Couple questions about JT towing.

[thetruth1983]

I'll be getting my first ever trailer soon so I had a couple questions. Is there a definitive guide somewhere on JT towing? Like things I'll need to buy and watch out for? Secondly, another question I have is what are the risks involved with towing a trailer that is heavier than what my truck is rated for? I have an 2020 Overland with a towing capacity of 4500 pounds. What are the risks of towing something that is about 5000 pounds? I'll be living at an RV resort for at least the next year but I'd like to take my trailer out at least once every couple weeks to take my kids to the park. Lastly, and this ties in with the first question, is there anything in specific that I need to buy to tow with a JT? I'll be getting a Class IV hitch over the next couple weeks but I wanted to know if there is anything else I need to get. Thanks in advance.

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[sharpsicle]

It sounds like you might not have done any towing until now. If that's the case, the best advice I can give you is to take your time and practice a lot. There's really no substitute for hands-on experience when it comes to towing, especially backing in to a spot. Normally I'd suggest guys tow something smaller and lighter to start with before stepping into what it sounds like you're going to be buying, just so they have a chance to learn and experience how it all works. I've even known guys to go rent a U-Haul trailer for a few days just to practice backing in and out without the risk of messing up their new digs.

Secondly, is this a MT Overland? That will be important to know. The 4,500 weight rating is based on the MT, and that's mainly due to the clutch system.

Thirdly, what trailer are you buying? Knowing the stats, like loaded vs dry weight and the frontal area of the trailer, are going to be important. Based on your description above, I'm inclined to think you're looking at dry weight, and living out of it means you're probably never going to be dry. You'll be weighing in significantly more than that. What that comes to total weight wise is very important. Chances are also high you're going to want to add a brake controller and a WDH to manage the trailer's size and weight effectively. There may be more to make you aware of. But again, it would be immensely helpful to know what you're actually going to be pulling.

It's also worth mentioning that the place you're buying from should be able to help you a little bit with all this. While they'll let you buy anything, they do tend to be aware of making sure people know what they're getting into and how to handle it before they leave the lot. If you insist on just doing a grab-and-go, of course they'll back down, smile and wave as you drive off. But most experiences I've been exposed to have shown the selling dealership trying to inform the buyer how it will affect their towing vehicle as much as possible. They also will help with install of things like a WDH. They might be able to help answer some questions for you.

 

[Marlinvx]

Weight distributing hitch (WDH) and I would airbag the rear suspension. Airbags are less than 100 bucks and can be done in your driveway with basic tools and a jack.
You will also need a brake controller of some kind, especially if you are overweight. There will be folks who jump and say not to tow overweight, it could be catastrophic, etc. That is a decision only you can make, but if you take the precautions, you at least mitigate risk.
Want the right answer? Trade in your overland and find a Sport S max tow with 7600lb tow capacity or buy a half-ton truck.

 

[4-Play]

My JT did not have the tow package. I didn’t order it, more of an impulse buy from one of 3 on the lot at the time. They made me an offer on my 17JK that I couldn’t refuse. Anyway, looking for the Mopar hitch and Allmoparparts says back order, Moparfactoryparts has it for about 230$ but shipping was 469$!

 

[WILDHOBO]

PLEASE do not tow a trailer that exceeds your capacity. Adding a hitch to a gladiator that didn’t originally have factory towing means you have less engine and tranny cooling as well, meaning you could overheat and start a fire. The hitch is only part of the equation. As a VERY experienced non commercial tower for most of my life, I have occasionally towed over capacity, in town, at VERY slow speeds on back roads. But I’m familiar with the physics of towing heavier loads. Overdoing it without experience is asking for a bad accident. When I started towing, my vehicle was always WAY MORE POWERFUL than was necessary for the trailers being towed. My current gladiator has a 7,000lb towing capacity. 3,500 is the sweet spot where it isn’t a dog with the 3.6. I’ve towed 6500 for a few blocks to move trailers around, but wouldn’t tow that much on interstates for any reason with this vehicle. Sorry for the capital letters. Towing above the vehicle’s capacity and driver’s experience leads to bad you tube videos. Please be safe.

 

[TMGladOverHighAlt]

Thanks Dad. ?

 

[WILDHOBO]

Thanks Dad. ?

Since my grandpa and dad taught me to tow safely, and I take pride in that, I’ll take that as a compliment.

 

[chorky]

PLEASE do not tow a trailer that exceeds your capacity. Adding a hitch to a gladiator that didn’t originally have factory towing means you have less engine and tranny cooling as well, meaning you could overheat and start a fire. The hitch is only part of the equation. As a VERY experienced non commercial tower for most of my life, I have occasionally towed over capacity, in town, at VERY slow speeds on back roads. But I’m familiar with the physics of towing heavier loads. Overdoing it without experience is asking for a bad accident. When I started towing, my vehicle was always WAY MORE POWERFUL than was necessary for the trailers being towed. My current gladiator has a 7,000lb towing capacity. 3,500 is the sweet spot where it isn’t a dog with the 3.6. I’ve towed 6500 for a few blocks to move trailers around, but wouldn’t tow that much on interstates for any reason with this vehicle. Sorry for the capital letters. Towing above the vehicle’s capacity and driver’s experience leads to bad you tube videos. Please be safe.

