Yes you can pull a trailer with your JK Unlimited

Solar Dude

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #1

So I was looking for a new ride that could haul my family of 4, pull our 17' travel trailer and be a good trail vehicle. I was looking at 4runners, exterra's, and JKU's. They all have similar HP, wheelbase etc. the JK's while being the most capable off-road had significantly lower tow capacities, except the Rubicon because of the 4.10 gears. I also discovered that the JKU had a 5000lbs. tow capacity in Europe so I knew it wasn't a mechanical limitation but actually an issue with DOT and the soft/removable top. While I'm not saying to exceed the factory stated tow capacity I was much more comfortable being close to the maximum tow capacity. I knew I needed a 2012 or newer model with the 3.6 because the 205 HP of the 3.8 was not going to cut it pulling a 2800lbs. trailer. I recently stumbled upon a 2012 JKUR for sale and jumped on it. I also know set-up was key, I wanted to lift it but knew I couldn't go crazy with height or tire size for towing. I settled with a 2.5" AEV because of the multi rate springs and bilstien shocks, I also invested in a real good load distribution hitch. I can tell you this set up kicks ass and am extremely satisfied with its performance. No air bags, no sag.

 

Last edited: Mar 13, 2016

Evil

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #2

Hell yeah! Nice set up.

 

HighwayTrout

Hooked

• Mar 13, 2016

• #3

Nice trailer. The wife and I have been eyeing something similar for awhile now.

Did you do any brake upgrades?

 

BamBamDeer

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #4

HighwayTrout said:

Nice trailer. The wife and I have been eyeing something similar for awhile now.

Did you do any brake upgrades?

Click to expand...

That is a nice setup. I am interested about the brakes as well. My Wife and I have been discussing a similar setup. I just wasn't sure it would be feasible . Thanks for the post and I look forward to hearing more.

 

BdugJK

Member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #5

I will be showing this to the wife soon, in hopes of camper shopping in the future. Nice man :thumb:

 

croge17

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #6

I haul a 15' hard side starcraft AR-one with mine. No probems with 4.56 gears and automatic on 35's other than being slow in the mountains. Im going to 5.13 gears and 37's for this year and dont forsee any problems.

 

Clifford33

Caught the Bug

• Mar 13, 2016

• #7

 

Attachments

• 
  ImageUploadedByWAYALIFE1457841571.851006.jpg

  67.9 KB · Views: 1,506

B

bridgeporttrailer89

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #8

IV been hauling a trailer with the jeep for years love it. No additional upgrades just flipped the axle so it rides even. Had a borla exhaust and that added some horsepower but pulls like a champ

 

Attachments

• 
  1457841733669.jpg

  89.9 KB · Views: 1,456

B

bridgeporttrailer89

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #9

1900 lbs perfect weight for this jk.

 

Attachments

• 
  1457841809914.jpg

  94.4 KB · Views: 1,439

B

bridgeporttrailer89

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #10

bridgeporttrailer89 said:

IV been hauling a trailer with the jeep for years love it. No additional upgrades just flipped the axle so it rides even. Had a borla exhaust and that added some horsepower but pulls like a champ

Click to expand...

Yeah I have my trailer set up with the anti sway bars and weight distribution bars works perfectly good job.

 

BamBamDeer

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #11

bridgeporttrailer89 said:

IV been hauling a trailer with the jeep for years love it. No additional upgrades just flipped the axle so it rides even. Had a borla exhaust and that added some horsepower but pulls like a champ

Click to expand...

Looks like you have everything you need for an extended stay. I really like the color of your Rig!

 

B

bridgeporttrailer89

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #12

BamBamDeer said:

Looks like you have everything you need for an extended stay. I really like the color of your Rig!

Click to expand...

Hey thanks this amazing the old camper we found is perfect and is in great shape. So great investment to camp in so many places.

 

notnalc68

That dude from Mississippi

• Mar 13, 2016

• #13

bridgeporttrailer89 said:

1900 lbs perfect weight for this jk.

Click to expand...

Love the camper. I'd pull it with my 2-door, with a load leveling hitch and trailer brakes.

 

B

bridgeporttrailer89

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #14

notnalc68 said:

Love the camper. I'd pull it with my 2-door, with a load leveling hitch and trailer brakes.

Click to expand...

Yeah that would work great with the 2 door.

 

Solar Dude

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #15

Yes have trailer brakes, as part of the purchase I had the dealer install the mopar tow package and the I installed a prodigy 3 brake controller. Proper gearing, spring rate, load distribution hitch with sway control AND trailer brakes are all key to happy towing miles.

 

Solar Dude

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #16

And BTW I installed a 3" lift on the trailer too

 

BamBamDeer

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #17

Solar Dude said:

Yes have trailer brakes, as part of the purchase I had the dealer install the mopar tow package and the I installed a prodigy 3 brake controller. Proper gearing, spring rate, load distribution hitch with sway control AND trailer brakes are all key to happy towing miles.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I have retired and we are wanting to travel more. Your set up looks great and well planned out. You have been very helpful.

 

BentMetal

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #18

I pull our 3200lb trailer with no problems. The only complaint I have are all of the tow mirrors I have tried vibrate too much so it's hard to see when I make lane changes. Other than that I don't have any complaints.

 

jeeeep

Hooked

• Mar 13, 2016

• #19

Solar Dude said:

View attachment 192521

Click to expand...

nice setup, seeing everyone's trailers makes me want to get one again.

what hitch/load distribution is that?

 

Journeyman

New member

• Mar 13, 2016

• #20

Our little M-416 replica with our roof top tent. Jeep barely notice's the trailer, pretty light though. Probably still under a thousand pounds all loaded up.
I had the RTT on top of the jeep for one road trip and decided very quickly that it had to come off.