Trailering \ Towing Question

[Stompers77]

Hey All,

I have what I'm hoping is a quick trailering towing question.

I've got a 21 Rubicon Automatic with Mopar 2" lift and 37"s and is otherwise stock (although at this point I will probably be removing factory spare). Based on what I've read it looks like this is rated to tow 7,000lbs.

I'm hoping to tow two my 2 Door JK Sport which has a few goodies (budget boost, 35"s but some weight reduction with aluminum bumpers and rear seat pulled etc). I don't have an actual weight but I would guess it is relatively close to the listed weight of 3,839 lbs.

I want to start with a short (e.g. <4 hour) cross state trip that will be more back roads and such using a rented u-haul car trailer that is listed to weigh in at 2,200lbs).
This will never be a regular tow vehicle, probably a max of a few times per year so I'd much prefer to give the JT the occasional workout than have to rent something specific for a weekend getaway. I also like the option if the JK dies on the trail I can use the JT to go in and snatch it back out.

Other than a possible passenger I don't foresee having a ton of gear loaded in either the Gladiator or the JK.

I know I'm closing in on the max but still should have around a 500lbs buffer.

Anyone done anything similar, and if so if you took it slow and steady did you run into any problems?

Appreciate any feedback.

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[22EcoDs]

You will be fine, I pulled a car hauler last year with a Mercury on it, similar weight to your 2 door. It will pull fine. Keep it below 65, those trailers are setup for tongue weight so it shouldn't sway on you. Strap the axles not the frame. Might want to check that the jk on 35s fit width wise, not sure how wide your build is. Also I spray lubed the sliding shaft on the trailer for the surge brakes, the trailer I had looked crusty.

 

[Stompers77]

You will be fine, I pulled a car hauler last year with a Mercury on it, similar weight to your 2 door. It will pull fine. Keep it below 65, those trailers are setup for tongue weight so it shouldn't sway on you. Strap the axles not the frame. Might want to check that the jk on 35s fit width wise, not sure how wide your build is. Also I spray lubed the sliding shaft on the trailer for the surge brakes, the trailer I had looked crusty.

Thanks! Glad to hear to you did it and lived to tell the tale ;-)

 

[Jt2187]

You may want to consider investing in a brake controller if you don’t have one already, that will make a big difference in drivability. I have the Redarc but there are plenty of options and lots of good info in other threads on the forum

 

[22EcoDs]

You may want to consider investing in a brake controller if you don’t have one already, that will make a big difference in drivability. I have the Redarc but there are plenty of options and lots of good info in other threads on the forum

Wait you're telling me uhaul has brake controller compatible trailers now? I got robbed

 

[Jt2187]

Wait you're telling me uhaul has brake controller compatible trailers now? I got robbed

lol fair point, ymmv on that one and I haven’t used a uhaul trailer recently since I got the redarc; works great on my camper though!

 

[Labswine]

Yes, the stock Rubi can tow 7,000 lbs. Yours with the 37's will have some issues due to the (still?) stock gearing and tire geometry. Plus, the added weight from the tires alone will significantly lower your tow rating so I'd guess it'd be more like a 6,000 lb capacity now so, keep that in mind when you hook up.

As others have said, keep it below65 mph and I would be shifting manually instead of letting it do it's thing because you'll probably be in 4th at 65 mph screaming along at 4,500+ RPMs. As it sits, you'll probably be able to maintain 65 mph in 6th between 2,500 and 3,000 RPMs. Trying for 7th, you might be lugging the engine (RPMs below 1,700 trying to maintain)...dunno, but that'd be my guesstimate.

 

[Blade1668]

You will "notice" it while you are towing, and probably not like your MPG's. But should be doable them U-Haul trailers are heavy as #### and poorly maintained. So do check it over. "Used like a rented mule, and returned" damn near every one I've used had something messed up on it.

Brake controller doesn't work with surge brakes. "A note for anyone who doesn't know how they work" not trying to troubleshoot anyone.

 

[Stompers77]

Thanks all!

Gearing is stock and I had running a few places your best to shift manual so I'll keep that in mind. I'm budgeting for really abysmal MPGs and hoping to end up with just bad MPGs.

I'm hoping losing the spare will offset some of the additional weight from the 37s. (I'm honestly not thrilled about going with a spare but I don't think I get a 37 to fit under the bed anyway)

My long-term plan is to get a ultra lightweight aluminum trailer with integrated brakes but unless one of the lotto tickets I have comes through it's not in the cards for this summer.

Appreciate everyone taking the time to respond!

 

[Gvsukids]

I'm hoping losing the spare will offset some of the additional weight from the 37s. (I'm honestly not thrilled about going with a spare but I don't think I get a 37 to fit under the bed anyway)

Put it on the trailer.

 

[Partysub]

You should be fine as long as you are ok with being slow and getting poor gas mileage. I've towed campers several times now with 37s on my mojave with stock gears and it's not terrible. I just got back from moab and the camper we had was about 3500 dry and we had it loaded with 4 days of gear, water tanks full and my family of 4. Pretty much everyone passed us and I got about 10 mpg. If you're using a uhaul trailer definitely get airbags since a WDH won't work on them. I just installed mine right before this trip and they made a huge difference

 

[Stompers77]

Put it on the trailer.

Good point, but would that just make me closer to/ over on the trailer weight hitting the max?

 

[Stompers77]

You should be fine as long as you are ok with being slow and getting poor gas mileage. I've towed campers several times now with 37s on my mojave with stock gears and it's not terrible. I just got back from moab and the camper we had was about 3500 dry and we had it loaded with 4 days of gear, water tanks full and my family of 4. Pretty much everyone passed us and I got about 10 mpg. If you're using a uhaul trailer definitely get airbags since a WDH won't work on them. I just installed mine right before this trip and they made a huge difference

I'm fairly new to trailer (you may have been able to guess from the initial question lol). What air bags did you go with?

 

[Partysub]

I'm fairly new to trailer (you may have been able to guess from the initial question lol). What air bags did you go with?

Air Lift 1000 Air Suspension Kit 60830 https://a.co/d/eyJA4gn
This is what I ordered and ran the air hoses to the license plate bolts for easy access

 

[Mr.Wilson]

Air Lift 1000 Air Suspension Kit 60830 https://a.co/d/eyJA4gn
This is what I ordered and ran the air hoses to the license plate bolts for easy access

Are you running any kind of lift in your rig? Just interested if the kit you used will work in my Sport S with the 2” Mopar lift.

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