Can I safely tow this with my 2008 2-door Sahara?

[Largehit71]

Heading out on the 19th to look at a pop up camper. Here are the specs
2022 1640LTD Specifications

Sleeps	4
Length	12 ft 1 in
Ext Width	7 ft
Ext Height	5 ft 4 in
Interior Color	Slatewood
Exterior Color	GREY
Hitch Weight	162 lbs
Dry Weight	1465 lbs
Cargo Weight	793 lbs
Fresh Water Capacity	11 gals
Tire Size	12"
Furnace BTU	20000 btu
Available Beds	Twin Tent End, Full Tent End
Refrigerator Type	3 WAY
Cooktop Burners	2
Number of Awnings	1
LP Tank Capacity	20 lbs
AC BTU	13500 btu
Awning Info	7'
Axle Count	1

I have 1000lb payload cap I believe. 2000lb towing cap. Stock JK. The trailer has brakes. Never towed with a Jk before. Just want to make sure the tail doesn’t wag the dog.

 

[Vman]

Heading out on the 19th to look at a pop up camper. Here are the specs
2022 1640LTD Specifications

Sleeps	4
Length	12 ft 1 in
Ext Width	7 ft
Ext Height	5 ft 4 in
Interior Color	Slatewood
Exterior Color	GREY
Hitch Weight	162 lbs
Dry Weight	1465 lbs
Cargo Weight	793 lbs
Fresh Water Capacity	11 gals
Tire Size	12"
Furnace BTU	20000 btu
Available Beds	Twin Tent End, Full Tent End
Refrigerator Type	3 WAY
Cooktop Burners	2
Number of Awnings	1
LP Tank Capacity	20 lbs
AC BTU	13500 btu
Awning Info	7'
Axle Count	1

I have 1000lb payload cap I believe. 2000lb towing cap. Stock JK. The trailer has brakes. Never towed with a Jk before. Just want to make sure the tail doesn’t wag the dog.

The weight looks like it's within specs if you don't overload it. The higher your gears are numerically the better you can tow. 3.21's not a great option for towing.

Might consider a heavier spring like the OME heavy rear springs, or airbags. Might also go with a higher weight oil like 75-140 in the rear if it's a long haul or up big grades or something.

 

[BLACKJKU]

Find out what the tongue weight is? But remember you'll also be adding the supply's needed for camping added in the camper and Jeep.

I agree on air bags also.

 

[Largehit71]

Yeah . It would be me and the boy. Hitch weight is 165lbs.

 

[BLACKJKU]

Yeah . It would be me and the boy. Hitch weight is 165lbs.

You'll have food, clothes and other necessary items also to add to the weight. When those things are in the Jeeps trunk and the trailer you'll be adding to tongue ( rear Jeep ) weight also. So the air bags will be a good idea, the thing with them they are adjustable so you can get a good ride.

 

[Largehit71]

Also fwiw whoever bought the JK new got the 3.73 gear option .

 

[Largehit71]

You'll have food, clothes and other necessary items also to add to the weight. When those things are in the Jeeps trunk and the trailer you'll be adding to tongue ( rear Jeep ) weight also. So the air bags will be a good idea, the thing with them they are adjustable so you can get a good ride.

Fully loaded up for tent camping ( I know different animal) we were at around 550lbs without the hitch weight. I’m not a big guy. 6’1 175. Lol . I will look into airbags. Won’t be using fresh water tank. Wasn’t planning on getting trailer weight over 1700 with whatever goodies can be stuffed into it. Safety is my number one goal. Don’t want to be a danger to anyone else on the road. I’ve seen people towing was beyond their vehicles capacity and get far , far away from them. Trailer brakes imo are a must have.

 

[SteveF]

You will be pushing the upper limits of your towing capacity. I'm a big chicken when it comes to something of this nature. I personally wouldn't do it. But that's just me.

