Towing a pop up with a Jeep Wrangler

[Unicorn Driver]

Hi,

Has anyone towed a pop up with a Wrangler and how did it do?

Mine is a JKU with 2000lbs rating but has about 400lbs of extras on it.


Thanks,

[Unicorn Driver]

Manual states a 4dr Sahara 4x4 has 3500lb capacity. I really only need about 2000lbs max (hopefully less).

[carybosse]

See also the cross sectional area allowed. Some of the Wranglers have a 25 Sq ft cross sectional are max.

The 4 door Wrangler had a better tow rating than 2 door as I remember.

[TexasTom]

I wouldn't do it. Not because you can't pull it, but because you may not have enough weight to control or stop it.

[carybosse]

Originally Posted by TexasTom

I wouldn't do it. Not because you can't pull it, but because you may not have enough weight to control or stop it.

Assuming it had trailer brakes, I think you could stop it. Control it could be a whole different animal.

It would be interesting to see the payload for the Wrangler as well. I know I exceeded my 2 door Wrangler JK payload with a load of sod I put in the back and on a hitch hauler once.

I believe the JK series were not rated to tow as well as the JL series are, probably because the JL series were designed with the Gladiator in mind.

I just looked at the Forest River popups. I think all of them are 7 foot wide, probably looking at 4 foot tall for a 28 square foot cross sectional area.

Another issue you are going to get into towing a popup with a JK is tow mirrors. Most popups are going to be wider than the mirrors on the JK.

[77Travco]

I used to pull a 3500lb (loaded) cargo trailer with my JKU all the time. I kept it under 65mph. I had a 6 speed manual. The lower the gears the Jeep has the better.

[Unicorn Driver]

Originally Posted by TexasTom

I wouldn't do it. Not because you can't pull it, but because you may not have enough weight to control or stop it.

That's my concern Tom,

[twill]

I just pulled a 2900 pound cargo trailer 2500 miles with my 4 door JL. I had no problem stopping or controlling it.

[Unicorn Driver]

Thanks all,

I won't be going down that route so.

How would say a 1000-1200lb low height utility trailer (utility trailer with a roof top tent).

[carybosse]

Originally Posted by Unicorn Driver

Thanks all,

I won't be going down that route so.

How would say a 1000-1200lb low height utility trailer (utility trailer with a roof top tent).

Should be no problem. I towed utility trailers frequently with my Wrangler.

I will say, my brakes on my 2009 Wrangler were puny - stopped okay, but the pad life may be severely impacted by towing frequently.

[Unicorn Driver]

Thanks Cary :-)