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Anyone Tow a Camper? Size? Pics?

mgroeger

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We are about to enter into pop-up camper ownership and I thought it would be wise to post what I learned here in hopes of getting real life feedback from others towing campers.
While JL Jeeps can handle 3500 campers there is another number often being overlooked which is the total COMBINED vehicle weight which for our 4 door Jeeps is 8100 lbs.
The dealer explained that the pop is 2,274 lbs dry and 2,440 lbs with 20 gallons of water in the tank. He recommended I get my Jeep weighed since it is pretty modified.

I just took my Jeep to the scales at the local dump and it weighs in at 5455 lbs with the following...
Full tank of gas
Full CO2 tank
Winch
Steel bumpers (factory)
Me
37s on 17" KMC beadlocks
Roof Rack

Doing the math you can see I'm at 7895 lbs total which leaves only 205 lbs for gear and supplies which I would say is really cutting it close and we will need to be throwing the gear and stuff into my wife's Jeep. While I can def see the I have added weight to the Jeep I can't imagine I've added more than 400 lbs over stock. What I'm scratching my head over is how the Jeep can tow 3500... that would mean the Jeep would need to weigh only 4600 lbs. to keep us at the TOTAL 8100 lb rating.
 

jbzonda

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Towing approx 2,400lbs and was lighter than my last trip by atleast 400lb but still a noticable sag. Despite that it still drives very well, a little more revving in the low gears to get up to speed but barely noticeable when cruising at highway speeds and milage is very good - typically ranging between 18-20mpg. Done the odd overtake nudging 80mph and pulls well.

Jeep Wrangler JL Anyone Tow a Camper? Size? Pics? Photo 24-1-21, 9 13 09 am_1
 

Drytellsr

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I just ordered a 2021 Geo Pro 15tb over the weekend and should get it in spring. Cant wait... good to hear the feedback.. i will definitely get the sway control.
Good luck with it. hope you like it as much as my wife and I.
 

Rubi II

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Just bought this trailer..Great for my JLUR as it stays within factory limits and has a low hitch weight. Still plan on using WDH w/sway control for added precaution as we plan on driving through mountains. Wife and I driving out west this summer. Will post again to say how it handled.

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Keith C

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SecondTJ

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We are about to enter into pop-up camper ownership and I thought it would be wise to post what I learned here in hopes of getting real life feedback from others towing campers.
While JL Jeeps can handle 3500 campers there is another number often being overlooked which is the total COMBINED vehicle weight which for our 4 door Jeeps is 8100 lbs.
The dealer explained that the pop is 2,274 lbs dry and 2,440 lbs with 20 gallons of water in the tank. He recommended I get my Jeep weighed since it is pretty modified.

I just took my Jeep to the scales at the local dump and it weighs in at 5455 lbs with the following...
Full tank of gas
Full CO2 tank
Winch
Steel bumpers (factory)
Me
37s on 17" KMC beadlocks
Roof Rack

Doing the math you can see I'm at 7895 lbs total which leaves only 205 lbs for gear and supplies which I would say is really cutting it close and we will need to be throwing the gear and stuff into my wife's Jeep. While I can def see the I have added weight to the Jeep I can't imagine I've added more than 400 lbs over stock. What I'm scratching my head over is how the Jeep can tow 3500... that would mean the Jeep would need to weigh only 4600 lbs. to keep us at the TOTAL 8100 lb rating.
You’re also forgetting GVWR, which is the weight of the Jeep loaded, with tongue weight, fuel, passengers, luggage, etc.

GVWR on a 4-door Rubicon is 5,800 lbs. (check your driver side door jam sticker). Which means you have 345 lbs of weight left that you can add to the Jeep. Also be aware of where the weight is added to not exceed GAWR.

Base JLUR weight is about 4,500 lbs. So you’ve added more than 400 lbs in aftermarket stuff.
 

ODDs

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For the long weekend we hitched up our Riverside RV Retro 176s. The 2.0t eTorque pulls it up and down mountain grades just fine, but we got about 12 mpg. Prior to this we had a Trail Manor 2720 that was about the same weight, but half the height, and would get 19 mpg.

Jeep Wrangler JL Anyone Tow a Camper? Size? Pics? 20210214-173333_IMG_8398-A
,
 

Plongson

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Here's our rig. 19FD GeoPro...just got back from 2500 miles and 3 weeks on the road. Pulls like a DREAM with the EcoDiesel, and got mostly 16 mpg. Worse ever was 14 bucking a unforgiving head wind rolling to Patagonia Lake in Arizona...The diesel is a brute.

Jeep Wrangler JL Anyone Tow a Camper? Size? Pics? 20210129_114725


Jeep Wrangler JL Anyone Tow a Camper? Size? Pics? 20210129_114846
 

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Cappy

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Have not seen many boat photos, here. We have a 19 ft open bow boat that I have been towing quite easily with my 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk with the 3.0 6 cylinder. The Cherokee is rated at 4500 lbs towing.

