392 Towing?

[OffroadCalling77]

Great topic! I too went from a JL to my 392. When I asked the dealership service department why the 392 didn't have a higher tow rating than the other JL lineup, he said it was all about breaking. He said the geometry of the JL is not equipped to handle the towing of equipment over 3500 lbs due to the ability to stop. Has anyone else heard of this? If so, I would imagine the installation of a break controller? I just want to haul a pontoon boat around 5,000 lbs. I can't imagine this 392 having an issue with that.

I agree. The new grand Cherokee with a 5.7 L engine can tow up to 6200 pounds.

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[GATORB8]

It's the GCWR that is the limiting factor, and is safety based (i'd assume brakes and suspension). Plenty of payload and axle rating, here's the 392 base ratings vs the Ram 1500:

392:
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (lbs.) 6,100
Payload (lbs.) 1,351
Towing capacity (lbs.) 3,500
Gross combined weight rating (GCWR) (lbs.) 8,117

Ram 1500 Lar 4x4 CCSB:
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (lbs.) 6,900
Payload (lbs.) 1,700
Towing capacity (lbs.) 6,340
Gross combined weight rating (GCWR) (lbs.) 11,900

Note, these are base ratings, so you have to subtract option and wet weight from the Payload. Real numbers should be on your door sticker.

 

[Outrun]

It's the GCWR that is the limiting factor, and is safety based (i'd assume brakes and suspension). Plenty of payload and axle rating, here's the 392 base ratings vs the Ram 1500:

392:
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (lbs.) 6,100
Payload (lbs.) 1,351
Towing capacity (lbs.) 3,500
Gross combined weight rating (GCWR) (lbs.) 8,117

Ram 1500 Lar 4x4 CCSB:
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (lbs.) 6,900
Payload (lbs.) 1,700
Towing capacity (lbs.) 6,340
Gross combined weight rating (GCWR) (lbs.) 11,900

Note, these are base ratings, so you have to subtract option and wet weight from the Payload. Real numbers should be on your door sticker.

Look at the Gladiator and compare...

 

[gerlbaum]

I can't imagine this 392 having an issue with that.

It won’t. It’s all the other shit wrapped around it that does.

 

[Left Field]

Just finished a 5200 mile trip towing a 2500 lb tent camper using our 392. Drove mostly speed limit ranging from 60-80 mph. Trip average was 12.7 mpg, calculated on mileage and fuel receipts. That includes a few hundred miles of backcountry travel without the trailer.

Nice about towing with the 392 is that it makes both passing vehicles and mountain passes effortless.

 

[kkarnage]

Towed my off-road trailer to the UP and back from VA late last year. Fully laden the trailer is north of 3,000 lbs without blinking. At the time I was pretty much stock, and whilst the engine did not struggle at all with the extra weight, the suspension was not so happy. Mods like aftermarket steel bumpers, RTT, winch, etc, all added up and adding the tongue weight of the trailer to it made for an interesting driving experience.

I’d seriously advise looking into suspension upgrades if you’re towing plus carrying extra weight on the Jeep. I went to an AEV suspension with the 8100 Bilstein shocks and could not be happier. I’ve not done a ton of towing so far with this setup, but enough to know it is orders of magnitude better with the upgraded suspension.

But yeah, those 470 ponies under the hood barely notice the trailer is there. Added 1-2 MPG, but then if you’re buying a 392, MPG should not be something you care about too much.

 

[Valpo Jeep]

The 392 will likely pull more weight than it’s rated for but part of the factors include suspension and wheel base

 

[cseaman]

Just finished a 5200 mile trip towing a 2500 lb tent camper using our 392. Drove mostly speed limit ranging from 60-80 mph. Trip average was 12.7 mpg, calculated on mileage and fuel receipts. That includes a few hundred miles of backcountry travel without the trailer.

Nice about towing with the 392 is that it makes both passing vehicles and mountain passes effortless.

Did you have your AEV suspension installed for this trip? I just towed my 2200 lb trailer yesterday for the first time (w/ the 392) and am very, very happy with the performance. Only complaint is the sag. My trailer has a 317lb tongue weight empty and 240 with water in it. Curious if the AEV suspension handles that weight any better.

Towed my off-road trailer to the UP and back from VA late last year. Fully laden the trailer is north of 3,000 lbs without blinking. At the time I was pretty much stock, and whilst the engine did not struggle at all with the extra weight, the suspension was not so happy. Mods like aftermarket steel bumpers, RTT, winch, etc, all added up and adding the tongue weight of the trailer to it made for an interesting driving experience.

I’d seriously advise looking into suspension upgrades if you’re towing plus carrying extra weight on the Jeep. I went to an AEV suspension with the 8100 Bilstein shocks and could not be happier. I’ve not done a ton of towing so far with this setup, but enough to know it is orders of magnitude better with the upgraded suspension.

Did you do the install the standard or high capacity AEV springs? Additionally, did you get much sag in the rear with the trailer on?

 

[Left Field]

Did you have your AEV suspension installed for this trip? I just towed my 2200 lb trailer yesterday for the first time (w/ the 392) and am very, very happy with the performance. Only complaint is the sag. My trailer has a 317lb tongue weight empty and 240 with water in it. Curious if the AEV suspension handles that weight any better.

I've got the standard AEV springs. My camper tongue weight is around 285# and the sag at the receiver hitch was 1-1/2" with the factory springs. For towing the camper I put in airbags and inflated them to 15psi which worked well.

