Tow a boat with a TJ?

2004rubi · 07-06-2005, 09:53 PM

Anybody tow a boat with a TJ yet? I have an '05 with the 4.0 and 6 speed. I only plan on short distance from house to the ramp. It will probably be about an 18'-19' boat. I know the ramp won't be a problem, but how is it on turns at around 45 mph or less? I have less than a mile in the right lane on the highway and that won't be a problem. What's the catch on doin' this if anybody has......

**mdm** · 07-06-2005, 10:10 PM

This has been discussed numerous times. Do a search on towing.

Bottom line - Towing anything over the factory limit of 2000 lbs (for a regular TJ) and 3500 lbs (for an Unlimited model) is foolish and dangerous even for short distances.

DirtyRedTJ · 07-06-2005, 10:21 PM

I have towed my 16' boat with my TJ plenty of times. But, that was before my lift. At stock height w/ stock tires you will be fine. Double check the weight of the boat to be sure, but something like a bass boat with a smallish engine will be below the 2k weight limit.

Rgillar · 07-07-2005, 08:49 PM

Towing ain't the problem. Turning and stopping will be the problem. Short wheel base will give you a live example of the tag wagging the dog. You'll probably be fine 90% of the time, but if you have to make a sudden stop, the boat will swap ends and you'll end up wrecking the jeep and the boat.

Thus, if you tow, make sure you have great insurance and your agents number in your cell phone. Not a question of if, question of when.

**igofshn** · 07-07-2005, 09:32 PM

I tow my 16' deep V bass tracker all the time. No trouble. Be smart and don't go too fast.

blackbetty · 07-07-2005, 09:37 PM

towed my boat with my lifted jeep....i had no problems at all. not even with getting back up the slick boat ramp.

**Scuba Jeepster** · 07-07-2005, 10:09 PM

I've towed boats, trailers, etc with my jeep for 8 years without any problems. Just watch yourself when it somes to stopping especially when its wet.

BigPoppaG · 07-07-2005, 10:23 PM

Towed an 18' Sea Ray with no problems at all. Stopping distance between you and the car in front of you needs to be wider. Other then that...............got for it

**jaythornton000** · 06-16-2010, 02:38 AM

I tow my 18 foot 4.3l ski boat to the ramp weekly. it's about ten miles of wavy mountas roads though town, mountains and to the ramp. the only real issue i've got is climbing one steep hill en route... but i've got hydraulic trailer brakes. from what i gather from other local jeep owners, that's the magic ingredient... that and a little crazy.

either way, keep it slow and don't get stuck on a downhill curve with too much speed. realize that you're towing something twice your length and about your weight and act accordingly.

one more thing. if you're sitting at stock ride height, your tail pipe will be in te water when you put in. freaks the wife out but not that big of a deal.

Coils Rule · 06-16-2010, 12:52 PM

I towed a 18 foot searay bowrider with my 03 Rubicon in stock form when I went to 35's I could tow it but could not stop it

cbr929rr · 06-16-2010, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2004rubi

Anybody tow a boat with a TJ yet? I have an '05 with the 4.0 and 6 speed. I only plan on short distance from house to the ramp. It will probably be about an 18'-19' boat. I know the ramp won't be a problem, but how is it on turns at around 45 mph or less? I have less than a mile in the right lane on the highway and that won't be a problem. What's the catch on doin' this if anybody has......

I tow our 97 Sea Ray 175 boat and have for several years. I would avoid highway/freeway speeds and anything sudden....pretty much common sense precautions....its not ideal, but can be done (cautiously)

**robert_hollis** · 06-16-2010, 03:20 PM

I once had an 18ft Tangerine (fiberglass sailboat), and never had trouble towing it with my Jeep. Of course, that boat weighed next to nothing... I regularly towed it 40-50 miles each way(mostly highway).

robncar · 06-16-2010, 05:56 PM

I would wonder what the liability would be when one exceeds the manufacturers max towing weight if involved in an accident?

**greenv66** · 06-16-2010, 06:27 PM

My friend tows his 17' duck boat (weighs about 2,000 lbs.) with his TJ. It tows just fine, but stopping is a problem. When I back him down the ramp (whether the boat's on the trailer or not) the TJ will drag down the ramp even though the brakes are locked up.

TJRubicon06 · 06-16-2010, 06:38 PM

I used to tow my 19ft Fourwinns bowrider with my rubi, no issues. Trailer brakes are a must.

07-06-2005, 10:21 PM	#3
DirtyRedTJ Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 141 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have towed my 16' boat with my TJ plenty of times. But, that was before my lift. At stock height w/ stock tires you will be fine. Double check the weight of the boat to be sure, but something like a bass boat with a smallish engine will be below the 2k weight limit. __________________ [COLOR=darkred]You Gotta Hit It Harder Than That![/COLOR] 1998 SE, 4 Gerbils , 5 speed, D30 Front, Diff Guards, QD's, 3" Black Diamond springs, Rough Country LCAs, Pro Comp es3000's, 2" bl, 8,000lb winch, TB spacer, K&N, Electric Fan, hand throttle, CB, Seat covers, chopped bumper, 33 x 12.50 Truxus MTs, AR wheels, Rocker guards, Lights, High Lift ... [COLOR=darkred]Certain Death Jeep Club Member #2[ /COLOR] 2002 WJ 31x11x16 Thornbirds, Westin Safari Bar

07-07-2005, 09:32 PM	#5
igofshn Locked @ both ends Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lemoore, CA Posts: 8,032 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I tow my 16' deep V bass tracker all the time. No trouble. Be smart and don't go too fast. __________________ 2007, 4 door, powered by a minivan engine, locked and riding on 35's. [Jeep Pics

07-07-2005, 09:37 PM	#6
blackbetty Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 175 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	towed my boat with my lifted jeep....i had no problems at all. not even with getting back up the slick boat ramp. __________________ 94 yj (Black Betty) 81 cj5 (The Jive CJ5) 83 cj7 (Ol' Blue) [COLOR=DimGray][B]Metalhead Jeep Club #1337[/B] [/COLOR]

07-07-2005, 08:49 PM	#4
Rgillar Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 6 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Towing ain't the problem. Turning and stopping will be the problem. Short wheel base will give you a live example of the tag wagging the dog. You'll probably be fine 90% of the time, but if you have to make a sudden stop, the boat will swap ends and you'll end up wrecking the jeep and the boat. Thus, if you tow, make sure you have great insurance and your agents number in your cell phone. Not a question of if, question of when.