What's your opinion on towing with a Jeep Wrangler?

[Jeff7181]

The time is nearing for my girlfriend to think about turning in her leased 2014 Wrangler, and there have been several times where it would have been beneficial to have a vehicle that we could put a motorcycle or lawn tractor in the bed or on a trailer to be towed. I was thinking an F150 or Silverado would be appropriate for the task, but she really loves her Jeep, so we were thinking of getting a Wrangler Unlimited with a tow package.

It looks like the Wrangler's max tow rating for the 2016 model is 3500 pounds, which should be sufficient for what we'd be towing over the distances we'd be towing and the frequency at which we'd be towing (two or three times a year?).

I'm leaning toward either looking for a new F150 with an ecoboost engine (seems like a bottom of the barrel model with the 2.7L ecoboost will tow 7000 lbs or more) or possibly look for a "last year model deal" on a 2015 Silverado 1500 with the 6.2L V8.

Anyone have any experience towing with a Wrangler that they'd like to share? Does towing with a Wrangler suck?

 

[jlee]

If you're just pulling motorcycles and lawn tractors, pretty much anything with a tow rating will work just fine. A $2000 Crown Vic will do that without a problem.

 

[pauldun170]

If you're just pulling motorcycles and lawn tractors, pretty much anything with a tow rating will work just fine. A $2000 Crown Vic will do that without a problem.

We used to tow all sorts of motorcycles (old school 500-600lb porkers) with Accords\Civics\Cavaliers.

Nowadays, if I wanted to get a vehicles for hauling motorcycles or lawnmowers
I'd look at
1. Transit Connect LWB
2. Chrysler minivan
3. Whatever other enclosed, lockable vehicle with a sane load height. Screw modern full size pickups for bike hauling.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I've towed moto trailer behind older wrangler. Short wheelbase and 33's made for a fair amount of side to side sway. Lane control was a pain for longer trips. For short trips to hardware store it was fine.

I'd still rather have a wrangler and a trailer than a current full size pickup. Ever try loading dirtbikes in the back of the current crop of skyscraper full size trucks? Yeah it sucks. Subaru forester with a lawn trailer works WAY better.

 

[skyking]

EDIT: I forgot to say, This guy up here has the info ^
Shorter wheelbase is not quite as much fun, but looking back on the frequency requirement, I'd still get her whatever she wants.

For that tow requirement my beetle would do fine. Don't overthink it too much, Jeff. Get the right car for her and the rest is inconsequential.

 

[pauldun170]

Get her whatever she wants.

...
Don't overthink it too much, Jeff. Get the right car for her and the rest is inconsequential.

^
What that says....

 

[herm0016]

No reason to get a truck unless you want one, and no reason to the the 6.2l in a gmc over the 5.3l. I have an 09 5.3l half ton and had little problem towing a 72 wagoneer on a 10k flat trailer about 2000 miles. 6 or 7k lbs total.

a wrangler will be fine for a small trailer.

 

[Z15CAM]

I drive a Modified 2001 Jeep Wrangler 6 Cly TJ Sport and have been refused by U-Haul from renting a 2 Wheel drag trailer loading an 84 4 Dr Volvo GL.

I got no issues trailing 2 Harley's on an 8x10 trailer with 14" wheels and Cops don't bother me.

In that matter that Volvo will do the same thing providing you build a decent hitch but that 4WD of a Wrangler beats it.

Yes that Wrangler is light but it's 4WD and handles towing a Cadillac.

It's not for sale now ;o)

 

[Torn Mind]

Trucks are high. Lifting things in the bed will get old pretty fast, I suspect. Never owned a big truck, but they keep getting taller.

 

[jagec]

I'd still rather have a wrangler and a trailer than a current full size pickup. Ever try loading dirtbikes in the back of the current crop of skyscraper full size trucks? Yeah it sucks. Subaru forester with a lawn trailer works WAY better.

Based on the commercials, modern trucks are built for hauling the Space Shuttle or open-pit mining, not actual real-person work.

A minivan (plus a small utility trailer if needed) remains the most practical all-around vehicle on the planet. Hmm, maybe people would buy them if we fitted them with vertical, chromed exhaust stacks?

 

[Z15CAM]

A Wrangler is NOT a 3/4 Ton 4X4 Truck.

 

[Bacstar]

Jeeps make other vehicle models. Is it just the Jeep Wrangler or would she be open to a Grand Cherokee or Cherokee? The Cherokee with the tow package and v6 I think can pull up to 4500 lbs.

 

[skyking]

he said a lawn tractor or a motorcycle. Maybe 1500 pounds trailer and all.

 

[Z15CAM]

[Trucks are high. Lifting things in the bed/QUOTE]

There's no bed in a Wrangler - They a designed to climb mountains with a canoe and not that bad at HWY Spd.

 

[iamwiz82]

Towing with a Wrangler is murder, but you are talking about a Wrangler Unlimited, it's leaps and bounds better. Not exactly great, but a huge jump up from a SWB Jeep.

 

[Torn Mind]

[Trucks are high. Lifting things in the bed

There's no bed in a Wrangler - They a designed to climb mountains with a canoe and not that bad at HWY Spd.

Well, isn't that obvious?

The opening poster is considering full size pickup trucks along with the Wrangler Unlimited as his new vehicle to buy. Context dictates I'm talking about pickups, which the Wrangler is definitely not. I am responding to sentences 2 and 4 of the opening poster's post.

 

[Mandres]

Hell you can tow a motorcycle trailer with a lawn tractor ...

For a couple times/yr. pulling a small utility trailer practically any vehicle you can put a hitch on will be fine including family sedans, small crossovers, etc.

 

[olds]

For me personally, if I am looking at used cars and it has a hitch on it, I pass immediately. I won't even give it consideration.