Towing Capacity 2D vs 4D
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: antwerp Belgium
3.8 with auto ( i have the rubicon ) but all 4 doors models are the same here in towing capacity ( dieselcrap and gas ).
most of the time all US vehicles have more towing capacity than they allow in belgium but this time it's the other way around.
i pull my competition rubi on the trailer and thats over 3500 KG
( 3750 kg ) i just put it on cruise controle 110 km/h and let it go 
most of the time all US vehicles have more towing capacity than they allow in belgium but this time it's the other way around.
i pull my competition rubi on the trailer and thats over 3500 KG
( 3750 kg ) i just put it on cruise controle 110 km/h and let it go
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
Now THAT can't be explained by anything posted in this thread.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Yea, the guy I bought my Jeep from also told me of the increased towing capacity for the JK in Europe. I am not sure how they come up with that number. I have an Unlimited Rubi with 35s and pulled a pop-up with a dry wieght of 1850 and a loaded weight of approximately 2800 from Sacramento to Zion in Utah. Prior to the trip I put airspring 1000s, a transmission cooller and a Prodigy brake controller on the JK. During some long climbs the JK did heat up and the coolant temp guage went to the 3/4 mark on the dash guage. Big Rigs passing as well as wind caused quite a bit of sway. The JK also felt terribly underpowered although I think a regear would help alleviate some of the problem as I have the stock 4.10s If I knew then what I know now, prior to the trip I would have definitely got a weight distributing hitch with sway control as well. Before this trip I looked at my JK and thought it could pull more than its rated specification of 3500, after the trip I would not go over 3000 lbs with a lift and M/Ts.
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: Omnipresent
Hey guys I think why the Jeeps cant tow more is due to the rear suspension setup. Its coil sprung instead of leaf sprung. All the trucks and even the xterra's are leaf sprung in the rear and thus allows greater payloads than softer coil springs. If you google the military spec Jeep J8 which is built off the 4 dr platform it is upgraded with leaf springs in the rear and couple other things to boost the tow rating up to around 7716 lbs!! Anyway hope this helps answer why our Jeeps cant tow more. BTW I have a 2007 unlimited, auto, with 4.10 gears and factory trailer tow package and it is rated to pull 3500 lbs, which it does just fine. There is no heavier duty radiator or auto tranny cooler in front of it either. Jeep also has a towing guide on their website at http://www-5.jeep.com/vehsuite/TowingGuide.jsp 
and my wife's pathfinder can tow 7000#.
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Miami
I live in Miami so I don't have any problems with hills or mountains, that being said I would have no problem towing 6000lb + with my Rubi. I have towed a lot of boats with many types of vehicles and I cannot see why it would be a problem on flat terrain.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine