Towing capabilities
#2
Old fart with a wrench
It is within the design limits of the vehicle, but you'd be towing almost exactly the weight of the vehicle itself, so the WJ should be well maintained and in good shape. Personally, I would install electric brakes on a towed weight of that magnitude and use extreme caution. Also, you should forget about using O/D (4th gear) at all. A transmission cooler is a must and watch the engine temperature at all times. Be careful how you load the trailer to keep the tongue weight at a reasonable level with most of the weight on the trailer's wheels. On onboard water tank can change the center of gravity considerably.
Last edited by dave1123; 04-02-2021 at 02:19 AM.
#5
Senior Member
What's the curb weight of the trailer model you're looking at? I'm seeing indication that a 13ft model comes with a 3500# axle under it, but it only weighs 1900#, while the 17ft deluxe model also comes with a 3500# axle under it, but weights 2500#. That may be for older models though... I tow a ~2500# pontoon boat home from southern VA and continue to do so at ~3000# fully loaded multiple times a weekend with my 94 XJ on 31s w/ 4.10s, disc 8.8, towing pads, B&M 70268 cooler. It kicks down to 1st at ~20 mph when going up the 15° grade but down around 10°, it will usually stay in 2nd. Abusing the AW4 for sure, but it hasn't shown an signs of giving up yet, even after a leaking radiator turned the fluid into strawberry milkshake. It's a stout little beast; I'm not sure the WJ transmission is as sturdy, but that's only from seeing people putting AW4s into the GCs, which may have been ZJs...
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RadiatorExpress (04-02-2021)
#6
Member
It is within the design limits of the vehicle, but you'd be towing almost exactly the weight of the vehicle itself, so the WJ should be well maintained and in good shape. Personally, I would install electric brakes on a towed weight of that magnitude and use extreme caution. Also, you should forget about using O/D (4th gear) at all. A transmission cooler is a must and watch the engine temperature at all times. Be careful how you load the trailer to keep the tongue weight at a reasonable level with most of the weight on the trailer's wheels. On onboard water tank can change the center of gravity considerably.
Last edited by Bearstream; 04-03-2021 at 11:02 PM. Reason: Additional info
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