Jeep Wrangler as a towcar??

2blackpugs
2blackpugs Forum Participant Posts: 14
edited March 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hello one and all!

Does anyone tow with a Jeep Wrangler (the 5 door version)? Got a new caravan on order, arriving next month, but just wondered how the Jeep will be towing. Weight wise is OK as it's a pretty hefty beast (we call it Gruber as it's a little tank). Any info,
tips or comments gratefully appreciated.

Comments

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,057 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #2

    Marvellous tow car! We have two, a 4.0 litre TJ that we have used for both large and small caravans for last 14 years with no problems, including wet ground, serious inclines and descents. Roof fully off and fantastic beach buggy in Summer! We now have a JK 3 door as well, again awesome vehicle. We nearly got the 5 door, but decided bit bigger than what we needed, although we have taken a 5 door on some serious off-roading. Currently on a CL, we have hitched new baby up to help out fellow members get their caravans out of the mud with no problem! One tip, keep an eye on the roof panel seals, the front bit that you can take off in nice weather. Have been known to leak, a problem Jeep are aware of and easily remedied. Have fun, they are no ordinary 4x4.Happy

    pS. It will have the turning circle of a small coach, but don't worry, you can just drive over most things!

  • 2blackpugs
    2blackpugs Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited March 2016 #3

    Hi takethedogalong,

    Thanks for the info, feeling a bit better now with your reassurance, especially as the van we're getting is a big twin axel job, getting on for 2 tonnes fully loaded. Already found that it doesn't exactly turn on a sixpence, but like you say 'no ordinary
    4x4'  worst thing will be getting car and van in and out of the drive me thinks, something to look forward to!

    Thanks again, much appreciated

  • Surfer
    Surfer Club Member Posts: 1,303 ✭
    500 Comments 100 Likes
    edited March 2016 #4

    Hello one and all!

    Does anyone tow with a Jeep Wrangler (the 5 door version)? Got a new caravan on order, arriving next month, but just wondered how the Jeep will be towing. Weight wise is OK as it's a pretty hefty beast (we call it Gruber as it's a little tank). Any info,
    tips or comments gratefully appreciated.

    You do not say what version of Wrangler you drive, i.e. size of engine auto or manual as a 2 ton caravan will be heavier than the tow car and not a good combination.  The Jeep will have no issue towing the unit as it is rated up to 3500kg towing weight.

    However can we assume that you have B+E driving licence to tow with the Jeep as the combination exceeds the 3500kg?

  • 2blackpugs
    2blackpugs Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited March 2016 #5

    Surfer, its the 2.8 diesel automatic version, kerbweight is 2253 so van will be somewhere about 90% approx, towing limit is 2200 i think as peer jeep website. oh and yes licence is fine to tow that.

  • Surfer
    Surfer Club Member Posts: 1,303 ✭
    500 Comments 100 Likes
    edited March 2016 #6

    Surfer, its the 2.8 diesel automatic version, kerbweight is 2253 so van will be somewhere about 90% approx, towing limit is 2200 i think as peer jeep website. oh and yes licence is fine to tow that.

    Is that the 2.8CRD Polar Auto?  We tow with a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD 3.0 and it has no issues pulling our 1800kg caravn up the steepest of hills.  If we were younger I would go for the Wrangler as i looks fun car. 

    Our only issue with the Jeep is finding people with the right sort of knowledge for Jeeps as dealerships charge silly labour rates for servicing!

  • 2blackpugs
    2blackpugs Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited March 2016 #7

    Surfer, its the 2.8 diesel automatic version, kerbweight is 2253 so van will be somewhere about 90% approx, towing limit is 2200 i think as peer jeep website. oh and yes licence is fine to tow that.

    Is that the 2.8CRD Polar Auto?  We tow with a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD 3.0 and it has no issues pulling our 1800kg caravn up the steepest of hills.  If we were younger I would go for the Wrangler as i looks fun car. 

    Our only issue with the Jeep is finding people with the right sort of knowledge for Jeeps as dealerships charge silly labour rates for servicing!

    Write your comments here...hi again, to be precise, according to the dealer it's the HARD TOP SPECIAL EDITION 2.8 CRD Black Edition II 4 dr auto....it is a rather fun car, some might say a mid-life crisis car, but best i keep quiet on that one, hehehe! Weight
    wise and capacity it should be fine, just need to get used to towing with it and also such a big van (Bucaneer Cruiser) can't wait to get the can and get going. Thanks again for the info.

