2DR Towing Max Weight Concern

[LuckyShooter]

Hey Guys,

I have a 2 door Rubicon with a 2" Mopar lift and 37" tires.

I was looking into purchasing a boat, the total weight with trailer came to about 2100lbs. The max tow weight for the 2 doors is 2000lbs.

Is it highly recommended to not exceed the max tow weight, will going over it a couple of hundred pounds be detrimental?

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[Heimkehr]

Factory tow ratings are a function of, among other things, the towing vehicle's wheelbase, brakes and anticipated travel speed.

Know that you're taking a calculated risk, particularly since you'll be over the prescribed limit before the first pound of passenger and/or cargo weight is added to the Jeep's interior. Should you be in a collision, even if you're not at fault, the issue of the boat & trailer weight being above the published 2K limit would be grist for the opposing attorney's mill.

Stay frosty.

 

[Old Jeeper]

Factory tow ratings are a function of, among other things, the towing vehicle's wheelbase, brakes and anticipated travel speed.

Know that you're taking a calculated risk, particularly since you'll be over the prescribed limit before the first pound of passenger and/or cargo weight is added to the Jeep's interior. Should you be in a collision, even if you're not at fault, the issue of the boat & trailer weight being above the published 2K limit would be grist for the opposing attorney's mill.

Stay frosty.

What you see in this video is NOT due to overweight albeit it's possible but not likely. This is an issue with weight distribution. I have been towing stuff since I was 16, Horse trailers, 5th wheels, construction tailers you name it.

If you have a weight max of 2100 lbs, I can load 1000 lbs including the trailer and have the same accident he had. If you look closely you see the trailer swaying and its that which causes the accident. Its all about how you load your trailer. More weight has to be in front of the axle than behind the axle, at the same time you don't want to exceed tongue weight parameters. You need to know what you are doing and how to load.

This is what it looks like:

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Boats generally tow better than tall travel trailers. 100 pounds is not bad as long as the hitch weight doesn't get over weighed. Also the height of your jeep but can get drop hitch or adjustable one also if needed.

Would be nice if they could let you try it out hooked up see how it pulls.

 

[roaniecowpony]

To the OP's question: I would not be too worried about 5-10% above the towing weight recommendations, if your Jeep was stock with OEM size tires. However, the tall sidewalls of 37s have much more sidewall flexibility and steering hysteresis... and you have a lift. There have been no towing tests with your lift and tires. So, nobody really knows how your particular vehicle, as equipped will tow.

I was considering buying a modest sized trailer that would be within the published limits for my JLUR. I have since lifted and put 37s on. So, after further thought, I've decided against getting a trailer for the Jeep.

Some basic info on how mfrs come up with tow limits.
SAE Tow Ratings System: Still Towing Strong 10 Years On - Explorer RV Club

 

[GMONEY]

To the OP's question: I would not be too worried about 5-10% above the towing weight recommendations, if your Jeep was stock with OEM size tires. However, the tall sidewalls of 37s have much more sidewall flexibility and steering hysteresis... and you have a lift. There have been no towing tests with your lift and tires. So, nobody really knows how your particular vehicle, as equipped will tow.

I was considering buying a modest sized trailer that would be within the published limits for my JLUR. I have since lifted and put 37s on. So, after further thought, I've decided against getting a trailer for the Jeep.

Some basic info on how mfrs come up with tow limits.
SAE Tow Ratings System: Still Towing Strong 10 Years On - Explorer RV Club

Thanks for that article

 

[Shibadog]

Remember that short wheelbase vehicles and long trailers often don’t play well together-the tail can wag the dog?

 

[Reinen]

There is a margin of safety involved with the numbers. It's not necessarily bad. But you will have to pay much more attention to weight distribution and tongue weight than most because you're dipping into that margin of safety.

Weight distribution and tongue weight can make a very significant difference in stability.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

That was a cool video, as they say pictures a thousand words, so video must be worth 10000.

 

[Zandcwhite]

To the OP's question: I would not be too worried about 5-10% above the towing weight recommendations, if your Jeep was stock with OEM size tires. However, the tall sidewalls of 37s have much more sidewall flexibility and steering hysteresis... and you have a lift. There have been no towing tests with your lift and tires. So, nobody really knows how your particular vehicle, as equipped will tow.

I was considering buying a modest sized trailer that would be within the published limits for my JLUR. I have since lifted and put 37s on. So, after further thought, I've decided against getting a trailer for the Jeep.

Some basic info on how mfrs come up with tow limits.
SAE Tow Ratings System: Still Towing Strong 10 Years On - Explorer RV Club

One could look at it the other way too, higher spring rate of lift springs is a positive when towing. The Tuff springs on my Ram advertise a 50% increase in payload capacity. Depending on the 37’s the OP is running, if they are D or E rated may actually have less side wall flex than the stock tires. If they are D or E rated, I’d air the rears up to 45psi when towing the trailer and I’d be willing to bet it handles better than towing the same boat stock.

 

[LuckyShooter]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I'll do some more research and eventually update the thread with my results.

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