Re: Towing with Wrangler Unlimited
 

I'm curious as to the basis of this opinion. Apparently he is within
factory towing specifications, albeit at the very high end.


"RoyJ" <spamless@microsoft.net> wrote in message
news:auktd.4207$0r.1679@newsread1.news.pas.earthli nk.net...
> Anyone who thinks that is a normal experience that can be copied should
> have their head examined. And please stay off the roads I drive on.
>
> hrncir wrote:
> > Martin, here is an answer to your question, from the Yahoo Unlimited
group,
> >
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...rum/message/83
> >

Re: Towing with Wrangler Unlimited
 

I'm curious as to the basis of this opinion. Apparently he is within
factory towing specifications, albeit at the very high end.


"RoyJ" <spamless@microsoft.net> wrote in message
news:auktd.4207$0r.1679@newsread1.news.pas.earthli nk.net...
> Anyone who thinks that is a normal experience that can be copied should
> have their head examined. And please stay off the roads I drive on.
>
> hrncir wrote:
> > Martin, here is an answer to your question, from the Yahoo Unlimited
group,
> >
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...rum/message/83
> >

Re: Towing with Wrangler Unlimited
 

I'm curious as to the basis of this opinion. Apparently he is within
factory towing specifications, albeit at the very high end.


"RoyJ" <spamless@microsoft.net> wrote in message
news:auktd.4207$0r.1679@newsread1.news.pas.earthli nk.net...
> Anyone who thinks that is a normal experience that can be copied should
> have their head examined. And please stay off the roads I drive on.
>
> hrncir wrote:
> > Martin, here is an answer to your question, from the Yahoo Unlimited
group,
> >
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...rum/message/83
> >

Re: Towing with Wrangler Unlimited
 

According to the Jeep website, all the Wranglers EXCEPT the two
Unlimited models are rated at 2000 pound gross trailer weight. (SE is
only rated to 1000 pounds.) I wonder what is so special about the
Unlimited? The issue is not power from the engine or brakes, it is
handling under emergancy conditions. I for one do not want to be
anywhere near (in front of, beside, or behind) someone doing the legal
speed limit in traffic with that rig, finds the car ahead jams on the
brakes, needs to take evasive action, hops to the next lane.

Short wheel base and high center of gravity are the culprits. Add in
some soft springs suitable for off road and you have a deadly
combination at highway speeds. The OP on yahoo says he kept it down to
50 to 55 mph. This will cause a traffic jam on any interstate I've driven.

I might add that the usual guide is a minimum of 10% of the gross
trailer weight as tongue weight. This is the minimum to keep the trailer
from fish tailing under most conditions. In this case, that is a 350
pound load MINIMUM on the hitch.





Tom Greening wrote:
> I'm curious as to the basis of this opinion. Apparently he is within
> factory towing specifications, albeit at the very high end.
>
>
> "RoyJ" <spamless@microsoft.net> wrote in message
> news:auktd.4207$0r.1679@newsread1.news.pas.earthli nk.net...
>
>>Anyone who thinks that is a normal experience that can be copied should
>>have their head examined. And please stay off the roads I drive on.
>>
>>hrncir wrote:
>>
>>>Martin, here is an answer to your question, from the Yahoo Unlimited
>
> group,
>
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...rum/message/83
>
>
>

Re: Towing with Wrangler Unlimited
 

According to the Jeep website, all the Wranglers EXCEPT the two
Unlimited models are rated at 2000 pound gross trailer weight. (SE is
only rated to 1000 pounds.) I wonder what is so special about the
Unlimited? The issue is not power from the engine or brakes, it is
handling under emergancy conditions. I for one do not want to be
anywhere near (in front of, beside, or behind) someone doing the legal
speed limit in traffic with that rig, finds the car ahead jams on the
brakes, needs to take evasive action, hops to the next lane.

Short wheel base and high center of gravity are the culprits. Add in
some soft springs suitable for off road and you have a deadly
combination at highway speeds. The OP on yahoo says he kept it down to
50 to 55 mph. This will cause a traffic jam on any interstate I've driven.

I might add that the usual guide is a minimum of 10% of the gross
trailer weight as tongue weight. This is the minimum to keep the trailer
from fish tailing under most conditions. In this case, that is a 350
pound load MINIMUM on the hitch.





Tom Greening wrote:
> I'm curious as to the basis of this opinion. Apparently he is within
> factory towing specifications, albeit at the very high end.
>
>
> "RoyJ" <spamless@microsoft.net> wrote in message
> news:auktd.4207$0r.1679@newsread1.news.pas.earthli nk.net...
>
>>Anyone who thinks that is a normal experience that can be copied should
>>have their head examined. And please stay off the roads I drive on.
>>
>>hrncir wrote:
>>
>>>Martin, here is an answer to your question, from the Yahoo Unlimited
>
> group,
>
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...rum/message/83
>
>
>

Re: Towing with Wrangler Unlimited
 

According to the Jeep website, all the Wranglers EXCEPT the two
Unlimited models are rated at 2000 pound gross trailer weight. (SE is
only rated to 1000 pounds.) I wonder what is so special about the
Unlimited? The issue is not power from the engine or brakes, it is
handling under emergancy conditions. I for one do not want to be
anywhere near (in front of, beside, or behind) someone doing the legal
speed limit in traffic with that rig, finds the car ahead jams on the
brakes, needs to take evasive action, hops to the next lane.

