Cargo trailer for TJ transport?

Gilaguy23

Gilaguy23

TJ Addict
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Sep 21, 2021
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Kentucky
Were likely moving across country come spring. Planning on buying a 20 or 24' enclosed trailer. Lots of used ones are 7000 lb gvwr. Searching here says most stockish TJ's are 3500 to 3700 lbs. According to specs a 7000 gvw trailer weights 2500 or so, add a TJ and I'm at 6500, no problem in theory. I have my reservations however cause their made like cardboard boxes basically. TIA ;)
 
Unless you need a cargo trailer for some reason an open trailer will tow easier. I had a bunch of those bricks when I was racing including a 50 foot one that I was happy to see go.
 
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You’re putting a brick inside of a brick. One thing to consider is the inside width of the trailer. If it’s 8’ or less getting in and out of the TJ may be dificult. pay attention to the location and quality of the tie down points. Load limit of the door/ramp must be able to hold the TJ’s weight when loading/unloading. I’m sure every nook and cranny will be filed with household items increasing the overall load. I have both open and enclosed trailers. The nice things about an enclosed trailer is the contents are out of sight and protected from the elements.
 
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I've got an extra height 16' cargo trailer I use for DJing and there's no way my TJ with a 4" lift and 35s would fit height wise.

I see the advantage to your method because you can pack everything around the Jeep and fill up the Jeep.

-Mac
 
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likely gonna take 3 trips to move everything if I haul the TJ also. 1500 miles x5 times, ouch. The door/ ramp is a good point as I never see what they are rated at weight wise even on the "10,000lb GVW "car hauler" versions.
 
Gilaguy23 said:
Were likely moving across country come spring. Planning on buying a 20 or 24' enclosed trailer. Lots of used ones are 7000 lb gvwr. Searching here says most stockish TJ's are 3500 to 3700 lbs. According to specs a 7000 gvw trailer weights 2500 or so, add a TJ and I'm at 6500, no problem in theory. I have my reservations however cause their made like cardboard boxes basically. TIA ;)
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If you decide to do this, 7,000 is no where near enough capacity. First, the rig always weighs more than you think. Also, I don’t think you will find a 24’ enclosed trailed that weighs 2,500 pounds.

But here is the kicker - if you are moving you will want to pack more stuff around the Jeep. That adds up very, very quickly.

For reference, my rig on my 20’ open trailer weights over 10,400 pounds - including spare parts in the box. I blow tires like they are going out of style. My trailer is a 10k, and not enough for what I do - especially with all the cross country travel.

You can load a lot in a 20-24’ enclosed trailer. If you plan to keep it after the move, I’d be looking at a 12-14k trailer.
 
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ovrbrdonammo said:
You may want to check the VIN info as far as weight goes. My 2000 sport soft top was tagged at 4,850# bone stock.
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Id bet that number is the max GVW on yours. No way does a soft top TJ weigh that much IMO. Just about every account Ive seen says stock 4 banger is under 3500 lbs. Could be wrong though.
 
Gilaguy23 said:
Id bet that number is the max GVW on yours. No way does a soft top TJ weigh that much IMO. Just about every account Ive seen says stock 4 banger is under 3500 lbs. Could be wrong though.
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Sorry, I should have stated that it has the 4.0 with 5 speed manual. I do agree that could be gvwr. I had the jeep weighed at a certified scale full gas, no back seat and topless with my 210# butt in it. The scale weighed out as 2,080# front, 2,240# total 4,320#. This was weighed as built on my profile.
 
My box car hauler is overkill. I had it custom made in 04 to haul my 1954 DIVCO milk truck. I needed a 8’ door/ramp to fit the truck. 8.5’ tall, 26’ box length and 8.5’ wide. GVW is 16600#.
It paid for it’s self on the first trip. I rented the milk truck out to a vendor at a convention in Las Vegas. On the way up I ran into a major storm. The trailer was caked in dirt but the truck was pristine. When you do a big convention you are given a short window, less than 30 min, for you to pull into your spot. If I would of had to was it I would have missed my spot and my rental fee. I took the rig to Illinois for a milk truck show. On the way back the wife and I had both the inside of the milk truck and every inch of the trailer filled with 2 rooms of furniture and split rail fencing we picked up along the way. I’ve also helped several people move through the years. My F350 7.3 can barely make 55mph in a strong headwind. Because of the 3 axels and it’s weight sidewinds and potholes don’t phase it.

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ovrbrdonammo said:
Sorry, I should have stated that it has the 4.0 with 5 speed manual. I do agree that could be gvwr. I had the jeep weighed at a certified scale full gas, no back seat and topless with my 210# butt in it. The scale weighed out as 2,080# front, 2,240# total 4,320#. This was weighed as built on my profile.
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My stock 2000 Sport with hardtop, 30's and Ravines weighs 3,600 lbs with nobody in it and a half tank of fuel.
 

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