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Camping Trailers - Pushing it to the (legal) limit

23K views 106 replies 55 participants last post by  shanersrvn 
#1 ·
Anyone with recommendations on trailers (mostly popups) that a JKUR could tow? Looking to get the most bang per buck (or bang per lb)

Looking at Jayco and they have a few under 3500lbs that seem nice but then again I know nothing about pop up trailers.

If anyone has first hand experience or actual pictures as well of what they tow that would be great.

Thanks in advance.
 
#5 ·
I would look at a teardrop if you plan on pulling through the mountains.
 
#11 ·
I've rented several travel trailers in the 18' range. Not popups, but small normal trailers. Some have had pop-outs for extra beds, some just had smaller space inside. It is easy to get a nice trailer that the JKU can tow. 3500 isn't very limiting really in small trailers. I find that it tows great without any sort of weight distribution or anti-sway, even in windy areas. The engine does just fine with it. Of course, you must get a GOOD brake controller.

Now what I really wish I could find is a toy hauler style trailer that the Jeep can tow. All I want is to carry two dirt bikes. But all toy haulers are dual-axle and have a heavy chassis to support large things like a RZR or other heavy stuff. The bikes would be fine in any trailer, but I've never seen a light single-axle with a drop-down rear for access.
 
#15 ·
I have a 2 door, and am planning on building a teardrop this winter. I'm thinking that, if I build heavy, it will come in just under 2000 pounds. However, I am working on ways to reduce that down to around 1200 to 1400 lbs. Mine will be based on a 5' wide by 9 1/2' long trailer bed, and will include A/C.
 
#19 ·
Now what I really wish I could find is a toy hauler style trailer that the Jeep can tow. All I want is to carry two dirt bikes. But all toy haulers are dual-axle and have a heavy chassis to support large things like a RZR or other heavy stuff. The bikes would be fine in any trailer, but I've never seen a light single-axle with a drop-down rear for access.[/QUOTE]

Yes this would be nice
 
#44 ·
Now what I really wish I could find is a toy hauler style trailer that the Jeep can tow. All I want is to carry two dirt bikes. But all toy haulers are dual-axle and have a heavy chassis to support large things like a RZR or other heavy stuff. The bikes would be fine in any trailer, but I've never seen a light single-axle with a drop-down rear for access.
Yes this would be nice[/QUOTE]

think landscape trailer...
 
#20 ·
#24 ·
He is 340 lbs over weight before adding a battery......water......propane.......camping gear.....clothes......dishes......etc....etc. Puling them with the right gearing is not the issue, it's the short wheel base.

Jeeps are very limited in the towing area. The civil liability to me is not worth the risk.

Good luck!
 
#57 ·
I've been looking at the Rpods. I'll be pulling in the same part of the country that you do.
Which model do you have? Just wondering how it pulled through some of those mountain passes?
What size tires and what ratio diff. do you have? I'm running 35"s with the 4.10. Wondering if I will need to regear? Sorry for all the questions...just wanted to hear from someone who has actually pulled one of the Rpods in the mountains.
 
#29 ·
Just purchased a 2015 Flagstaff Freedom 206ST this weekend. Dry weight shows 1944 lb, GVWR is 3026 lb or something close. Installed a brake controller and 7 pin plug myself. We pulled it home from Fort Worth, Texas to Dalhart, Texas... Around 430 miles, down the interstate and through traffic.

I have a 2012 JKUR with 3.73 auto, no major mods other than 285/70/17 BFG KO2s. The first half of the trip I manually shifter to 4th and left it there because it was shifting a lot pulling hills, maintained 70 mph. Averaged 15 mpg. The trailer trailed like a dream, passing semis and such never made it sway. The second half I didn't shift down and just watched it on climbs. Mind you we climbed almost 3500 feet over the course of the trip. Still averaged 15 mpg at 70 and no trailing problems.

I'll be curious to see how much it changed after we add bedding, cook wear, etc. to the trailer and figure out how to haul our bikes. But I never felt it was too much for the Jeep.

I would suggest staying around 3000k on the GVWR. And pay attention to tongue weight. The trailer we purchased barely squatted the Jeep with no equalizer hitch or sway control. Some of the smaller toy hauler popups have a lot higher tongue weight though.

Don't have a great pic of it hooked up.


Land vehicle Vehicle Car Jeep Automotive tire




Land vehicle Vehicle Transport Trailer Car
 
#30 ·
X2 on the Rpod. I've taken it out several times with 0 issues. My JKU Willys tows it great! Land vehicle Vehicle Car Off-road vehicle Jeep



Vehicle Transport Travel trailer RV State park
 
#31 ·
#38 ·
It looks like that big screen patio is an add-on, right? Can you give info on it? How is it to install and to deploy/put away? Is it solid in windy situations?
The patio is called an R-dome and it is very easy to install since there is a track on the top of the camper and the rest of the dome sets up like a tent so it takes 10-15 minutes to set up and take down. Its decent in wind but we take ours down when we know its going to get gusty.
 
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