Towing Capacity
- Thread starter zip04
- Start date
Unless you have replaced your rear Dana 35 axle with something stronger, its axle shafts are not strong enough for 35" tires. Even if you replaced it with a Dana 44 or installed a Super 35 kit I'm still not so sure how well that 4-banger would perform with that size tire even if regeared to 5.13. 4.88 wouldn't be enough gear, that's for sure.
On the towing issue...I didn't see it mentioned...but don't forget about frame tie-ins if the receiver is attached to the bumper
I'll agree with sticking to the manufacturers spec, But the LJ with 10" more wheelbase and 6" more overhang is rated to tow 3500#..... Every bolt on part, axlesa, brakes, engine, steering, suspension are identical to the short wheelbase version TJ..... So yes, the TJ is rated for 2000# and ya can't change that.
I was close to doing a Brute conversion 20 years ago and I'd have done it on an LJ just to get the 3500# tow rating.
Anyone thinking wheelbase stops the tail wagging needs to watch the youtube videos of QuadCab Diesel Pickups towing trailers and completely losing it. Tow vehicle wheelbase has nothing to do with stability. It merely disguises a poorly loaded combination until the tail starts wagging.
I just purchased a 2020 Wrangler JLU and would like to tow a pop up trailer. My Jeep has a 4.0 motor. I have never towed before. Can you tell me if my particular Jeep can handle a Pop up trailer like the one you have? Do you have any suggestions to a new single woman trying to make the best experience with her Jeep?
Your JLU won’t have the same 4.0 engines used in Wranglers past, it will have either the 2.0 turbo 4 cylinder, 3.6 V6 or 3.0 diesel. All those engines are rated to tow 3,500 lbs so a small to mid-sized popup trailer should be no problem but I would recommend getting a trailer with brakes and install a brake controller on your Jeep.
Good luck.
As above, your JLU will have zero problems towing most any pop up tent trailer. Guessing your engine is the newer 3.6L engine, that plus your longer wheelbase makes it able to tow even heavier loads, 3500 lbs., than my Wrangler TJ can which is limited to 2000 lbs..
Just two key and important thoughts to keep in mind for towing.
1) The trailer's tongue weight is critical, it must be no less than 10% of the trailer's total loaded gross weight. If for example the trailer weighs 2000 lbs. fully loaded with gear, water, etc. there needs to be no less than 200 lbs. of tongue weight. Tongue weight is what its front hitch weighs if you were to weigh it with a scale, and the amount of weight that would be resting on your Wrangler's tow ball. Any less than 10% can/will make the trailer unstable which can actually throw it out of control. But with between 10% and 15% (max) tongue weight on your JLU's hitch ball it will tow nicely. The trailer will come from the factory set up for proper tongue weight, what can reduce it would be to carry too much weight in the rear of the trailer so just keep that in mind when loading it for a trip, making sure there's enough placed in its forward storage areas too.
2) Most trailers come with electric brakes so that means you'll need an electric brake controller installed into your LJU. They aren't expensive but whoever installs it should know what they're doing lol.
It's so nice having a tent trailer, I really loved mine. Enjoy!
When it comes to loading a trailer in regards to weight placement, I always tell people when in doubt, place the cargo ahead of the trailer axle. While excess tongue weight is a possibility, it is a lot easier to control than the swaying that is caused by too little tongue weight.