Towing Issues: Towing with a Wrangler, reese hitches, drawtite hitches

Question
I have an 04 Rubicon 5 speed manual without any tow accessories installed. It's rated to tow up to 2000 GVRW. I'm interested in towing a boat and trailer with a gross weight of
2156. How safe is this consideration? I love my Jeep and don't want to trade it just so I can tow a boat.

Answer
There should be some safety margin built into your Jeep's specifications.  But I would not push it much more.

Make sure what your boat/trailer weighs by taking it to a scale at a truck stop or grain elevator.  Then figure in any extra fuel, coolers, fishing/fun gear etc that you will put in it.

Since the trailer should be set to put about 200 pounds of force (10% of total trailer weight should be on the hitch ball) you need to figure that into the load IN your jeep!  Figure how many people max you will carry and then anything you load in it plus the 200 pounds and see if that exceeds the Gross Combined Weight rating for your jeep.

I love load equalizing hitches, and there are light duty ones that would work in your case.  They make things a lot safe, and although they don't cut down the load on your jeep, it spread it so it won't all be on the back axle.  Check them out at:

http://www.reese-hitches.com

and

http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/learning_center.htm

This last one takes you right to a great site to learn more about hitches, then you can look around for what would be right for your Jeep.

You may not have to have a load equalizing hitch, but they don't cost that much and add a real safety factor.

If your total load is going to be much more than you say, then I would double check your tire load ratings and maybe check with your Jeep dealer to see what can be done.

Don