Can I Tow this?

[Hootbro]

I guarantee no one on this Board has a JTR that says 7000 on the sticker. It's a Unicorn, it's a stripped down, bare bones Rubicon with an automatic. Bet my lunch none have been manufactured.

Be willing to bet his sticker says something like 6250 pounds max.

I think @Gren71 is still right. Nobody's tow rating is going to be on the actual door jam sticker with the tow rating actually listed in the owners manual. The "6250" number is what is seen as the GVWR rating (for a Rubicon) that only adds in the trailer tongue weight if he is actually towing.

If his tongue weight (700 lbs max) when combined with the actual GVWR (curb weight + fuel + vehicle passenger/Cargo still comes in under the max 6250 GVWR rating, he is still rated to tow a trailer weight of 7000 max so long as he does exceed the GCVWR (Vehicle + Occupants/Cargo + Trailer)rating of 12450 lbs max as stated in the owners manual.

You are right, 7000 lbs will never be on a door jam sticker as a GVWR.

Then again, I may be a total retard on this as this subject is not my forte.

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[kevman65]

I think @Gren71 is still right. Nobody's tow rating is going to be on the actual door jam sticker with the tow rating actually listed in the owners manual. The "6250" number is what is seen as the GVWR rating (for a Rubicon) that only adds in the trailer tongue weight if he is actually towing.

If his tongue weight (700 lbs max) when combined with the actual GVWR (curb weight + fuel + vehicle passenger/Cargo still comes in under the max 6250 GVWR rating, he is still rated to tow a trailer weight of 7000 max so long as he does exceed the GCVWR (Vehicle + Occupants/Cargo + Trailer)rating of 12450 lbs max as stated in the owners manual.

You are right, 7000 lbs will never be on a door jam sticker as a GVWR.

Then again, I may be a total retard on this as this subject is not my forte.

You cut out the important part. Payload, which includes tongue weight. Anyone using the numbers the OP is, is severely overloaded on the payload side. Then putting a near max trailer behind it, good luck controlling it all.

As I've stated elsewhere here, Jeep and most other manufacturers make it near impossible to figure what you should and shouldn't do when it comes to towing/hauling. This is on purpose. If you don't follow THEIR formula exactly, they are relieved of all liability.
People just love to take the MAX number for any vehicle and plug it in. Manufacturer just walked away from the liability side.

The OP never answered my question about experience and skill level. Too many egos refuse to answer that they have neither. Seems unmanly to do so. Until the "Oh Shit" moment happens.

You guys preach what you want. When someone follows your advice and totally destroys something, including families, it won't be such sound advice. Overloaded towing isn't something to play with. You have to be lucky every single time.

I'm out.

 

[Hootbro]

You cut out the important part. Payload, which includes tongue weight.

It was covered in my post.

If his tongue weight (700 lbs max) when combined with the actual GVWR (curb weight + fuel + vehicle passenger/Cargo.............

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You cut out the important part. Payload, which includes tongue weight. Anyone using the numbers the OP is, is severely overloaded on the payload side. Then putting a near max trailer behind it, good luck controlling it all.

As I've stated elsewhere here, Jeep and most other manufacturers make it near impossible to figure what you should and shouldn't do when it comes to towing/hauling. This is on purpose. If you don't follow THEIR formula exactly, they are relieved of all liability.
People just love to take the MAX number for any vehicle and plug it in. Manufacturer just walked away from the liability side.

The OP never answered my question about experience and skill level. Too many egos refuse to answer that they have neither. Seems unmanly to do so. Until the "Oh Shit" moment happens.

You guys preach what you want. When someone follows your advice and totally destroys something, including families, it won't be such sound advice. Overloaded towing isn't something to play with. You have to be lucky every single time.

I'm out.

Dang, don't leave now - you are making sense! (*and echo a lot of my own feelings on it - weird, I know)

Mine is rated to tow 6,000 and a bit over 1,000 payload. I won't even consider doing such a thing.
And how is mine that much different physically than the "bigger Gladiators" ? Width by a whopping 1.5" total. That's it.

