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2016 JK Unlimited sport towing R pod

8K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  Element345 
#1 ·
New here and I have read tons of post about this but most were from 2012 and wanted to see if someone could help out a new user it would be most appreciated.

I have read mixed reviews on towing capacity, changes needed, no changes needed, etc, etc.

The jeep website shows my 2016 sport will pull 3500, did not get any tow package so I guess my question is this:

Do I need to change my gears to 3.73 from 3.21 to be able to tow a trailer that is 2500 lbs?

I know I will get a class 3 hitch with WD, do I need to also have a brake controller that some have mentioned? RV shop and dealer both say I'm good but I do not really seem to believe that. Anyone pull a R pod with a Unlimited sport stock?

Thank you:worthy:
 
#4 ·
There is nothing you can do to legally change your tow rating, what the door sticker says you can tow is what you can tow. Will a 4 door on 3.21's tow a 3000lb trailer, probably, if it is weighted correctly. I mean the 1/4 ton gmc jimmy's in the early 2000's had a 5900ish pound rating.

Numerically higher gears will help, a good hitch will help. I would say a weight distribution hitch would help but enough weight for one to help would absolutely be a big dumb load. Brakes on at least one axle of the towed vehicle are a must.
 
#5 ·
Rtfm

Well finally quit googling and reading things and opened up that factory sealed manual and seen the truth in the book.

Unlimited jeeps with 3.21 gears can only pull 2000

Unlimited jeeps with 3.73 gears can do 3500. :winner:

That's the only changes so back to google and find gears about 450-500 for the 3.73 gears, heard its about 1200-1500 to get them installed.
 
#8 ·
How is it that? The only difference between mine and one that can tow 3500 not be the same if only the gears are different? Yes the door says 2000 but that is with my gear set, you open the door on a 3.73 model and it says 3500.

I'm not arguing I'm just trying to understand what makes it different besides that as every other spec is 100% identical.
 
#7 ·
You may want to consider lower gears. We pulled a Tab camper to Colorado last summer with a 2012 JKU automatic. Unloaded it weighed only around 1,800lbs., and we had 4.56 gears, but there were still times I would have preferred 4.88. If I was towing anything heavier, I'd definitely go 4.88. But everyone has a different opinion on these things.
 
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