Towing my TJ
- Thread starter RHanna
- Start date
This is one of the things that kept me from buying a 2500 diesel. When I looked at the towing specs I would get a 3,300 pound increase in towing capacity, for almost twice the cost of what I paid for the gas version.
I can't find a chart of curb weights, but for the Crew cab 4x4 1500 2021 with standard bed and LTZ trim, curb weight is supposedly 5100lbs.
if GCWR is 15000, that leaves 9k+ for towing still. Also if you buy the max towing package you can increase GCWR this to 16.8k or 17.8k (based on engine).
Also, for full size trucks they don't list a weight that you are required to use a WDH for, that is only for mid size and SUV's. For example the Tahoe is listed as 7k towing, but any tongue weight over 600lbs you need a WDH.
Long story short, any full size truck can pull a 7k trailer just fine, but I wouldn't do it with anything less.
https://es.chevrolet.com/content/da...2-pdfs/MY21 Trailering Guide eBrochure v2.pdf
You can't find base curb weights, and you won't find a vehicle with practically no options on it. Every little option adds weight, curb weight, and reduces payload.
I would be highly surprised if the LTZ trim is only 5100lbs for a crew cab 4x4. I have a STX crew F150 4x4 and my curb weight is just a little less than that, and a 7000 GVWR. LTZ has quite a few more options (and I have all the aluminum stuff Chevy quietly went to recently after trash talking it).
Those payload figures are essentially for base model trucks of the respective configurations of reg cab, crew cab, short or long bed. Nobody buys clean, zero-option trucks though, so those payload figures diminish rapidly.
For reference, I've seen ecodiesel ram bighorns with payload of ~1100lbs. The rear coil springs really kill 'em in that aspect. But that doesn't stop people from hauling 8000lb trailers and busting payload and GCWR...because they ignore the important figures. I defer, again, to individual door jamb stickers showing cargo carrying capacity/payload!
It's a big can of worms, and one where education and research can literally save lives
rancholago
TJ Enthusiast
I towed my ford ranger pickup on a trailer from the west coast to the mid west, I have a 1999 ford f 250 7.3. I would not want to do that with anything less than a f250 and the 7.3 was a huge plus. Like the old saying you never hear anyone complain they had too much truck when towing.
I know a Ranger is not a jeep, however this is the only real life experience I can relate that is close.
I can add, I towed the same Ranger pick up with a 1983 f 250 with a 6.9 and that was the most miserable trip ever, be sure you have more than enough truck to pull with.
I know a Ranger is not a jeep, however this is the only real life experience I can relate that is close.
I can add, I towed the same Ranger pick up with a 1983 f 250 with a 6.9 and that was the most miserable trip ever, be sure you have more than enough truck to pull with.
My Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 & tow package tows it like a boss. It's not the best on a grades, but whatever. The 4 or 5 times a year I actually pull my TJ on my 18' steel trailer I just go a little slower uphill.
Diesel vs Gas is definitely a use case personal choice.. for me, I have towed my Jeep almost 30 times this year alone, totaling over 4000 miles, and that doesn't count hauling my camper without the jeep.... so it's worth it.
But yeah, if you only need the power a few times a year might not be worth the cost, though you kinda have to drive (and tow/haul) with one of the newer ones to really understand the difference.
Yeah, if I did it all the time it wouldn't work. Handful of times a year for the TJ, we rent a bumper pull once or twice in the summer, I can get by.
I also don't want to tow with a newer diesel because then I'll be buying one lol.
Ford - look up the tfl overheating videos. Wasn’t the only brand they’ve overheated though.
I seem to inadvertently taken this thread off topic a bit. My original point to the OP was that altitude will not change a vehicles tow rating. It will affect performance. You will not be cited for being overweight if stopped or be held liable for an accident dependent on altitude. I have a Ford so knew that they acknowledged the decrease in performance but do not de-rate. It is on pg. 46 of their towing guide. I was curious if any brands actually de-rated their vehicles but I couldn't find any. At least we achieved in making the point that a tow rating as simple as what is claimed in advertisements.
Ford is saying you need to derate yourself or you won’t make it up at that elevation as the owner of a piece of shit F150 3.5 ecoboost that sat on the side of I70 with a 7k trailer and an overheated truck I don’t care if I was legal or not.
And the tranny was toast by the time I reached Moab. Had to fly back out to get that piece of shit so I could trade it on a real truck.
I think de-rate is more correct in this case.... overheating isn't what I consider a 'performance' issue like just going slower up the hill would be.
I am not sure this is even relevant but here is my experience. I have a 2017 F350 crew cab, SRW, diesel, 4x4, long bed. The GVWR is 11,500 and with our relatively lightweight slide-in camper (no slides, A/C or generator) we are right at or slightly above the GWVR rating. It is amazing how fast the weight adds up. We have removed the back seat and of course the tailgate so that helps, but things like the tiedowns, towbar and full tanks of gas, DEF and water (728 lbs for the fluids!) quickly eat up the payload. Our TJ is probably pushing 4500 lbs, and while we are well below the GCWR, I wouldn’t want to have any less of a truck to do the job. We cross the Sierras many times a year and it does it just fine although it takes 2nd gear to do it in places.
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My family camping pal has the turbo V6. Alway overheats on the same climb every year. Not coolant overheating, turbo overheating that puts him into a failsafe to where he has to pull over & idle for 10 or 15 mins. Hasn’t been able to make that climb yet. I can make it, albeit at 35 mph. It’s pretty steep.
Yeah, I used to be impressed by my ecoboost until I couldn’t accelerate up I70.
My powerstroke can do it with the cruise set on 75 mph and never drop below 10th gear. The 6.7 is an absolute freight train with 1050 lbft of torque.
This is what I have been wondering when @Apparition talks of overheating. I believe his F150 had the turbo.
My GM 1500 towed my current LJ just fine on a Uhaul trailer for a long haul but no mountains were involved. I know towing a load like that routinely is better off with a 3/4 or larger truck but I am very happy with the performance of my 1500 for the infrequent trip.
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