I've towed since I was a teenager. I've towed using big trucks and small. I've towed farm tractors on equipment trailers that when empty, put many of these campers to shame.
I'm an expert in one way - I know enough to know what not to do and what to avoid.
I seem to recall the IH 656 was well over 6,000 pounds, maybe 7 with a loader. Then the weight of the trailer made of an old mobile home chassis........ I was likely close to 10,000 pounds behind my old Chevy truck.

Some of what I see scares even me. Some of the numbers for tongue weight, how badly the rears of some of these trucks squat, scary.

I go back to - never tow at maximum and many state to stay 10% below that.

If your payload number is say, 1,000 and you tow with 700 pound tongue weight, you're basically done once you get in the truck.
IMO, 700 pounds tongue weight is stupid in these little trucks.

 

[Gren71]

I guarantee no one on this Board has a JTR that says 7000 on the sticker. It's a Unicorn, it's a stripped down, bare bones Rubicon with an automatic. Bet my lunch none have been manufactured.

Be willing to bet his sticker says something like 6250 pounds max.

The biggest problem is the payload, he's already given the tongue weight as 685 pounds and that's BEFORE he factors in the WDH and anti sway bars. He's already over max tongue weight EMPTY. With a payload limit of 1200 pounds, he can put his family in the truck and nothing else.

As I keep harping on and no one wants to listen because "I've always done it this way" you HAVE to do the math.

%1,000,000 agree

Stick to what our individual trucks are rated for and live within those numbers.

Im only saying 7,ooo because thats the ballpark for a JTR on the jeep website. Ive never owned one so Im not familiar with what their tow ratings / cargo capacity is with all the available options and such.

There is also the part where the the listed weights of the TT arent the actual weights. The TT will have them on the stickers on the side, and inside the door.

 

[DavidBT]

I would just like to add that I personally never go by dry weight on a trailer. Wether you travel with empty tanks or not, when you load up for camping, your trailer will be close to gvwr. Our travel trailer's dry weight is 4,000 and some change, while the gvwr is 5,500lbs. We do travel with 10 gallons or so of fresh water so we can use our own bathroom while traveling. Loaded up, it's at the 5,500lb gvwr, if not a little more. I towed with a 22 Gladiator max tow and just was not happy with it. We live in South East Arizona and have mountains every direction. I found a 21 Ram Big Horn Crew Cab 1500 5.7 with 3.92 gears and very happy with my decision. Also gained a little more than 300lbs of payload over the gladiator.

 

[Gren71]

I would just like to add that I personally never go by dry weight on a trailer. Wether you travel with empty tanks or not, when you load up for camping, your trailer will be close to gvwr. Our travel trailer's dry weight is 4,000 and some change, while the gvwr is 5,500lbs. We do travel with 10 gallons or so of fresh water so we can use our own bathroom while traveling. Loaded up, it's at the 5,500lb gvwr, if not a little more. I towed with a 22 Gladiator max tow and just was not happy with it. We live in South East Arizona and have mountains every direction. I found a 21 Ram Big Horn Crew Cab 1500 5.7 with 3.92 gears and very happy with my decision. Also gained a little more than 300lbs of payload over the gladiator.

very nice truck! At some point Im sure Ill end up going in the larger truck direction as well. If nothing else it will give the kids more room on the back while we travel. The mountains are a significant consideration to be sure. The JT can do a steep grade, but not happily. Pulling through PA I went up a grade where all the big rigs slowed to 25mph, so I followed suite and was glad I did. Since then I pay more attention to the grades of where I go and stay cognizant of the potential to re route if I think its just too much.

 

[DavidBT]

very nice truck! At some point Im sure Ill end up going in the larger truck direction as well. If nothing else it will give the kids more room on the back while we travel. The mountains are a significant consideration to be sure. The JT can do a steep grade, but not happily. Pulling through PA I went up a grade where all the big rigs slowed to 25mph, so I followed suite and was glad I did. Since then I pay more attention to the grades of where I go and stay cognizant of the potential to re route if I think its just too much.

