[torchd]

These questions all pertain to my 98 ZJ 4.0

I was able to find a near perfect Curt trailer hitch off of Craigslist for $50. This is what this hitch is rated for:

Weight Carrying
5000 lb.
Tongue Weight
500 lb.


Weight Distribution (WD)
8000 lb.
WD Tongue Weight
800 lb

So what exactly do those above numbers mean? How mych weight is the ZJ rated to tow?

Now I haven't checked yet, but where can I find a wiring harness to to plug into my Jeeps wiring? I still need to check that little door behind the spare tire to see if it has the PREP wiring for towing.

What is the best ball mount to pick up? My ZJ has a 2" BB lift with 31" tall tires right now

Also when not towing, where is the best place to find a receiver mount that has either a tow hook on the back or a schackle out back? If I go the shackle route, what size schackle do I want?

Thanks guys for all your help!

[adeso]

I don't know what the ZJ is rated for, you can find that in your owners manual-just remember to use the lower of the numbers (hitch vs. manual)
Weight Carrying
5000 lb.
This means you can tow a 5000lb trailer with this hitch
Tongue Weight
500 lb.
This means you can have 500lbs on the tongue of the trailer-so if you were to set the jack on a scale it could be up to 500lbs

Weight Distribution (WD)
8000 lb.
WD Tongue Weight
800 lb
Weight distro is this thing:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/equipment/hitches/towing-weight-distribution-systems.htm

[MPond]

Your ZJ will have a weight rating of it's own, and you'll be limited by whichever is the lower of the 2 (the ZJ or the hitch).

If you ZJ is rated for more than 5000 lbs, then you have the option to use a Weight Distribution hitch, which will increase the capacity of the hitch from 5000 to 8000 lbs.

WD hitches use load-bars to shift some of the trailer's weight onto the front axle of the tow vehicle:

[ajmorell]

A ZJ with the 4.0 is rated to tow 5000lbs max

[MPond]

Originally Posted by ajmorell

A ZJ with the 4.0 is rated to tow 5000lbs max

That being the case, you'll be limited to 5,000 lbs by the ZJ, regardless of the hitch ratings.

Depending on what you're going to tow, you may still want a WD hitch. A light-weight trailer shouldn't be an issue, but if you're close to 5,000 lbs, or over 500 lbs of tongue weight, then a WD hitch would be useful.

What do you plan to tow?