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ezgoin's avatar
ezgoin
Explorer
Mar 23, 2016

Tow a Wrangler Unlimited with 30' gasser?

Hi all. I currently tow a 2600 lb. Fiesta that is used only as a toad. My daily driver is a Ford Escape, mid sized SUV. I'm seriously considering dumping both for a Wrangler Unlimitd that can double as both daily car and toad. The Wrangler weighs about 1500 lbs more than the Fiesta and I know the F-53 in my gasser can handle the extra weight. Even with the additional weight I will still be around 1500 lbs below combined gross vehicle weight. Adding the Wrangler will mean my tow will increase my total length by over 50%. 30' MH + tow bar + 15' toad. Am I crazy or will it even make that much difference compared to my current toad?

Thanks!

9 Replies

  • Well, I bit the bullet and brought home a new 2016 Wrangler Unlimited. Time to start getting things together for base plate and Stay-in-Play installation. Can't wait!

    Bill
  • It will tow it and than some just fine, check my profile and see what I tow, small motorhomes like yours has plenty of power to pull over 5000 lbs if you need to because you already weight 2000 - 3500 lbs less than the big motorhomes with the same motor/transmission..
  • I don't think you will even notice the additional length. We tow a TJ and love it. You could also consider a 2dr Wrangler.

    Doug
  • My 08 JK Wrangler just turned 118K miles. I tow it behind my 32 Cambria gasser. I have driven to Vegas 280 miles each way with and without the toad and saw no significant change in the MPG. I get 7 to 9 MPG on my coach consistently UNLESS I have the 20Ft. trailer with race car parts in it then things change. As far as using my toad as a daily driver. well the mileage on it is obvious but I would drive it cross country tomorrow without hesitation. The suspension is stock and I enjoy the way it rides and handles. Having owned numerous full size K-5 blazers I prefer the Jeep much better. When I turn corners and see it back there I laugh because I can't feel it. I have a braking system on it and it is safe.
  • I towed a 2006 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited with a 1995 Tioga 29 foot Class C, with the Ford 460 V8 in it, no problem. That includes several trips over the Continental Divide.
    Then, I traded the Tioga for a Fleetwood 32V Class A with the Ford V10 in it (see sig.). I towed the Jeep with it, again, over the Continental Divide several times, no problem.
    Now, I am towing the Dodge in my sig. over the same passes. It works.
    I also drove the Jeep on several long trips (1500+ miles). I found it to be quite comfortable at freeway speeds, especially with the hardtop on it.
    In some ways, I miss the Jeep, but I sure like the truck! Just like yesterday, when we shoved a 3 foot by 6 foot piece of 3/8 steel plate in the bed, or hauling 6 eight foot sections of antenna tower. A pickup can be VERY handy!
  • Your set up has the same engine/transmission ours does, with the advantage of 4,000 lbs. less weight (we have a 22K chassis). Our jeep weighs 4K (loaded); yours will probably run about 4.4K. So really, you will pull less weight with your set up than we do. We have no problems pulling the jeep, and we have done it for over 25K miles, from the Florida Keys to the Dalton Highway in Alaska. Granted, on 12 percent grades we slow way down (the mud didn't help), but we did make it to the top.

    As for length, the biggest problem so far for us is gas stations. We know we can make it out when we pull in, but then some idiot will park so that we have to back up to make the turn. But, all rigs of all sizes have the same problem. Your overall length will be about the same as ours. I would think having your pivot point closer to the front would make some maneuvering easier. And, being only 30', you can get around tight spaces even better than us when you disconnect.

    We love our jeep. We got a class A specifically so we could drag a jeep around the country. But, if you don't plan on off-roading, there are probably better choices for a daily driver. I wouldn't trade my jeep for anything on the road today. But, its a jeep thing...
  • I towed a jeep unlimited for 2 yrs with 32 gassier workhorse.No problem towing but the jeep was heavy.The jeep been my first toad what rough ride and the gas mileage was bad for both.I could tell the toad was back there decline from Mts even with brake system on the toad.I have had two other toads since then but the Kia Soul is now my toad of choice.Much easier on the gassier and hooking up to M H.Just my opinion.
  • My hitch rating is 5000 lb, with 500 lb tongue weight so that should be OK. My drop receiver is rated at 10,000 lb, so again, I should be OK. I've test driven the Unlimited and was surprised with the ride. It's no worse than my Escape. I only put about 10,000 miles a year on my daily driver, so I think the wrangler would work fine for us.
  • Have you checked your hitch to make sure it can handle the roughly 5,000# of the Wrangler? I love my Wrangler, but do be prepared for a big change in MPG as a daily driver. I love my Jeep, but just go into it with your eyes open. If you can rent a Jeep so you can make sure you will like it. My Jeep is the first vehicle I've had that I've really enjoyed driving every day and I can't wait until the top and doors come off :)