Max tow capacity

[JTSUSN]

So I have a 2020 sport s with max tow package, my sister-in-law has a camper with a gross weight of 7700lbs and wants to know if I can back it into a spot beside my camper in a campground. I know that’s above the suggested tow capacity but since I’m just moving it a very short distance will this mess up my gladiator? It’s probably not as simple as just backing in, there will be plenty of backing up and pulling forward ( it’s a very tight spot and at an awkward angle). Any feedback would be appreciated.

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[Chadp82]

Why not just use the camper owners tow vehicle?

 

[JTSUSN]

We did it last year but was very aggravating, it is a crew cab long bed and it is a very tight space. She was just wondering if mine wouldn’t be as much trouble since it is significantly shorter.

 

[sharpsicle]

Just repositioning will be no issue.

 

[GuzziMoto]

I would likely have no problem doing that, moving a camper around a campsite. The only thing I would be concerned about is tongue weight, making sure the tongue weight of the camper is not too much, doing whatever I could to minimize the tongue weight. Things like which tanks in the RV have fluid in them and which are empty. A tank behind the axle(s) having fluid (weight) in it means less tongue weight, while a tank in front of the axle(s) having fluid in it means more tongue weight. I would want the least amount of tongue weight possible.
Also, if the surface you are doing this on is dirt, as I would assume it is, you could put it in 4L and with the lower gearing it should make it easier to maneuver.
That said, that is simply what I would do, and should not be taken as advice to anyone else.

 

[JTSUSN]

I would likely have no problem doing that, moving a camper around a campsite. The only thing I would be concerned about is tongue weight, making sure the tongue weight of the camper is not too much, doing whatever I could to minimize the tongue weight. Things like which tanks in the RV have fluid in them and which are empty. A tank behind the axle(s) having fluid (weight) in it means less tongue weight, while a tank in front of the axle(s) having fluid in it means more tongue weight. I would want the least amount of tongue weight possible.
Also, if the surface you are doing this on is dirt, as I would assume it is, you could put it in 4L and with the lower gearing it should make it easier to maneuver.
That said, that is simply what I would do, and should not be taken as advice to anyone else.

Thank you! Those are all very valid points. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Isn't the max tow rated at 7,700 pounds anyway? Toyota towed the 300k pound space shuttle with a tundra rated at 10k pounds without hurting it (flat ground and low speed). The tow rating is literally worst case scenario. Part of the required testing is pulling a grade with the max load in 95⁰+ heat. You could back a 20k pound trailer into a spot without damage. Even if the tongue weight was 2k pounds the bumpstops will hold up just fine. The 1st Pic is my truck with 1800lbs of pavers in the bed, the 2nd is an 8200lb trailer that I towed over 600 miles including 20 miles of washboard dirt road. These things are tougher than they get credit for.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I put 3,400 pounds of concrete in the bed of a 90's Chevy half ton truck many years ago. Customer wouldn't take no for an answer.

Far as I know, it made it home

You'll be fine for positioning a trailer I think.

 

[MPMB]

Tow ratings are basically for knowing the vehicle's limits for stopping on public roads/highways and mechanical longevity.

Moving trailers around in your scenario shouldn't be an issue.

 

[S JEEPN]

As long as you are not harsh with it no problem. You could just use her truck and instruct her how to spot you. She may want to look into getting a front receiver just to make it easier for her when you are not there to save the day with your Jeep. i always used my TJ to move trailers in close quarters since it was so easy to see and maneuver with it. I would not use Part time 4wd low or part time 4wd high with a heavy trailer or heavy load except in very slippery conditions or just enough to unstick it from sand, mud or something wouldn't want to risk damaging the drivetrain if it binds it could put damaging stress on a weak point.

 

[ivanfrank]

Like other's have said, empty the tanks in the camper, remove as many heavy items forward of the trailer axle as possible -- and remove anything you have in the truck bed and cab; do it without a passenger. It should be fine

 

[DylanM]

Your Max Tow equipped Sport is rated to tow 7650lbs for extended distances at highway speed. Moving a trailer fifty pounds heavier than that a very short distance at what's likely to be walking speed at best is no cause for concern.

 

[ivanfrank]

Your Max Tow equipped Sport is rated to tow 7650lbs for extended distances at highway speed. Moving a trailer fifty pounds heavier than that a very short distance at what's likely to be walking speed at best is no cause for concern.

Tongue weight impact on payload should also be considered. It's not just "trailer weight" vs "max tow capacity." And with the Gladiator you will always run out of payload before you run out of trailer GVWR.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Tongue weight impact on payload should also be considered. It's not just "trailer weight" vs "max tow capacity." And with the Gladiator you will always run out of payload before you run out of trailer GVWR.

For towing down the road at speed sure. Backing a trailer into a camp site? You could double the payload and it would do nothing. Go to any family farm in the world and watch vehicles tow and haul 3-4 times their ratings around the farm for decades without issue. I've watched 30k lb hay trailers towed across pastures with old CJs that were rated to tow ~2k pounds.

 

[DylanM]

Tongue weight impact on payload should also be considered. It's not just "trailer weight" vs "max tow capacity." And with the Gladiator you will always run out of payload before you run out of trailer GVWR.

He's moving a trailer from one spot in a campground a very short distance to another spot in the same campground, not dragging it miles and miles down the road with the truck loaded up with the family and all their assorted stuff for a two week vacation.

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