IROCKE

I have a 2011 jku rubicon 3.8 it has 4:10 gears front and rear w/33's 2.5 teraflex spring lift. will I have any problems towing a 18' bass boat single axel trailer total weight about 3400 lb? Thanks

SH0RTBUS

With 4.10's I don't see any reason you should. Might be a little anemic, as it's the crappy 3.8L minivan motor, but you should still be able to do it no problem.

rob_engineer

You should be able to tow it without a problem. However, I highly recommend that the trailer have brakes wired to a brake controller in your jeep. I have a 2012 JKU with 3.73 rear and successfully towed a 5000 pound trailer shaped like a box.

nthinuf

I have an 08 auto, and tow an 18' open bow ski boat all the time. Also done several 12+ hour trips with either the boat or a fully loaded 6x12 uhaul up and down between Texas and Colorado. No brake controller, just the factory tow package with hitch and harness. Done it with 3.73 and 33's, 5.13 and 35's, and 5.38 with 37's. The trailer has 16 year old surge brakes, not electric. I did add a trans cooler.

Other than the total lack of getty-up, no issues at all. Just slow and steady, and choosing when to push the od/off button. The boat is a much easier tow - I would guess because of the aerodynamics as compared to the boxy trailer? Just take it easy and you won't have any problems.

paintm4u

I have the same rig (2011, 3.8, 4:10 etc.) and I pull several different trailers and the only complaint is anemic power. Plan on turning off the O/D for hill country. Oh and plan on spending twice as much for gas. But you really should not have any major problems.

BROWNING3250CAL

I don't know if this can help anyone with the 3.8 but I recently removed the muffler and threw on an inine glass pack. I guess it could just be my imagination but my Jeep seems to accelerate much faster and easier.

arjeeper

The max legal towable with a JKU is only 3500lbs, so very little wiggle room.

AirJordan613

3500 isn't a legal limit. Your insurance company could deny your claim if you're over but you aren't breaking any laws going over 3500

arjeeper

The vehicle was designed and claimed by FCA to have a capacity of 3500 lbs for towing. If a driver knowingly exceeded that capacity and had an accident, you could lose your ass in a negligence claim.

This has been discussed on this forum and others ad nauseam.

Don't put yourself and others at risk towing over the vehicle's limit.

rob_engineer

Then why does the exact same JKU have higher tow ratings in other countries? Before I bought mine in 2012 I thoroughly researched towing. I went to official Jeep websites in other countries such as Germany, Australia, Sweden, etc. Some had values as high as 4400 pounds. So, the 3500 in the US is not based on the vehicles capability. In fact, i just looked again at the up to date Australia website. The gas JKU is 2000kg (4400 pounds) and the diesel JKU is 2300kg (5070 pounds). It's right there in black & white, official from jeep. The theory is that in the US it is considered a convertible since the top and doors are not designed to protect you. This limits the tow rating. Similar reason as to why uhaul policy is to not rent a trailer to a soft top Jeep.