Can a Jeep Wrangler tow a caravan?

In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Can a Jeep Wrangler tow a caravan? We will also discuss the Jeep Wrangler engine, performance and behaviour on the road. 

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. 

Being a two-ton car, the brake pedal of a Jeep Wrangler has to be pressed quite firmly when towing, which sometimes gives the feeling of inaccuracy when approaching corners. However, the 200-horsepower engine never gives you the impression that you don’t have enough power.

Yet, the Wrangler is not made for quick departures from traffic lights or overtaking on the road. The advantage of this diesel is reflected in the high torque of 460 Nm. Which means strength in tackling steep slopes or serious obstacles. Pressing the accelerator is also reflected in the tank. 

Jeep Wrangler Towing Capacity

YearTowing Capacity FromTowing Capacity To
20211497kg1497kg
20201497kg1497kg
20191497kg1600kg
20181600kg1600kg
20171600kg1600kg
20161600kg1600kg
20151600kg1600kg
20141600kg2300kg
20131600kg2300kg
20121600kg2300kg
20111600kg2300kg
20101600kg2300kg
20091600kg2300kg
20081600kg2300kg
2007900kg2300kg
2006900kg900kg
2005900kg900kg
2004900kg900kg
2003900kg900kg
2002900kg900kg
2001900kg900kg
2000900kg900kg
1999900kg900kg
1998900kg900kg
1997900kg900kg
1996900kg900kg

With the Jeep Wrangler on the road

Although often seen in the city, the Wrangler is the most suitable model in the Jeep range for 4 × 4 enthusiasts. Despite the rapid evolution of the field, the Jeep Wrangler is “stubborn” to remain a classic: round headlights, the well-known 7-slot grille, simplistic shape and keeping the roof detachment solution. 

There are two body variants, with three doors (Wrangler) and five doors (Wrangler Unlimited), which differ in length: 4.22 meters and 4.75 meters, respectively; and three levels of equipment: Sport, Sahara and Rubicon. The version we tested was the three-door Rubicon, a 2.8-litre CRD diesel engine that produces 200 hp, connected to a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Rubicon is the name of a route in the western United States, considered by many to be the toughest off-road route in the United States. The Wrangler Rubicon variant is distinguished by the fact that it is specially prepared to drive in hard to reach areas. It is equipped with a hard-top that can be disassembled leaving room for a soft-top.

Inside you are greeted by a very simple organized board. There are four vents, two on the sides and two in the centre, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, adjustable in height, storage space on the dashboard, electric window buttons between the vents and a grip handle in front of the right passenger. The Wrangler is equipped as standard with a waterproof interior, equipped with drain holes.

Jeep did not overdo it in terms of technology either. Onboard is a 7-inch screen surrounded by a few buttons and a single USB port, steering wheel controls, automatic air conditioning, heated seats, cruise control and rain sensors. 

The rest of the interior was completed with leather upholstery, sturdy plastic mats, and rubber mats ready to receive even the muddiest footwear. Parking sensors and a reversing camera would have been very helpful, but these features were missing from the tested model.

Even if Wrangler still has things to add in terms of high-tech interior features, Jeep compensates in terms of robustness. No matter how isolated the place you want to be, this car is made to take you back and forth safely. The path you are about to take is not about comfort, but about overcoming challenges.

Even if the multimedia and comfort equipment are not the most consistent, but being above the minimum necessary, Jeep recovers in the technical part with application on rough terrain. The ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system assists the driver in maintaining control of the vehicle. In case of understeer or oversteer, the system brakes individually and controls the acceleration to get the car back on track. 

The Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) system detects the possibility of a rollover and applies a braking force to reduce the possibility of an accident. At the same time, the Jeep Wrangler offers an All-Speed ​​Traction Control system for driving in 4LO mode, Brake Assist System and ABS to improve control over the vehicle and reduce braking distances on wet or dry surfaces.

With a 26 cm ground clearance, the Wrangler offers a very high driving position. The front seats have a decent level of space and comfort, but for those in the back, the situation is not the same. Access to the bench is quite difficult, and the legroom is quite small for those over 1.80 meters tall.

The three-door wrangler, however, offers extreme comfort when carrying 4 or 5 people. Visibility is good in almost all directions except the back, as the spare wheel occupies a large part of the rearview mirror. But the large size of the two exterior mirrors has partially reduced this problem. One thing remains clear: from the point of view of the driver and the passenger on the right, the car has almost everything it needs.

The interior elements are shared with other models in the Fiat group, such as steering signal handles or steering wheel controls. The emergency light activation control seemed too small for me to activate comfortably without taking my eyes off the road. There are some fairly small storage spaces in the rear seat and next to the transmission selection lever, and there are areas with elastic mesh on the doors where various objects can be placed.

Jeep Wrangler performance and engines

Wrangler has a separate body chassis and non-permanent all-wheel drive with gearbox and mechanical couplings. The car has rigid axles, so on the road, the scratches when crossing large pits or tram rails are the order of the day. 

Being a two-ton car, the brake pedal had to be pressed quite firmly, as in the case of the steering, which sometimes gives the feeling of inaccuracy when approaching corners.  However, the 200-horsepower engine never gives you the impression that you don’t have enough power.

Yet, the Wrangler is not made for quick departures from traffic lights or lightning overtaking on the road. The advantage of this diesel is reflected in the high torque of 460 Nm. Which means strength in tackling steep slopes or serious obstacles. Pressing the accelerator is also reflected in the tank. 

Our verdict

The Jeep Wrangler is not for everyone. Wrangler is a car you will get used to a little harder if you have been driving city cars for a long time. With it, you will not be able to slip through the urban traffic, and at the first side parking lots, you will feel again like at the driving school.

Nevertheless, everything changes when you have to tow a caravan or trailer.  Wrangler turns out to be a decent car on the road, but very capable off it. As a driving feeling, the Wrangler is a real Jeep, so the disadvantages in terms of comfort fade in the face of the serious dose of fun on the cochleas. So let’s leave the comfort of the asphalt for SUVs and crossovers and give the Jeep what’s his.

Please let us know if you got any questions or comments on the content. 

FAQ on Can a Jeep Wrangler tow a caravan?

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. 

How much weight can an SUV tow?

An SUV can tow up to 3,500 kg: if the car is towing a trailer whose maximum authorized mass (MAM) is greater than 750 kg, the maximum permitted trailer + car weight will be 3,500 kg.

How do I know how much I can tow?

To know how much your car 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.

References

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