Towing jeep 4 wheels down or on a trailer?

Has anyone considered the reason most of us tow four down? GCVWR.

A trailer can add up to 1K lbs. to an already close towing limit of 5K (based on hitch found on most gassers). If you start with a CJ or YJ, you can probably be under that magic 5K. If you have a TJ, you're probably only just over that limit. If you have a JK, most likely over, and with a JKU you could be looking at close to 7K total.

Some of the longer gas Class A's are more limited than the hitch. To know for sure, subtract your GVWR from your GCWR.

If you have the available capacity, and your end destination has room to stow the trailer, and the costs to inspect/register (maybe insure) the trailer are less than the wear on your tires - that would be the best way to go.

PatrickA51 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

OLYLEN wrote:
no you can't backup with 4 down but haven't the need if you look ahead a bit.

LEN

well actually you can with limitations but that would be a new and controversial thread.
bumpy

LOL You ain't just "Whistling Dixie" with that statement!

well I certainly wouldn't want to start any controversy in this forum. :)
bumpy

Bumpyroad wrote:

OLYLEN wrote:
no you can't backup with 4 down but haven't the need if you look ahead a bit.

LEN

well actually you can with limitations but that would be a new and controversial thread.
bumpy

LOL You ain't just "Whistling Dixie" with that statement!

OLYLEN wrote:
no you can't backup with 4 down but haven't the need if you look ahead a bit.

LEN

well actually you can with limitations but that would be a new and controversial thread.
bumpy

timmac wrote:

Even though I can flat tow my Jeep using my trailer does not wear out my Jeep tires and brakes, so I would rather wear out the trailer brakes and tires than my Jeep..

X2

WE run 10:00 X 34.5" Coopers $545 each.

and OBTW I can load my trailer almost as fast as you can hook up the tow bar.

run it up the ramps, stow the ramps, 2 chains, 1 binder we be gone.

For those who tow a jeep 4 down, How would you tell when you have a differential failure?

price a locker differential :)

OLYLEN wrote:
4 down for me and I had a trailer for years. no you can't backup with 4 down but haven't the need if you look ahead a bit. Ready brake system with base plate of choice, even an old man can install. With a trailer you have 4 or 5 more tires to contend with and 4 more brakes.

LEN

Even though I can flat tow my Jeep using my trailer does not wear out my Jeep tires and brakes, so I would rather wear out the trailer brakes and tires than my Jeep..

Its a Jeep than..

What kind of tires do you have on your Jeep?
Stock ones, or oversize?
If you have oversize tires, are they 32, 33, 34 or 35 inch? Those things get expensive.
Which would you rather wear out, the tires on your Jeep, or the tires on a trailer?
Yes, if you live in a state which requires annual registration renewal, that is an added expense. However, if you are lucky enough to live in a state like Montana, where ALL trailer get PERMANENT registration, you will never have to renew it.
As previously stated, you can back up a trailer. It is not recommended to back up a four down towed vehicle. Some folks say they do it. I tried it once, I will never do it again!
There are basically three choices for trailer brakes (at least for small trailers):
1. electric brakes, with a brake controller in the motorhome.
2. electric brakes, with the brake controller on the trailer tongue.
3. Hydraulic surge brakes
3A. Disc brakes
3B. Drum brakes

I have never seen air brakes on a small trailer.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. I have towed all three ways; four down, dolly, and trailer. there are advantages and disadvantages to each.
It probably does not need to be mentioned, but a Jeep can not be dolly towed, unless the rear driveshaft is removed.

4 down for me and I had a trailer for years. no you can't backup with 4 down but haven't the need if you look ahead a bit. Ready brake system with base plate of choice, even an old man can install. With a trailer you have 4 or 5 more tires to contend with and 4 more brakes.

LEN

w4phj wrote:
4 down. It's so easy an adult can do it. This is one job where I don't need my Grandson.....

X2 Road Master or Blue Ox...... Towbars and Base Plates.reasonably priced. Also would recommend SMI Brake Systems.

I just recently bought a RoadMaster Nighthawk Tow Bar and a Road Master Base Plate for my 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. We also got the SMI Pay in Stay Duo Brake System. I hear that SMI has a Great Air Brake system. My RV doesn't have Air Brakes so I really can't comment on the SMI brake System for vehicles with air brakes.
Good Luck.

Moved to Dinghy Towing forum from Towing.