In the process of getting ready to order a Wrangler to replace the Cherokee. I planned on ordering the tow package, however, I see it comes with a class 2 hitch and rated at 3500lbs. The Cherokee came with a class 3 hitch.

My wet tow weight will be around 3500 give or take 200 lbs. We upgraded last year to a dual axel trailer for easier safer towing (last trailer had a blowout - no fun with single axle) but the trailer is about 400 lbs heavier.

Anyway my question is... Should I order the wrangler tow package and the swap out the class 2 hitch for a class 3 hitch? Or should I not get the tow package and just add a class 3 hitch aftermarket?

With a tow package you get upgrades more than the hitch.


Trailer-Tow and Heavy-Duty Electrical Group
$795
  • 240-Amp Alternator
  • 700-Amp Maintenance-Free Battery
  • 7- and 4-Pin Wiring Harness
  • Auxillary Switches
  • Class II Receiver Hitch
We have several lakes nearby so most all tows are less than 20 miles to the lake on non-freeway roads, and we try to go out once a week so not that concerned about towing such a short distance, but I think the Class 2 hitch is definitely not safe.

Those of you towing larger trailers, did you upgrade the factory hitch, use the class 2 hitch, or just add a class 3 hitch aftermarket and not worry about the 240 amp alternator, 700 amp battery etc...

Trying to get a plan of action. This comes at a surprise as I figured a Wrangler would at least be rated the same as my tiny Cherokee with a less powerful engine.
 

Jeepgirl21

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We’re contemplating getting a travel trailer...read that max weight is 3500lbs, anyone have a trailer that size and have experience towing it with your Jeep?
How does Jeep perform? Easy tow vehicle? We’re new to the trailering experience......
Any advice would
Be much appreciated before we take the plunge....
InTechRV Sol Dawn Rover. 16 ft tongue to tail. Tongue weight about 310, we got about 11-14 mpg while towing.

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danm

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Here is my new set-up, 2018 Scamp 13'. I can't wait for some warmer weather.

Jeep Wrangler JL Anyone Tow a Camper? Size? Pics? 83D1CED7-154C-40AF-AEF2-791F930C91A5
This is a sweet setup. How does it tow? Do you need a load balancing hitch or anything special?
 

danm

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Have not seen many boat photos, here. We have a 19 ft open bow boat that I have been towing quite easily with my 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk with the 3.0 6 cylinder. The Cherokee is rated at 4500 lbs towing.

In the process of getting ready to order a Wrangler to replace the Cherokee. I planned on ordering the tow package, however, I see it comes with a class 2 hitch and rated at 3500lbs. The Cherokee came with a class 3 hitch.

My wet tow weight will be around 3500 give or take 200 lbs. We upgraded last year to a dual axel trailer for easier safer towing (last trailer had a blowout - no fun with single axle) but the trailer is about 400 lbs heavier.

Anyway my question is... Should I order the wrangler tow package and the swap out the class 2 hitch for a class 3 hitch? Or should I not get the tow package and just add a class 3 hitch aftermarket?

With a tow package you get upgrades more than the hitch.


Trailer-Tow and Heavy-Duty Electrical Group
$795
  • 240-Amp Alternator
  • 700-Amp Maintenance-Free Battery
  • 7- and 4-Pin Wiring Harness
  • Auxillary Switches
  • Class II Receiver Hitch
We have several lakes nearby so most all tows are less than 20 miles to the lake on non-freeway roads, and we try to go out once a week so not that concerned about towing such a short distance, but I think the Class 2 hitch is definitely not safe.

Those of you towing larger trailers, did you upgrade the factory hitch, use the class 2 hitch, or just add a class 3 hitch aftermarket and not worry about the 240 amp alternator, 700 amp battery etc...

Trying to get a plan of action. This comes at a surprise as I figured a Wrangler would at least be rated the same as my tiny Cherokee with a less powerful engine.
The class 2 tow package from the factory comes with a 2” receiver. Even though they label it as a class 2, it’s built the same as a class 3. The hitch itself bolts directly to the rear crossbar of the frame, so it’s a small simple piece of steel.
From a strength standpoint, you won’t get any benefit from replacing it with one that’s labeled Class 3. Mopar just puts a Class 2 label on it because the vehicle isn’t rated for any more than 3500 lbs. in actuality, it’s a class 3 receiver.
 

Keith C

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Does anybody tow with 37" tires?
I am looking at moving up to 37s from my current 35s and want to get a towable. Wife says we need to have a bathroom for camping trips so that limits our choices. Anyway, does anyone tow something around 3500lbs with 37" tires?
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