Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: philthy on December 09, 2012, 10:13:36 AM

Title: Towing with a TJ
Post by: philthy on December 09, 2012, 10:13:36 AM
Having searched the web I see the limit is 2t? in US is this same limit for UK?

I know they are very short for towing but im fed up buggering up the wifes car towing my trailer so thinking about putting a towbar on the tj... I have an ifor williams braked flatbed trailer (750kgs) and use it just for personal use so diy,tip etc nothing hardcore so likely would only have a tonne and half at most (including trailer) say 10times a year fairly short distances

Any thoughts/experiences with this
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: Green Jeep on December 09, 2012, 10:53:56 AM
Should be fine for that, as you say for a braked trailer the listed limit is around 2000kg. For sure a longer truck would be better, but short runs should be fine, is the Wrangler lifted? Do you have both anti roll bars on?

I might have a used tow bar of my TJ this week...

Cheers Maf
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: Jonny Jeep on December 09, 2012, 11:17:10 AM
Spec is supposedly 450kg unbraked, 1920kg braked. Nothing on the new style V5 regards towing weights though. Is the max towing weight linked to GVW? Lift etc would add weight and lower tow limits if that's the case.

Just thought, owners manual is nearby, so got it out for a look (the owners manual before any comments).
97 TJ Gross Trailer Weights are 1800kg for a 2.5L and 1125kg for a 4.0L
Gross Combined Weight Rating of vehicle and trailer is 3653kg for 2.5L, and 3055kg for the 4.0L.
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: philthy on December 09, 2012, 12:01:25 PM
Just looked at my trailer and its 575kgs unladen so should be legal i guess, and its breaked.

Yeah running with AR bars, If im perfectly honest I dont know if has a very slight lift or not.... runnning 31's i think it's standard ride height.

Maf would you have the electrics too? would be interested let me know.... no great rush but email phil.horrobin@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks for the input guys :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: philthy on December 09, 2012, 12:03:37 PM
is that weights wrong way round for 2.4/4.0? ie im hoping 1800kgs gross is for the 4.0?

cheers
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: philthy on December 09, 2012, 12:04:38 PM
looks pretty standard height.....
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: Jonny Jeep on December 09, 2012, 02:31:38 PM
It does seem strange that the 2.5L is rated to tow more than the 4.0L but that's what it says in the owners manual. I have no idea if it's correct or not, it may be a misprint and if it is I would expect it to be corrected in later owners manuals. Strange to that the gross weight is higher for the 2.5 too. I don't remember if there was any gross weight specified on the old style V5 but there's nothing on the new style one which is all I have for it now since shredding the old one.
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: Panic mechanic! on December 09, 2012, 02:35:32 PM
think what you may be misunderstanding is that the jeeps are identicle apart from the engines, naturally the straight six weighs more so hence its additional weight has to come off the gross weight hence its only allowed to tow the reduced amount before bending/ breaking the law.
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: philthy on December 09, 2012, 03:25:54 PM
Ahh right but surely the 4.0 cant be over 600kgs heavier??
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: Panic mechanic! on December 09, 2012, 04:08:39 PM
er no but I don't know why its reduced that much
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: philthy on December 09, 2012, 04:51:38 PM
its a strange one.... usa 2000lbs limit so say 907kgs.... but likes of autotrader online quote 1920kgs braked towing weight...450kgs unbraked.... I really cant find anything solid for uk limits....and dont have a owners manual. if i assume 907kgs then its not really worth my while as my trailer is 575kgs alone.. I dont really need to tow much weight as such its just handy having the trailer for lengths of wood etc that cant go in car... mmmm would be good to know for sure so the filth dont nab me.......   catch a murderer or pedo nah lets do the working man thats towing something a kilo over!!
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: wildwood on December 09, 2012, 05:41:24 PM
Just  go for it..... I used to tow a hired trailer to collect timber for joinery..... No problem....... A 4 litre will tow a car trailer loaded with about a ton of wood up the A1 and I found the braked trailer enhanced the stopping of the YJ ....so obviously wasn't overloaded
any weighty item like a Jeep on the trailer will cause havoc with balance sway and all the sort of things that we hate caravan people for???
That is due to the short wheel base......... I reckon your good to go.....no worries....just make sure your rear crossmember is Kosher with the tow hitch attached.......cos this is where the rust and stress  failures happen......
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: Panic mechanic! on December 09, 2012, 06:09:25 PM
from what i have just read , you should be able to tow up to 1.2 ton on it and as said above just be sensible with the way its loaded and you shouldn't really have any problems.
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: STUARTF on December 11, 2012, 08:03:41 AM
Hi All
I had a 4.0 TJ a few years ago running 31'' tyres. Used to tow a box trailer with motox bikes in to Wales from Staffordshire most weekends. Only  question I would ask does the trailer brakes work efficiently as on a couple of occasions under heavy braking due to idiots on the road I found myself being pushed by the trailer with all four wheels locked. Just a thought, didnt stop me using it at every opportunity
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: bonza on December 12, 2012, 09:05:06 AM
this is what's specified for Aussie TJ's

Max Gross Combined Weight Rating 2919 Kg
Max Loaded Trailer Weight (Braked) 900 Kg

this for the 4.0L I-6 (four cylinder not sold here)

I was once told that the fairly low specified trailer weight was due to the fact the TJ's have a short wheel base, but I have towed 3 trail bikes on motorbike trailer many times covering long distances without a drama, so I reckon the OP will be OK for what he's doing
Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: Tank on December 12, 2012, 10:10:08 AM
Heres an odd explanation i found on the net

History
The Jeep Wrangler has the towing capacity to haul up to and no more than 2,000 lbs, due to the fact that a wrangler towing more than 2,000 lbs, forced to brake suddenly, can't avoid having its two front tires lift off the ground.

Expert Insight
The longer the vehicle, the more difficult it is for the force of the object being towed to overwhelm the counter-force of the front end's attempt to remain in place.



Title: Re: Towing with a TJ
Post by: Tank on December 12, 2012, 10:14:47 AM
http://www.cars.com/jeep/wrangler/1998/specifications/ (http://www.cars.com/jeep/wrangler/1998/specifications/)

Another here with a max 2000lbs