The Jeep Wrangler unlimited is a spacious SUV with impressive durability and off-road capabilities. Every jeep owner has dreamt of going camping or boating. If this is you, you may be wondering how much is my Jeep Wrangler Towing Capacity.

jeep wrangler on rough terrainBelow, you will find a guide on the towing capabilities of the vehicles, including the new jeep wrangler.

It will also cover the towing capacity of various model years, including the new jeep wrangler. But first, let’s understand towing capacity.

What is towing capacity?

Towing capacity is the maximum weight your car can pull safely and legally. It is recorded in pounds (lbs.) and varies according to the car make, model, and year.

Difference between braked and unbraked towing capacity

Braked towing capacity is the maximum a vehicle can tow if the trailer has its own brakes. On the other hand, unbraked towing capacity is the maximum your vehicle can tow if the trailer has no brakes.

Why is trailer tow capacity important?

Knowing your vehicle’s towing features will first keep you on the right side of the law. It is illegal to tow more than the dedicated towing capacity of your car. You can quickly find yourself over the limit due to the other short wheelbase wrangler and its low towing capacity. If you purchased a two wheel drive model your towing capacity may be slightly higher.

Additionally, knowing the towing capacity is all about vehicle protection. Towing more weight than your vehicle can handle makes the camper or boat swing side to side, a condition that can become unsafe if you forgot to reconnect your sway bar disconnect. This makes it difficult to control your vehicle. Regardless of the towing capacity of your vehicle, you want to make sure you look good while driving down the road and one way to do that is by purchasing an aftermarket grill like the one shown below.

jeep wrangler going off-road

Can a jeep wrangler tow 5000 lbs?

Sadly, a wrangler cannot tow 5,000 lbs. Not even the 2021 jeep wrangler unlimited two wheel drive towing capacity can accommodate this weight.

Manufacturers make various models with different towing capacities that range from 1,600 to 3,500 pounds depending on specific market needs. Therefore, you cannot tow 5,000 pounds safely with any model.

And we say safely because you can ideally pull this weight with a few modifications to the vehicle, although it is not advisable by chrysler dodge jeep ram.

Jeep wrangler Rubicon going through a snowy path

Additionally, you can pull the weight for a short distance. For example, if you need to move your boat from the yard to the driveway.

However, it is not advisable because these vehicles are not designed to pull this much weight, and vehicle protection is a priority. Additionally, avoid towing this much weight on the road with your car over long distances. Instead, consider a capable jeep truck for this work.

Luckily, there are many travel trailers under 5,000 lbs if you want to bring your wrangler on the camping trip.

How much will a jeep wrangler tow?

doorless jeep wrangler parked on hill slope

Jeep wrangler towing capacity varies according to the model and year. However, the range given by chrysler dodge jeep ram is between 2,000 and 3,500 lbs. This can vary but if you find yourself lucky enough to have a 4 door jeep with the sahara altitude trims you have the highest towing capacity of 3500 lbs. The information below outlines the various towing capacities, including the maximum towing capacity and the minimum.

Braked And Unbraked Towing Capacity Of Jeep Wranglers

The Jeep Wrangler JL (2018 to 2021 four door models and two door models)

Model 4 Door 2 Door

JL 2021 3,500 lbs. 2,000 pounds

JL 2020 3,500 lbs. 2,000 pounds

JL 2019 3,500 lbs. 2,000 pounds

JL 2018 3,500 lbs. 2,000 pounds

The Jeep Wrangler JK (2007 to 2017 four door and two door models)

Model 4 Door 2 Door

JK 2017 3,500 lbs. 2,000 lbs

JK 2016 3,500 lbs. 2,000 lbs

JK 2015 3,500 lbs. 2,000 lbs

JK 2014 3,500 lbs. 2,000 lbs

JK 2013 3,500 lbs. 2,000 lbs

JK 2012 3,500 lbs. 2,000 lbs

JK 2011 3,500 lbs. 2,000 lbs

JK 2010 3,500 lbs. 2,000 lbs

JK 2009 3,500 lbs. 2,000 lbs

JK 2008 3,500 lbs. 2,000 lbs

JK 2007 2,000 lbs. 2,000 lbs.

The Jeep Wrangler TJ (1997 to 2006)

Engine 6 cyl 4 cyl

2006 2,000 lbs. 1,600 lbs.

2005 2,000 lbs. 1,600 lbs.

2004 2,000 lbs. 1,600 lbs.

2003 2,000 lbs. 1,600 lbs.

2002 2,000 lbs. 1,600 lbs.

2001 2,000 lbs. 1,600 lbs.

2000 2,000 lbs. 1,600 lbs.

1999 2,000 lbs. 1,600 lbs.

1998 2,000 lbs. 1,600 lbs.

1997 2,000 lbs. 1,600 lbs.

red jeep wrangler parked by hillside with back door open

If you need to know the exact towing capacity of your wrangler, you can find the vehicle information in the owner’s manual. This information is also available online in PDF versions, free for viewing and download.

