Towing 16' - 20' Trailer w/Jeep Wrangler

[Vettezuki]

I'm thinking to downsize my fleet by selling my Protege and maybe even the Truck. The Jeep is about the last thing I'd get rid of for sentimental reasons. I'll need to get a trailer in the range 16' - 20' to tow our various projects around. My concern is towing a trailer of any real length behind something with so short a wheelbase.

Is this as dangerous as it seems in my mind, or is there any way to stabilize a trailer of that length behind a short wheel base vehicle that I'm not aware of?

[BRUTAL64]

I'm thinking to downsize my fleet by selling my Protege and maybe even the Truck. The Jeep is about the last thing I'd get rid of for sentimental reasons. I'll need to get a trailer in the range 16' - 20' to tow our various projects around. My concern is towing a trailer of any real length behind something with so short a wheelbase.

Is this as dangerous as it seems in my mind, or is there any way to stabilize a trailer of that length behind a short wheel base vehicle that I'm not aware of?

Hell, during my river days, we used to tow a 21 ft boat behind a 70 LT1 Vette--98 inch wheels base. We had it over 110 mph at one time.:drink:

[Vettezuki]

Hell, during my river days, we used to tow a 21 ft boat behind a 70 LT1 Vette--98 inch wheels base. We had it over 110 mph at one time.:drink:

Well, he YJ is 93.4" Wheelbase with 66" Width.

[Leedom]

Don't worry about it. I think my truck can handle the 16 to 20 footer. I hope.

[94cobra69ss396]

I don't think you'll be able to tow the Rx-Snake with your Jeep. I know I wouldn't do it. It's not a matter of wheel base but of weight. First, your rear springs won't hold the weight and will bottom out on the bump stops. Another issue will be that if you need to avoid something by swerving the weight of the trailer with vehicle on it will be greater than your Jeep causing it to slide and jack knife.

[Vettezuki]

I don't think you'll be able to tow the Rx-Snake with your Jeep. I know I wouldn't do it. It's not a matter of wheel base but of weight. First, your rear springs won't hold the weight and will bottom out on the bump stops. Another issue will be that if you need to avoid something by swerving the weight of the trailer with vehicle on it will be greater than your Jeep causing it to slide and jack knife.

We've thought about that too. But:

1 - the springs can be changed for more towing capaicty.
2 - actually the curb weight especially with people and junk in the YJ will approach 5,000 lbs. I'm guessing but RX-Snake and a no frills trailer (like you have) will be < 4,000

I have other options, even if I get rid of the one buck (useful as it is). One is that my mom has a big Dodge Dakato Cummins disel that would pull that litterally like it wasn't there. It's also got the wheelbase of a tennis court. :smack:

Just trying to simplify, intelligently.

[enkeivette]

Braking will be your only problem. Without enough traction you will jackknife and without enough brake force your insurance premium will go up...

[big2bird]

I don't think you'll be able to tow the Rx-Snake with your Jeep. I know I wouldn't do it. It's not a matter of wheel base but of weight. First, your rear springs won't hold the weight and will bottom out on the bump stops. Another issue will be that if you need to avoid something by swerving the weight of the trailer with vehicle on it will be greater than your Jeep causing it to slide and jack knife.

I agree. Wanna thin the heard? Sell everything you don't use. The $$ you save would get you a nice used pickup. I have a friend that just bought a 2005 crew cab Dodge Ram, 34,000 miles, FROM a dealer for $8,200 cash. Hell, I paid more for my 03 with more milage.:bang:

[Vettezuki]

I agree. Wanna thin the heard? Sell everything you don't use. The $$ you save would get you a nice used pickup. I have a friend that just bought a 2005 crew cab Dodge Ram, 34,000 miles, FROM a dealer for $8,200 cash. Hell, I paid more for my 03 with more milage.:bang:

My GMC Sierra is a great used pickup. I wouldn't sell the Jeep for sentimental reasons, so I was kind of wondering if I could condense down to and use the Jeep as my all arounder again. But really, while it's stupid to have all the cars I have, they are all paid for in full and, don't cost much to maintain, and have very specific uses, so I'll probably just keep them for now. Until CA makes the Registration stupidly expensive.