Towing with a Wrangler

[nitsuj]

Hey all. I have a 1970 Glastron 17 foot semi-vee with a 115 Johnson. I've always pulled it with a V6 Toyota pick-up but recently bought a Jeep Wrangler. How will this thing pull my boat? Anyone know what my boat+motor weigh? Is it going to just pull my poor Jeep into the water when I launch? I'm not so much concerned about engine power as I am the weight issue. I tow about 20 miles to get to the river. Thanks for the help.

 

[JB]

Re: Towing with a Wrangler

Hey, Nitsuj.<br /><br />1. Take the boat to a scale and get it weighed. Add the tongue weight to that. That is your towed weight. I would guess about 2500lb.<br /><br />2. Go to your Jeep dealer and find out the tow rating for your Wrangler, as it is equipped. I would guess about 2000lb.<br /><br />If the rig weighs more than you are rated to tow. . . Don't.<br /><br />If the rig weighs over 70% of the tow rating you are pushing it. Put brakes on the trailer and upgrade your life insurance.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[brianwhart]

Re: Towing with a Wrangler

I used to tow a Proline 190 on occasion with a Wrangler. I never weighed it but I figure the whole package weighed somehwhere between 3000 and 3500 lbs. It had enough power, but it was harder to stop than I liked when you got in heavy braking situation. It's not an ideal tow vehicle, but it will get the job done.

 

[whatsadixie]

Re: Towing with a Wrangler

There is a post about towing with a CJ in here ( do a search) I think it will answer your question!

 

[Navigator]

Re: Towing with a Wrangler

NitSuj,<br /><br />The reason the weight is important does not have to do with the power of the engine, but rather with the wheelbase of the Jeep. In a panic stop, the Jeep's wheelbase is too short to prevent Jack Knifing and Flipping both the vehicle and the trailer. This is why the Tow rating is so Low on Wranglers. (The same 4.0 engine in the Grand Cherokee can pull over 6k pounds)<br /><br />That said, As a Wrangler owner, what I typically do is take two vehicles to the ramp. I pull the boat with my Honda Odyssey, and launch and retrieve it with the Wrangler. Yes its a pain having to switch the trailer, but I launch on slimey steep saltwater ramps and the Wrangler cant be beat in 4 Low.<br /><br />Assuming your rig is within the weight range, towing shouldn't be a problem provided you drive carefully and dont speed. Trailer brakes also are a good idea, especially with a Wrangler.<br /><br />Enjoy,<br />Nav

 

[L Christopher]

Re: Towing with a Wrangler

I own a 97' Wrangler with a 4.0 that my son uses to pull a 16' Hobie Cat that weights in around 500 - 600 lbs. I wouldn't hook anything to that Jeep that weighted over 1000 lbs. Short wheel base, high center of gravity any emergency braking would be a crap shoot and any hard wheel manuver to say miss a kid that ran out in front of you would end very badly

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Towing with a Wrangler

Well, I guess I'll put a hitch on my brother's Cherokee and just switch vehicles with him when I want to pull my money pit, I mean boat. I'll save my Wrangler for hauling the motorcycles around. Now I just need to get a camp on the river so I don't have to pull the boat so much.

 

[MIKENVAHBEACH]

Re: Towing with a Wrangler

I own a 1998 Hrdtp Wrangler w/12.50X32" tires, I put a 6000lbs hitch on it and I tow a Whopping 4800lbs! There is a catch; first this is more than double the 2000lbs tow rating of the Wrangler so I never exceed 25mph; second my trailer has brakes, although with this load you gotta allow major stopping distance; third my travel consists of a mile to the ramp, so its not really a problem. The Wrangler has the same engine, same axles, same rear ends, and same suspension as does the Cherokee, so they are not a problem, just gotta watch that short wheel base. As for pulling it out, just put it in 4wheel low and it pulls it out every time, slow and steady. I must stress, I would never take this rig on the Highway, or any other road with a speed limit over 25 mph. Been doing this for 3 years, no problem yet.

 

[chaparral2550sx]

Re: Towing with a Wrangler

In response to the last post by MIKENVAHBEACH, I am curious.<br />I have a Rubicon, and a Chaparral 2550SX (dry 4400Lbs) + tandem trailer with surge brakes. Will the Wrangler have enough physical weight to prevent it from being dragged down the ramp or to keep a grip, even in 4 wheel Low, to pull up a wet surface...you talk from experience, so I would appreciate any insight / experiences you've had on the ramp. thanks