Newby Looking for Security Options

[ecidiego]

You've got a material misrepresentation there. Max Tow is specific thing with manufacturer definition and they did not ( and cannot ) install it.

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[Gvsukids]

Yes, but I want my horse to be safe if I need to escape a fire. If this doesn't work, I'll have to get something else.

What about riding it?

 

[Throwback]

You'll be fine towing a single horse and trailer in emergencies. Just be careful. If it was one of those unibody "trucks" with similar rating, I'd say no go.

The only security I have is the six speed, which most of the younger set view as an exotic and primitive thing from a bygone era. And I live in a place where everyone leaves their doors unlocked. I have the ragtop, so if I was in the city I'd leave it unlocked. Maybe I'd use my old steering wheel-to-brake lock. Nowadays thieves get past factory alarms with ease, using electronic devices, so it's a false sense of security anyway.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

THANK YOU!! Based on this it's 6,000 pounds. I should be able to make that work in an emergency. Trailer is 3800 - horse is 1100. I will of course test and tow the trailer by itself first.

No, it's not - because you don't have the tow package. So you are still back at the base number.
The tow package includes a larger cooling fan, larger alternator and so on.
Adding the receiver doesn't boost you up from 4500 to 6000.

It should work - but not long term or long highway driving
The tow package is more than a hitch.
Technically, your truck is still 4500 - remember, his quote was "when properly equipped" and your truck is not.

This is your truck's tow rating - you don't have a tow package - just a hitch.

 

[RockisJT]

What about riding it?

In a perfect world, yes I can do that in a pinch. But my biggest concern is fire which can be unpredictable.

 

[Throwback]

Keep in mind if she has a Sport at standard ride height she's less in need of wide axles than you monster truck drivers. Just keep an eye on the temp gauge and take it easy.

 

[RockisJT]

You'll be fine towing a single horse and trailer in emergencies. Just be careful. If it was one of those unibody "trucks" with similar rating, I'd say no go.

The only security I have is the six speed, which most of the younger set view as an exotic and primitive thing from a bygone era. And I live in a place where everyone leaves their doors unlocked. I have the ragtop, so if I was in the city I'd leave it unlocked. Maybe I'd use my old steering wheel-to-brake lock. Nowadays thieves get past factory alarms with ease, using electronic devices, so it's a false sense of security anyway.

Maybe I should ask if it helps to have a deterrent?

 

[RockisJT]

No, it's not - because you don't have the tow package. So you are still back at the base number.
The tow package includes a larger cooling fan, larger alternator and so on.
Adding the receiver doesn't boost you up from 4500 to 6000.

It should work - but not long term or long highway driving
The tow package is more than a hitch.
Technically, your truck is still 4500 - remember, his quote was "when properly equipped" and your truck is not.

This is your truck's tow rating - you don't have a tow package - just a hitch.

Thank you!l They still haven't sent me specs...but I am not holding my breath.

 

[Throwback]

" Maybe I should ask if it helps to have a deterrent?"

That's where a visible thing like the steering lock comes in. It adds a slight PIA factor to the thief's calculus. Most car thieves these days are like young people in general: they want to do everything with an electronic device. No tools, no sawing, no bother. Now, cat thieves are a different breed, but that's another story.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Thank you!l They still haven't sent me specs...but I am not holding my breath.

There's nothing to send you as far as specs - they can't change that.
Dealers can't re-engineer a truck. They can add a hitch, change out parts, but that's that.
That truck is still going to be rated at the book numbers.
Lifts and so on reduce numbers, as do larger tires and so on.
You might tow 5,000 pounds in a pinch in good conditions, but elevations - like if you are in the mountain areas, you also lose horse power at elevation and you loose cooling ability. That means at higher elevations, a truck with the base cooling capacity will be even less effective at elevation.
The dealer is just plain full of what I scoop out of the cats' litter boxes every day, and I'd equate it to the stuff Pickle does - he's a big Maine Coon.
We don't know if you are near sea level or up in some mountains - that will matter as well.

Keep in mind if she has a Sport at standard ride height she's less in need of wide axles than you monster truck drivers. Just keep an eye on the temp gauge and take it easy.

Trust me - it matters on a stock heigh Jeep.
I have an Overland and have wished at times it had the wider axles. It does matter otherwise there'd be no reason at all for a Sport with max tow to have the wider axles. Have you seen the SAE test series? Yeah, it matters.

But for emergencies, short runs, especially at lower elevations it would probably be fine for emergencies..
Would I tow 5,000 pounds with it as it sits? No way. Not for real, not for distances.
I tow 5,000 pounds with mine and that's about all I want to tow and I have the full tow package with cooling and larger alternator.
The 3.73 gears ain't gonna help - and that's part of the restriction as well.

I don't really think I'm a monster truck driver with an Overland and stock size tires and all but stock ride height. 6,000 pounds would be stupid with my truck and the drive train is the same as a stock base Sport.

 

[ecidiego]

At a minimum, have those liars install the 850w cooling fan and 240a alternator, provided the N5 Z case fuse is 100a on the truck. They should know what that means.

That's about $1,000 in OEM parts and that should be the bare minimum they should do for you. That said while that will complete the so-called Tow Package ( but not Max Tow ) from the factory it does not raise your 'official' tow rating....it will just make the engine cool better under load.

 

[RockisJT]

 

[RockisJT]

That truck is still going to be rated at the book numbers.
Lifts and so on reduce numbers, as do larger tires and so on.
You might tow 5,000 pounds in a pinch in good conditions, but elevations - like if you are in the mountain areas, you also lose horse power at elevation and you loose cooling ability. That means at higher elevations, a truck with the base cooling capacity will be even less effective at elevation.

I am at about 2000 feet... hilly but not terribly steep. In an emergency I would be going mostly downhill but there is a "hill" to go up before I go down.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Soo all they did was level it and install a hitch. that's it. It's not a package and certainly not max tow by any stretch of the imagination. All prior statements stand, then - 4500 pounds from the factory as built. The hitch doesn't change that.

What sort of brakes are on that trailer? Any? By the time you hit 4,000 pounds you will want some sort of brakes, especially in the hills. Don't depend on that light truck to stop a heavy trailer going into hills.

If it's got electric brakes, you also need a trailer brake controller.
Maybe it's got surge brakes and that's fine, too.

Last thing I'd want to see is you trying to stop, jack-knifing and that trailer dumping over and hurting or killing a horse. (I sort of care about animals - unless they are spiders or alligators, then all bets are off)
The Sport is light and with the standard width axles you definitely want some sort of brakes with a loaded trailer.

This (3,000 pounds) is typical -

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