As I've read some of your posts, the important thing for the gladiator's are a good WDH and a good trailer brake controller.

 

[sarguy1941]

Many of you would be shocked if you went to a CAT scale with your JT and realized how much added weight it has than what you think. Same with a camper after 2 trips. We sold our motorhome this spring. I had stopped and weighed it on our last trip when I fueled up. We delivered it and I stopped at a CAT scale on our trip to NC with it. It was almost 1500# less that previously. I was shocked. Then I got home and saw the pile of crap in the garage we removed.....

So I'd load up the family or whoever is riding with you and go find a scale. I am guessing you will be way over payload before the camper is even hooked up.

 

[BDoerr54]

Thanks all! I appreciate the help. I’m looking at a 19ft 3900lbs dry camper instead. Anyone have experience with a Forrest River Surveyor 19BHLE?

 

[Labswine]

Thanks all! I appreciate the help. I’m looking at a 19ft 3900lbs dry camper instead. Anyone have experience with a Forrest River Surveyor 19BHLE?

I don't have that camper but, mine's a Vantage Sonic SN220VBH (specs on their website) 27' LOA, around 5,200 lbs with all we want or need to take with us and maybe another 50 lbs in the bed (beach chairs, beach blanket, beach umbrella, etc.). I have the BlueOx WDH/antisway and the Tekensha Primus electric brake controller.

I tow with an appropriately equipped Overland. No real issues and have averaged around 13 MPG. I also shift manually. I don't drive over 65 MPH. Yes, there are times she reminds me that she's only a V-6 so, I just drop a gear and keep on keepin' on. I drive my own drive and to hell with the rest of them who wanna flash the 'New Jersey State Bird' at me because I'm not driving as fast (or as crazy) as they are.

Your trailer is much lighter than mine so properly equip with a brake controller and WDH set up and enjoy.

 

[Gren71]

Thanks all! I appreciate the help. I’m looking at a 19ft 3900lbs dry camper instead. Anyone have experience with a Forrest River Surveyor 19BHLE?

i had a forest river wolf pup 18TOBL before my current TT. Very similar design and specs. I was impressed with the build quality of the forest river and had a blast with is as our first TT. With kids the bunks in the one you’re looking at is a fantastic choice!

 

[HenrytheDestroyer]

Thanks all! I appreciate the help. I’m looking at a 19ft 3900lbs dry camper instead. Anyone have experience with a Forrest River Surveyor 19BHLE?

Take a look at this for comparison/options sake. Almost identical, but not: https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/salem-fsx/178BHSK/6746

 

[Labswine]

Take a look at this for comparison/options sake. Almost identical, but not: https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/salem-fsx/178BHSK/6746

If you go this route, I'd go for the one with the outdoor kitchen as well as the regular kitchen. Mine has the outdoor kitchen...a two burner gas stove (I got a griddle that fits perfectly over the two burners), a small refrigerator (think dorm room size for beer when you get there...mine is 110 V only), and a small sink/prep area and some utensil storage above.

It's nice to be able to cook burgers or make bacon and eggs on a griddle outside so that when you go inside, or to bed, your trailer, clothing, bedding, etc. doesn't smell of cooking grease or whatever you cooked.

Bacon ALWAYS smells nice but, it's hard to fall asleep when you're still drooling from breakfast's smells

 

[Flmthwr65]

I tow 27 foot 6000 pound travel trailer always dry. Blue rhino sway bar and weight distribution system. Never felt overweight or out of control. On the flat I lose 1 mph on hills we all know what happens!!! Would not go across country with it but a few hours here or there fine. For across the country trips I borrow one of my kids dodge rams. But I go the speed limit stick to the truck lanes I carry wife dogs and grandchildren all safely to and from since June of 2019. By the way my kids never MIND switching trucks for some reason

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