Anyone towing a 5th wheel with the 2 Door?

[UCLA JK Rida']

What up all?

So, I was considering purchasing a 5th wheel to tow behind my JK. I'm sure some of this has been hashed out before. But I was curious on a couple of things:

1. Towing capacity for the 2 door JK (yes, I can technically go look in my owner's manual, but I figure I will get a faster response on the Forum :D)?

2. Does anyone have a 5th wheel setup with a 2 door that they have pictures of? If so, PLEASE post and give me your thoughts on driveability, comfort, maneuverability, and the like.

3. Anyone using the Coachmen Capri 135RE or have any thoughts on it? It is a really slick looking little trailer, and I was considering it as a 5th wheel.


Thanks in advance for your help and information!


Russ D.

[SiliconTi]

I do not think the JK was ever envisioned to pull a 5th wheel - therefore the frame work may not be strong enough. I've seen HD full size pickups damaged by pulling a 5th wheel. I'd be leery.

[VINdecent]

I think maybe your confusing a 5th wheel with something else. 5th wheel hitches usually mount into the bed of pickup trucks or flat beds similiar to an 18wheeler trailer. The trailer you are considering appears to mount using a standard hitch. :thinking:

[lc619fr]

Are you talking about this kind of 5th wheel trailer...http://www.canada-rv-rentals.com/images/rv_rentals/5thwheel_rental/exterior.jpg... if so (not being a smart a$$) notice the 1 ton truck pulling the 5th wheel trailor. I'm sure you're not pulling or going to pull anything that big but, I don't think the JK is meant to pull anything that requires a 5th wheel. Just my : 2cents :

[JK-KJ]

5th wheel with a Jeep? I don't think so....maybe you're confused.

surely you wouldn't try to pull something like this with a JK.....

http://www.bb-rv.com/images/Denali/exterior5th.jpg

[UCLA JK Rida']

Yeesh, I meant "5th wheel" in the general sense of the term. :naw:

Let me clarify...I was looking, specifically at "travel trailers" (also known as "micro trailers") Obviously nothing as monumental as the pictures posted here.


Yes, something that hooks to a hitch ball mount and generally weighing less than 3000 lbs. or so.


There we go, that should clarify things a bit. :D


Russ D.

[SiliconTi]

Yeesh, I meant "5th wheel" in the general sense of the term. :naw:

Let me clarify...I was looking, specifically at "travel trailers" (also known as "micro trailers") Obviously nothing as monumental as the pictures posted here.


Yes, something that hooks to a hitch ball mount and generally weighing less than 3000 lbs. or so.


There we go, that should clarify things a bit. :D


Russ D.


AAHHH! OK, now I do not think you are insane.:D

[Northernmedic]

What you are refering to is definately not called a fifth wheel. But yes I have pulled a hitch mounted camper weighing around 3000lbs.

[Doc_D]

:rotflmao2:

[tkob1060]

A 2DR CAN ONLY TOW 1 OR 2 thousand pounds depending on gear ratio and only 100 or 200lb tongue weight. thats not much :eek2:

[pink_toes]

This guy is confused about "fifth" wheel and Travel trailers. But here is what he is wanting. Looks nice. They would be light enough to pull behind the JK. It only weighs 2495 lbs and has 250 lbs tough weight.

[w.wood jeepster]

When it comes to towing there is alot more than what you can pull. A 4dr has a 3500 tow capacity and the 2dr only 1500 I think. The difference is wheelbase. If you tow anything beyond a light popup with a two door the trailer will be driving you and not the other way around.
Thus, I think a small popup travel trailer is all you can safely tow with a 2dr.

[pink_toes]

When it comes to towing there is alot more than what you can pull. A 4dr has a 3500 tow capacity and the 2dr only 1500 I think. The difference is wheelbase. If you tow anything beyond a light popup with a two door the trailer will be driving you and not the other way around.
Thus, I think a small popup travel trailer is all you can safely tow with a 2dr.

I met a dude in Moab in 07, he was towing a Fleetwood Evolution 2 with his two door JK, just fine. It had 5 inch skyjacker lift, 35 MT Baja Claws, with a six speed transmission, and stock gears. I followed him from Moab to Price Ut, in our class A motor-home, and his Jeep handled great. He still has both, and will be going to the Jeep Jamboree next month.

