Trailer towing with Wrangler

I'm looking at late model Wranglers (2000 to 2006) but I think they are not
rated to pull the weight of my boat and trailer which I tow twice a year to
Florida and back to Michigan. THe boat and trailer weigh 2000 lbs (with
brakes). Are there mods available for a Wrangler that will virtually
double the safe towing capacity? Thanks

Roger

Unless you have one with the 4-cyl engine, 2000 lbs should be within
the towing capacity (3500 lb on Unlimiteds; 2000 on X, Sport, and
Rubicon; 1000 on SE). Other than that, the weight & short wheelbase
of the Wranglers is probably the biggest limiting factor...you don't
want the boat to be driving you!


On Jul 27, 3:52 pm, "ramjet44" > wrote:
> I'm looking at late model Wranglers (2000 to 2006) but I think they are not
> rated to pull the weight of my boat and trailer which I tow twice a year to
> Florida and back to Michigan. THe boat and trailer weigh 2000 lbs (with
> brakes). Are there mods available for a Wrangler that will virtually
> double the safe towing capacity? Thanks
>
> Roger

On Fri, 27 Jul 2007 20:16:30 -0000, TakeFlight >
wrote:

>Unless you have one with the 4-cyl engine, 2000 lbs should be within
>the towing capacity (3500 lb on Unlimiteds; 2000 on X, Sport, and
>Rubicon; 1000 on SE). Other than that, the weight & short wheelbase
>of the Wranglers is probably the biggest limiting factor...you don't
>want the boat to be driving you!


The point about the short wheel base should be well taken but also I
would check what axle ratios you have because you do not want too do
this with a 3.07 or 3.31 axle ratio regardless of factory rating. a
3.55 would be minimum with factory tires and if you plan to run
oversized tires and tow you better be running a lot deeper still if
you want decent towing performance and long drivetrain life.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

The standard TJ Wrangler with 6 cyl is rated for 2000 pound towing
capacity. The engine, brakes, axles, and frame are fine for this weight
BUT the relatively soft suspension required for good off road
performance along with the short wheelbase and high center of gravity
makes this a very poor choice of tow vehicle. It's not that you can't
accelerate or brake, it's that you can't handle emergency situations
like quick lane changes, blustery side winds, etc. The trailer just
drives the jeep where ever it feels like. You are talking about a couple
thousand miles per year on the freeways with a trailer, not just a
couple of miles to the boat landing and back.

ramjet44 wrote:
> I'm looking at late model Wranglers (2000 to 2006) but I think they are not
> rated to pull the weight of my boat and trailer which I tow twice a year to
> Florida and back to Michigan. THe boat and trailer weigh 2000 lbs (with
> brakes). Are there mods available for a Wrangler that will virtually
> double the safe towing capacity? Thanks
>
> Roger
>

The short wheelbase is the limiting factor in the TJ's towing rating, as
others have said. A 2,000# boat and trailer ain't so big, but for any kind
of long-distance towing like what you are looking at, you should consider at
the very least an '04-06 Unlimited, since it has a longer wheelbase than a
standard TJ. I would say at this point I could sell you my 04 Unlimited, I
even live in Michigan, but it's already sold.... :-)

"ramjet44" > wrote in message
lkaboutautos.com...
> I'm looking at late model Wranglers (2000 to 2006) but I think they are
> not
> rated to pull the weight of my boat and trailer which I tow twice a year
> to
> Florida and back to Michigan. THe boat and trailer weigh 2000 lbs (with
> brakes). Are there mods available for a Wrangler that will virtually
> double the safe towing capacity? Thanks
>
> Roger
>

Just curious, how much did you sell it for?

roger

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...135457018&rd=1

"ramjet44" > wrote in message
lkaboutautos.com...
> Just curious, how much did you sell it for?
>
> roger
>

>From what I recall, you shouldn't put anything more then a Class II
hitch on the Wrangler. This should be able to handle max 2k lbs.
Trust me, don't tow anything larger then that.

I tried to tow one of those dual-wheel Uhaul trailers down the
street. It's scary!!! Even unloaded at 30mph, the Jeep felt like it
would jackknife. I returned it after driving 1 mile down the road.

If you need to tow something larger, get the Unlimited which is longer
and has more wheelbase for towing.

Nick

On Jul 27, 3:52 pm, "ramjet44" > wrote:
> I'm looking at late model Wranglers (2000 to 2006) but I think they are not
> rated to pull the weight of my boat and trailer which I tow twice a year to
> Florida and back to Michigan. THe boat and trailer weigh 2000 lbs (with
> brakes). Are there mods available for a Wrangler that will virtually
> double the safe towing capacity? Thanks
>
> Roger