Towing Capacity

AFcj5Mudder · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:10 pm

So I am trying to find the right Liby for me, and I have my heart set on the new 6-speed manual tranny, I absolutely loved it when I test drove it. HOWEVER, much to my dismay Jeep is telling my that the towing capacity with the manual transmission is reduced to 3500 from the standard 5000 with the auto. Unfortunately for me, I am gonna need almost all 5000 lbs of towing capacity to tow my trail rig (1980 CJ5, rockwells, 44's, my baby) on its trailer. So, I am wondering if there is a relatively easy way to bolster the manual's towing capacity, or if the limitation in towing is actually on the transmission itself. Thanks

OBX KJ · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:50 pm

The capacity is due to the lightweight aluminum trans

GPR65 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:18 pm

i dont know if that is the whole reason cause that is what my 5-speed is rated and its pretty heavy duty. I do agree the new 6 speed may not be as strong.

Queberjeque · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:07 pm

I haven't understood this, either.

AT w/ tow group: 5000 bls
AT w/o tow group: 3500 lbs

MT: 3500 lbs (no change with tow group, why not?)

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:21 pm

i don't have the tow group but my '02 specifically states she can pull 5000 and she has pulled an honest 7,000 pounds at freeway speeds (1994 3/4 ton 6.5 liter turbo diesel Chevrolet Suburban with 4 wheel drive) for a good 50 miles without so much as a light fever. Maybe it's cause us guys with the '02's or the CRD's got the 45 series tranny?

Look at the sticker in the driver's door...Lots of good info there...

The big reason the KJ's manual tranny isn't rated for as much weight is because of the clutch. We are at a strange time in automotive history-for the first time ever, automatics are stronger and often more fuel efficient then the old manuals. Look at Chevy's Duramax diesel-automatic trucks get more power then their 6-speed brethren because the clutch just can't handle it. Look at fuel economy numbers-the CVT's (continously variable transmissions) get superior fuel economy with their limit-less gear options. Sorry folks.

Wade · **Joined:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:36 pm **Posts:** 4

ManicMechanicJoe wrote:

The big reason the KJ's manual tranny isn't rated for as much weight is because of the clutch.

Plus the fact that automatics have transmission coolers. Standards rarely come that way from the factory.

LibertyFever · **Posted:** Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:38 pm

I'm able to pull a floater trailer with a YJ on it with my 04 Liberty Sport (automatic transmission). The total trailer weight is 4,800 lbs.

Its not an easy pull and my gas mileage sucks (15MPG) but I manage to keep it above 55 mph on steep hills. Any faster and the handling gets dicy.
This week I'm getting a torsion bar hitch with a sway bar eliminator to improve the highway handling.

carroll952 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:03 pm

Personally I wouldn't tow anything that heavy with a KJ. The big problem isn't power, and how much you can tow, but how much you can stop. The KJ just isn't designed as a tow rig. Have people done it? Yes. Does that make it safe?

How much does your CJ weigh? How about your trailer? With tounge weight, anything loaded into the KJ and yourself you'll probably be beyond the KJ's GVWR not to mention beyond the towing capacity and probably beyond the GCWR.

I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but if I ever saw someone driving a setup like that on the road, I'd do my best to avoid them.

Just my thoughts.

Justin

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:09 pm

i've towed a 20ft trailer pushing 5k loaded if not at or a little over and it stoppped it fine might need to push a little bit harder but it did just fine i would think his set-up is fine specially if he gets the distribution hitch and sway

carroll952 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:17 pm

jsc7002 wrote:

i've towed a 20ft trailer pushing 5k loaded if not at or a little over and it stoppped it fine might need to push a little bit harder but it did just fine i would think his set-up is fine specially if he gets the distribution hitch and sway

I'm thinking his CJ alone weighs close to 5k. He's also at a disadvantage with the manual transmission and less towing capacity. If he does decide to tow it, definatly would need a good hitch set up.

In my opinion though, I think it's one of the least safest routes to tow his rig.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:32 pm

oh sorry iwas talking about LibertyFever
yeah the man. trans. would not be safe for towing the CJ get the auto if you want to tow it

LibertyFever · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:47 pm

Oh yeah, I'm aware that the Libby isn't the best choice for a tow vehicle but I don't plan to tow very often. A 3/4 ton would be a better choice.
Also I understand that the Cherokee has a higher towing capacity, would that be due to the longer wheelbase?

I fully understand the principles behind towing. Just because your vehicle may be capable of pulling a trailer it may not be capable of stopping it. My trailer has electric brakes which besides being required by law is essential to slow down the load.

Tomorrow I'm visiting a local trailer garage to see about getting a proper hitch, suitable for the load. I'm not interested in breaking any laws, I'm interested in a safe tow.

carroll952 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:55 pm

LibertyFever wrote:

Oh yeah, I'm aware that the Libby isn't the best choice for a tow vehicle but I don't plan to tow very often. A 3/4 ton would be a better choice.
Also I understand that the Cherokee has a higher towing capacity, would that be due to the longer wheelbase?

I fully understand the principles behind towing. Just because your vehicle may be capable of pulling a trailer it may not be capable of stopping it. My trailer has electric brakes which besides being required by law is essential to slow down the load.

Tomorrow I'm visiting a local trailer garage to see about getting a proper hitch, suitable for the load. I'm not interested in breaking any laws, I'm interested in a safe tow.

I'm not sure about the XJ, but I thought it was a 5k towing limit (tow package required) as well.

Hey, at least no one on here is towing like this

ryno · **Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:06 am

carroll952 wrote:

I'm not sure about the XJ, but I thought it was a 5k towing limit (tow package required) as well.

Hey, at least no one on here is towing like this

Stupid Utah drivers... :lol:

Neatus · **Posted:** Sat Nov 17, 2007 2:15 am

Towed this 2583 miles no problem and I regularly tow my CJ around and stopping isn't a problem. I think as long as you stay in your vehicles recommended tow rating you should be fine.

callaway · **Posted:** Sat Nov 17, 2007 7:41 pm

towed a CJ7 home (~35 miles) and had no issues with slowing down or getting up to speed. My KJ is an automatic is that makes any difference....

Towing Capacity

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