Here are the specs on the E2, and towing limits of the JK from Allpar:
http://www.allpar.com/model/jeep/wrangler.html

http://www.fleetwoodcampingtrailers.com/model.aspx?mid=9&sid=3&sn=&mn=E2

E2 KEY FEATURES
"box size classification
11'
gross veh. weight rating
4,400 lbs
unloaded vehicle weight
2,545 lbs
max. carrying capacity
1,855 lbs
dimensions open (l x w)
25' 10" x 10' 10"
dimensions closed (l x w)
20' 10" x 7' 5"

[2drREDROCK]

Well my 2dr factory tow package can tow 2000lbs and 500lbs on the tongue,Sahara 2007:yup:
The 4dr can tow 3500lbs and 500lbs on the tongue.

[TexsDream77]

Looks like the trailer weighs about 2000lbs. And up to another 1000lbs. of stuff. Looks like you could pull it with your Jeep. Be very careful and make sure the brakes on the trailer are working. Just watch it on the highway. Just remember that if you have an accident while towing outside of the vehicles limits you won't be covered.

[lc619fr]

Ok so my brain got the best of me so this message goes to the OP. Are you talking about putting a hitch somewhere in the bed of your jeep between the rear fenders to pull some sort of goose neck (whether it be a mini or not) travel camper?? If so may I ask why, and how safe do you think that idea is? I'm not trying to be a jerk just trying to draw a mental image and maybe warn you against doing so for your safety. If that kind of hitch is not what you are talking about and you are talking about just pulling a trailer behind your jeep using the factory or after market tow hitch, then I apologize for the wasted post.

[Augie]

Off Topic....were you at a tire shop on 9/22 around 6pm? I'm stocking you! JK Nice jeep!

[UCLA JK Rida']

Off Topic....were you at a tire shop on 9/22 around 6pm? I'm stocking you! JK Nice jeep!


Augie:

Yeah, I was at Firestone in Northridge at the time in question. That's where I work. :yup:


Russ D.

[CLACKEY(_!_)]

Augie:

Yeah, I was at Firestone in Northridge at the time in question. That's where I work. :yup:


Russ D.


I think we all just found our local tire guy. :D
Can I get that translated for UCLA JK Rida :rotflmao2:

Yo Russ D how bout some figures on a sett of Nittos 35 12.5 x 18.

[Gravel Gertie]

Whew! :sweat: You had me going there for a moment. We have a 5th wheel an HD truck to tow it. You would have been very entertained if you could have seen the scenes going through my head trying to envision a Jeep pulling a 5er. :rotflmao2:

I've learned that it isn't the ability of a vehicle to pull a trailer that counts, it is the vehicle's ability to STOP the trailer that is the most important. Keep that in mind when you select your trailer and its size. Hope you find what you are looking for. :yup:

[hntndawg]

Don't forget you have to figure in wind resistance to your tow weight - If you can pull 3000# and the trailers weighs 2900# loaded, you still might be "over weight" for the vehicle. Travel trailer dealerships have some kinda program that figures all this stuff out, give one a call.

[Augie]

Augie:

Yeah, I was at Firestone in Northridge at the time in question. That's where I work. :yup:


Russ D.

That's my neck of the woods! I'll stop by some time!

[kane516]

Yeesh, I meant "5th wheel" in the general sense of the term. :naw:

Let me clarify...I was looking, specifically at "travel trailers" (also known as "micro trailers") Obviously nothing as monumental as the pictures posted here.


Yes, something that hooks to a hitch ball mount and generally weighing less than 3000 lbs. or so.


There we go, that should clarify things a bit. :D


Russ D.
I wish the JK had the power to tow a 5th wheel!

[Joe_24]

I would suggest not exceeding your GVW tow rating. Will it pull more?...probably but safely?....probably not. What gears do you have? The facory tow package comes w/ 3.73 gear ratio.

[Shortbuss]

I saw a guy pulling a 5th wheel with an old cadillac car! He ha a 5th wheel pin sticking thru the trunk! Me and my Dad had a good conversation going but when we passed this old guy we both stopped and stared for a good 30sec.

[Brad2893]

Yeah a small- to medium-size travel trailer will be alright. I'd rather go with a tent trailer, though, for weight savings and aerodynamics. Plus I can toss a kayak or canoe on top and some bikes to the back.


Cheers.

