Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

[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.

J2807 establishes tow-vehicle performance requirements against the following criteria to establish max ratings: timed acceleration on level ground and up a 12 percent incline; maintaining speed on a real-world grade; understeer; trailer-sway response; braking and park brake at GCWR; and tow-vehicle hitch/attachment structure. To minimize test variations, it provides standard test trailer specifications and requirements for their use in these tests.

 

[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.
J2807 establishes tow-vehicle performance requirements against the following criteria to establish max ratings: timed acceleration on level ground and up a 12 percent incline; maintaining speed on a real-world grade; understeer; trailer-sway response; braking and park brake at GCWR; and tow-vehicle hitch/attachment structure. To minimize test variations, it provides standard test trailer specifications and requirements for their use in these tests.

 

[khelhelou]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

If i can tow my 16ft with 60hp engine with my 2011 Ford Taurus...the OP should be ok, but then again my trailer has disc brakes...but if his does too, whats the big deal? hes not going over 40-50mph and worst case he still has 4 tires on the ground braking if he does have to brake hard enough for his back tires to be lifted...

 

[dugggy]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKyDmIsQSow

....makes it look pretty easy....at least on the ramp...

 

[l008com]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

I ended up getting a 98 ZR2 Blazer. It's towing capacity is somewhere around 5000 pounds, maybe a little less. I also weight my boat and trailer and it weighs 1860 pounds. I even took my trip to the cape, and aside from a transmission issue, the blazer is great. Even with the oversized 31" tires, it handles great, no fishtailing or any odd side movement. Just a little sluggish off the line. I put high performance brake pads on the truck and it stops great even with the boat. And the turning radius is great. I can do a U turn right in front of my house, where I used to have to do a 3 point turn backing down the side street.

I still don't see why the jeep would have been so terrible. I mean, I understand the reasons you all said above. But the biggest reason it would have been bad, was due to the short wheelbase. And the 2 door blazer has essentially the same wheelbase as a 2 door jeep, and like I said, it handled great. I've also taken a trip up to southern new hampshire, about 30 miles each way. It's really a fantastic tow vehicle.

 

[Kurt V]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Just my own experience. For years I towed my Tracker 17ft bass boat with 115hp outboard with my 2002 Wrangler. Backroads, highway, you name it, I drove it with never a problem. Would I tow a 2500 lb boat with it? No, but for my 1600 lb bass boat it worked just fine. And what a great vehicle for backing down tight boat ramps! Not to mention the torque of that inline 6 engine.

 

[TJDave]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

I am glad you have found a tow vehicle that suites you.

FWIW, the "Death Wobble" you referred to in not Jeep specific. Any solid axle, coil spring front end vehicles can develop it. I had it happen on a 2009 Ram 1 ton Dually work vehicle.

Care and maintenance and proper set up will eliminate it. This I know.

As far as a short wheel base Jeep for a tow rig? Not so good. But for a small boat and less than 6 miles on local roads, you would of been fine.

 

[l008com]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

It's not jeep specific, but there aren't many solid axle, coil spring vehicles out there these days, besides jeeps.

 

[Wecanoe]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Kind-of an old thread, but. . .

A Jeep Wrangler may not be the best tow vehicle, but it will get the job done. My '97 has been to CA, AZ several times, MT, WY and more, all pulling a 16' Scamp camper trailer that weighs 2300# loaded. As long as you have a 6 cyl engine, axle ratio makes a huge difference on towing. When I went to 32" tires, I changed gears from 3.07 to 3.73. Should have gone to 4.10s, but that was before I bought the Scamp. I've put many miles on mountain passes at 20 mph! I now run 34" tires with 4.56 gears, wich is about perfect. Of course I also run a 5.7 Hemi, and can now run those same mountain grades at 50mph! And get 2 mpg better.

The short wheelbase has never been an issue with me. As a matter of fact, it make my rig much mmore manuverable, espacially when backing.