Can a Jeep pull a horse trailer?

In today’s blog post, we will discuss: Can a Jeep pull a horse trailer? We will also give you a few essential tips for towing a horse trailer with a Jeep. 

Can a Jeep pull a horse trailer?

Yes, a Jeep can easily pull a horse trailer. Depending on the vehicle model, year and tow limit, a Jeep can tow from one to three horses. Please see the table below for more details on your car’s maximum towing capacity. 

Jeep Towing Capacity

Other questions you may be interested in

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Towing with a Jeep: the basics

Towing opens up leisure activities that require moving large objects like boats, jet skis, horseboxes, and even other vehicles, perhaps for off-road trips. Some people simply hitch a trailer to move things around. 

Towing allows you to make more good use of your Jeep. There are many ways to use a trailer, and towing is pretty simple with the right equipment and know-how. Information on required accessories, safety checks, and tips is shown below.

• Before towing, you need to choose the correct trailer package. The Jeep is designed to tow Class I trailers, which is defined as low towing power, maximum 2,000 pounds. 

• Calculate the final weight to be pulled, which includes the weight of the loaded trailer plus the weight of the tongue. This is the downward load on the hitch ball, and it should be between 10 per cent to 15 percent of the trailer load. If buying a new vehicle, ask your sales professionals for advice

• Choose the correct hitch. There are weight-bearing hitches suitable for ATVs used for Class I trailers that reduce stress on the rear of the vehicle. A mechanical transmission cooling or cooling fan, a 7-in-4-way plug adapter, and low-profile mirrors may also be required. Use the only factory-installed or approved parts.

• Before towing, particularly for the first time each year, follow a safety checklist. Check the tire pressure and use the recommended cold inflation pressure printed on the sidewalls of the tires. Over-inflated tires wear unevenly, and under low pressure they heat up and can fail, leading to loss of control.

• Add some pressure to the rear tires when towing and check the condition of both the trailer and the vehicle. Make sure the hitch ball is tight and the hitch coupler is locked. Safety chains must be securely connected. Check that the trailer lights are all working. Trailer brakes should be working, test them. Adjust your mirrors and make sure coolant levels are correct.

• Do a wheel bearing test at least once a year and before the first drag. Jack the trailer aside and grab a wheel with both hands and turn the wheel, listen and use your fingers to feel if the movement is not smooth. A failed bearing will cause the wheel to stop spinning and can cause an accident.

• Load your trailer with 60 per cent of the load on the front of the axle. Never overload the trailer as this can cause instability and heavy rear loads can cause the trailer to wobble. You can also experiment with swaying if the weight of the tongue is too low. Trailer overloading can lead to poor performance of your Jeep and damage the axle or brakes and even lead to loss of control, which can be fatal.

• Be sure to protect the trailer load to prevent changes in transportation. If using new straps, tighten them after a few miles as they stretch with use. Use winch-type webbing straps to secure the load. You should divide the load evenly from side to side in the trailer and remember that the extra weight of the trailer with its load will affect the Jeep’s acceleration and braking.

• Before towing, practice turning, braking, and backing up. Returning requires a wider circle to accommodate the caravan. Make sure the vehicle and trailer are aligned as straight as possible. 

Turn the steering wheel to the right gently to start. Watch the trailer closely and back slowly and straighten as soon as the trailer begins to turn. Then turn left so the Jeep takes everything that follows the direction of the trailer. 

If you leave the turn too late to straighten, the angle of the trailer may become too sharp (jackknifed) and you will not be able to finish. Just pull forward, straighten, and start over.

Final tips: How to tow a horse trailer safely

Drivers in America love towing everything with our pickup trucks and SUVs. Boats, motorcycles, water sports vehicles, mobile homes, horse trailers … Well, the freedom of being able to tow such a variety of things has made towing a very popular activity.

But pulling heavy trailers is not a light task. It is very important to have a good understanding of the vehicle, the trailer, and its capabilities and limitations. It is also important to properly maintain all the components involved in towing, understand the dynamics of the vehicle and the trailer, and understand how we should drive for greater safety.

Some considerations to take into account:

1. Check the load capacity of your vehicle. The instructions can be found in the vehicle manual, but if you do not have it at hand, contact the manufacturer to obtain the information. Make sure the vehicle has the necessary capacity to tow the weight you require.

2. If you are thinking of buying a vehicle for towing, it is a good idea to get a vehicle designed with the appropriate capabilities and equipment for the weight you plan to tow. 

For example, for heavy loads, there are many vehicles that already include engines with more torque, superior cooling systems, heavy-duty battery and reinforced suspension, among others. These equipment are sometimes marketed together as a towing package.

3. It is important to know the common terms of the maximum weights that the vehicle can support. For example, the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross vehicle weight rating is the weight of the vehicle itself with all its occupants and cargo included. 

The gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is the gross weight of the vehicle, its occupants and the load, in addition to the weight of everything that is being towed. The tongue weight (TW) is the weight that the trailer puts on the hitch.

Do you have any tips for those who want to pull a horse trailer or questions about towing with a Jeep? Don’t hesitate to let us know!

FAQ on Can a Jeep pull a horse trailer?

Can a Jeep tow a caravan?

A Jeep Wrangler is the best to tow a small caravan, the pop-up trailer of trailer-tents. With a towing capacity of just 2000 lbs, you have to know the Jeep’s limits when buying a caravan/trailer.

Can you tow with a Jeep Renegade?

When properly equipped, you can tow with a Jeep Renegade. Just keep in mind that, with a towing capacity of 2000  lbs, it is best to tow smaller trailers and small boats. 

Can a Jeep Wrangler tow a caravan?

With a maximum towing capacity between 1500 and 2300 kg (or 2000 to 4000 lbs), a Jeep Wrangler can tow a caravan, pop-up camper, lightweight trailer, even an Airstream. 

References

• Pulling a horse trailer. | Jeep Wrangler Forum
• Jeep Wranglers and a one-horse trailer | The Horse Forum
• Jeep Towing Capacity | How Much Can It Tow? (2021, 2020, 2019 …