[SONIC]

Off Topic....were you at a tire shop on 9/22 around 6pm? I'm stocking you! JK Nice jeep!

Your stocking him? id rather not have that image in my head lol
i think you meant "stalking" LOL :D

[mainejeeper]

The issue is not how much weight the JK can pull. It's not like a team of horses pulling a non-rolliing load. Once the weight of the trailer is in motion, it's making sure it dosen't push you that's most important!
As mentioned in an earler post, the wheel base factors large in determining the tow rating. Have someone push you with your legs close together, then do it agian with your legs spread apart. Wider and loner makes for a more stable platform.
A load equalizing hitch will do wonders for towing. They should almost be seen as a nessesity for a large trailer and small Jeep. Another huge help is trailer brakes. I wish the JK came stock with a 7-pin wiring harness designed to fit a trailer brake. Unfortunately, the tow package only offers the flat 4 pin, a harness best suitted to utility trailers. Some trailers have electronic brakes with a swith mounted in the tongue. They work well untill you try to back the trailer up! I'm thinking about converting my 4 pin to a round 7 pin harness. Someone out there must make a kit to do it. All I would have to do is run a power line and mount a trailer brake module to the brake pedal.

[goldtr8]

there is a mopar 7 pin harness with the wire for the trailor brakes. I installed one it is a nice part but bout $85. It has all sealed connections so you dont get a buchered harness from a camping dealer.


to install it right takes a couple of hours.

[castor07jk]

there is a mopar 7 pin harness with the wire for the trailor brakes. I installed one it is a nice part but bout $85. It has all sealed connections so you dont get a buchered harness from a camping dealer.


to install it right takes a couple of hours.

Do you have the P/N?

[goldtr8]

Do you have the P/N?

Your dealer should easily look it up and order it for you, unfortunatly I dont have the paperwork anymore so no part number.


It is as I stated a clean install no hacking the wire harness under the jeep and everything is a sealed connector.

The only wire you have to find is the wire to send the brake signal to the controller from the brake switch.

[scouter4life]

I have a friend with a TJ unlimited that hauls a trailer almost the same size as that. Fully loaded (water, gear, etc.) it comes in at 3500lbs and he does not have much difficulty pulling it up and down the hills in AZ. He has a 3.5" RE lift, 33's with 4.10 gearing. Though a different engine, I'm guessing the JK can handle it, just might be slow up hills, but that's what emergency flashers are for.

[goldtr8]

Here is a redneck 5th wheel:eek2:::rotflmao2:

http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/coiledcj/20070510131300_5th%20wheell.jpg

http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/coiledcj/20070510131330_5th%20wheel.jpg
http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/coiledcj/20070510131229_5thwheel.jpg


Just could not help myself to add this one.:sad2:

[Brad2893]

Here is a redneck 5th wheel:eek2:::rotflmao2:

http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/coiledcj/20070510131300_5th%20wheell.jpg

http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/coiledcj/20070510131330_5th%20wheel.jpg
http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/coiledcj/20070510131229_5thwheel.jpg


Just could not help myself to add this one.:sad2:

Ohmygod. :eek2:

[DavidEllzey]

I can't believe that half-@ssed attempt at a 5th wheel is drivable. Even if you over look all the potential failure points in the laughable load bearing setup, the camper would make contact with the top rear of the vehicle in the slightest turn.

Never-the-less, thank you for posting that, it was really funny.

Dave

[CATCHONE]

Here is a redneck 5th wheel:eek2:::rotflmao2:

http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/coiledcj/20070510131300_5th%20wheell.jpg

http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/coiledcj/20070510131330_5th%20wheel.jpg
http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/coiledcj/20070510131229_5thwheel.jpg


Just could not help myself to add this one.:sad2:

:rotflmao2::rotflmao2::rotflmao2::rotflmao2::rotfl mao2::rotflmao2::rotflmao2::rotflmao2:

Pause catch my breath

:rotflmao2::rotflmao2::rotflmao2::rotflmao2::rotfl mao2::rotflmao2::rotflmao2::rotflmao2:

[jat9058]

Nice video castor07

[awndray]

You want to see redneck? I snapped these pictures this summer at the local WalMart parking lot.

http://www.jk-forum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=17286&stc=1&d=1230961468

http://www.jk-forum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=17287&stc=1&d=1230961468