Flat Towing a JK with a JK
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 89
From: Arizona
The Wranglers have a 3500lb tow capacity for a reason. Can it pull more than that depending on how it's equipped, as evidenced, people have. Does it mean they're doing so safely, well no. There is the stress and strain and additional abuse on the drivetrain. Then of course there is addtional weight you're pulling above and beyond the recommended weight that will negatively affect the braking characteristics of your vehicle.
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/stock-jk-tech-12/europe-unlimited-tows-up-7-716-lbs-98824/
Some JKs in Europe identical to the ones sold in the US have a higher-rated towing capacity - up to 3500 kg (7,716 lbs). Not the diesel version, the "petrol" 3.8 liter JKs that have the exact same parts lists as the US model.
Having said that, I personally would never exceed the manufactures recommendations for liability issues. If you don't care about that, knock yourself out!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: warren county nj
Ok, I know this is an old post, but since no one replied I figure I am the first person to try this. So I will update this tread with my experience, encase someone else wants to try it in the future.
At this point I have picked up the Currie Mounting Plate and installed it on the jeep being towed. After I get the wiring complete, I will hook up everything and post pictures.
At this point I have picked up the Currie Mounting Plate and installed it on the jeep being towed. After I get the wiring complete, I will hook up everything and post pictures.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue, WA
Wow, thanks for all the responses. The plan is to drive to Moab, which is about 14 hours away. I find it interesting the range of responses, especially after reading https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98824.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC
My advice to you is not to do it.
Very dangerous.
Could jack-knife
Flat towing is not the same as trailer towing.
Tow trucks do not flat tow.
Tow trucks are also very heavy.
You also dont have the braking power.
Many other reasons.
If you tow it behind an RV or a 3500 crewcab 4 door diesel fine.....
Its an accident waiting to happen and it puts others on the road in danger.
Id only do it if in emergency or recovery.
Very dangerous.
Could jack-knife
Flat towing is not the same as trailer towing.
Tow trucks do not flat tow.
Tow trucks are also very heavy.
You also dont have the braking power.
Many other reasons.
If you tow it behind an RV or a 3500 crewcab 4 door diesel fine.....
Its an accident waiting to happen and it puts others on the road in danger.
Id only do it if in emergency or recovery.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 0
From: WI
Chrysler has significantly downgraded the towing package for the US to protect us from ourselves.
When you put a lift on a vehicle you raise the CG and this in turn changes the vehicle dynamics. So in turn you need to lower the rating, so they just lower it from the git go.
There are three critical things regarding tow rating, cooling, brakes and the critical frequency where the system goes into oscillation (sway) at speed.
So do a vehicle dynamics model of a wrangler with a trailer and move the CG around and see what you get and it gets worse as you raise the CG up. What happens is the critical speed drops for the onset of oscillation.
For what it is worth I have done the above exercise and the wranglers appear to be derated for load to increase the critical speed. I do not know about brakes or cooling.
Also Jeep requires trailer brakes if you go above 2000 lbs of trailer weight. You can get a mopar 7 pin harness to connect a brake controller but they do not tell you how to wire in the signal line. This is another issue that raises questions. Since if you modify the wiring this is not approved, but they wont tell you where to wire it in.
When you put a lift on a vehicle you raise the CG and this in turn changes the vehicle dynamics. So in turn you need to lower the rating, so they just lower it from the git go.
There are three critical things regarding tow rating, cooling, brakes and the critical frequency where the system goes into oscillation (sway) at speed.
So do a vehicle dynamics model of a wrangler with a trailer and move the CG around and see what you get and it gets worse as you raise the CG up. What happens is the critical speed drops for the onset of oscillation.
For what it is worth I have done the above exercise and the wranglers appear to be derated for load to increase the critical speed. I do not know about brakes or cooling.
Also Jeep requires trailer brakes if you go above 2000 lbs of trailer weight. You can get a mopar 7 pin harness to connect a brake controller but they do not tell you how to wire in the signal line. This is another issue that raises questions. Since if you modify the wiring this is not approved, but they wont tell you where to wire it in.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Also Jeep requires trailer brakes if you go above 2000 lbs of trailer weight. You can get a mopar 7 pin harness to connect a brake controller but they do not tell you how to wire in the signal line. This is another issue that raises questions. Since if you modify the wiring this is not approved, but they wont tell you where to wire it in.
Not sure what you mean by "they don't tell you how to wire the signal line." The wiring kit plugs in between the left brake light harness, and the rest goes up to the front of the jeep (power, etc). Instructions were simple, everything worked perfectly.