Canyon Star towing Wrangler Unlimited

[New2road]

Thinking about getting a Jeep wrangler to flat tow and move away from the dolly.

Wondering about the weight of the 4 door JKU or JLU and the 5000 lbs. limit on the F53 26000lbs chassis.

Do most CS owners go with the lighter two door JK's or JL's?

Any set up with the Ready Brute Elite system, how do you like this rig up?

Thanks
j

[wildtoad]

I went with a 2dr for the weight issues with a JKU/JLU. Fairly sure you will be overweight. Regards Ready Brute Elite, it’s a good setup, works well. Nice thing about jeeps is it’s easy to run the brake cable to the pedal.

[vettenuts]

Any toad weight over 4,000 lb. will need to be subtracted from tour 26,000 lb carrying capacity. I found the new CS over the “36” models wouldn’t tow my Chevy Colorado and provide enough useable carrying capacity.

[hohenwald48]

Not sure if the ratings have changed but my 2019 CS on the F-53 26k (2018 chassis) has a tow limit of 4k if the motorhome is loaded to 26k. If loaded to only 25k you could tow 5k. My 2017 JKU comes in around 4,800.

[tarheel21]

Originally Posted by New2road

Do most CS owners go with the lighter two door JK's or JL's?

What is the actual weight difference between JL and JLU Sport. Internet specs suggests around 200 lbs?

[New2road]

Like most of the things we try, have to get real world numbers before making a long term decision. I will find a Jeep I like, with options we want and see what actual weight is.

Need to re-weigh our coach as well. We did initial load out at the factory but have since loaded in a bunch more items. Some of which will likely need to be re-homed.

thinking either way we are north of 4000 lbs. Just need to decide how close to limits I want to travel.

never an issue, until it's an issue.

thanks to all.

j

[TJ]

Originally Posted by New2road

never an issue, until it's an issue.j

The unfortunate part is that if you talk to enough people, there will always be someone that says "I've been doing it for years; you'll be fine."

Be careful not to shop for the answer you want.

TJ

[Capt. Bill]

Guy's - from an engineering perspective the 2 main reason's OEM's limit the CGVW is stopping (braking) & lugging load on the drivetrain climbing grades. Because a flat towed vehicle adds almost no weight to the motorhomes chassis, safe braking can be accomplished by using a supplemental braking system to the towed vehicle. Most states require any towed vehicle or trailer >3,000# to have it's own brakes. It's also very advisable from a 'deep pockets liability' accident perspective as well.

Grade climbing capability can only be maintained or enhanced by either a) more torque or b) less weight. You can add more torque by putting on Banks systems or just be a little more content with not being the first guy up the mountain. Remember- if you add more torque be sure your down stream drive chain component's can accommodate it.

Happy Trails

[vsheetz]

We successfully drug a ~5000lb jeep all over the western USA for several years behind a v10/F53. I would not go 2 door just for the weight difference.

[Rlmri]

The Jeep weight has nothing to do with the CS’s 2600 GVWR. Your only concern is the rating of the hitch which are rated for 5k lbs. With respect to the GVWR or more precisely your CCC, the only number to subtract from the capacity is the tongue weight. Since the Wrangler is flat towed it is practically nil, only the weight of attachment/hitch to the Wrangler. So....the CS is more than capable of towing the 2 or 4 door versions.

[doc]

We just got the 3911 Canyon Star last winter (2016) We are towing a 4 dr, 2013 Wrangler with it. It does the job, but frankly I wish it was lighter, maybe a 2 dr. We had a 2008 Damon Essence (425 hp Cummins) and it towed the Wrangler like it was not there. Not the case with the CS in the mountains. Flat land of south Georgia it does well.
If you are going to shop for a different towed, why don't you look for something lighter than the 4 dr Wrangler.

[Unicorn Driver]

My 2012 JKU Sahara came in at 4,400 lbs with 3/4 tank of gas.

[New2road]

Doc,
We will look, but the Jeeps seem to be the least “fussy” in terms of getting set up and used. So many others have issues with fuses or limitations on speed and duration. The newer they are the less likely we could tow them. After messing with dolly for a bit, we are looking for least hassle.
We are East coasters trying to stay within 400 miles of home base.

Thanks
John

[mustangman]

I will be one of those that says,F53 will tow with no problem.I am also a east coaster from Maine to Fl and tow a 2017 wrangler limited.