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Post by dblanco on May 14, 2006 11:16:35 GMT -5
I know that the Unlimited is rated to tow 3500 lbs, but what is the actual weight you guys would pull. I had a trailer filled with about 3 1/2 yards of mulch last weekend. It couldn't have weighed more than 1300lbs or so, and the Jeep was really working hard to pull the load. I even took back roads all the way home because I knew I wasn't going to be able to get up to speed on the highway. Also, I felt like I was being pushed a bit by the trailer when coming to a stop. Let me know if you think I was pulling to much weight.
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Post by jeepnut on May 14, 2006 13:58:58 GMT -5
What is the weight of the trailer? Did you turn off the overdrive? Not sure if that would have worked or not. I wouldn't mind seeing what people have to say. When I carried a bunch of firewood around, it was a similar situation.
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Post by wahoojeep on May 14, 2006 14:18:58 GMT -5
I've got a M416 trailer that when loaded with camping gear weighs about 1100#. I've haven't noticed any problem towing it. I've been on highways at 55-60, but avoid the interstates mostly because the trailer is very old. I've got a six speed and can cruise at 60 in 5th gear with the trailer. HTH.
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Post by honaker on May 14, 2006 18:57:56 GMT -5
I pulled a buddie's nineteen foot fishing boat up I-70 through the Eisenhower Tunnel at 10,000 plus feet. Slow going at the top but my '04 auto handled well. I suspect the boat pushed the high end of 3500 lbs. Remember it is how the trailor is loaded and the tounge weight that can alter the tow even if you are within the weight limit.
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Post by nwquadriders on May 26, 2006 23:38:40 GMT -5
I tow a trailer with 2 quads on it all the time. Loaded weight of the trailer with the quads, gas, cooler, and gear (thanks to a local weigh station) is just at 2500 pounds. The way you load the trailer makes all the difference. The Jeep isn't made to be a tow-rig, but it does an "okay job".
3 1/2 yards of mulch is a lot heavier than you'd think. 1 yd is pushing around 500 pounds (more if it is wet). And never forget to include the weight of your trailer... they weigh a lot more than you'd think.
Biggest thing I've found is that if I'm stopping and starting a lot, I keep it out of overdrive. And if I'm winding around in the hills going less than 40 mph, I just shift it down into 2nd and it pulls like a champ. Over 40 mph I'm in drive with the o/d turned off until I hit the freeway, and then the o/d on is fine. I still manage to get around 13 mpg hauling that heavy load thru the mountains, but it took me a few trips to figure out when to have it in the right gears. My first long distance towing trip, I got about 9 mpg...all the shifting makes a big difference.
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Post by alpinhi on Jun 4, 2006 12:58:11 GMT -5
This is what I dont understand. The Unlimited has the same wheelbase, engine, axles, tranny as the ZJ XJ and KJ. These are rated to pull 5000 lbs. The Ruby models have lower gears stock than these. I asked the dealership about it and they couldnt tell me anything. Anyone know any different.
Travis
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lqcj8
4x4 Enthusiast
Just Empty Every Pocket X 2
Posts: 59
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Post by lqcj8 on Jul 6, 2006 21:53:25 GMT -5
the tow rating has alot to do with the brakes , you've got to be able to stop
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Post by nwquadriders on Jul 6, 2006 22:24:06 GMT -5
the tow rating has alot to do with the brakes , you've got to be able to stop It also has to do with the fact that a small/light vehicle like ours shouldn't be towing a load that weighs more than our Jeep. Our brakes are barely adequate for the Jeep alone. |
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Post by skipperb on Jul 12, 2006 18:44:26 GMT -5
My KJ has the 5000 tow rating and pulls the 18cc at 3400lb easy
and I stop OK just give extra distance
My LJ can pull the boat just as easy But if I stop quick it will push me like there is no brakes I think it the wight of the Vehicle
The wifes old Cherokee would pull it great and it stopped about like the KJ .I think there is about 1200 pounds difference in the jeeps.
Think the trailer will get disk brakes soon.
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Post by cwy426 on Apr 17, 2007 13:40:14 GMT -5
Hello, all. I am new here, joined a few weeks ago looking for towing advise.
After all my searching in many different places, I went ahead and did what many say you should probably not, and would just like to pass along my experience.
I have a 2005 Unlimited, and also a 1988 YJ built for fun and off road. What I did was flat tow the 1988 from Michigan to Moab, UT with the Unlimited, which is 1600+ miles one way. It handled very well. The only bad spots were a severe head wind in Nebraska on the way out, could not pull 6th gear most of that state, and once we got the other side of Denver, in the mountains, going up was a 3rd gear/40mph/flashers on experience. But otherwise it pulled just fine, even to 75mph, though I usually stayed at 70 or less.
The only modifications I have done to the Unlimited were a 2 1/2" cat back exhaust system and a K&N filter pak.
Hope this helps anyone looking for info on towing.
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