2 door JL Towing

[AJCFLA68]

I’ve got a 2 door 2022 JL on 34’s, no lift. Looking to buy a small 17 foot boat and don’t wanna consider the Gladiator at all…unless it’s the only option. Weight of boat is 1150, motor is 366, fuel is approx 186 if full and I'm guessing based on research that the trailer is from 300-600 pounds...Using those numbers puts the weight just over 2200 pounds. I know max is 2000 on a 2 door, but I live in South Florida and only planning on in-state travel, mainly the Keys and Marco Island / Naples areas. I can do a 4 door which is my first choice with a 3500 max, but would consider the Gladiator because it can tow either 6000 or 7700 depending on if it has the max tow package...I won't have to worry about weight limits. Just looking for some advice especially if you've done something similar. Plus, anyone going boating with me can drive a second vehicle....

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[dragoneggs]

Following for future reference. I haven’t towed anything with my 2dr (yet) but a small trailer could be in my future.

 

[Jeep Wick]

I’ve got a 2 door 2022 JL on 34’s, no lift. Looking to buy a small 17 foot boat and don’t wanna consider the Gladiator at all…unless it’s the only option. Weight of boat is 1150, motor is 366, fuel is approx 186 if full and I'm guessing based on research that the trailer is from 300-600 pounds...Using those numbers puts the weight just over 2200 pounds. I know max is 2000 on a 2 door, but I live in South Florida and only planning on in-state travel, mainly the Keys and Marco Island / Naples areas. I can do a 4 door which is my first choice with a 3500 max, but would consider the Gladiator because it can tow either 6000 or 7700 depending on if it has the max tow package...I won't have to worry about weight limits. Just looking for some advice especially if you've done something similar. Plus, anyone going boating with me can drive a second vehicle....

They are towing double or more overseas. I have personally done 3-4000 lbs a couple times with the 2 door, just be sensible. Your boat should be easy.

 

[Reinen]

They are towing double or more overseas. I have personally done 3-4000 lbs a couple times with the 2 door, just be sensible. Your boat should be easy.

It's true, towing capacity is greater in Europe. The US and Europe uses the same laws of physics but Europe balances the equation differently than the US does.

In Europe the towing capacities are greater but speed is significantly restricted. Any vehicle with a trailer is not allowed to exceed 45 MPH (or something close to that).

In the US vehicles with trailers are not speed restricted, they can go as fast as everyone else. But towing capacity is significantly reduced.

Both are valid ways of balancing out the equation. What you can't do is have the towing capacities that Europe allows at the speeds that the US allows. That can easily end badly.

 

[autotragic]

It's true, towing capacity is greater in Europe. The US and Europe uses the same laws of physics but Europe balances the equation differently than the US does.

In Europe the towing capacities are greater but speed is significantly restricted. Any vehicle with a trailer is not allowed to exceed 45 MPH (or something close to that).

In the US vehicles with trailers are not speed restricted, they can go as fast as everyone else. But towing capacity is significantly reduced.

Both are valid ways of balancing out the equation. What you can't do is have the towing capacities that Europe allows at the speeds that the US allows. That can easily end badly.

This is correct but from a technical standpoint can a 2 door pull a 2,200 lb trailer? Yes it can. If you are capable of being a sensible adult and understand that just because some idiot is pulling his trailer down the highway at 85 mph doesn't mean you should be doing the same thing then you'll be fine. Limit your speed and don't be a dumbass.

In all my years on the road I've managed to see one person pulling a trailer get pulled over for being dumb. Guy was driving a Superduty with a small-ish enclosed trailer behind it and was going so fast the trailer was swaying so bad it wasn't staying in its own lane behind the truck. Luckily about 15 minutes after he blew past me I passed him on the shoulder having a nice chat with a highway patrol officer. The officer didn't look amused either.

Don't be that guy. Keep it reasonable and you'll be fine. Probably a good idea to make sure you have more than state minimum insurance while you're at it.

 

[Jeep Wick]

100%. You can get into trouble even towing under capacity if you're careless. Precaution and ability will take you far.

 

[DogsRule]

I pretty much do things based on how it sounds to a jury.

 

[Zandcwhite]

It's true, towing capacity is greater in Europe. The US and Europe uses the same laws of physics but Europe balances the equation differently than the US does.

In Europe the towing capacities are greater but speed is significantly restricted. Any vehicle with a trailer is not allowed to exceed 45 MPH (or something close to that).

In the US vehicles with trailers are not speed restricted, they can go as fast as everyone else. But towing capacity is significantly reduced.

Both are valid ways of balancing out the equation. What you can't do is have the towing capacities that Europe allows at the speeds that the US allows. That can easily end badly.

The 70km/hr restriction is for city streets. On motorways (ie freeways) they can still tow between 90-130km/hr depending on the country. Australia it's 100 km/hr. That's 60-80mph. What causes the imbalanced equation for us here in America isn't physics or the safety of towing a 5klb trailer at freeway speeds it's the testing standard. Specifically the 11.5 mile grade in minimum 100⁰ weather. We are cooling system limited by that test. A unibody wj grand cherokee that weighed 1k pounds less, had weaker axles, brakes, and engine still got a 5k pound rating, because it could keep cool in that environment. If you're not planning on towing in the mountains there's nothing unsafe about towing up to 5k pounds at freeway speed in a JLU, which is why they do it across most of the world on a regular basis.

 

[LukeDagny]

Can your Jeep tow the extra weight? It probably can. I just hope your not in an accident, because you've exposed yourself to a potential lawsuit.

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