FWIW my towing the 3500# boat story was this friend of mine, right, wink wink...

anyhow, this guy has the 3.21 gears and a six speed. and he has no trouble with hills, cruising at 80, stop and go. You just have to leave yourself plenty of room to stop, but moving along doesn't seem to be a problem.

There is a lot of shifting from 6th to 5th, but never more than that.

Besides the stuff written in the owner's manual, here's a towing guide by vehicle on the Jeep site. Can be as low as 1000lbs, depending on options.

http://www.jeep.com/vehsuite/TowingGuide.jsp

Here's some towing basics from the Jeep site:

http://www.jeep.com/vehsuite/towingb.../checklist.jsp

In the Terms and Conditions section:

http://www.jeep.com/vehsuite/towingbasics/j/terms.jsp

"The GTW ratings listed in this guide are intended to provide acceptable performance for normal conditions of temperature, grade, and altitude. Extreme conditions will require selection of a higher axle ratio and/or a higher powered engine. Dodge trucks equipped with Cummins Intercooled Turbo Diesel engines will have a minimal power loss at high altitude. Maximum trailer weight ratings include cargo and fluids in the trailer, plus 150 pounds for the tow vehicle driver. These ratings must be decreased by the weight of any optional equipment, trailer hitch, cargo in the tow vehicle, and passengers other than the driver. To determine the GTW, subtract the curb weight and 150 pounds (allowance for the driver) from the GCWR. A maximum engine cooling option may be required to achieve the maximum trailer weight rating and GCWR. "

Towing classes:

http://www.jeep.com/vehsuite/towingbasics/j/classes.jsp

Properly-equipped Jeep is Class LL Heavy Duty, or

• 3,500-pound maximum
• Single-axle, small to medium length (up to 18 feet) trailers

There's enough info here a BAD lawyer would have a field day should overloading be a contributing factor. If this isn't enough, Google "overloaded trailer lawsuit". Sift out the tractor-trailer issues - there's plenty of lawsuits left over.

I'm only saying that if you tow well over the limits, there's a certain risk involved.

I would not go over 4000 lbs personally.

Things to take into account when towing:

VEHICLE
Frame (boxed or C-channel on larger trucks)
Engine Power
Axle Strength
Gear ratio (transmission/axle)
Vehicle Weight
Hitch Class/Mount Type
Brakes

TRAILER
Power Brakes
Controller
Hydraulic ball pump (when vehicle stops it forces the trailer against the ball and pushes a plunger sending hydro to the brake calipers causing the trailer to slow down)
Tounge Weight
Weight Centered over axles (single axle)
Trailer max weight rating

TERRAIN/ELEMENTS
Flat, Hilly, Mountainous, etc.
Rainy, Snowy, Icy
Paved, Gravel, Dirt, Mud

I am sure there are other factors but you get the idea. Use good jugement and be safe. Take everything into account and youll be good to go! :2thumbs:

True... there is alot of things to concider when towing. It seems like alot of people are concerned about the towing vehicle weight compared to the trailer weight. My GMC weighed less than 7000 LBS and pulled 12,500. I see these new pickup commercials where the truck can pull over 20,000 LBS.:eek!: My Grand Cherokee was rated to pull 6500, it didn't weigh 2X as much as my Wrangler ( actually the curb weight was about the same ) but can pull over 2x as much. In comparison to the 4 door JK the wheel base was shorter on the Grand Cherokee and the Cherokee but both were rated with higher tow capacities of any wrangler.


I'm wondering if the tow rating of the JK is because of the engine. There are trucks that weigh less, have a shorter wheelbase, and thinner track width but are rated higher than the JK.:thinking:

Hell, the '04 liberty had a 3.7 liter, was about 12" shorter than an unlimited, and had a towing capacity of 5000 lbs. I don't get it. :thinking:

Engine or Frame??? Everything else seems to be right where it should be to pull like the KJ (Liberty, Cherokee Euro)