Not to be a downer but I second this. To purposefully get a trailer that is higher than your max tow rating is really not a good idea. Its not just about the trailer weight, but you will likely be way over your GVW and GCVW once you load up the gladiator with all your stuff and toys and gear.

Aside from this flat out being illegal - and there is the potential for a highway patrol to pull you over and give a huge fine, its just not safe. Especially for it being your first ever towing experience. Its not just your safety to play with too, its everyone else on the road around you.

I have towed heavier than I should have before. And things can get very bad very quickly.

It would be good to do some math before you commit to the trailer. Estimate the weight of gear you will put in the trailer (food, clothes, toys, cooking pans, etc..). Then also estimate the weight of gear you will put in the truck (including people other than yourself). And see how far over GVW, CGVW and GTW you are. A lot of people do this daily...sure, but that doesn't mean its a good idea.

 

[MPMB]

PLEASE do not tow a trailer that exceeds your capacity. Adding a hitch to a gladiator that didn’t originally have factory towing means you have less engine and tranny cooling as well, meaning you could overheat and start a fire. The hitch is only part of the equation. As a VERY experienced non commercial tower for most of my life, I have occasionally towed over capacity, in town, at VERY slow speeds on back roads. But I’m familiar with the physics of towing heavier loads. Overdoing it without experience is asking for a bad accident. When I started towing, my vehicle was always WAY MORE POWERFUL than was necessary for the trailers being towed. My current gladiator has a 7,000lb towing capacity. 3,500 is the sweet spot where it isn’t a dog with the 3.6. I’ve towed 6500 for a few blocks to move trailers around, but wouldn’t tow that much on interstates for any reason with this vehicle. Sorry for the capital letters. Towing above the vehicle’s capacity and driver’s experience leads to bad you tube videos. Please be safe.

^This.

Almost anything can pull a sizeable trailer (just depends on the second criteria- speed). The problem is stopping.

The JT can pull more than what it's rated for, but the issue is stopping, followed closely by cooling.

From what I've read hear and heard elsewhere, the JT manual is weak (imo).

 

[Snake Eyes]

I am going to come at this as a law enforcement officer, which I used to be and the accidents I used to see involving people who “accepted the risk” of towing more than they should, even worse as a newbie at towing.

Tow over weight is a way of saying you do not care about other people on the road or your family in your truck. Plain and simple. God help me I would hate to see you in my rear view mirror on a downhill.

And to do it as a newbie is well I hate to be blunt, but downright stupid.

It is hard enough to tow close to max. It is not about getting moving, but about stopping and control, etc.

Tow over weight = illegal and = dangerous to stop or control =accident=liability and potential injury or death=really bad day month year

Get a trailer that is 80% or less of your capacity and also is well within your tongue capacity. If you cannot do that get a bigger truck.

Sorry to be tough talk but having been a cop and seeing the results of bad decisions on the road makes me rather blunt.

 

[4-Play]

PLEASE do not tow a trailer that exceeds your capacity. Adding a hitch to a gladiator that didn’t originally have factory towing means you have less engine and tranny cooling as well, meaning you could overheat and start a fire. The hitch is only part of the equation. As a VERY experienced non commercial tower for most of my life, I have occasionally towed over capacity, in town, at VERY slow speeds on back roads. But I’m familiar with the physics of towing heavier loads. Overdoing it without experience is asking for a bad accident. When I started towing, my vehicle was always WAY MORE POWERFUL than was necessary for the trailers being towed. My current gladiator has a 7,000lb towing capacity. 3,500 is the sweet spot where it isn’t a dog with the 3.6. I’ve towed 6500 for a few blocks to move trailers around, but wouldn’t tow that much on interstates for any reason with this vehicle. Sorry for the capital letters. Towing above the vehicle’s capacity and driver’s experience leads to bad you tube videos. Please be safe.

My JT is a Rubicon, so really the only missing items are the higher output cooling fan, the higher output alternator and the hitch assembly. I don’t believe there is any difference in the transmission cooling. Am I missing something? I only plan on trailering an ATV or two, nowhere near the max rating.

 

[WILDHOBO]

@4-Play - So without factory towing (mine has factory getting it to 7k) is your rating at 6,000? I just don’t remember the rating for a JTR without factory towing. I thought the transmission cooler was larger, but could certainly be wrong. Is yours a manual or automatic. If it’s manual, you’re at 4,500.

 

[Casique]

There is also a legal component to this, which turns into a legal liability in court. If there is an accident the law suit will be huge, and may include man slaughter charges if people are injured or killed!

 

[4-Play]

@4-Play - So without factory towing (mine has factory getting it to 7k) is your rating at 6,000? I just don’t remember the rating for a JTR without factory towing. I thought the transmission cooler was larger, but could certainly be wrong. Is yours a manual or automatic. If it’s manual, you’re at 4,500.

Automatic.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Automatic.

I can’t seem to find the official chart, but everything I’m finding on the forum says the rubicon is 7k with automatic, even without the factory package. Of course that assumes a class IV receiver. It seems that the rubicon is the only trim where capacity doesn’t vary depending on factory or added towing.

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