If you have owned or driven a Jeep Wrangler before, then you can agree with us that the Jeep Wrangler series is quite exceptional. Very few vehicles come close to the Wrangler in terms of performance.
The rugged personality that is associated with the Jeep Wrangler has made it a fan favorite, for anyone looking for a worry-free adventurous drive.
One question that most people have about the adventurous persona associated with the Jeep Wrangler is, “Can the Jeep Wrangler tow?” The answer is yes; all vehicles that are part of the Jeep Wrangler series have towing capabilities.
One thing that is important to note though is that with different models and trims of the Jeep Wrangler the towing capacities tend to fluctuate.
Some Jeep Wrangler model trims can tow up to 3500 pounds whereas some can only tow a maximum of 2000 pounds.
With the “perfect” towing Jeep Wrangler model, you can tow boats, skis, trailers, horse trailers, and even travel trailers. It comes down to the Jeep Wrangler model or trim you want to tow with.
The good news is we are going to be giving a comprehensive guide to see whether your particular Wrangler can tow your trailer stress-free or you are going to need an upgrade. You need to read this.
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Towing Capacities of Jeep Models
There are so many Jeep Wrangler models and trims that it is impossible to list them all in one go . One thing that is important to note is that there is consistency in terms of towing capacity for Jeep Wrangler models and trims.
Most trims tend to maintain their towing capacities year on year. We have created two tables to show the average towing capacities of Jeep Wranglers to help you determine where your Jeep Wrangler stands in terms of towing.
Maximum Towing Capacities of Jeep Wranglers (Yearly)
| Model & Year | Unbraked Towing Capacity | Braked Towing Capacity |
| Wrangler TJ 1996 | 1,600 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Wrangler TJ 1997 | 1,600 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Wrangler TJ 1998 | 1,600 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Wrangler TJ 1999 | 1,600 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Wrangler TJ 2000 | 1,600 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Wrangler TJ 2001 | 1,600 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Wrangler TJ 2002 | 1,600 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Wrangler TJ 2003 | 1,600 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Wrangler TJ 2004 | 1,600 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Wrangler TJ 2005 | 1,600 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Wrangler TJ 2006 | 1,600 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Wrangler JK 2007 | 1,600 lbs | 2,000 lbs |
| Wrangler JK 2008 | 1,600 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
| Wrangler JK 2009 | 1,600 lbs | JK 4door Variants 3,500 lbs. |
| Wrangler JK 2010 | 1,600 lbs | JK 4door Variants ≈3,500 lbs. |
| Wrangler JK 2011 | 1,600 lbs | JK 4door Variants 3,500 lbs. |
| Wrangler JK 2012 | 1,600 lbs | JK 4door Variants 3,500 lbs. |
| Wrangler JK 2013 | 1,600 lbs | JK 4door Variants 3,500 lbs. |
| Wrangler JK 2014 | 1,600 lbs | JK 4door Variants 3,500 lbs. |
| Wrangler JK 2015 | 1,600 lbs | JK 4door Variants 3,500 lbs. |
| Wrangler JK 2016 | 1,600 lbs | JK 4door Variants 3,500 lbs |
| Wrangler JK 2017 | 1,600 lbs | JK 4door Variants 3,500 lbs. |
| Wrangler JL 2018 | 1,600 lbs | JL 4door Variants 3,500 lbs. |
| Wrangler JL 2019 | 1600 lbs | JL 4door Variants 3,500 lbs. |
| Wrangler JL 2020 | 1600 lbs | JL 4door Variants 3,500 lbs. |
| Wrangler JL 2021 | 1600 lbs | JL 4door Variants 3,500 lbs. |
Average Towing capacities for all Wrangler Models and Trims
| Model | Engine | Transmission | Braked Towing Capacity | Max Tongue Weight |
| 2 Door Sport | 3.6 L | Manual | 2,000 lbs | 200 lbs |
| 2 Door Sport | 3.6 L | Manual | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 2 Door Sport | 3.6 L | Automatic | 2,000 lbs | 200 lbs |
| 2 Door Sport | 3.6 L | Automatic | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 2 Door Sahara | 3.6 L | Manual | 2,000 lbs | 200 lbs |
| 2 Door Sahara | 3.6 L | Manual | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 2 Door Sahara | 3.6 L | Automatic | 2,000 lbs | 200 lbs |
| 2 Door Sahara | 3.6 L | Automatic | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 2 Door Rubicon | 3.6 L | Manual | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 2 Door Rubicon | 3.6 L | Automatic | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 2 Door Rubicon | 3.6 L | Automatic | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 4 Door Sport | 3.6 L | Manual | 2,000 lbs | 200 lbs |
| 4 Door Sport | 3.6 L | Manual | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 4 Door Sport | 3.6 L | Automatic | 2,000 lbs | 200 lbs |
| 4 Door Sport | 3.6 L | Automatic | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 4 Door Sahara | 3.6 L | Manual | 2,000 lbs | 200 lbs |
| 4 Door Sahara | 3.6 L | Manual | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 4 Door Sahara | 3.6 L | Automatic | 2,000 lbs | 200 lbs |
| 4 Door Sahara | 3.6 L | Automatic | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 4 Door Rubicon | 3.6 L | Manual | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 4 Door Rubicon | 3.6 L | Automatic | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
| 4 Door Rubicon | 3.6 L | Automatic | 3,500 lbs | 350 lbs |
These tables reflect weighted average towing capacities. For specific yearly models and trim refer to the yearly service manuals.