 

[Vman]

Fully loaded up for tent camping ( I know different animal) we were at around 550lbs without the hitch weight. I’m not a big guy. 6’1 175. Lol . I will look into airbags. Won’t be using fresh water tank. Wasn’t planning on getting trailer weight over 1700 with whatever goodies can be stuffed into it. Safety is my number one goal. Don’t want to be a danger to anyone else on the road. I’ve seen people towing was beyond their vehicles capacity and get far , far away from them. Trailer brakes imo are a must have.

Might also look at the ARB/Old Man Emu heavy duty springs if you find you're loading up heavy a lot. I don't have them but I've heard good things from some guys who do a lot of overlanding/towing.

They make a set of 300lb constant load and 630lb constant load rear springs that are great for that kind of stuff.

 

[BLACKJKU]

Might also look at the ARB/Old Man Emu heavy duty springs if you find you're loading up heavy a lot. I don't have them but I've heard good things from some guys who do a lot of overlanding/towing.

They make a set of 300lb constant load and 630lb constant load rear springs that are great for that kind of stuff.

Yea but the bad thing about springs is when your empty then the rear will be higher, at least with air bags you can put the minimum PSI in and still be close to ride height. I have DIY air bags on my other trucks and alot cheaper then a kit.

 

[Vman]

Yea but the bad thing about springs is when your empty then the rear will be higher, at least with air bags you can put the minimum PSI in and still be close to ride height. I have DIY air bags on my other trucks and alot cheaper then a kit.

Yeah it would definitely take some time to get it right for loaded vs unloaded ride height.

 

[JeepJeezy]

I would go with Air Lift 1000. It's a good kit. I've installed a few Air Lift kits when I worked for my buddy. Install hint, lube up the airbag with dish soap to slide it in the spring easier. Airbags are cheaper than a load bar setup too.

 

[Largehit71]

Air bags are on the way. Got it home a few days ago and it towed fine . It was a 75 mile drive from the dealer to my house. That’s a longer drive then I plan to take camping. Trailer was level , rear had the slightest amount of sag but still going with bags because the back was empty. Never went over 65 mph and intentionally took a hilly route to see how the old girl would handle it. Trailer brakes are awesome! Never worried about stopping. No sway but getting a bar anyway.

 

[mrjp]

Looks nice

 

[Largehit71]

I’ve got next weekend off. The airbags look ridiculously easy to install.

 

[JeepJeezy]

I’ve got next weekend off. The airbags look ridiculously easy to install.

They are lol

 

[Largehit71]

I would go with Air Lift 1000. It's a good kit. I've installed a few Air Lift kits when I worked for my buddy. Install hint, lube up the airbag with dish soap to slide it in the spring easier. Airbags are cheaper than a load bar setup too.

That is the kit I ordered along with a no drill bracket for the inflation valve. Now to entice a buddy over with free beer to help. Lol

 

[Largehit71]

If the kit ever gets here. Placed the order last Friday with Napa get an email today saying it’s on back order . So… I cancelled. Placed an order with parts geek their site says they have 5 in stock. Was going to go with extreme terrain but they want $70 more than Napa or Parts geek. The ones I see on Amazon either don’t come with heat shields or do come with them but at that higher price. Hopefully Parts Geek comes through for me.

 

[Largehit71]

Due to shipping delays next week will be a little busy. Airlift kit and trans cooler will be installed when I can squeeze some time in. Mandatory OT at work been that way for a while. Not complaining since all OT is double time right now. Just throwing the extra money at my Jeep.

 

[72c10]

Let us know how the install goes! I'm considering it, due to buying a pop up a couple of weeks ago about the same weight/size as you.

Did you already have a 7-pin light hook up in your Jeep or did you wire one for brakes & power.

I have trailer brakes on mine and considering installing a full 7-pin, opposed to 4 way to 7 way adapter. That way I can have the luxury of brakes and charging the RV Battery when towing. It looks like a PITA to install though, along with the brake controller.