Towing jon boat?

jetguy81 · 08-30-2009, 01:55 PM

Has anyone towed a jon boat behind their Tj? If so what size and how'd it go?

xkuzme1 · 08-30-2009, 03:01 PM

I tow my 1800lbs pop-up camper with absolutely no issues. Just I just take it slow and be careful. Dont load it up with too much weight and you'll be fine.

rzr1906 · 08-30-2009, 03:04 PM

I have a 17ft GatorTrax boat that is heavier than most other aluminum boats. I pull it with my Rubicon with O/D off and it does great, alomst like it isnt even there.

travk1234 · 08-30-2009, 03:16 PM

TJ is a great Jon Boat hauler.

JeffB · 08-30-2009, 03:17 PM

I tow my 14' Aluminum Crestliner a lot and it has a full wood deck , 85lb motor plus trolling motor and two 60lb batteries. No problem whatsoever. In fact I'll be towing it about 800 miles round trip to Amistad Reservior on the Texas/Mexico border in a couple of weeks.

BTW, I noticed the LJ is rated from much higher towing capacity.

Paul04TJ · 09-18-2009, 11:07 AM

I tow my 18' Chrysler Sailboat. Probably 850lbs and overall length from ball to stern is about 22 feet.
I know it's back there only because my bearings were shoot!!! I just put new bearings and races in last night.
Should be quiet now!
4.0 5 spd 31's and 3.73's

coach-mike · 09-18-2009, 11:12 AM

I tow a heavy 7.5x12 Trailer with a 400lb R1 and a 700 lb Vmax and probably 300lbs in gear to tennesse/NC (Deals gap) from ohio and have never had an issue. Just watch your tounge weight and you will be fine. I had to move the motorcycles back 3 feet in the trailer.

**Jerry Bransford** · 09-18-2009, 11:19 AM

Most jon boats are pretty light so it'd tow easily behind the TJ. Just make sure to have enough tongue weight, 5-10% of the boat/trailer's weight needs to be on the hitch ball... no less than that. Insufficient tongue weight will cause a trailer to sway, often with catastrophic results.

**jknutter** · 09-18-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

Insufficient tongue weight will cause a trailer to sway, often with catastrophic results.

Been there and let me tell you it's not a road you want to take!

**-dirt-** · 09-18-2009, 01:37 PM

I pulled my dad's big & heavy jon boat (18' long, 72" bottom?) about 2 hours on the interstate with no problems. Just don't tailgate anyone, in case you have to get on the brakes fast.

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My smaller, lighter jon boat is no problem at all.

Ole Yeller · 09-18-2009, 02:40 PM

I've pulled much heavier than i should have. Jon boat is no problem at all. Main thing to be concious of is braking. Jerry gave good advice on weight distribution.

cmc1 · 09-18-2009, 08:43 PM

as stated above.pulling it isnt the problem.stopping it is.lol