Towing w/Jeep Manual i6

[Jordeez98]

So how is towing with a Wrangler? Compared to a larger vehicle with a longer wheelbase?

Who's done it? and any advice?

Oh and i need a hitch..advice on where/what type... to get one..(i'll go seach the forum as well just whats on my mind)
Thx!

 

[JB]

Re: Towing w/Jeep Manual i6

What do you plan to tow, AJ? What does it weigh? What is your Jeep rated to tow?

 

[Bass Tracker TX17]

Re: Towing w/Jeep Manual i6

06 wrangler
6cyl 2000#
With CAUTION IMO.

 

[Blarney413]

Re: Towing w/Jeep Manual i6

I use a 94 YJ to pull a 16 alum with a 40 4-stroke. I don't have any problems. I'm not sure if I would pull a bigger fiber glass though.
I turn the jeep off on the ramp, put it in first and e-brake. When I'm taking the boat out, just to be safe, I put a block behind the tire just in case the winching bounces anything around (ebrake maybe). I have 35s and a decent lift so I have a big drop on my ball mount. I have never had any problems with it and it doesn't struggle AT ALL.

 

[grahamh]

Re: Towing w/Jeep Manual i6

Depending on what you're towing it'll probably be fine. Short wheelbase vehicles like jeeps are generally less stable towing, especially on freeways or at higher speeds, or when there's a heavy crosswind. But if you're careful you'll be ok, just be aware of it. But it really comes down to how heavy your boat is.

On the plus side, having a short wheelbase is great when you're maneuvering a trailer in tight spots--I tow with a Bronco, and it's waaaay easier to back the trailer up with than a full size truck.

As far as getting a hitch installed, you can get bolt on ones and do it yourself if you want. I got mine at Uhaul, and I paid for them to install it--it wasn't too much, if I remember, and it was worth it to save me from lying under the filthy underside of my truck.

You probably want a Class III hitch, which are generally good for towing up to about 5000lbs.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Towing w/Jeep Manual i6

Make sure you don't go over the vehicle GCWR (gross combined weight rating) which is the maximum weight of the loaded tow vehicle and the trailer. Some people accidentally over load by using the tow rating and then filling the tow vehicle. GCWR is the weight of the tow vehicle with a full tank of fuel and a 150 lb. driver, PLUS the trailer rating. So if your trailer is the full rating you can't carry any stuff in the Jeep. The rating is for brakes, power etc.
Another important consideration for towing is tongue weight, you want the tongue weight to be around 13% of the trailer, many boats are a little less though. Enough tongue weight keeps the trailer from sailing and floating in the wind at highway speed. Too much tongue weight removes GVWR (carrying capacity) from the towed vehicle. In longer wheelbase vehicles with the hitch farther away from the rear axle, high tongue weight unloads the steering axle through a lever effect. A Jeep has such a short wheelbase that all you would care about is the rear GAWR which is the rear axle weight rating.
In reality Jeeps are really sturdy for their size, if yours is mechanically sound the drivetrain can take more than the suspension and brakes are rated to take. Just figure out what is safe.
For example my dad used to have a 2800 lb sailboat and we had to drive 8 miles for a deep water ramp with a RWD diesel Nissan. The truck could pull the boat fine but the trailer had no brakes. And the topper is this, there was a steep curving hill on the road to the the launch. I'd start down that hill at 15 MPH and finish at 35 with hot brakes. That was a long time ago, before I became a trailer geek. I wouldn't do that now.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Towing w/Jeep Manual i6

You can get good hitch stuff, wiring kits and diagrams from e-trailer.com.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Towing w/Jeep Manual i6

short wheelbase = jittery tow vehicle.

 

[Jordeez98]

Re: Towing w/Jeep Manual i6

Thanks for all the info.

the boat is the Crestliner. Doesn't seem to be a very heavy boat. Alum hull not much to it....But i was wondering about the short wheelbase.

using caution is what i'll have to do and see how it handles.
But since i just bought the jeep a couple days ago...i guess i should first put a tow package on it. And research that.

thanks for your input/experience with your jeep Blarney413

Luckily if i decide i'm not comfortable pulling it with the jeep I still have my Trailblazer SS. Which i think wouldn't have a problem at all.

I will probably look at bolt-on hitches. I'd like to install myself.