CounselorRedbeard
Member
- First Name
- Tony
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2018
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 12
- Location
- United States
- Vehicle(s)
- 2018 Wrangler JL Sport S
- Thread starter
- #1
In a nutshell, is the JL's towing limited by the brakes, or the gearing, or something else?
To elaborate, I keep eyeing the 2-door JL's towing capacity of 2,000 lbs across all trims. However, if you compare the 2017 JK, towing capacity varied based on the gear ratio, from 2,000 to 3,500. Other general research does indicate the rule of thumb is that towing capacity is dependent upon gear ratio, as well. This doesn't follow with the JL, however, since the Rubicon JL has a higher gear ratio than the Sport, but the same towing capacity; yet the 4-door boasts a 3,500 lb capacity with the same gearing, though I assume it has bigger brakes than the 2-door. I take it to mean that the JLs are limited by braking capability rather than pulling ability (i.e., gear ratio)...
My point of this pondering is to figure out whether re-gearing a 2-door to, say, a 4.88 ratio will improve the towing capacity from the measly 2,000 pounds the owner manual states. Of course, one has to consider the tire size in relation to the gears, etc. But, all things the same, does re-gearing increase your safe towing capacity on the JL, or do you need both lower gearing and bigger brakes to bump up that capacity, or is just brakes sufficient?
While I've seen some posts about people pulling 6,000 pound trailers with the 4-door, I haven't found anything breaking down the actual limitations and discussing what is the weak point.
To add an extra wrinkle, would an off road suspension throw the ability to tow heavy loads out the window completely?
To elaborate, I keep eyeing the 2-door JL's towing capacity of 2,000 lbs across all trims. However, if you compare the 2017 JK, towing capacity varied based on the gear ratio, from 2,000 to 3,500. Other general research does indicate the rule of thumb is that towing capacity is dependent upon gear ratio, as well. This doesn't follow with the JL, however, since the Rubicon JL has a higher gear ratio than the Sport, but the same towing capacity; yet the 4-door boasts a 3,500 lb capacity with the same gearing, though I assume it has bigger brakes than the 2-door. I take it to mean that the JLs are limited by braking capability rather than pulling ability (i.e., gear ratio)...
My point of this pondering is to figure out whether re-gearing a 2-door to, say, a 4.88 ratio will improve the towing capacity from the measly 2,000 pounds the owner manual states. Of course, one has to consider the tire size in relation to the gears, etc. But, all things the same, does re-gearing increase your safe towing capacity on the JL, or do you need both lower gearing and bigger brakes to bump up that capacity, or is just brakes sufficient?
While I've seen some posts about people pulling 6,000 pound trailers with the 4-door, I haven't found anything breaking down the actual limitations and discussing what is the weak point.
To add an extra wrinkle, would an off road suspension throw the ability to tow heavy loads out the window completely?
Sponsored