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Stock JK TechBulletin board forum regarding issues with OE (original equipment) components of the Jeep JK Wrangler (Rubicon, Sahara, Unlimited and X) such as factory suspension parts, engine, transmission, body parts, interior fixtures and the on-board computer.
The fact is your Jeep should be able to handle the 3500 lbs but it might be a bit sluggish. A trans cooler is a great idea. Those big rigs pulling things easier are challenged when offroad! It's a trade off, I prefer the slightly sluggish tow in exchange for the more capable offroad. My trailers have been in the 3000 lb zone and I haven't had much sign of problems. The only time my trans overheated was without towing anything going up a steep incline on a poorly maintained dirt road for several miles.
Mine is a 2012 with manual trans. Starting in 2012, all jku's that are automatics have trans coolers from the factory.
When I was doing research, the best, lightest weight campers I found are from a small company called Sunset. I went with another brand, but that was only because I couldn't find a used Sunset at the time and had budget constraints. Check them out. http://www.sunsetrv4u.com/index.php/...ite-floorplans
After years of looking and pondering all the options, I'm close to making a decision on a camper, but the tow capability of my JKU is still holding me back. The two campers I am considering include (A) the Forest River "r-pod" which is made in both Indiana and Oregon. The model "179" is tear drop shaped, is 20' long, dry wt is 2,630 lbs, max is 3,786 lbs and has a hitch wt of 285 lbs. The other camper is (B) the Casita 17' Spirit which is made in Rice, TX. It has a dry wt of 2,480 lbs and a max of 3,500 lbs. Hitch wt is 365 lbs. Is anyone on the board towing either one of these, or similar, campers? My JKU is a 2012 Sahara with auto (3.73) the heavy tow package and tranny cooler. Because both of these campers are at the outer limit of the JKU wt envelop, I realize I will have to buy a wt distributing hitch, anti-sway system and e-brakes. Comments or advice?
After years of looking and pondering all the options, I'm close to making a decision on a camper, but the tow capability of my JKU is still holding me back. The two campers I am considering include (A) the Forest River "r-pod" which is made in both Indiana and Oregon. The model "179" is tear drop shaped, is 20' long, dry wt is 2,630 lbs, max is 3,786 lbs and has a hitch wt of 285 lbs. The other camper is (B) the Casita 17' Spirit which is made in Rice, TX. It has a dry wt of 2,480 lbs and a max of 3,500 lbs. Hitch wt is 365 lbs. Is anyone on the board towing either one of these, or similar, campers? My JKU is a 2012 Sahara with auto (3.73) the heavy tow package and tranny cooler. Because both of these campers are at the outer limit of the JKU wt envelop, I realize I will have to buy a wt distributing hitch, anti-sway system and e-brakes. Comments or advice?
Did you look at my pictures? My toyhauler is 3500 empty. I then put at least 1000 pounds of other stuff in it, like my Harley. I've towed in a combined distance over 5000 miles over the last 2 yrs. it is shaped like a box. A rounded front would definetly be better. I also have 3.73 rear, but in manual trans. I use weight dist hitch and a prodigy 2 brake controller. You should not have a problem towing. The weight rating is artificially held low in the US. One reason is that it is considered a convertible in that the doors and top aren't designed to protect occupants. Ratings are as high as 4400 pounds in some other countries. The weakest thing is how the hitch is mounted to the cross bar. Although my towing has been successful, I just bought a Smittybilt XRC bumper that is rated for 5000 pounds.
Here is my 2014 JKUR towing a 2650lb dry Coachmen Clipper 17BH. I use a weight distributing hitch and Prodigy controller. Tows pretty good. I also added an AEV 2" BB, as I wanted to keep the stock suspension for towing stability for now. Still tows well.
Last edited by aerojar; 08-16-2014 at 05:34 AM.
Reason: updated
I pulled my 16' RPod that I'm living in from MN to Phoenix last December, then up to Colorado for the summer and back to Phoenix in October. I only really slowed down on a couple of the steeper passes, and averaged around 11 mpg 😊
Just found this thread and I'm asking your opinions:
I just bought my 2017 Sport, manual trans two months ago. Only Jeep I've ever owned. I have a 2003 Centurion Elite 22 ft. wakeboard boat. It is on a Trailrite trailer. I don't know the rearend ratio the Sport but it does have a factory receiver hitch on it. The day I bought it (200 miles away from L.A.) I towed the Fiat 500 (2300 lbs) I drove up there back to L.A. with the Jeep. It towed fine including over the "Grapevine" which is a fairly steep grade here in Southern California.
Do you guys think it could SAFELY tow the boat? Online says the boat weighs 2900 lbs. Guessing the trailer weighs 1000lbs or less. So right about the 3500lb the Jeep is rated for but maybe 500 lbs more. Trailer has a surge brake on it.
EDIT: I found this online and I'll assume the 2001 Centurion Elite they cite is pretty close to my 2003 model. Looks like the total load would be over 4000 lbs. I don't tow with th gas full or a lot of gear but still, stuff gets heavy fast so I'll assume I'd really be pushing the safety to try to tow the boat any distance. nah, I don't have the dually anymore. I DO have a GMC 2500HD but am considering selling it. Feel free to offer opinions.
Last edited by Dan in Pasadena; 12-04-2019 at 06:14 PM.
08-07-2014, 06:30 AM
Getting Close
