Sorry for jumping on your thread, but I have a X with 3:21 and stock M/T tires and wheels. Is regearing my option as well for towing?

 

And how long, how heavy and how much frontal area. And more info on the tow vehicle would be nice. I've been in situations towing a too big trailer in an inadequate tow vehicle and when the trailer starts driving the tow vehicles things get dicey.

 

A 4 door JK is a small, light vehicle?! It weights 2 tons! Amongst the people I offroad with I'm usually one of the heaviest, if not the heaviest ride. Only some old landcruisers are heavier

 

2 or 4 door? With or without tow package installed?

2 door, your tow cap is 1000 (or 2000 with tow pkg)
4 door with 3.21 is 1000
4 door with 3.73 and tow is 3500

Yes, regearing is always an option. But, how much and how often do you tow? It may or ma not be worth it...


Also, check the 'other' towing thread from yesterday. They were talking specifics of the travel trailer sizes and all that.

 

If JK's are so big and heavy and powerful, please explain why the MAX towing is a mere 3500 lbs?

 

Wheelbase.

 

So if I stretched the wheelbase on my big, heavy unlimited out to equal a 1 ton trucks, I could tow the same amount?

 

I was out with some TJ's, and LJ, two different vintage Cherokees and a Grand Cherokee. My 4dr Jk was the biggest vehicle of the group and I'd say I outweighed the heaviest of them by 1000 pounds. A well skidded, loaded with gear 4 dr is a heavy vehicle. When we are loaded for a week long outing I'm sure I push 6000 pounds.

The wheelbase is a bit short to have a high towing capcity. Witness that the 2 dr is only rated for 2000 pounds with the same mechanical components. I'd also say that the rear D44 may be a limitation too. Given how heavy the 4 dr can get the brakes could also be an issue. Jeep should have put dual puck calipers on the 4dr.

I'd really try to keep the wt under 3500 and pay head to the OAL length of the trailer and the frontal area. A pop up trailer is probably the best thing to tow behind a JK.

 

Of course gears would make the difference "IF" you can afford it and want to go that route. But if not, a Superchips Flashpaq will give you a bit of added power as well as it has a tune just for towing. Most everybody is really liking their SC programmer. It's just another possible option I guess. Just depends on what you're looking for.

 

Just a comment. The salesman I bought my vehicle from was a guy from Switzerland. He also sponsors tours for Europeans to run the Rubicon trail. He showed me the European JK sales brochure, The Unlimited was rated to tow about 7000 pounds in both the diesel and the gas engine (same as ours). Why the difference between USA and Europe?