2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited towing question

[RollingRockTX]

Hey folks

Rollingrock here....we picked up a 2014 JKU (4 door) shows to have a max tow of 3500lbs.

Looking at pick up a pop up, it says it weight 3100lbs. Seems kind of heavy don't you think?

Close enough to tow or too close to max?

Thanks

RR

[rctour]

I just purchased a Wrangler 2 door, didn't need the 4 door. My weight is about 3700 lbs and your is 500 lbs more, so lets say it's 4300+/-lbs. Pulling 3500 lbs is real close to your vehicle weight and could make it unstable at higher speeds. I would be concerned about stability and not so much the capability of the tow vehicle. When we were young my wife was driving our car with a ski boat and trailer on the back, down hill, too fast that did a 180 on the freeway. Obviously unstable at higher speeds is problematic.

[UTCoyote]

Not to mention the longer wheelbase of the 4 door version (JKU).

Probably not a problem with a popup, but I think that I saw somewhere in the Wrangler owners manual a frontal area limit besides the weight limit.

- Coyote

[720Deere]

You would be wise to keep the dry weight under 3,000 lbs unless you won't be traveling very far with the pop-up. Tongue weight is definitely a concern for the Wrangler.

For those that are comparing a 99 or 09 Wrangler to a 2014, you really need to check out the 2012+ version! Much more power, much better transmission and a much more capable tow vehicle. To compare a 99 to a 14 is like comparing a 99 F150 to a 2014 Ecoboost F150!

[popupcamping]

RollingRockTX wrote:
Well I found another pup..this one says 2800 dry so I feel much better about this one. Pending they still have it.

Thanks again for the responses.

You are obviously looking at HIGH WALL PUPS..not standard pups...there is a huge difference and your wrangler will struggle miserably behind a HIGH WALL PUP.

you need to get a normal pop up. They only weigh 1400-1700lbs

[RollingRockTX]

Well I found another pup..this one says 2800 dry so I feel much better about this one. Pending they still have it.

Thanks again for the responses.

[RollingRockTX]

Thanks for the responses, yes the Pentastar engine was introduced in 2012 for Jeeps. I think will stick to a lighter one. More in the 1500lb range.

Thanks

RR

[RoyB]

My OFF-ROAD POPUP weighs 4200lbs... No way would I pull that with my 99 Jeep Wrangler.

I'm old school here and the Jeeps were never any good at pulling anything except maybe a small utility trailer. They would go thru a rear-end in a heart beat.

Maybe the newer ones are more beefed up now...

Roy Ken

[bikendan]

RollingRockTX wrote:
Hey folks

Rollingrock here....we picked up a 2014 JKU (4 door) shows to have a max tow of 3500lbs.

Looking at pick up a pop up, it says it weight 3100lbs. Seems kind of heavy don't you think?

Close enough to tow or too close to max?

Thanks

RR

first, that 3500 number is rated with only a 150lb. driver in the car.
anything else it it(passenger or cargo)reduces that 3500 by its weight. so, two more passengers totaling 350lbs. reduces the tow capacity to 3150lbs.

second, your 3100lbs. popup weight. is that the fictional brochure or website weight or is it the actual from-the-factory yellow sticker weight? if it's the bogus brochure/website "dry" weight, that popup will weigh around 200lbs. more on the dealer's lot.

[summerhouse]

2012 received 80 more up, but it was mated to a much better transmission. Nicely balanced.
The 3100 lbs isn't the problem, it's what you add in addition to that. You're okay at the top # as per the weight rating, albeit at the top. Can you really keep it there weight wise?

[haddy1]

They changed the engine in 2012 or 13. The new ones are much stronger.

[jhlady]

RR,

I have a 2009 Wranger Unlimited and have towed my enclosed motorcycle trainer with it many times. The Wrangler V-6 is a bit gutless in my mind, but it can be done, especially for short distances on an occasionaly basis. The suspension and brakes seem to handle it quite well, it is the engine and transmission that struggle a bit, but shouldn't be a problem.

Good luck!

John