Any concern towing a utility trailer?

[J0E]

It folds all the way down to the ground as a ramp for loading and unloading stuff.

Sorry, I meant does it fold down into the trailer so you can have lumber hanging over the edge. I had to cut notches in mine to get it to fold down flat.

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[OldGuyNewJeep]

Sorry, I meant does it fold down into the trailer so you can have lumber hanging over the edge. I had to cut notches in mine to get it to fold down flat.

Oh, that’s a good question. That would be awesome. I have to try, tomorrow.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

PJ trailers have a tailgate that you can lay all the way down on the deck.

I just looked at you link. I highly suggest spending a little more for the trailer with a heavier round pipe top vs angle or small diameter tubing. I call the angle iron trailers flexible flyers as you can watch then flex when you’re behind one.

Treat the wood on the deck, top and bottom, after you get it. Especially if you park it on grass/dirt.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Sorry, I meant does it fold down into the trailer so you can have lumber hanging over the edge. I had to cut notches in mine to get it to fold down flat.

Nope. It’d have to be modified to do that, unfortunately. You can see in this picture how it’s explicitly made to not swing past vertical.

 

[entropy]

I've decided to buy a Big Tex 30ES 5x10: https://www.bigtextrailers.com/30es-economy-single-axle-utility-trailer

I'm planning to pick it up with the Jeep on Saturday. It's 723lbs when empty, which is well below the 2,000lb tow rating for the 2dr.

Any concerns or tips? The dealer is 90 miles away, so I'll have a long way home on the highway.

(I also have a Yukon XL and a boat, so I am not new to towing. I've just never towed with the Jeep, other than moving my boat around the yard... boat is well above the 2,000 rating, but I just move it around my property.)

You'll be fine. I tow a high-clearance offroad teardrop that's about 1,400~1,500 lbs when fully loaded. I tow it up mountain windy roads, freeway, etc... can't even feel it is back there to be honest. I have trailer brakes and honestly I could get away without them. I wouldn't hesitate to tow 1,900lbs with the 2 door either.

I have the OEM towing suspension from a Rubicon and the Jeep does not squat at all either.

The 2,000 lb limit is very conservative, and probably has to do mostly with the dynamics of the vehicle which could turn disastrous if shit hits the fan while towing.

The 2 door JL tows better than a Subaru Outback, yet it is rated to tow less. I was with a friend and he was really struggling towing his 1,200lb trailer up a hill with his Subaru, and I didn't have any issues with the JL. Another friend sold his FJ and bought a 2 door Rubi JL, and says the JL is way superior at towing his trailer than the FJ. These experiences however, probably have more to do with the pentastar v6 rather than the Jeep itself.

You're gonna feel like youre towing with a little truck and have plenty of power. But in reality you are towing with a high center of gravity, short wheelbase, short width and squishy suspension vehicle. So just keep that in mind.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

So the trailer is working out great. I’m finding lots of chores for it, and the Jeep pulls it just fine.

Question about tire pressure. I’ve got 15” radial tires (205/75D15 Load C) that say max load at 50psi. The dealer sent me on my way with 35psi. The spare I just picked up came with 50psi.

Should I be running 50psi?

 

[JeepinPete]

What load are the tires rated for at 50psi? Probably well north of what the trailer is rated for. If so, a lower pressure would be fine.

Pete

 

[Fudster]

@OldGuyNewJeep : probably nothing you don't know as it regards trailer load balancing, but just in case:

https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Towing/How-To-Request-Your-Own-Safe-Trailering-Demonstrator-8335/

 

[Phred]

I've decided to buy a Big Tex 30ES 5x10: https://www.bigtextrailers.com/30es-economy-single-axle-utility-trailer

I'm planning to pick it up with the Jeep on Saturday. It's 723lbs when empty, which is well below the 2,000lb tow rating for the 2dr.

Any concerns or tips? The dealer is 90 miles away, so I'll have a long way home on the highway.

(I also have a Yukon XL and a boat, so I am not new to towing. I've just never towed with the Jeep, other than moving my boat around the yard... boat is well above the 2,000 rating, but I just move it around my property.)

My wife and I just did Engineer Pass in Colorado towing our home built 1200# camping trailer. 2 1/2" lift, 2.0 and air bags.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

What load are the tires rated for at 50psi? Probably well north of what the trailer is rated for. If so, a lower pressure would be fine.

Pete

OK, that makes sense.

At 50psi they are rated for 1860lbs (so 3720 combined since it’s a single axel). Trailer is rated for 3,000lbs.

If I max them out they’ll likely wear in the middle rather than evenly, but I’ll probably replace due to age long before I wore them down.

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