TJ towing experience

[geo]

Does anyone have any experience towing a tent trailer with their TJ?  I am heading to Rocky next weekend and was originally going to tent it, but started thinking about taking my tent trailer.  Its 1300 lbs dry and it does not have trailer brakes.  It will just be me and the dog in the jeep and I will not be taking a lot in the way of gear, but I know the weight will start adding up fast once I start packing.  

From what I found, gross trailer weight of 907 kg, GVWR 2087 kg, curb weight of 1686 kg.  So 2087-1686 = 401 kg of room up front, taking into consideration me, dog, and fuel that should leave me with 425 lbs to spare, then I need to account for a max tongue weight of 350 lbs so I think I am pretty tight there.  As for the trailer, I should have room for about 700 lbs (minus things like propane tank, battery).

So numbers wise I think I am okay, but I am curious to hear of other peoples experiences and suggestions.  How does it do on the highway, whats the control like, stuff like that.

Thanks,

Geo

2003 TJ Sport

[BlackYJ]

I have towed a 17' boat back from Windermere with my YJ on 33s and it easily handled it and the trailer did not have brakes.  There are lots of people that tow tent trailers with their jeeps so I can't see it being much of an issue.

[shibby]

From what I've heard, the jeep can haul the weight no problem, has the power. Braking I don't know about.
What I've been told is that because the jeeps wheelbase is so short, coupled with a heavy trailer, it is easier to get caught in a fish tail situation. Which is why the suggested limit is 2000 pounds.

[FiEND]

doesn't make complete sense.  the liberty can do 5000 lbs and the wheelbase is shorter than the unlimited TJ/JK which is only rated for 3500 lbs.

jk unlimted - 116 inches, 3500 lbs
kj v6 - 104.2 inches, 5000 lbs

i thought it had to do with vehicle weight but the v6 liberty and JK unlimited are almost the same weight.  4050 lbs approx.

ah the liberty manual is only rated at 3500 lbs, the auto is 5000.  anyhoo theres definitely more to it than simply wheelbase.

[BlackYJ]

Towing capacity has to do with wheelbase, engine power, gear ratio and transmission.

[80malibu]

May long was my 1st trip with my "new" tent trailer, a 1989 Starcraft 10 footer. It is 1794lbs dry, so loaded with gear? I'm not sure. The Jeep(2002 TJ 4.0l) pulled with few problems. The only thing was the fish tail situation, I was fine up to 100-110kph, anything after that was not good. If I stayed around the 90-100 mark, no sweat. We camped west of Cremona, and some others (in diesel pickup w / 5th wheels) needed assistance from a local farmer and his large tractor to drag them out past the muddy bits. I had NO problems... with 31" BFG M/T's I just pushed through, easily. So, all in all, I can say the Jeep pulled great, on and off road, with some steep hills to boot.

[yjcanibul]

I towed a number of trailers over the years including 1/2 a datsun truck conversion ,  I dont think a trailer should fishtail at any legal highway speed if the distribution of weight in the trailer is correct - if my memory is correct its 60/40 front/back of the trailer axle (this should be in owners manual for utility trailers ) ... and if my memory continues to serve me fishtale is mostly? caused by more weight to the rear ... I would think a tent trailer empty is 60/40 but maybe thats worth researching so you know where your starting from ... they provide storage cubbyholes and isle way knowing your going to stuff stuff in them and change the distribution ...

[80malibu]

I agree, 1st trip out got those results, gonna try to get more weight up by the hitch next time and see how it works out

[RckyMtnTJ]

I know its a little late, but we tow our 69 Sportscraft with our TJ.  It tows it pretty well.  Loaded as full as she can get, it weighs in at over 1200lbs.  Main problem is that I run 4" lift, 33's and stock 3:73 gearing.  It can be somewhat of a dog without a trailer.  The trailer just adds to it.  I definitely wouldn't recommend loading up your trailer over 2000lbs.  If you are stock it should tow pretty good.  Make sure to have 10-15% tongue weight.   If your wife packs your trailer you can easily be over your tow limit.   At least my wife definitely could.

Since this post is so late, did you get yours out for a trip??

[geo]

Yes, I got out for the weekend, but there was a late change of plans so I did not make it to Rocky, but instead stayed at Fallen Timber North on the Trunk Road.  I did not have any problems towing, everything went smooth.  On the highway it cruised nicely at 100km/hr.    I did take a lot of my extra gear out to keep the weight down.  I did notice the difference in stopping compared to when I tow it with my pathfinder, which I expected.  Waking up to 4 inches of snow on Monday was a real treat.  The road out was a nice mixture of snow and mud, so in corning I did push out to the outside corner a bit, but I just took it slow and steady.  I will tow it again, I just may stay off the QE2…