Who blatantly tows a camper OVER 3500#?

[Bruceter]

This was probably about 3800 fully loaded and we towed it about 5500 miles last summer.

wondering which weigh distribution hitch you are using and is this with a original Mopar hitch on the Jeep?

thanks!

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[Jgeiken]

wondering which weigh distribution hitch you are using and is this with a original Mopar hitch on the Jeep?

thanks!

It’s a 10k WDH from Harbor Freight and yes it has the MOPAR Towing package. It towed just fine across the mountains (both Rocky and Appalachian). Temps were good. We drive straight through also so about 20+ hours at a time. 65 and cruise.

 

[bjm00se]

 

[TroyBoy]

3500 and you are fine. 3501 and holy crap you are taking a big risk! Except in Australia where you are fine.

 

[Robbyreneeward]

I FINALLY decided on a model, and wife is happy too, so we put down a deposit on a new unit being built. Should be here in April sometime. Once it’s here. I’m figuring 3200# dry and not the 3059 advertised, but I’m happy with our choice.

And yes, the tow police are everywhere!!!!

 

[Jgeiken]

I FINALLY decided on a model, and wife is happy too, so we put down a deposit on a new unit being built. Should be here in April sometime. Once it’s here. I’m figuring 3200# dry and not the 3059 advertised, but I’m happy with our choice.

And yes, the tow police are everywhere!!!!

Congrats.
Get a good WDH and brake controller and you will be fine. Actually if you’re in the market for a brake controller. PM me, we started towing our Jeep behind our MH so I don’t need my controller anymore.

 

[Robbyreneeward]

Congrats.
Get a good WDH and brake controller and you will be fine. Actually if you’re in the market for a brake controller. PM me, we started towing our Jeep behind our MH so I don’t need my controller anymore.

Absolutely won’t skimp here. Gonna use equalizer 4 point WDH and Curt echo brake controller.

 

[The Abbot]

Congrats.
Get a good WDH and brake controller and you will be fine. Actually if you’re in the market for a brake controller. PM me, we started towing our Jeep behind our MH so I don’t need my controller anymore.

We have a 4xe on order and I think this trailer may be in our future. Looks great!

 

[scottedontknow]

Soooo any updates?! How’s it pulling? Any issues?

 

[00 Trans Ram]

No, because if shit goes badly you are directly liable for illegally towing over the weight rating.

Where is the legal definition of a tow rating? They aren't set by the government. They are agreed to by manufacturers, and are according to an absurd SAE standard.

 

[JSFoster75]

I towed about 1,800 - 2,000 lbs with my 2.0L coming back from Florida, and on the Interstate, my MPG went from 19.5 down to 11... I couldn't imagine towing double that... It pulled the trailer just fine, barely knew it was back there, but man it killed the gas mileage...

 

[00 Trans Ram]

So, it's not a camper . . . but I tow this almost every weekend. Well, technically not THIS one - it's new. But, before this, I towed a 1997 Wellcraft Excel 23 WA.

Weight on this boat is right at 5000lbs, with 50 gal fuel, 15 gal freshwater, 2 dozen drinks and 20lb of ice. Also has 5 batteries and a trolling motor. Weighed it on a CAT scale last week.

The tow rating for the JLU is 3500# in the US, due to the aforementioned SAE J2807 rating, which includes crazy things like up a 4% incline for 11.4 miles in 100+*F heat, 5 start/stops on a 12% grade in 5 minutes, etc.

However, the tow rating for the exact same Jeep, in Australia and Europe, is 5500lbs with a braked trailer.

I can confirm that the Jeep does just fine on level roads, in 100+*F heat, at interstate speeds, for hours on end.

 

[oceanblue2019]

Where is the legal definition of a tow rating? They aren't set by the government. They are agreed to by manufacturers, and are according to an absurd SAE standard.

I am not here to disagree that the standard or how they are set is horse-shit.

I can tell you if you have an accident while towing over the limit you will have issues as they take this seriously. I have also seen the police stop and check for proper tow ratings and proper safety systems in place.

Also insurance is always looking for a reason to deny you and will use this if it's on the accident report.

 

[deanfromoregon]

Where is the legal definition of a tow rating? They aren't set by the government. They are agreed to by manufacturers, and are according to an absurd SAE standard.

These are set by the "Tire Police". They also monitor in real time all GVWR on all rigs with campers (especially the pesky Arctic Fox), and they enforce beadlock DOT compliance. Apparently they live primarily on Facebook and are all named (or nicknamed) "Karen".

So in summary, there is nothing, be safe.

 

[Heimkehr]

I towed about 1,800 - 2,000 lbs with my 2.0L coming back from Florida, and on the Interstate, my MPG went from 19.5 down to 11... I couldn't imagine towing double that... It pulled the trailer just fine, barely knew it was back there, but man it killed the gas mileage...

What was the profile of the trailer (box, open, etc.) and your average Interstate driving speed?

Towing this motorcycle trailer (1,400 lbs. total) at 65 mph cost me just ~3.x mpg. It wasn't an aerodynamically clean load, either, thus my curiosity about your towing config.

2021 JLU w/2.0T & 850RE. 91+ fuel.

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