Can I safely tow this??

[Little Miss Trouble]

Hi Guys,

I have a 2018 JLU 3.6 Wrangler. I am looking for a trailer that can tow comfortably no more than 300 miles round trip... as that's about how for I go on average with my current Weekend Warrior Toy hauler with a GMC Denali. I am having a huge conflict of interest here... so I am selling my Polaris RZR since I seem to use my Jeep way more than the RZR. I am considering selling the Warrior and just getting something light enough for the Jeep to tow. Right now, we are having to drive separately to our destinations, he tows the Toy Hauler, and I follow behind in the Jeep because the Jeep doesn't fit in the Toy Hauler. So this is getting pretty annoying. I am so used to the openness of my current trailer, and hoping I can pull off something that feels spacious enough, but light enough for the Jeep to handle it. Now mind you, I have been towing most of my life... so I already know the upgrades needed of Brake Controller, Air Bags weight distribution bars and sway control... I am currently looking at the Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro. Anyone ever towed this before? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/flagstaff-e-pro/E19FBS/9711

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[Grayhound]

Dry weight is above tow capacity. Also hitch weight is over the limit. I had a trailer 1k lbs lighter and I felt i was pushing it.

 

[JSFoster75]

I would not recommend exceeding the manufacturer's recommended towing weight... It's not always about the ability to physically pull the trailer, it's more often the stability of the vehicle and the ability for it to be able to safely stop that amount of weight...

Since the dry weight is over the recommended towing capacity, you would likely be at least 1,500 -2,000 lbs. overweight when the trailer is loaded. That would cause significant safety issues while towing...

 

[jadmt]

i wouldn't... look at something like an Aliner..

 

[Joe98]

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Don't ask us! Instead, read the Jeep's manual!

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[Little Miss Trouble]

Don't ask us! Instead, read the Jeep's manual!

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I did... BUT... I've seen in other forums people towing some pretty heavy trailers... so I wanted a more hands on opinion.

 

[MtCamper]

I'd worry more about the short wheelbase of the Jeep than about its ability to tow. With that combo you are likely to find yourself in a situation where the tail is wagging the dog. Sway control won't help.

 

[Zon]

Jeeps aren’t good at towing. Short wheelbase and a minivan engine. My 6 speed has horrible gearing for towing.

 

[Little Miss Trouble]

Well, darn it... Okay now to plan C... Motorhome and tow the Jeep.

Thanks for the input everyone...

 

[Whiskey 13]

Motorhome pulling the jeep beats the He** out of Camper Trailer Flipping the Jeep

 

[LukeDagny]

Well, darn it... Okay now to plan C... Motorhome and tow the Jeep.

Thanks for the input everyone...

That's what I do. You won't regret it.

 

[Zandcwhite]

A JLU doesn't have a short wheelbase. It's longer than a grand cherokee and most of those over the last 20 years have had a 5k pound tow rating. In Europe and Australia the JLUs have a 5k pound rating. You can argue legality, but there's nothing unsafe about towing 4-5k pounds with one.

 

[YBABRAT]

I drove a Sorento 2.0L add-on Curt hitch with a 10 foot U-haul in tow for 1.5k miles. The U-haul had an extended neck compared to a standard trailer. From what I have noticed is the longer neck helps keep things stable. I tend to see it like a kite tail. The longer the tail the more controled. Just my 2 cents.

 

[dstevens]

Trailer UVW is probably 500 lbs less than what it will end up as. I'm towing a Rove Lite with UVW of 2020 lbs and it is 2506 lbs when loaded with water and a small amount of gear. So your e-pod will be over 4000 lbs. The E15TB might be doable, but 400lb tongue weight.
However the Jeep tows 2500 lbs like it is hardly there at all. No sway control, no weight distribution, no air bags and the Jeep takes the tongue weight with minimal droop. No problem in the wind or if a semi-passes. What gets you with the trailer is the air drag. Speeds much over 60 mph result in pretty poor fuel consumption and I wonder how happy the final drive is when it is hot outside. In that case the a-liner would be far better, but you lose a lot of storage with the pop ups.
Also consider what materials the trailer is made of - especially if you store the trailer outside. Many have chipboard floors with just some fabric below it to stop dirt, and they don't hold up well if they get wet. For that a clam-shell two piece like the scamp is king but the price and style might not be to your taste.
Finally with a Jeep there is a temptation to use a long hitch extender so the trailer clears the spare or (even worse) so that you can open the tailgate. This will reduce your tongue weight (it is only 350 lbs to begin with). So a trailer with an extended tongue, as outlined above, is a good idea.

Edit: saw the OP's post about the motorhome. Oh well, that probably will work better for you.

 

[jadmt]

This was the max I towed it was around 3000lbs empty

and I always had the water tank empty...flat land no wind it was ok but I live in mountain country and lots of wind...so did not make a great combo. I was much happier with the Aliner. JKUR's had 3500lb tow capacity and my new JLUR says it is 5000lb but no way would I tow close to that. if a person tows anything close to 3000lbs they need to make sure they have their trailer brakes properly set up.

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