Towing with a Jeep

Jessekiss · Newbie Joined: 25 Apr 2003 Posts: 6 City: Seattle, WA

Hey, I had to get rid of my tow vehicle and now the closest thing I can get my hands on to tow my boat is a Jeep Wrangler (with the 4.0 L engine). Has anyone ever hauled a boat with one of these? I am fine with the power, but I'm a little sketchy driving something that probably weighs less than the thing I'm pulling. I only trailer the boat twice a year (put the boat in the water in spring and take it out in the fall) so I guess I could always just rent a truck, but I don't want to if I don't have to. Any advice is appreciated...

TnR6Rida · Posted: Apr 16, 2010 3:17 pm Post subject:

Just borrow friends truck if you only have to tow it twice.

jonyb · Addict Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 844 City: Paducah

Just when you think it'll only be 2 days, something will break and you'll need to load it, have it fixed, then drop it off again.

But seriously, it should be a requirement that if you buy a boat, you should have more than enough of a tow vehicle to pull it with.

harenheadpaul · Posted: Apr 17, 2010 6:50 am Post subject:

I had a Jeep. Never towed the boat with it. Its not recommended per Jeep due to the short wheel base. The extended wranglers might be better, but I believe all older wranglers, 4 cycl and 6 cycl, had a 2,000 lb max load rating all due to the short wheel base. Good for offroading, bad for towing. Best bet would be to use somebody's truck or suv.

ASuboarder10 · Newbie Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 9 City: Tempe/Glendale

I have seen a few people at the lake that i go to tow with the 4 door wrangler, but i think it depends on your boat as well. If you have a 20ft runabout then you might be alright for 2 tows a year but if you have a bigger boat, I would rather just rent, to much to lose if something went wrong.

ohdoor · Soul Rider Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 281 City: OKC

A few years ago I watched as a tire blew on a large uhaul trailer being pulled by a mid size SUV. The trailer starting moving from side to side and eventually took the SUV sideways with it and they started rolling down the highway together. It wasn't pretty. The driver and everyone in the car was fine but after witnessing that accident I have vowed never to pull anything with a car that is smaller than what is being towed. That being said, you would probably be fine if you stayed off the highway. If you had to get on the highway I'd be very careful with how fast you go. If something happened while you were cruising downhill with a load twice the weight of your jeep it would be ugly. If you have a tandem axle trailer it might be a little safer, although I'd still consider it risky.

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7488

2 times a season. It would be easier just to borrow a truck. Some dealers will even pickup your boat for you. One of your riding buddies should have a truck and they should feel obligated to help you out since you provide the boat.

Wakeboarder3780 · Posted: Apr 18, 2010 9:07 am Post subject:

I personally would never tow a boat with a jeep. Ever. I feel like I'm towing light with a Blazer (and I am).

ryan351w · Addict Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 532

How far do you have to tow?

Like others have said, probably never on the highway, but 10 miles or so 35-45mph you should be fine.

What kind of boat?

slidin_out · Soul Rider Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 353 City: Pearl

Just picked up a SAN today and pulled it 180 miles with a 4.0L Explorer. But I have the towing the package. It actually pulled it about as well as my buddies F-150. Now I only have about 10 miles to pull it to the ramp since I finally got it down to my house so I feel pretty comfortable using my truck. Now a very light Jeep I would be hesitant to pull it with that.

kartman · Posted: Apr 19, 2010 4:56 am Post subject:

Jessekiss, if you were closer to me, i would tow it for you. i drive truck for a living and i have seen some pretty ugly things. not only is it unsafe, you could get stopped. if the officer thinks its unsafe, he will make you unhook you boat and leave it until you get a bigger rig. and if it sits on the road for to long, it gets impounded. if your boat is bigger than a small fishing boat, don't do it. beg, borrow, or steal a bigger rig.

riverfreak · Posted: Apr 19, 2010 5:37 am Post subject:

We just got rid of a 2010 jeep rubicon - 2dr - I would never tow a boat - especially a heavy boat - trailer or anything with a jeep - the wheelbase too narrow

We traded ours in for safety reasons - My husband was driving - hit a rough spot in the road - almost lost control when it left the roadway -
Jeeps are fun toys - but not for everyday travel and certainly not towing

the thought of our 15 yr old having the same experience was enough to drive us back to the dealership -

traded it in on a Ford F150 4x4 - I will miss the jeep on the beach - thats about it

Jessekiss · Newbie Joined: 25 Apr 2003 Posts: 6 City: Seattle, WA

Darn, that's what I was thinking...

was hoping someone would be able to convince me to go against my better judgement

oh well, thanks for the insights