Towing capacity on CJ-7...

SuB8HaVeN · 07-23-2007, 01:39 PM

Hello all, I will be looking at upgrading my aluminum v-hull to a 19-20' fiberglass center console open fisherman (Mako/Aquasport/Boston Whaler) within the next few months (I'm really looking for an older model to restore) and wanted to check and make sure that my CJ-7 will be capable of towing whatever I get. I'm guessing that the boat, trailer, and motor should weigh no more than 5000 pounds all together.

I currently have a 1986 CJ-7 with the 258 I6 and Warner T-4. What do you think my comfortable towing capacity is going to be? Do any of you guys do any towing with your CJ? Also, I just have the ball hitch on the rear bumper which is bolted to the frame; do you think I will need to upgrade to a Reese hitch? Thanks for any info!

82cjman · 07-23-2007, 02:03 PM

you will deffinitely need to get a frame mounted hitch. the bumper will not hold the toung weight of that trailer safely. i have an 82 cj7 and i tow my 20' bowrider and 3900lb popup camper just fine. although the boat is a little heavy for highway speeds but the camper is fine at 75mph.

**jfwireless** · 07-23-2007, 02:24 PM

Because of the CJ's short wheel base I believe the maximum towing capacity is around 2000 lbs regardless of the engine/drivetrain size. Anything heavier could take command of the CJ/trailer combination.

The CJ would be in trouble with a 20 foot trailer behind on a curving road, if you hit the brakes you simply would lose control.

Jim

JoonHoss · 07-23-2007, 02:31 PM

no way, shape, or form would I EVER tow 5,000 witha CJ7, PERIOD.

IMHO- you are looking for problems. I agree with the above, I think they are rated around 2,000, and even at that, I wouldn't want to do that too often.

Hoss

evil-ant · 07-23-2007, 08:44 PM

Well, actually.... back when the jeep was made it was rated for 2000 lbs towing capacity, however, now-a-days, my peticular state DOT requires anything with tandem axels or over 4000 lbs to have trailer brakes, I tow my 19" cuddy cabin with my 4.5" lifted cherokee on 31" truxxus mt's with stock 3.55 ratio gears, still can do 75 down the highway and stop the 3800 lbs package just fine with no trailer brakes at all. My suggestion is to just plan on putting trailer brakes on it and save all the extra cash you would have spent on a tow vehical, maybe spend a little on gear upgrades to ease the load and improve offroad driving. If you buy the boat and do the brakes, go for the hydraulic drum or disc set-ups, much better than having a brake controller for the trailer brakes.

joemac421 · 07-23-2007, 08:52 PM

It doesn't matter it has to do with the wheelbase of the Jeep compared to what is being towed. The suspension, drivetrain, and motor will handle the 5000 lbs. however the weight cannot be distributed properly because the Jeep is to short. What will happen is when you are slowing down and turning the trailer will swing around to the side twist roll over and if it doesn't break the hitch it will flip the Jeep. This happened to a friend of mine who was towing a 23.5' 3800 pound trailer with his Ford Explorer rated for 5000 lbs. If you google Jeep towing capacity you will find the correct explanation of what I am trying to say.

evil-ant · 07-23-2007, 09:11 PM

So basically what your saying is if your an idiot and drive 75 MPH down a road and cut the wheel you'll roll. I'd agree, but lets look at this for a second, shall we? 1992 jeep cherokee, 2 door has a 100" wheel base, now my 1979 cj-7 has a 93.4" wheel base, so your saying the 6.6" of wheel base is going to make me dead on the side of the road with a boat on top of my head? don't think so, I actually tow 3800 Lbs with my cherokee and it's totally managable, can't lock the tires up but still stops just fine. But here's some other info for you. I've actually towed a 26" searay cuddy cabin 5 miles with my cherokee as well, sure in low range 4wd, but the tri-axle had disc brakes on two of the three axles, didn't even notice the boat there on the turns or stopping, just under acceleration. So here I hauled a 7000 Lbs boat that was trailer supported, not tounge, 5 miles and you say my 6.6" shorter cj is a death trap for towing, I don't agree. If you set up the equipment right and put the trailer tounge at 150-200 lbs then it will tow fine. Heck, I live in RI and you've probibally seen me going down to warwick with my boat on I-95, I may have even passed you a few times?
Just my 2 cents.

**BESRK** · 07-23-2007, 09:24 PM

I towed a trailer full of gravel with my CJ5 once (about 2 miles)... the trailer shoved me thru an intersection..

I trailer my buggy everytime I go wheeling. It and the trailer max out right at 7000lbs.. and are easily manhandled with my '04 Duramax. However, there is no way I would tow a 5000lb trailer with a CJ7. I wouldn't even do it with dual trailer brakes.. IMO, that's really just asking for an accident. The CJ just doesn't have enough wheelbase to be stable.

evil-ant · 07-23-2007, 09:32 PM

I don't know, maybe I'm just stupid but it tow's the same as my '06 v-10 ford van does, so why is it so bad to tow a center console fishing boat that weighs aprox. 3800-4000 lbs with trailer brakes. I'm all for safety, but if tows fine and he's going only a few miles then why buy a tow rig that's more than he needs? I think a 20' center console weighs less than my boat, after all, it doesn't have an I/O in it, just an outboard motor and a open deck, I bet the trailer weighs as much as the boat.

joemac421 · 07-23-2007, 10:08 PM

YOU KNOW DO IT, THERE IS A REASON THE MANUFACTURER ONLY PUT A 2000 lbs rating on the Jeep but I know your smarter than they are, so do it. Enjoy, and by the way that is not what I was saying, if you are doing 35 MPH and are slowing like for an off ramp that is when it can happen, the Jeep frame cannot deplete the momentum of the trailer behind it. BUT I'M SURE YOU HAVE AN ENGINEERING DEGREE so Just DO IT.

