Can a Class B tow a Jeep?

In this article, we will discuss: Can a Class B tow a Jeep? We will tell you how to flat-tow a Jeep behind a Class B motorhome and give you a few tips for a safe journey.

Can a Class B tow a Jeep?

A Class B can tow a Jeep only if the weight of the car doesn’t exceed the towing capacity of 5000 pounds. To know for sure if your Class B RV can tow a Jeep, you must check  in the manufacturer’s manual what the towing capacity of your vehicles is. 

Most Class B RVs are perfectly capable of towing a small trailer, boat, ATV or motorcycles. Some may tow a few Jeep models as well. Let’s see in the table below what the Curb Weight of a Jeep is so that you can easily decide whether your RV is capable of towing it or not. 

Car model	Transmission type	Curb Weight (lbs.s)
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited	4WD 6 Speed Manual Transmission or8-speed Torqueflite 850RE automatic transmission	3.970 – 4.439
Jeep Wrangler by JK	Manual or Automatic 5-speed Automatic or 6-speed manual	3,879 – 4,132
2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock Edition	4WD 6-Speed Manual	6.282
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk	4WD 948Te 9-Speed Auto w / Active Drive Ii (Standard)	4,250

As you can see, except for the 2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock Edition, every other model has under 5000 lbs which means that could be towed by a Class B!

How do I know if my Class B can tow a Jeep?

The first thing to do is consult the owner’s manual for the vehicle you want to tow. This is to make sure it is legal and safe to do so for that car in the first place. Most states require and have certain limitations on which vehicles are suitable for motorhome capacities.

Another great step to consider, even after you know if your car can be towed, make sure your motorhome can tow the weight of your car. Not all cars are created equal and you should be aware of the weight that the RV is already carrying with you and things in your RV.

To begin, subtract the fully loaded weight (passenger and cargo) of the RV from its GCWR (gross combined weight rating).

Then weigh the car (with full fuel) and verify that it is less than the amount you have to tow based on the above calculations.

Another weight concern to consider is how much the motorhome hitch receiver weighs. The good news is, if it’s too heavy, you can switch or upgrade to one that suits your needs rather than buying a brand new car.

But keep in mind that these updates won’t always solve all your problems, as your chassis can only handle so much weight on its own (much less upgradeable). The most important thing about this post is to simply consult your owner’s manual or ask the seller/dealer for more details about the vehicle.

Other questions you may be interested in

Living fulltime in a Class B RV

Why are Class B RVs so expensive?

Can Class B RV fit in the garage?

How to flat-tow a Jeep (step-by-step)

Towing a vehicle behind an already long camper is serious business, with a number of safety precautions to pay attention to. If you are looking to tow a Jeep, you will have special considerations that you might not have with other types of vehicles. 

Four-wheel drive Jeeps need to be towed with all four wheels on the ground, for example, while some two-wheel-drive Jeeps cannot be towed with the rear wheels on the ground. Because of the different requirements, it is important to consult the owners of your manual Jeep and read it carefully before attempting to tow.

Instructions:

1. Read the “towing” section of your Jeep owner’s manual. If you don’t have it, order or download one directly from Jeep.

2. Buy and install a tow bar set up for the front of your Jeep, if you have a four-wheel-drive model. If you have a 2WD model, you will need to get a dolly trailer or trailer to tow your Jeep.

3. Equip your motorhome with the appropriate tow bar to tow your Jeep, dolly or trailer. To make sure you’re getting the correct one, calculate the weight of your Jeep (and accompanying trailer or cart, if applicable), and ensure the hitch you plan to install can handle that weight.

Your Jeep owner’s manual should state the weight of your vehicle, but if you are unsure, drive it on a commercial scale and weigh it. Tow hitches should be professionally welded to the frame of your motorhome, so be sure to get a bonded and insured company to do the job for you.

4. Drive your Jeep behind the motorhome if you are going to be towing it on four wheels. For dolly or towing, drive the Jeep on the dolly or trailer, with the dolly or trailer positioned near the rear end of the motorhome. Different Jeeps have different rules about proper gear positioning; for example, a Jeep Wrangler with four-wheel drive and a manual transmission must have the gear lever in neutral and the transfer case in neutral as well. 

The process is different for two-wheel-drive vehicles and those with automatic transmissions, so be sure to check the owner’s manual for the proper transmission settings. Place your transmission in the appropriate gear for your model.

5. Connect your tow bar, cart or trailer to the trailer of the camper’s hitch. Plugin the security lights that should come with your towing package. If you have a tow bar and no lights, purchase a set of brake lights for the back of your Jeep and make sure they are configured correctly.

6. Test your motorhome and Jeep set up in an empty parking lot or on an empty street. Pay close attention to any resistance or difficulty in accelerating, as this could be an indication that your Jeep is in the wrong gear, or has slipped out of the gear you are putting in. Also, test the braking distance of your motorhome to prepare for actual driving conditions.

Tips and warnings for towing a Jeep with a Class B

• You can do serious damage to a Jeep’s transmission or engine if you don’t have it in the proper equipment when towing. Don’t skip the step of downloading or purchasing the owner’s manual for your specific model, or you may end up paying for a new engine or transmission.

• The tires and gears are moved to keep the vehicle with less resistance to the jerks of the car, causing the transmission to work differently. This means that while travelling, you will need to circulate the transmission fluid to assist your vehicle while pulling it.

• Without proper transmission lubrication, you could face a few more headaches on your journey than you anticipate. 

• Nothing too flashy, well maybe a little. You will need to configure your brake light system for the rear of those cars and RVs. First of all, it is quite simple to turn the lights on and on. You can do it in different ways. The most obvious is to have a professional install it for you.

• If you will be towing your car quite frequently, then a permanent lighting system would be beneficial, as you wouldn’t have to install and disable the lighting system every few weeks, depending on how much you travel. If you like looks, a permanent option actually provides a nice, smooth finish to your car and doesn’t seem like a strange accessory.

• In addition to lights, there are two more safety features to be aware of and one of them is required by many states. These safety features are the braking system (required by most states) and the tire pressure monitors.

• Also, note that 43 of the 50 United States require you to have auxiliary brake systems that work in conjunction with motorhomes. 

Final advice

Practice driving your Class B motorhome with your car hitched to it. You will have to learn to drive while accounting for the extra length of your towed car, as well as learn how to manoeuvre the two vehicles, park them, and back up.

Finally, don’t hesitate to contact your insurance if you have any questions. They can direct you to a contract that suits your vacation habits and offer you suitable cover.

Please let us know if we can be of any help!

FAQ on Can a Class B tow a Jeep?

How do I know how much I can tow?

If you can’t find a scale, calculate the weight of the vehicle by adding the total of the empty car, the weight of the passengers, and the cargo. Subtract the loaded weight of your vehicle from the total gross weight. The resulting figure is your towing capacity.

What is the towing capacity?

Towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can safely tow. Many types of vehicles can tow as long as you meet their specific guidelines. … A good way to find out your towing limit is to find out what the gross combined weight ratio (GCWR) of your vehicle is.

Can a motorhome tow a caravan?

A motorhome can tow a caravan, trailer, boat, car or truck, as long as the tow doesn’t exceed the maximum towing capacity of the motorhome. 

References

• Would you or do you tow anything behind your Class B RV? – Class …
• Towing with Your Class B Motorhome or RV: A How-To Guide
• How To Flat Tow A Jeep – Jeep Kingdom