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Shortbus.....I envy you!
I love Jeeps (particularly Wranglers), and am in hot pursuit after my boat project is over to get another one. Had 7 and looking for my 8th as we speak.
To stay on track though...I can say that I have pulled my 16' aluminum boat fully loaded with fishing gear, outboard mounted and Jeep full too, and experienced no problems. Would I do this cross country? nah...probably not. The 25 miles I went though were just fine, and was a pretty routine trip while I had the Jeep. You'll be aware that it's back there, but it likely won't be anything that a Wrangler can't handle.
Good luck if you stay that course of thought.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Hey wait a minute.
I was just comparing specs. The 2 door blazer's wheelbase is 8.3ft vs 8ft of the jeep. Why would the blazer have an almost 5000 pound towing capacity and the jeep only 2000? The ZR2 blazer's turning radius is only about 3 inches bigger than a wrangler's. That's a very large difference in towing capacity, for what is a pretty minor difference in specs. The Wrangler's curb weight is 3100lbs, the ZR2 blazer is 3850 lbs. Certainly more, but is it enough to make that much of a difference?

Couple big differences in the 2 vehicles
Jeep has really squishy suspension with coils in the rear
Jeep has a pathetically underpowered engine compared to the 4.3L in a Blazer

 

[Shortbuss]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Shortbus.....I envy you!
I love Jeeps (particularly Wranglers), and am in hot pursuit after my boat project is over to get another one. Had 7 and looking for my 8th as we speak.
To stay on track though...I can say that I have pulled my 16' aluminum boat fully loaded with fishing gear, outboard mounted and Jeep full too, and experienced no problems. Would I do this cross country? nah...probably not. The 25 miles I went though were just fine, and was a pretty routine trip while I had the Jeep. You'll be aware that it's back there, but it likely won't be anything that a Wrangler can't handle.
Good luck if you stay that course of thought.

Ha so much changes in a week or two. My jeep is for sale. It did a pretty good job. But as mentioned jeeps are underpowered. If it was stock I might be ok. But with lift, bumpers, winch and 35's while towing its too much for the 3.8. I have an 07 f150 lariat super crew with the 5.4. Night and day compare to the jeep. Plus I live in the mountains.

 

[MTYPockets]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Until now, each manufacturer was free to test using proprietary conditions ideally suited to a truck’s towing strengths and decide their own max trailering rating. But an industry alliance that includes Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota and Honda and several leading trailer and hitch makers has been working on setting a unified standard with SAE in response to large recent hikes in claimed maximum tow ratings that have pushed some half-tons into formerly three-quarter-ton towing territory.

Once J2807 is implemented, truck buyers will finally have an apples-to-apples way to compare the trailer-towing capacity of all light-duty pickups. All manufacturers are expected to follow it starting with the 2013 model year.