Tow capacity
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Buena Park, CA
Tow capacity
I'm gonna be going to the TDS Desert Safari. I wanted to know if anyone would know how much my 2008 JKU could tow? I was thinkin bout towing a 3300 pound pop up for about 200 miles. Can anyone help me out?
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 2
From: Houston, Texas, United States
Dear dear fellow jk owner. I did the pop up thing for a while, probably logged around 800 miles total before I decided to go another route. I have a 09 on 33" BFGs heavy bumpers front and back, the jayco I owned weighed in at around the same, 3300 fully loaded.
In short, a one-time trip 200 miles, you and your jk will probably survive, it won't be fun though and may be a bit risky if your not familiar with towing. Although our minivan motor is rated to tow 3500 pounds, all weight is factored into this figure, tires, passengers, bumpers, gear, food, water, beer etc etc. If the pop weighs 3300 lbs dry, then you would be well over the max tow rating when loaded. Look at the tongue weight is also, it's very important. If you don't have HD springs in the back you might have an issue. You want the camper to ride as level as possible, the jeep also. This is important, it helps control sway and helps you stop.
Another important thing to consider would be the terrain, any hills you're going to be challenged with? Does the pop have brakes, if so get a 7 pin mopar harness and a brake controller. Unfortunately most smaller pops don't come with brakes, if they are under 2500lbs. This is a real hazard to consider especially for the jeep, and in the 3500lbs range I would reconsider the challenge without brakes.
For me it wasn't worth it, hilly east Texas terrain and the lack of horse power/torque on the highway ended the jeep pop up experiment. Bought the SU a f150 ecoboost and upgraded to a larger trailer.
Good luck do some research, lots of folks on here tow with the jk.
In short, a one-time trip 200 miles, you and your jk will probably survive, it won't be fun though and may be a bit risky if your not familiar with towing. Although our minivan motor is rated to tow 3500 pounds, all weight is factored into this figure, tires, passengers, bumpers, gear, food, water, beer etc etc. If the pop weighs 3300 lbs dry, then you would be well over the max tow rating when loaded. Look at the tongue weight is also, it's very important. If you don't have HD springs in the back you might have an issue. You want the camper to ride as level as possible, the jeep also. This is important, it helps control sway and helps you stop.
Another important thing to consider would be the terrain, any hills you're going to be challenged with? Does the pop have brakes, if so get a 7 pin mopar harness and a brake controller. Unfortunately most smaller pops don't come with brakes, if they are under 2500lbs. This is a real hazard to consider especially for the jeep, and in the 3500lbs range I would reconsider the challenge without brakes.
For me it wasn't worth it, hilly east Texas terrain and the lack of horse power/torque on the highway ended the jeep pop up experiment. Bought the SU a f150 ecoboost and upgraded to a larger trailer.
Good luck do some research, lots of folks on here tow with the jk.
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
im not sure why, but the build of your jeep seems to determine this. There is a different rating for 2door, 4door, manual vs. auto, etc. Check your owners manual or sticker on the door jamb?
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
The 3.8L 4dr is rated at 1,000 lbs with 3.21 gears, and 3,500 lbs with 3.73 gears or better.
Last edited by ronjenx; Feb 15, 2014 at 01:20 PM. Reason: Added the 3.8L quailifier to the tow rating.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Buena Park, CA
Dear dear fellow jk owner. I did the pop up thing for a while, probably logged around 800 miles total before I decided to go another route. I have a 09 on 33" BFGs heavy bumpers front and back, the jayco I owned weighed in at around the same, 3300 fully loaded.
In short, a one-time trip 200 miles, you and your jk will probably survive, it won't be fun though and may be a bit risky if your not familiar with towing. Although our minivan motor is rated to tow 3500 pounds, all weight is factored into this figure, tires, passengers, bumpers, gear, food, water, beer etc etc. If the pop weighs 3300 lbs dry, then you would be well over the max tow rating when loaded. Look at the tongue weight is also, it's very important. If you don't have HD springs in the back you might have an issue. You want the camper to ride as level as possible, the jeep also. This is important, it helps control sway and helps you stop.
Another important thing to consider would be the terrain, any hills you're going to be challenged with? Does the pop have brakes, if so get a 7 pin mopar harness and a brake controller. Unfortunately most smaller pops don't come with brakes, if they are under 2500lbs. This is a real hazard to consider especially for the jeep, and in the 3500lbs range I would reconsider the challenge without brakes.
For me it wasn't worth it, hilly east Texas terrain and the lack of horse power/torque on the highway ended the jeep pop up experiment. Bought the SU a f150 ecoboost and upgraded to a larger trailer.
Good luck do some research, lots of folks on here tow with the jk.
In short, a one-time trip 200 miles, you and your jk will probably survive, it won't be fun though and may be a bit risky if your not familiar with towing. Although our minivan motor is rated to tow 3500 pounds, all weight is factored into this figure, tires, passengers, bumpers, gear, food, water, beer etc etc. If the pop weighs 3300 lbs dry, then you would be well over the max tow rating when loaded. Look at the tongue weight is also, it's very important. If you don't have HD springs in the back you might have an issue. You want the camper to ride as level as possible, the jeep also. This is important, it helps control sway and helps you stop.
Another important thing to consider would be the terrain, any hills you're going to be challenged with? Does the pop have brakes, if so get a 7 pin mopar harness and a brake controller. Unfortunately most smaller pops don't come with brakes, if they are under 2500lbs. This is a real hazard to consider especially for the jeep, and in the 3500lbs range I would reconsider the challenge without brakes.
For me it wasn't worth it, hilly east Texas terrain and the lack of horse power/torque on the highway ended the jeep pop up experiment. Bought the SU a f150 ecoboost and upgraded to a larger trailer.
Good luck do some research, lots of folks on here tow with the jk.
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 445
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From: dearborn MI
I have towed about a 5k tandem axel trailer in my old 09 a few times 350 miles trips (moving tractors , and house/ farm stuff ) with 35's and 3.73 .. If your smart at take it easy it's not a big deal at all IMO . Stay under 50 is the best advice I can give you !
Not saying it was my best idea and I am sure people are going to give me crap for it , but I am pretty experienced with a trailer behind me and was temped to see how it worked out which was surprisingly well.
Not saying it was my best idea and I am sure people are going to give me crap for it , but I am pretty experienced with a trailer behind me and was temped to see how it worked out which was surprisingly well.
Last edited by madmike232; Feb 15, 2014 at 02:33 PM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 462
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From: theodore,al
I hauled oldjunck truck and rsndom metal from the yard of a home I bought that came up to 6300lbs plus the trailer was about 2000lbs. I have 37s and 373s, went across 2 high rise bridges and I never got worried about making it cuz I never dropped below 45. The only time I got worried was when I was at a dead stop on a steep road having to merge onto a hwy so I waited a long time before I made the attempt and sluggish would be an understatement lol