Flat towing a Jeep Wrangler

I wouldn't worry about it and just do it..The Chevy 6.0,if that is what you have,is a good engine..If it slows you a bit,so be it..Go enjoy.

If you have some kind of braking system (brake buddy) for example. you should have no troubles.

Are you saying you haven't bought the Jeep yet?
If you haven't bought it yet I would be looking at what options you need vs. what they weigh. Unless it's needed, I would get a 2 door with only the options you need.
I pulled an old CJ5 all over the west with a Class C that had a under powered 460 cu in. Never knew it was back there.

Brent, we are looking at a 2 door Sport model with automatic transmission, AC and hard top.

You're not going to notice the difference between a stripped down 2 door weight and a loaded 4 door. And provided your comfortable with the power your truck has now, it won't be a lot different.
The biggest thing is the toad or trailer will not be providing and wind resistance to the equation because the camper is already doing that for the whole setup.
Just got back from a trip with the camper, towing an almost 7000lb 10' tall boat behind. I notice virtually zero difference if it's just the TC or TC and trailer. Granted I've got over double the torque as your GM, but it's all relative. I get the same mileage and drive it the same trailer or no trailer.
Comfort levels are different though and if you're questioning your choice of engine after loading a big camper on your truck, then towing virtually anything will dog you down.

For comparison, friends have a V10 Class A that they towed their Wrangler behind. Similar engine power and wind resistance. Different becasue the A is better setup for towing than your dually, way deeper gears, but same thing, said he drives the same, about the same mileage, toad or not.

I've been flat towing Jeeps for 50+ years. Nowadays, it's much more user-friendly, with adjustable tow bars from Roadmaster, Blue Ox, etc.
For example, check this out: https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bars/Roadmaster/RM-522.html#exp-productdetails=.all-description

I have towed all types of Jeeps, from flat fender WWII models, to off-road racing Jeeps to CJ's, YJ's, TJ's, LJ's, and our current JKU 4 door, with motorhomes and with truck camper rigs. Bottom line? You shouldn't even notice it with your setup. Several/most states require separate braking systems in the towed Jeep; these also are available at etrailer.com, amazon, etc.

We recently returned from a 2,000 mile trip flat towing our JKU model, with our 20,000 lb Ram 5500/triple slide camper. Our Jeep has about 1,000 lbs additional weight with our off-road gear. It was smooth sailing all the way. If you need any additional information, send me a PM. By the way, having owned more than 20 Jeeps over the past 50 years, if you plan to do any off-roading in rough terrain, I recommend the 4 door model.....

No issues........we also tow a Wrangler and a Honda CR-V

I think that you'll be unhappy with the mountain towing parts of your trip. The gas engine has to spin really fast to handle that much load.
Even my diesel knows when the Jeep is back there. You'll see higher oil temps, maybe tranny temps in the mountains. Average mpg drops about 1.5 gallons per mile when towing.

Just slow down and be careful. . .you can do it, just not as fast.

(Edit: wait a minute. . .did i just describe myself?)

yblaw wrote:


I have towed all types of Jeeps, from flat fender WWII models, to off-road racing Jeeps to CJ's, YJ's, TJ's, LJ's, and our current JKU 4 door, with motorhomes and with truck camper rigs. Bottom line? You shouldn't even notice it with your setup.

I flat tow a KJ. It carries me out onto the OuterBanks of NC sand

We tow our 015 Rubicon (2-door) with our old 99 Dodge 1-ton 4x4 with our heavy Lance 1181 with no problems. I'm thinking I will install a supplement braking system after I start towing it more.

My only concern is that it maybe hard on the front end of the Jeep. My Brother in law has beat out the front ends of 2 Ford pickups behind his 40ft motorhome. Because of the long distance behind the rear wheels of the motorhome to the trucks front end. I don't know, I don't think it would be as much of a problem behind a truck & camper set up. Have fun & good luck!