Unfortunately, 2,000 to 3,500 pounds towing capacity is not high, considering the dry weight of an average trailer. Dry weight is its weight when empty, and it is usually 2,500 lbs. With standard equipment, the weight increases quickly.

Can a jeep wrangler tow 7000 lbs?

As mentioned before, the 2021 jeep wrangler jk unlimited with its longer wheelbase has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Therefore, you cannot safely pull 7,000 lbs even with the 2021 jeep wrangler, or a pre production vehicle like the 2022 wrangler.

You can pull it for a short distance, but again, this is not advisable regardless of the trim levels of your vehicle..

jeep wrangler moving past tree clusters on the side of the road

But just because the jeep wrangler towing capacity is low does not mean that the manufacturers do not provide alternatives for heavy cargo. The 2020 Jeep Gladiator and 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel are reliable jeep options for towing 7,000 lbs.

Is a Jeep wrangler good for towing?

It’s not uncommon to meet a jeep wrangler towing small campers. While the jeep towing capacity seems little compared to other vehicles, you can successfully achieve a smooth trailer tow with a good wrangler.

So do not let your jeep stop you from towing a camper. The wrangler can tow the following:

jeep wrangler JK parked in a parking space

Pop-up trailers 

They collapse when you travel and crack up to full height when packed. Pop-up trailers weigh 600 to 4,000 lbs.

Hybrid Trailers

It has rigid sides and pop-up sleeping areas on one or both ends. It is a combination of the standard and pop-up camper. Hybrid trailers weigh 2,000 to 7,000 lbs.

Teardrop Trailers

The teardrop trailer is shaped like a teardrop. It has room for a bed and optional equipment. They are surprisingly lightweight, weighing 500 to 3,200 lbs.

 Airstream Trailers

These are the classic silver bullet travel trailers. Most airstream trailers are heavy, so you need to go for the 2,500-4,000 lbs low-weight versions.

Remember that these ranges are dry weights. Before towing, you need to consider the added weight when you pack the gear to not exceed the towing capacity.

red jeep wrangler parked with a moutain veiw background

Why is the Jeep wrangler towing capacity so low?

The Wrangler is a rugged and powerful vehicle that can handle the outdoors. So most people are often surprised by its low towing capacity after splurging and buying the top of the line Sahara Altitude trims or the lower trim levels sport altitude thinking it would have a higher towing capacity.

Unfortunately, the jeep wrangler’s low towing capacity is because of the vehicle build or mechanical design of the car.

The dimensions of the wrangler, weight, wheelbase, engine capability, and body design, are why they do not have a higher towing capacity.

However, when manufacturers made this heavy duty car, they did not intend it to be a towing vehicle.

The wrangler has and will always be an off-road vehicle designed to take on rough terrain in any weather. Higher Towing capacity was sacrificed and adjusted based on customer off road needs such as the ability to add a light bar.

How much can a 2021 jeep wrangler ecodiesel tow?

The 2021 Wrangler has three gas engines and one diesel engine. The 2021 jeep wrangler ecodiesel engine offers heavy duty performance offroad and on flat surfaces.

black jeep wrangler parked by mountainside on smooth road

This 2021 jeep wrangler also has a  towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. This is the highest towing capacity of all jeep wranglers, so you can comfortably pull a small camper with a properly equipped 2021 jeep wrangler.

Which Jeep Wrangler has the highest towing capacity?

The Wrangler JL (2018 to 2021) and JK (2008 to 2017) models have a max towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

Can a Wrangler tow a boat?

A wrangler can tow a boat depending on its size and weight. Some of the most popular boats that it can tow include

  • Aluminum fishing boats of 300 to 500 lbs.
  • Sailboats of 400 to 800 lbs or 15 to 20 feet
  • Fiberglass fishing boats of 1,500 to 2,500 lbs.
  • Bowrider boats of 3,000 to 3,500 lbs.
  • Deck boats of 3,000 to 5,000 lbs.

How much can a 2022 Jeep wrangler tow?

The 2022 jeep wrangler can tow approximately 3,300 lbs. This is lower than the 2021 model towing capacity but still ideal for towing small boats and campers.

However, if you are unsatisfied with the new wrangler towing capacity, you can always discuss options with a mechanic to increase the towing capacity of these vehicles.

Similarly, you can find out what other owners are doing during jeep brand events. A quick keyword search will land you in brand events. Just be sure to cover any registration fees before attending.

What jeeps can tow 3500 lbs?

The JL (2018 to 2021) and The JK (2008 to 2017) models can tow 3,500 pounds. It is the 2021 jeep wrangler towing capacity.

Conclusion

While there are vehicles better suited to towing than the wrangler you get so much more with this vehicle. The ability to add aftermarket parts, such as light bars, means that you do not need to contact dealer each time you need something.

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