Question regarding sag when towing

[John Galt]

I am looking for some experience from people towing with their Wrangler. I have a 2020 JLUR with the 3.6l engine. It is not lifted, and the only heavy additions are some rocksliders and a winch. The Jeep will stay within the 850 payload limit including tongue weight.
I am planing to tow a trailer with a maximum tongue weight of 300 pounds. I am not planing to use a weight distribution hitch. Does anyone here have any experience regarding how much sag I should expect? I am not going to drive in the dark, so won’t blind oncoming traffic if a little sag occurs. I am simply trying to figure out if I the sag would force me to get a weight distribution hitch.

Many thanks for your help!

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[RDiddy]

Just loading up my camping gear alone in the back of my 4 door Sahara is enough to completely bottom out the rear suspension. It's not like I cram an insane amount of heavy stuff in there, but I don't pack light either. Take that for what it's worth.

I have done some pretty extensive research on towing with the JL as of late as I am buying a boat, and pretty much every thread about towing, the people that reply either employ a weight distribution hitch, air bags for the rear springs, or both.

 

[Left Field]

I was getting about 1.5" of sag with 285lbs hitch weight and the stock (392) springs. It towed ok that way as it had some factory rake to start from.
Some airbags added later helped accommodate tongue weight + gear more comfortably. Airbags at 15 psi seemed plenty.
LF

 

[John Galt]

Just loading up my camping gear alone in the back of my 4 door Sahara is enough to completely bottom out the rear suspension. It's not like I cram an insane amount of heavy stuff in there, but I don't pack light either. Take that for what it's worth.

I have done some pretty extensive research on towing with the JL as of late as I am buying a boat, and pretty much every thread about towing, the people that reply either employ a weight distribution hitch, air bags for the rear springs, or both.

Thanks for your reply, I had tested the sag by sitting myself and my better half in the trunk, seemed to sag by about an inch (we combine around 300 pounds), hopefully it won’t be much worse with a trailer. And yes, airbags had been something I was looking at.

 

[John Galt]

I was getting about 1.5" of sag with 285lbs hitch weight and the stock (392) springs. It towed ok that way as it had some factory rake to start from.
Some airbags added later helped accommodate tongue weight + gear more comfortably. Airbags at 15 psi seemed plenty.
LF

Many thanks, I have ordered the airbags!

 

[vetygud]

I installed the Air Lift 1000. Easy install with a single fill valve next to my hitch tube. It is nice to adjust the pressure anytime for load, hitch mounted bike rack or trailer. It stopped the sag and has stiffened the rear end up for the better. I've had the air bags for a year and a half with no problems. I use a Milwaukee 12V pump that I carry to fill or adjust when needed.

 

[Alex07]

From what I remember, the Jeep Wrangler's suspension is built to handle different situations, including towing. But, if you load the trailer without using a weight distribution hitch, you might see a bit of sag. The exact amount of sag can vary based on factors like how the trailer is designed and how the weight is spread out on it, innit?

 

[OrneryBear]

We got about an inch of sag with our camper this last year. I wasn't entirely thrilled with how it towed without a WDH. I bought an Andersen hitch to run this next year. I think that will make me happy, but if it doesn't might add some air bags, but I would prefer not to. I'm not towing from Ohio to Moab or anything.

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