Can a Jeep Wrangler Tow 5000 lbs?
The answer to this question is yes and no. The Jeep Wrangler is not a single type of vehicle; it is a series of vehicles. A series of vehicles has several models and trims.
One thing that tends to differ from one model to the next and in some instances from one trim to the next is towing capacity. The reason why we have different towing capacities for different models or trims is that Jeep Wrangler model trims are designed in most cases to service a specific market.
If the specific market is not really into towing then the trim will rarely have to tow as its strongest suit. Even in this regard, the Jeep Wrangler series is not designed to pull up to 5000 pounds. You can’t tow anything above the 3500-pound threshold, safely without making modifications to your Wrangler.
Here we highlighted the word “safely” for a reason. You can tow about 5000lbs with jeep wrangler if you needed for a small distance. But it’s not safe and not advisable at all.
But if you need to move a boat or a travel trailer around your yard or house, that is about 5000lbs heavy, it’s totally doable with your wrangler. But for a serious towing of 5000lbs or more on road, you should think about more capable jeep or truck than wrangler. As an example a jeep gladiator is suitable for this type of job. Because jeep gladiator can tow up to 7,650 pounds safely.
Which Jeep Wrangler Has The Maximum Towing Capacity? Which Jeep Wrangler Has The Lowest Towing Capacity?
If you have a four door Jeep Wrangler you can pull up to 3500 pounds in terms of trailer weight. In terms of the minimum towing capacity of the Jeep Wrangler series, the bare minimum you can tow with any Jeep Wrangler model or trim is the Jeep Wrangler TJ which comes with a factory towing capacity of 2000 pounds.
This might seem astonishingly small but you will be glad to know that there are some amazing vehicles with this weight range that you can tow with your Jeep Wrangler. The minimum towing capacity of the Jeep Wrangler series is shared amongst several models and trims.
Why is the Jeep Wrangler Towing Capacity So Low?
For most Jeep Wranglers we are talking about having towing capacities around 2000 pounds. This is very low in comparison to other vehicles in the class of the Jeep Wrangler series.
The question that comes next is often, “Why is the Jeep Wrangler’s towing capacity so low”. With the consistency and performance that comes with the Jeep Wrangler even off-road, it is quite true that some of the models can only tow 2000 pounds.
Well, the answer to this question is quite simply: It has to do with the mechanical design of the vehicle.
Wrangler’s weight, wheel base and other dimensions, body design as well as engine capabilities also responsible for the low towing capacity. But we can’t blame on it because wrangler is made for specific purposes like driving on extreme terrain conditions/ off road activities. So towing is not it’s main purpose.
Can You Increase the Towing Capacity of a Jeep?
The good news is that if you are not entirely satisfied with your Jeep Wrangler’s towing capacity. You can do something about it.
This sounds like a dream right. Well, it is not. You can increase the towing capacity of your Jeep Wrangler.
Some of the methods might seem a bit complex but most of the methods are quite simple and will not result in any problems for your Jeep Wrangler.
Here are some of the best methods that you can use to increase your Jeep Wrangler’s towing capacity.
Reprogram the Vehicle
Most modern Jeep Wranglers come with an ECU(Electronic Control Unit). This is an electronic component that the Jeep Wrangler uses to manage and control the electronic systems on the Jeep Wrangler.
Having a professional programmer look and reprogram your vehicle can help improve horsepower and other attributes of the vehicle.
This will in turn result in your towing capacity increasing. It is very important though to get a professional to do the reprogramming.
The last thing you wouldn’t want is your vehicle coming out of the modification process with more problems.
Upgrade and Modify the Suspension System
The suspension system of your Jeep Wrangler is an integral part of the towing system of the vehicle. Upgrading and modifying the suspension system can improve the towing capabilities of your vehicles.