I re-installed the airbags with the AEV springs just in case, but do not plan to inflate them unless the sag is a problem. I've not towed the camper yet with the AEV lift installed but will connect the trailer this week, see how the sag compares and let you know.

LF

 

[Whaler27]

Power won’t be your limiting factor.

I have a Ford Raptor which has plenty of power to tow 10,000 pounds, is rated at 8,000 pounds, and feels spookey towing 6,000 pounds, even when perfectly loaded, and particularly heading downhill through mountain switchbacks. For the Raptor, the deficits are flexy suspension with ample travel, relatively light weight, and relatively short wheelbase. Our jeeps share those towing deficits.

I’m not suggesting folks should avoid towing light trailers with their jeeps. I’m just saying they’re not great towing mules even when they have all the power in the world.

 

[kkarnage]

Did you do the install the standard or high capacity AEV springs? Additionally, did you get much sag in the rear with the trailer on?

I originally went with the standard 392 kit, so whatever springs those were. It did pretty well with minimum trailer-induced sag, an did even better after I upgraded to the 8100 Bilstein shocks (there weren’t any available at the time I ordered the kit so had to make do with 5100’s for a bit).

After going back up to the UP, then on to Moab, Tucson, and back to VA with that setup, I upgraded to the high capacity springs. I was pretty heavily laden, and towing on some of the Moab trails, and found myself bottoming out the rear suspension pretty regularly, and taking way more damage to my skids that I should have been. The HC springs haven’t been to Moab again yet, but I’ve taken them on some of the local trails, with the trailer, and it’s definitely way better. I will mention though that it gives the Jeep a little bit of a nose-down rake. Not a lot, and many folks won’t notice it, but it’s there. On the upside, I gained about another inch of lift all round.

 

[RudeJeepin]

For those that are worried about rear sag from the trailer tongue weight, look into a weight distribution hitch. Besides trailer brakes it's the best investment in make towing a trailer more relaxing along with sway control, IMHO.

I've towed our 7x12 enclosed trailer (3000lbs ish) behind my Wrangler (diesel), plenty of power but subpar on everything else. It did it, and it wasn't bad, but definitely could be better.
Now I tow it behind my Gladiator (diesel) better all the way around. I've since added more weight to the trailer by slowly building it out to be a toyhauler/camper. Added shelving/cabinets to the front wall, toilet, and starting on a lift bed in the back. We will be using it to haul our SxS or motorcycles. It won't be behind the Wrangler anymore, and it's not because of the lack of power.

 

[cseaman]

I've got the standard AEV springs. My camper tongue weight is around 285# and the sag at the receiver hitch was 1-1/2" with the factory springs. For towing the camper I put in airbags and inflated them to 15psi which worked well.

I re-installed the airbags with the AEV springs just in case, but do not plan to inflate them unless the sag is a problem. I've not towed the camper yet with the AEV lift installed but will connect the trailer this week, see how the sag compares and let you know.

Man, that would be fantastic. I'd be much happier doing the AEV kit (had it on my '23 JLURD) than doing airbags. I just don't want to do the AEV kit and be left with the same sagging to resolve. I don't care about losing the ground clearance that AEV gets knocked for compared to some of the other kits out there.

Really appreciate you offering to hook yours up and provide feedback. Example #398248 why I will always prefer forums to FB groups.

I originally went with the standard 392 kit, so whatever springs those were. It did pretty well with minimum trailer-induced sag, an did even better after I upgraded to the 8100 Bilstein shocks (there weren’t any available at the time I ordered the kit so had to make do with 5100’s for a bit).

After going back up to the UP, then on to Moab, Tucson, and back to VA with that setup, I upgraded to the high capacity springs. I was pretty heavily laden, and towing on some of the Moab trails, and found myself bottoming out the rear suspension pretty regularly, and taking way more damage to my skids that I should have been. The HC springs haven’t been to Moab again yet, but I’ve taken them on some of the local trails, with the trailer, and it’s definitely way better. I will mention though that it gives the Jeep a little bit of a nose-down rake. Not a lot, and many folks won’t notice it, but it’s there. On the upside, I gained about another inch of lift all round.

Awesome, thank you for your insight. I'll never have significant weight besides the trailer's tongue weight....and my trailer isn't a super overlandy trailer that I'll take on anything crazier than forest service roads. Sounds like the std AEV might be the ticket when combined with the info from Left Field.

 

[danba]

I've towed our 7x12 enclosed trailer (3000lbs ish) behind my Wrangler (diesel), plenty of power but subpar on everything else. It did it, and it wasn't bad, but definitely could be better.

Was that with a brake controller + weight distribution system or without?

 

[Left Field]

Did you have your AEV suspension installed for this trip? I just towed my 2200 lb trailer yesterday for the first time (w/ the 392) and am very, very happy with the performance. Only complaint is the sag. My trailer has a 317lb tongue weight empty and 240 with water in it. Curious if the AEV suspension handles that weight any better.

Connected the trailer today -

Trailer tongue weight: ~285#

Sag at the hitch:
JLUR392 (non-XR) factory suspension....... 1.5"
AEV Dual Sport XP 2.5" suspension............ 1.0"

Note that with the AEV suspension I still have positive rake with the camper attached (when measuring from the front/rear of side steps to the ground). Unfortunately I did not check this measurement with the OEM suspension.

For me the jury is still out regarding need for airbags. When I have the camper attached the Jeep is also loaded heavy with overlanding gear (fridge, battery, camping gear) so will have to evaluate total sag when setting up for the next outing.

LF

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