Would you feel comfortable towing...

[legacy_etu]

Take a look in the owner's manual at frontal cross section. I got run out of the wrangler forum on a rail for mentioning it, but the science is unavoidable. For those of us who like to get down in the scientific weeds on everything, Gale Banks has done some really interesting towing tests of various vehicles and trailers and has some eye opening results about trailer weight, horsepower and cross section.
Or you could just ignore the psychics altogether and go with the "zen".
My trailer is pretty small at 32 sq ft cross section and not very heavy at under 2,000 lbs loaded. I just returned from a cross country from Wi to Az and back over Wolf Creek Pass and across Ks with the "headwind of Satan". 5,000 lbs > trailer with a 64 SQ ft cross section? Not for this kid. I struggled to get 11 mpg across the prairie into the wind with my dinky trailer. Can't imagine how it would have been with more than double what I was pulling.

YRMV....

Really, run out?! Wow. Frontal area (as you pointed out) plays a large role in towing.

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[Gren71]

@danielspivey, that brings up a good point on tires, do folks change out their load C tires for load E? Starting to convince myself to go down it trailer weight to around 4k just so I don't have to constantly worry about what I put in the trailer or bed of the truck. I don't want to be limited on how many cases of my favorite beverage I can bring along

My travel trailer weighs around 5000 pounds fully loaded, tounge weight of 500lbs +/-, and I have the max tow that pulls it with a weight distribution hitch, and air lift airbags, as well as 10 ply tires. Though I feel like the JT struggles to pull it and often sits in 4th/5th while driving flat.

that being said I recently went back to the stock tires because after doing a ton of reading you lose towing capacity in relation to the increase in diameter from your stock tire size, as well as cargo carrying capacity from the added tire weight for whatever you put on. That’s just food for thought.

The max tow comes with tires that are not 10 ply and there are plenty of people who tow with those tires upwards of the maximum weight without any issue. So a lesson that I’ve learned over hours of agonizing Interneting is that I don’t believe in the 10 ply tire being overly necessary for our pulling needs.

now to your question. You can tow that TT, but may feel sluggish since its right up on your weight and cargo limits. You will absolutely want a wdh and id suggest airlift air bags. Not that youd need them, but man do they make a huge difference.

 

[danielspivey]

SMH

too much info for ya?

 

[Gvsukids]

A great question to ask in the towing subforum.

 

[Binfordtools]

From my experience, always tow something that is underrated for your trucks towing capacity. I won't bore you with the details, but long story short - had a 1500 Ram, had a travel trailer, on paper the Ram could tow the travel trailer, in the wind or with semi-trucks blasting by, a whole other story. After I nearly shat myself enough times, I bought a 2500 and lived happily ever after.

 

[redrider]

These are light duty trucks. Unless you spend some serious coin, that is all they will ever be.

 

[flsupraguy]

too much info for ya?

I agree, I thought he made a lot of great points. Instead of just posting "SMH" perhaps logically explain what points you disagree with to have an educated discussion.....

 

[Gren71]

I agree, I thought he made a lot of great points. Instead of just posting "SMH" perhaps logically explain what points you disagree with to have an educated discussion.....

i’m not sure what the deal is but I’m starting to notice more and more members on this forum are getting extra testy with one another lately…. which is kind of a drag because up until recently it was always a really friendly community

 

[The White Rabbit]

Yes, automatic. Was reading several threads about safe max tow percentage, some say 80% some say 90% of max tow. Rubicon with auto comes in a 7000 so at 80% that would be 5600. I'd say loaded I would be close to that if not over. Ironically I traded my 2019 Laramie in May for the Rubicon, max tow for that was 11600 and now the wife says she want a travel trailer.

just how it happens isn’t it!?

 

[danielspivey]

These are light duty trucks. Unless you spend some serious coin, that is all they will ever be.

You are correct they are light duty, but you mean to put coin in another vehicle, not into the gladiator right?

 

[CallMeJoe]

Don't know what "SMH" is.
As to TMI.... I like to read and also give my real world experience. Some of the wrangler folks got downright confrontational about even the mention of cross section. That's not a problem for me, but it's unfortunate that everything has to be an issue for some. When that happens, I just move along, but also recognize that it reduces good conversation and, hence, information.
Meh.....

 

[Lowcountryearl]

@Gren71, are you happy with the wolf pup? What do you figure is the load on one of your trips?

 

[Jaxmax]

You are right about cross section, I feel width is even more important on our narrow jeeps, pulling an eight foot wide trailer with flat front instead of sloped is huge. Mirrors work much better on narrow trailers. My mindset is my Suburban with a
V-8 , could pull my camper, boat and landscape trailer. The Jeep is what I consider a Jeep with a longer bed, which I put a cap on. Towing is always going to be a struggle compared to before ,so sold my 3500 lb. dry weight 8’ wide camper last week, selling my 20ft. 4500 pound Whaler, and downsizing as I near retirement at 68. Ideal camper will be around 3000lb. or less, large two door frig and rear dinnette, they are out there.
I think buying the camper after having tow vehicle and have a good understanding of what YOU CAN TOW, not the max rating of the vehicle is the way to go…….Jack

 

[redrider]

You are correct they are light duty, but you mean to put coin in another vehicle, not into the gladiator right?

Nope. Light duty = "they". Sure, with enough gears you can modify a washing machine motor to pull a freight train but would you want to?

 

[Gren71]

@Gren71, are you happy with the wolf pup? What do you figure is the load on one of your trips?

VERY happy with the pup. We got the 18TOBL with the off road package and solar panel.

Fits the wife, my 7 and 2 year old, and our two dogs, with room to spare.

I haven’t weighed it but im positive we get close to 5,000lbs by the time food and beer is loaded. To offset all the weight in the front storage we leave a bit of water in the black tank when we travel. Helps keep the tank clean aswell. Sits well on the Jt. We Certainly notice trucks and all on the highway but nothing nearly as dramatic ad people make it seem…either the army had made me numb to being scared (real chance this is true) or its just not as bad as people say with the single axle.

longest trip ive done was from delaware to niagra falls ny, 460ish miles one way. With my heavy tires it was a little sluggish on inclines, but honestly pulled great.

the wdh and air bags make a HUGE difference in pulling, even with a jtmt.

for the price i think ya cant beat the value compared to anything else in the same size and weight.

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