The suspension helps in weight distribution on your Jeep Wrangler and for improved towing capacity it has more weight at the front.
This is exactly what a suspension upgrade will do. One thing that is also very important to note though is that a suspension upgrade is quite costly.
It will not just affect your vehicle’s towing capacity though, it can also affect other elements of your Jeep Wrangler. In most instances, it often results in more efficient vehicles.
Most car experts advise against modifications to increase the towing capacity of your Jeep Wranglers. Shoddy work can result in some depressing problems for your Jeep Wrangler.
Unless it is completely necessary we recommend that you steer away from the temptation to upgrade your Jeep Wrangler’s towing capacity.
Three Best Campers To Tow With a Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler series has received a lot of criticism for having a low towing capacity compared to some of the other vehicles on the market.
We have already alluded to the reason why it is like this and it is quite understandable why most people might doubt the series capabilities when it comes to towing camping trailers.
Compared to most trailable vehicles camping trailers easily rank as one of the heaviest. That might be an alarming statistic for individuals with Jeep Wranglers especially the 2 door models.
The good news though is that over the past years the camping trailer industry has been trying to accommodate individuals with vehicles that have smaller towing capacities.
Thanks to innovation and a bit of engineering, tinkering we have been blessed with some lightweight trailers. The best part is even though these trailers are lightweight, there is no discount in terms of quality.
You can still enjoy the comfort of a camping trailer without necessarily straining your Wrangler.
Here are some of the best camping trailers you can take on an adventure with you and your Jeep Wrangler.
Teardrop Trailers
Teardrop trailers are one of the latest and pretty innovative designs that have hit the trailer seen most recently.
What makes these trailers different? Well, for the most part, they are very light and we have already alluded to the fact that most of the Jeep Wrangler models are not the best when it comes to towing.
So it essentially makes Teardrop trailers the in-thing for anyone trying to tow with a Jeep Wrangler.
The teardrop trailer comes with a single room of space. That is big enough to be the perfect outdoor bedroom.
For your catering needs, there is a hatch at the back. If you are willing to splash a bit more cash, you can get an outdoor shower option, which is quite essential.
Remember with the power of the Jeep, you never know where you will end up. It becomes important to have all you need in one place.
The icing to the teardrop trailer cake is the fact that the maximum weight of these trailers is 3200 pounds. Most of the trailers though weigh not more than 1500 pounds. This makes it the perfect trailer for the Jeep Wrangler series.
Aliner Ascape
This might not be the most visually appealing trailer but trust us when we say, it gets the job done.
The Aliner Ascape comes with a 2 seater dinette that is small but compact. You can sit comfortably and enjoy your meals in the dinette.
Once you are done using the dinette, you can easily turn it into a bed. All you have to do is fold the dinette components and you have yourself a comfortable bed for two.
The best part about having the Aliner Ascape is that it weighs less than 2000 pounds.
This means that even the base model of the Jeep Wrangler series can comfortably tow this bedroom/dinette on wheels.
One thing that you might have to get comfortable with though is the fact that the vehicle does not come with a toilet.
That is not much of a problem though, we are sure you will find a plan in the great outdoors whenever you go out with your Jeep Wrangler and your Aliner Ascape .
Jayco Hummingbird
The Jayco Hummingbird is the real deal. It looks premium and feels exactly that way too.
The only difference between the Jayco Hummingbird and those 6 figure trailers is the fact that the Jayco Hummingbird is pounds lighter.
Most of the Jeep Wrangler models cannot tow more than 2000 pounds and the fact that the Jayco Hummingbird weighs just over 1500 pounds makes it the perfect trailer for the Jeep Wrangler.
What do you get with the Jayco Hummingbird?
The Jayco Hummingbird comes with a rubber torsion suspension that makes steering the trailer quite easy even for vehicles with minimal towing capacities like the 2 door Jeep Wrangler base model.
The Jayco Hummingbird comes with a fully furnished kitchen. If your budget allows you can further customize your trailer and add a TV setup and even a bike rack.
Remember you can do all this and still have a trailer that weighs less than 2000 pounds. Amazing, right?
Can you Tow Boats With Jeep Wranglers?
Boats. Yes, boats have over the years gained a significant amount of weight and as things look, the trend seems to be continuously going upwards.
This is not great news though for people that own some models of the Jeep Wrangler, especially the two-door base models that have a low towing capacity.
The good news though for boating enthusiasts that own Jeep Wranglers is that there are dozens of boats that you can tow with your Wrangler.
Your vehicle’s towing limitations should not hamper your boating ambitions.