CJ Chet · 07-23-2007, 10:23 PM

Anybody that pulls a 20 foot boat with a CJ is a disaster looking for a place to happen!!!

**jeepskate** · 07-23-2007, 11:15 PM

Future Darwin Award winner. You can get away with just about anything until the one day that you don't. When you injure or kill somebody else, they/their family will own you. I've run across several guys doing crap like this in my time on the various boards and they all swear it's okay, then you don't hear from them for a while and they pop back up to tell you how they finally wrecked and totalled their Jeep. It ain't rated for it...period. That right there puts all of the liability squarely on your shoulders and your insurance company will all too gladly hang you out to dry.

sevenlitre2002 · 07-24-2007, 12:02 AM

Just to try to clarify a bit. (Useless maybe, but I'll try)

Can you tow 5,000 pounds with a Jeep? Sure you can.
You might even get away with it for a year, maybe 2, maybe 5.
Don't fool yourself into thinking that if it worked for this long it must be safe.
What are you going to do when you have to make a fast stop, or a quick lane
change, to avoid some idiot in front of you? It will happen, sooner or later.
You'll be fine and dandy, until that day comes when you have to take some kind of evasive action. And then ballgame over. You might not flip, but I promise you will hit something, or end up in a ditch.
I've been driving professionally for many years, and have towed everything from a utility trailer to a 35' 5th wheel trailer, and everything in between.
My rule of thumb on trailer/vehicle limits, if the manufacturer say it's safe to tow
2,000 pounds, then I'll cut that in half.
So, a Jeep CJ7, should be good for 1,000 pounds safely.

twmattox · 07-24-2007, 08:57 AM

I always found it odd that Jeep defaulted to the 2,000# towing capacity. They did this for the Grand Wagoneers too. They are considerably longer, heavier, and larger engine combinations...still restricted to 2,000# towing capacity.

I have towed 2000# with my CJs, but would want a considerable brake upgrade to do it consistently. I can fully understand the discussion on vehicle length and trailer safety...however, would still be very hesitant to tow over 2000# with my longer wheel based Scrambler (until I get a better brake set-up).

SuB8HaVeN · 07-24-2007, 09:10 AM

Well, it looks like when I do find a boat it will be time to trade in the daily driver for a newer Ram or Dakota.

Do you guys think something smaller, such as a 15-17' center console would be more manageable behind a CJ?

07-23-2007, 09:11 PM	#7
evil-ant Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ct Posts: 176 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	So basically what your saying is if your an idiot and drive 75 MPH down a road and cut the wheel you'll roll. I'd agree, but lets look at this for a second, shall we? 1992 jeep cherokee, 2 door has a 100" wheel base, now my 1979 cj-7 has a 93.4" wheel base, so your saying the 6.6" of wheel base is going to make me dead on the side of the road with a boat on top of my head? don't think so, I actually tow 3800 Lbs with my cherokee and it's totally managable, can't lock the tires up but still stops just fine. But here's some other info for you. I've actually towed a 26" searay cuddy cabin 5 miles with my cherokee as well, sure in low range 4wd, but the tri-axle had disc brakes on two of the three axles, didn't even notice the boat there on the turns or stopping, just under acceleration. So here I hauled a 7000 Lbs boat that was trailer supported, not tounge, 5 miles and you say my 6.6" shorter cj is a death trap for towing, I don't agree. If you set up the equipment right and put the trailer tounge at 150-200 lbs then it will tow fine. Heck, I live in RI and you've probibally seen me going down to warwick with my boat on I-95, I may have even passed you a few times? Just my 2 cents. Last edited by evil-ant; 07-23-2007 at 09:24 PM..

07-23-2007, 08:44 PM	#5
evil-ant Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ct Posts: 176 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Well, actually.... back when the jeep was made it was rated for 2000 lbs towing capacity, however, now-a-days, my peticular state DOT requires anything with tandem axels or over 4000 lbs to have trailer brakes, I tow my 19" cuddy cabin with my 4.5" lifted cherokee on 31" truxxus mt's with stock 3.55 ratio gears, still can do 75 down the highway and stop the 3800 lbs package just fine with no trailer brakes at all. My suggestion is to just plan on putting trailer brakes on it and save all the extra cash you would have spent on a tow vehical, maybe spend a little on gear upgrades to ease the load and improve offroad driving. If you buy the boat and do the brakes, go for the hydraulic drum or disc set-ups, much better than having a brake controller for the trailer brakes.

07-23-2007, 09:32 PM	#9
evil-ant Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ct Posts: 176 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I don't know, maybe I'm just stupid but it tow's the same as my '06 v-10 ford van does, so why is it so bad to tow a center console fishing boat that weighs aprox. 3800-4000 lbs with trailer brakes. I'm all for safety, but if tows fine and he's going only a few miles then why buy a tow rig that's more than he needs? I think a 20' center console weighs less than my boat, after all, it doesn't have an I/O in it, just an outboard motor and a open deck, I bet the trailer weighs as much as the boat.

07-24-2007, 08:57 AM	#14
twmattox Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,225 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I always found it odd that Jeep defaulted to the 2,000# towing capacity. They did this for the Grand Wagoneers too. They are considerably longer, heavier, and larger engine combinations...still restricted to 2,000# towing capacity. I have towed 2000# with my CJs, but would want a considerable brake upgrade to do it consistently. I can fully understand the discussion on vehicle length and trailer safety...however, would still be very hesitant to tow over 2000# with my longer wheel based Scrambler (until I get a better brake set-up).