  • Surfer
    Surfer Club Member Posts: 1,303 ✭
    500 Comments 100 Likes
    edited March 2016 #8

    We collect our Cruiser next month and looking forward to using it.  On the
    Caravan Talk     forum there are threads running on the 2015 and 2016 Buccanner caravans.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,057 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #9

    You are very welcome 2blackpugs! We have had 4.0 litre Cherokee, and a Grand Cherokee as well, our TJ 4.0 litre used to be a tad thirsty, but it is now dual fuel LPG, so much more economic and no loss of performance. We happily extracted a very stuck caravan
    this past weekend with the new Wrangler, left the van owner open mouthed at the ease with which it was done. Make sure you play off road in it if you get the chance, great fun. What colour? We love the Rescue Green, but got a great deal on some sort of gunmetal
    grey one, so happy with that! There is a fantastic Jeep Club meet up at Tong off road course (Google Parkwood Off Road Course) sometime in July I think. Not too far from Cambridgeshire. We have been to a course near you at Bewdley as well Surfer, few years
    ago though!

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #10

    Hi takethedogalong,

    Thanks for the info, feeling a bit better now with your reassurance, especially as the van we're getting is a big twin axel job, getting on for 2 tonnes fully loaded. Already found that it doesn't exactly turn on a sixpence, but like you say 'no ordinary
    4x4'  worst thing will be getting car and van in and out of the drive me thinks, something to look forward to!

    Thanks again, much appreciated

    If the drive looks a problem a motormover might be the answer.

  • 2blackpugs
    2blackpugs Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited March 2016 #11

    Hi takethedogalong,

    Thanks for the info, feeling a bit better now with your reassurance, especially as the van we're getting is a big twin axel job, getting on for 2 tonnes fully loaded. Already found that it doesn't exactly turn on a sixpence, but like you say 'no ordinary
    4x4'  worst thing will be getting car and van in and out of the drive me thinks, something to look forward to!

    Thanks again, much appreciated

    If the drive looks a problem a motormover might be the answer.

    Hi, thanks for the advice. Motor mover is already on order along with the van.

  • 2blackpugs
    2blackpugs Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited March 2016 #12

    You are very welcome 2blackpugs! We have had 4.0 litre Cherokee, and a Grand Cherokee as well, our TJ 4.0 litre used to be a tad thirsty, but it is now dual fuel LPG, so much more economic and no loss of performance. We happily extracted a very stuck caravan
    this past weekend with the new Wrangler, left the van owner open mouthed at the ease with which it was done. Make sure you play off road in it if you get the chance, great fun. What colour? We love the Rescue Green, but got a great deal on some sort of gunmetal
    grey one, so happy with that! There is a fantastic Jeep Club meet up at Tong off road course (Google Parkwood Off Road Course) sometime in July I think. Not too far from Cambridgeshire. We have been to a course near you at Bewdley as well Surfer, few years
    ago though!

    hi again,

    thanks for the info, much appreciated, will definitely be looking at the off road courses, though not looking forward to the cleaning afterwards.

  • 2blackpugs
    2blackpugs Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited March 2016 #13

    We collect our Cruiser next month and looking forward to using it.  On the
    Caravan Talk     forum there are threads running on the 2015 and 2016 Buccanner caravans.

    still waiting for a date for ours, been told it should be April, fingers crossed as going to France in it on 7th May, fingers crossed it arrives in time. Can't wait!!

  • Surfer
    Surfer Club Member Posts: 1,303 ✭
    500 Comments 100 Likes
    edited March 2016 #14

    We collect our Cruiser next month and looking forward to using it.  On the
    Caravan Talk     forum there are threads running on the 2015 and 2016 Buccanner caravans.

    still waiting for a date for ours, been told it should be April, fingers crossed as going to France in it on 7th May, fingers crossed it arrives in time. Can't wait!!

    We are off to France on the 15th May.  You never know we may end up cruising to the same site as you.  LOL! 
    Laughing

  • 2blackpugs
    2blackpugs Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited May 2016 #15

    just a quick update on the jeep. got back sunday from 2 weeks in the loire. jeep performed really well, towed the van without a problem - really impressed. only problem was the fuel blockade causing havoc on the way back, no diesel anywhere. it's amazing
    how long fumes will keep you going for! managed to fill up in marquise just south of calais, phew! home now and back to work -
    Don't cry

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