Short wheel base and high center of gravity are the culprits. Add in
some soft springs suitable for off road and you have a deadly
combination at highway speeds. The OP on yahoo says he kept it down to
50 to 55 mph. This will cause a traffic jam on any interstate I've driven.

I might add that the usual guide is a minimum of 10% of the gross
trailer weight as tongue weight. This is the minimum to keep the trailer
from fish tailing under most conditions. In this case, that is a 350
pound load MINIMUM on the hitch.





Tom Greening wrote:
> I'm curious as to the basis of this opinion. Apparently he is within
> factory towing specifications, albeit at the very high end.
>
>
> "RoyJ" <spamless@microsoft.net> wrote in message
> news:auktd.4207$0r.1679@newsread1.news.pas.earthli nk.net...
>
>>Anyone who thinks that is a normal experience that can be copied should
>>have their head examined. And please stay off the roads I drive on.
>>
>>hrncir wrote:
>>
>>>Martin, here is an answer to your question, from the Yahoo Unlimited
>
> group,
>
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...rum/message/83
>
>
>

Re: Towing with Wrangler Unlimited
 

I don't know what differentials they're throwing in the Unlimited, but
I can tell you NEVER try to pull anything over the rated weight in a
Sport!! Whatever you do, adhere religiously to what they tell you in
the manual or they won't replace the parts. I'm writing from sad new
differential experience :) If the parts are at all alike, I wouldn't go
crazy with the Unlimited either.


Matt

Re: Towing with Wrangler Unlimited
 

I don't know what differentials they're throwing in the Unlimited, but
I can tell you NEVER try to pull anything over the rated weight in a
Sport!! Whatever you do, adhere religiously to what they tell you in
the manual or they won't replace the parts. I'm writing from sad new
differential experience :) If the parts are at all alike, I wouldn't go
crazy with the Unlimited either.


Matt

Re: Towing with Wrangler Unlimited
 

I don't know what differentials they're throwing in the Unlimited, but
I can tell you NEVER try to pull anything over the rated weight in a
Sport!! Whatever you do, adhere religiously to what they tell you in
the manual or they won't replace the parts. I'm writing from sad new
differential experience :) If the parts are at all alike, I wouldn't go
crazy with the Unlimited either.


Matt

Re: Towing with Wrangler Unlimited
 

All that may be so but the unlimited is rated at 3500# towing capacity which
I would imagine has something to do with the increased wheelbase and factory
stock D44 rear axle. I really don't see the big issue with this. The
trailer is not "that" incredibly heavy, the jeep is not "that" much of a
lightweight, and most importantly the jeep/trailer combo apparently has a
functioning electric brake system for the trailer.


"RoyJ" <spamless@microsoft.net> wrote in message
news:zemtd.4256$yr1.3001@newsread3.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
> According to the Jeep website, all the Wranglers EXCEPT the two
> Unlimited models are rated at 2000 pound gross trailer weight. (SE is
> only rated to 1000 pounds.) I wonder what is so special about the
> Unlimited? The issue is not power from the engine or brakes, it is
> handling under emergancy conditions. I for one do not want to be
> anywhere near (in front of, beside, or behind) someone doing the legal
> speed limit in traffic with that rig, finds the car ahead jams on the
> brakes, needs to take evasive action, hops to the next lane.
>

Yet you don't have any issue with an 85,000# tractor trailer barreling down
the road at 70mph? A good 50,000# or so which is likely to be payload. How
about a 1-ton duelly towing a single car trailer?

> Short wheel base and high center of gravity are the culprits. Add in
> some soft springs suitable for off road and you have a deadly
> combination at highway speeds. The OP on yahoo says he kept it down to
> 50 to 55 mph. This will cause a traffic jam on any interstate I've driven.
>

Most traffic jams are caused by rubber-neckers and looky-loos and people
that havent figured out the passing lane is for just that, passing. If the
OP stayed in the travel lane for the most part he isn't likely to be the
source of any significant hold ups.

> I might add that the usual guide is a minimum of 10% of the gross
> trailer weight as tongue weight. This is the minimum to keep the trailer
> from fish tailing under most conditions. In this case, that is a 350
> pound load MINIMUM on the hitch.
>
>
>


Not sure of your point here but here are some numbers for comparison. A
regular cab 4x2 shortbox Ford F-150 has a 123" wheelbase and is rated to tow
6500lbs. That is not quite double the rating of the Jeep with not quite 2
more feet of wheelbase and the truck weighing in about 5000lbs.

The Jeep on the other hand with its 103" wheelbase weighs in at about
3700lbs with an auto tranny and can only haul 3500lbs.

I really don't see where the OP or anyone else would need to "have their
head examined".