Rubicon with Max Tow Build

[Ian cj10]

can you guys not get a gvm increase engineered we can but it has to be done correctly & get signed off by an engineer & inspected

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[jeepncrowd]

can you guys not get a gvm increase engineered we can but it has to be done correctly & get signed off by an engineer & inspected

Good question. I've never heard of it.

 

[Malarkey21]

can you guys not get a gvm increase engineered we can but it has to be done correctly & get signed off by an engineer & inspected

Tow ratings are set by an SAE standard with tests for brake cooling capacity, engine cooling capacity, and more. So I guess if someone here wants do all the testing it can be okay? Or you can just send it! Here in the great state of Michigan, as long as you paid to register it do as you please.

Ive seen lots of vehicles that should not be legal to drive on the road but they are out here.

 

[BlackDog]

can you guys not get a gvm increase engineered we can but it has to be done correctly & get signed off by an engineer & inspected

I haven't looked into that. I have been in Germany and witnessed VW Jettas towing RVs the same size as mine. It comes down to what you're willing to risk vs what our government paid engineers say is acceptable, which is gospel for the insurance companies.

 

[avc8130]

The difference between the US and Europe is the towing philosophy. In Europe trailers are limited to 100 kph. This keeps their speed generally below the area where trailer sway becomes a serious concern. Trailer brakes are also required. This allows them to use much lower tongue weight setups. The US knows we are all crazy, so they test towing like we actually drive: like lunatics. We wind up with no trailer brakes, heavier tongue weights and doing 80mph. This lets that little VW Jetta tow what looks like a huge caravan across Germany, but barely tow a harbor freight 4x6 flat bed in the US.

Just look at the Wrangler. 3500lb in the US...4400lb in Europe...and I can guarantee it's not because the engineers screwed up the conversion from lbs to kgs!

ac

 

[BlueScapegoat]

can you guys not get a gvm increase engineered we can but it has to be done correctly & get signed off by an engineer & inspected

No, not really. There is no system in place anything like the engineering process you have in Australia. In some states or municipalities there are basic vehicle inspections that may require you to keep certain aspects of the vehicle like lift height or exhaust systems within legal requirements to get the vehicle registered. Most states and regions of the US you can do whatever you want, at the risk of a ticket on the road if you're outside of the law. Even then, the law can be extremely lax in some states. Federal law largely only sets guidelines that must be followed by vehicle manufacturers, and leaves the governing of consumers to the states.

 

[Texops]

Except when you change the suspension tires and add other goodies your towing and payload will still effectively decrease.
The only reason the sport has a higher towing is because its lighter, and possibly has a firmer suspension. If you add the upgrades you'll be in the same boat as the Rubi

That is the reason for the tow difference also 32” tire instead of a 33” tire more rolling rotating mass

 

[Gascap9000]

Question: can we mod the rubicon to increase tow capacity to 8600lbs?

 

[steffen707]

Question: can we mod the rubicon to increase tow capacity to 8600lbs?

Legally? Not in the usa.

 

[bangolia]

So here is my question to the group. I am looking at a boat that is 4500# with the trailer. I want a manual having automatic would be a deal breaker. Looking at the overland Automatic tow rating is 6K while manual is only 4K. If i slapped a class 4 hitch on the manual Overland do you think i would be ok towing the boat at 4500#?

 

[Karnaj]

So here is my question to the group. I am looking at a boat that is 4500# with the trailer. I want a manual having automatic would be a deal breaker. Looking at the overland Automatic tow rating is 6K while manual is only 4K. If i slapped a class 4 hitch on the manual Overland do you think i would be ok towing the boat at 4500#?

Not legally

 

[bangolia]

Not legally

But the exact same truck (same tires, breaks, frame, and suspension) just different transmission can haul 2k more?

 

[Jake]

I wouldn’t risk it. We live in a very litigious society. You get in a wreck. You are at fault. And don’t be surprised if a smart lawyer takes on the case for your negligence because you knowing towed something that was above the weight limit. It ain’t worth it.

 

[Karnaj]

But the exact same truck (same tires, breaks, frame, and suspension) just different transmission can haul 2k more?

The vehicle is rated according to how it's equipped. Legally that is your limit. Mechanically I will not say, legal limit supersedes everything. That's all I'm pointing out.

 

[homerun]

The Aisin D478 (manual transmission) is not rated for high torque, hence not used in the diesel or 2.0T. I would be concerned about the clutch slipping and burning under a heavy load. Disappointing I know but I don't tow that often and will be getting the manual anyway.

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