Here are some of the best boats that you can tow with your Jeep Wrangler.
| Boat | Weight(lbs.) | Special Features |
| Charger 210 Elite | 1900 | Night vision cameras, heated seats, side vision sonar |
| Boston Whaler 170 Montauk | 1700 | Stainless steel side rails. galvanized trailer,90 Horsepower engine |
| Avalon Catalina DRL 24 | 2000 | Centerline locker, improved hydrodynamics, 11-seater |
| Sweetwater 2086 BF | 1916 | Bowfish seats, a life well, interior lighting |
| Nitro Z18 | 1700 | Nonskid mats, live well, variety of colors |
| Lowe SS210 | 1900 | Up to 13 passengers, efficient Mercury motor |
| Sweetwater 2086 BF | 1816 | Premium interior lighting, Bowfish seats |
If you are a fan of sailboats then you won’t have to worry about having difficulties when it comes to towing them.
There are several sailboats available on the market at the moment and the best part is they weigh so little that no matter the brand of sailboat you pick, you can tow it with your Jeep Wrangler.
Here are some of the best sailboats that you can tow with your Jeep Wrangler (Any model or trim).
The Minicat 310
The fact is that the Minicat 310 can accommodate two adults on deck and still house top-of-the-range polyester seats.
If you want to speed this vessel will provide that and more. The vessel is small and we know you are going to flip when we tell you how much it weighs.
The 10 feet Minicat 310 weighs just 77 pounds. Yes, just 77 pounds.
This means you can tow it with your Jeep Wrangler without having to worry about mechanical damage to your vehicle.
Islander 24
The Islander 24 is a great sailboat. This is not a sales pitch rather it is an honest piece about the genius that it took to create the boat.
The boat is easy to steer thanks to the attention paid to engineering detail.
The fact that the boat weighs way below 1000 pounds makes it a perfect pick for anyone looking to use their Jeep Wrangler for boat towing. You can check out my wrangler boat and jet ski towing guide to know more info about this.
Can a Jeep Wrangler Tow a Jet Ski?
Jet Skis and Jeep Wranglers are the perfect combination. Well anyone that has owned or used both will agree with us on this one.
The answer is yes, a Jeep Wrangler can tow a Jet Ski in fact if there was ever a perfect vehicle for towing a Jet Ski with, it is the Jeep Wrangler.
It gives the jet ski balance and reduces the chances of Jack-knifing or fishtailing. If you were still to decide whether to take your Jet Ski with you on your journey with your Wrangler, then you have our full approval to go ahead and do it.
There are some jet skis though that might be a bit difficult to tow with your Jeep Wrangler. That list is quite minute though.
Here are some of the best Jet Skis you should tow with your Jeep Wrangler seamlessly and effectively.
FX Cruiser HO Full
Fx Cruiser HO Full is a full house on the jet ski scene. It’s not every day that you come across a personal watercraft that can carry around three grown adults comfortably.
The Jetski comes with a 4 cylinder,4 stroke engine. Yes, it is that powerful.
When it comes to speed it’s a proper iteration to refer to the vehicle as a water bullet. With three passengers on board, you can still hit record water speeds.
If you are willing to part with a few extra bucks you can get your FX Cruiser equipped with some sleek gadgets like waterproof speakers and action cameras.
We have not even mentioned the best part. The FX Cruiser weighs 838 pounds.
That is not even half the towing capacity of the least able Jeep Wrangler in terms of towing.
If you have a Jeep Wrangler, it is impossible to list it as an excuse as to why you are not moving around with your FX Cruiser HO.
Kawasaki Ultra 310 LX
Standing at 11 feet in terms of length the Kawasaki Ultra 310 is one of the longest jet skis.
The good thing though is that the jet ski makes very good use of the extra length as it has a maximum capacity of 3 onboard passengers.
In terms of performance, the Kawasaki is the dream jet ski with a deep v hull for extra stability in deep and rough waters.
The deep hull also aids in terms of vehicle agility. You are going to need a lot of agility if you plan on attaining record-high speeds.
In terms of weight, the Kawasaki clocks 1,073.8 pounds. This is not the dry weight of the jet ski, it is the curb weight.
If you feel it is a bit too heavy for your Jeep Wrangler to tow you can remove some fuel and tow on an empty tank.
That is just a personal precaution but the Kawasaki Ultra fits snuggly into the Jeep Wrangler towing capacity range.
