Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

[BobaFett]

Wife and I are looking at getting our first trailer. I drive a 4 door 2015 Jeep Willys with 3.73 axles front and rear and a 3500lbs tow capacity. We have been looking at getting a Jayco 16mrb with a weight of 2850lbs. I have a few questions. Do I have to get a transmission cooler? I have a class II hitch but do I need better? Anyone have experience with a small trailer like this? The under belly is sealed so can I camp in cold temps??

[dodge_guy]

To make it simple. Nothing more than a PuP, wave runners, small aluminum fishing boat or a couple snowmobiles. You can probably do a tear drop, but nothing more!

[deltabravo]

Even with the tow rating of a JKU being 3500lbs, it's about 1500 lbs more than I'd want to tow with one.

I had a 2012 JKU-R with 4:10 gears and the 5 speed auto. I towed a 6x12 tandem axle cargo trailer. It did OK, but the mpg dropped to 12mpg, and I wouldn't have wanted to tow anything taller or wider than that cargo trailer.

[Mickeyfan0805]

BobaFett wrote:
Wow I have been crunching numbers, doing the math for every possible scenario but no math beats experience. Thank all of you for sharing your thoughts.

Kudos to you for actually being receptive to what you are reading!

Crunching numbers is good, but you have to understand all of the factors. IMO, there is simply no way you won't be overweight. That trailer, with propane, will be over 3,000 pounds before it rolls off the lot. Add the weight of the WD hitch and your wife and you will be nearing the 3,500 limit before you put a drop of fluid or an ounce of gear in either the car or the trailer. I'd bet you'd be over by a minimum of 10% with careful loading. Add in payload and frontal area restrictions and it will not be a successful marriage. Go pop-up or, if at all possible, upgrade your rig to tow your desired trailer.

[sch911]

Also in addition to potentially exceeding the GCWR you also have a frontal area restriction of 32 sq.-ft. So that would leave pretty much leave only popup's in play. It's all in your owners manual...

[intheburbs]

Owner of two Wrangler Unlimiteds here...

Don't know about yours, and my wife's '16 isn't home right now to look at her payload sticker, but the payload of my 2010 Wrangler is 850 lbs.

A 3000-lb trailer will have at least 400 lbs of tongue weight, plus the weight of the hitch itself, and you're not left with a lot payload for people and gear.

We love our Jeeps, but they're definitely not tow rigs. Hell, when I climb into one with my two grown sons and my friend, just the four of us puts us over on payload.

[BobaFett]

Wow I have been crunching numbers, doing the math for every possible scenario but no math beats experience. Thank all of you for sharing your thoughts.

[Y-Guy]

Over on a Wrangler forum I talked with a guy who was looking a similar Jayco, but I think it was a 2016. Same advice you are getting here was given to him, but he didn't listen. Bought it, towed it on two trip and and sold it. He never said much but I eventually saw he was now his Jeep as a Dingy when I asked why he told me it was a miserable experience. Even with the newer engine (I have a 2011 with the MiniVan Engine) he said it was over weight and towed like a parachute, the Jeep already drives like a brick.

I love my Jeep but I wouldn't try to tow something with that high of a profile and that weight.

[jmtandem]

I definitely would not tow with a Wrangler that trailer. The trailer will weigh much more then brochure or dry weights. A class II hitch will not cut it. Jeeps have their place, towing is not one of them.

[Ductape]

DownTheAvenue wrote:
With a 95" wheelbase, that vehicle makes a horrible tow vehicle.

It's 116 inches.

But it's still not something I would do.

[DownTheAvenue]

With a 95" wheelbase, that vehicle makes a horrible tow vehicle.

[old_guy]

with two people in the tow vehicle and gas and anything you put into the new TT you will be over weight. I wouldn't worry about adding a tranny cooler because in my opinion you need to get a better tow vehicle

[agesilaus]

You need to determine the payload capacity of that Jeep. That is often the limiting factor. Payload includes everything carried in the vehicle plus the hitch weight of the trailer.

[Lwiddis]

Do I have to get a transmission cooler? Yes! Cooler the tranny the better.

I have a class II hitch but do I need better? Yes! Two is maxed at 3,500. Nothing should be maxed for safety. Get a III

The under belly is sealed so can I camp in cold temps?? Yes with precautions. Read articles on cold weather camping.

What’s the tow capacity and payload of the Jeep? What will you carry in the Jeep?