Jet Skis You Can Tow With Your Jeep Wrangler
| Jet Ski | Weight(lbs.) |
| Kawasaki SX-R | 551.3 |
| Kawasaki STX 160 | 864.4 |
| Yamaha FX Limited SVHO | 822 |
| Yamaha GP1800R HO | 734 |
| Yamaha SuperJet | 375 |
| Sea-Doo Wake Pro 230 | 829 |
| Sea-Soo GTR 230 | 744 |
Can a Jeep Wrangler Tow a Car Trailer?
If you cannot find the perfect travel trailer to take along with you on your journey, the next best thing might be getting a car trailer to keep your luggage in for the adventure.
One thing about car trailers though compared to travel trailers is the fact that there is more flexibility on the weight side of things. If you are planning to tow a car trailer with your Jeep Wrangler, we fully endorse the idea.
What is important though is picking the perfect trailer and knowing how to do it. Some trailers do surpass the 2000 pound mark although very few, we recommend that you stay away from those.
Remember the towing capacity of your Jeep Wrangler also includes the weight of the gear inside the car trailer. It becomes extremely important to keep that in mind when picking a trailer.
Can a Jeep Wrangler Tow a Horse Trailer?
If there is a horse trailer you are trying to tow with your Jeep Wrangler and it is below the towing capacity or equal to the towing capacity of your Jeep Wrangler, you can tow it.
That is rarely the case though. Horse trailers are usually quite heavy and often weigh a lot above the towing capacities of most Jeep Wranglers.
One thing that also makes it a bit complex is that horses on their own are quite heavy and factoring in the weight of the horse makes it quite some task for your Jeep Wrangler.
There are some exceptions though and these include the standard Bockman which weighs 2000 pounds. But a horse also weight about 900 – 2000 pounds as an average. because of that when even only one hose loaded, the total weight of your trailer can be increase near to the 3500 pounds level or more. So towing a horse trailer with a wrangler also not safe most of the time.
There can be exceptions to this calculations if you have a small horse with less weight and light weight trailer. Apart from that it’s not advisable to tow a horse trailer with your jeep wrangler.
Best Trailer For Hauling Jeep Wrangler.
We have discussed a lot about Jeep Wranglers and trailers. It is now important to look at essentially the best trailer you should use with your Jeep Wrangler.
We have already alluded in this article that there are dozens of Jeep Wrangler models and trim.
There is some monumental difference in terms of towing for these different trims and models. Picking one trailer that is best for a range of vehicles is that extension is a bit unfair.
We picked some of the best trailers that all the Jeep Wranglers can tow and another one that is essentially the best but can be a bit out of reach for some Jeep Wrangler models in terms of towing capabilities.
The Tigermoth and the Aliner Ascape are some of the best hauling trailers that you can tow with your Jeep Wrangler.
If you see a Jeep Wrangler towing an enclosed trailer chances are that trailer is an Aliner Ascape or a Tigermoth trailer.
Tips For Towing With a Jeep Wrangler
If you have a Jeep Wrangler, we know that you are going to use it for towing. Whether you decide to tow a jet ski, a boat, an enclosed trailer, or a car trailer these tips can be quite useful.
Towing might seem very simple whilst it is going well but if some elements are not in the right place it can result in some very drastic consequences.
The tips will certainly help you avoid colliding with the consequences of towing gone wrong. Be sure to put them to use.
Get A Professional To Modify Your Jeep Wrangler for You
We have already mentioned the fact that some Jeep Wrangler models and trims may come with towing capacities that are somewhat underwhelming and that can be quite a depressing fact.
The good news is that you can change that. One thing that is important though, when you decide to give your Jeep Wrangler an upgrade in the towing department is ensuring that you hire the services of a professional.
Car modification is a complex task and even if you are only looking at changing the towing capacity of your Jeep Wrangler, a lot more than the towing capacity may change during the process.
This makes having someone with extensive knowledge do it for you a safe and great idea.
The temptation to DIY your Jeep Wrangler’s towing capacity can be quite overwhelming but please do not fall for it. Do not!
Once your Jeep Wrangler has undergone modification and has received a boost in the towing department, it is very important to take it for a test drive before taking it for towing.
Remember modification can alter many components that result in the mouth-watering performance of your Jeep Wrangler.
Get All the Necessary Equipment
One thing about towing is that it is very important to have all the necessary gear.
You cannot take shortcuts and have a seamless experience. You are going to need a receiver, a receiver hitch and a wiring harness.
In some instances, you are also going to need an engine cooler. One thing that is important though is to always have an expert on call.
Accidents or problems during towing are not completely avoidable. With an expert on call, you are assured of help in record time if you have a problem as you tow with your Jeep Wrangler.
Towing is amazing, especially if you have a Jeep Wrangle that is serviced and you tow a load within your towing capacity.
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Enjoy, your Jeep Wrangler!
