Towing the Mac with a Wrangler
Jeep Webpage Specs
Wheelbase (inches)/Towing Capacity - Maximum (pounds, Properly Equipped)
Rubicon 93.4/2000
Sport 93.4/2000
SE 93.4/1000
X 93.4/2000
Unlimited Rubicon 103.4/3500
Unlimited E 103.4/3500
Unlimited H 103.4/3500
I wouldn't tow a trailer over 19' total length on the highway with the short wheelbase or 22' with the long wheelbase. Wheelbase provides longitudinal stability of the tow vehicle. The longer the trailer, and the further back its center of mass, the greater the force applied to the tow vehicle to upset its longitudinal stability if the trailer sways.
Optioned and loaded for a weekend, the Mac and trailer are going to weigh over 4,000 lbs... more than double the Class I tow rating of most of the short wheelbase models, and still over the Class II tow rating of the longer ones. However, I'm sure you can buy a Class III hitch (2" receiver) for one and do it. But I doubt for liability reasons the manufacturer will rate it for more than 3500 lbs.
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Moe
Wheelbase (inches)/Towing Capacity - Maximum (pounds, Properly Equipped)
Rubicon 93.4/2000
Sport 93.4/2000
SE 93.4/1000
X 93.4/2000
Unlimited Rubicon 103.4/3500
Unlimited E 103.4/3500
Unlimited H 103.4/3500
I wouldn't tow a trailer over 19' total length on the highway with the short wheelbase or 22' with the long wheelbase. Wheelbase provides longitudinal stability of the tow vehicle. The longer the trailer, and the further back its center of mass, the greater the force applied to the tow vehicle to upset its longitudinal stability if the trailer sways.
Optioned and loaded for a weekend, the Mac and trailer are going to weigh over 4,000 lbs... more than double the Class I tow rating of most of the short wheelbase models, and still over the Class II tow rating of the longer ones. However, I'm sure you can buy a Class III hitch (2" receiver) for one and do it. But I doubt for liability reasons the manufacturer will rate it for more than 3500 lbs.
--
Moe
I don't think I'd tow the Mac with a 4-cylinder SE, even with its standard 3.73:1 axle ratio, more than twice a year to put it in the water and take it out, and then I'd defintely use 4WD-Low for backing down and pulling out, once I got the rig lined up straight with the ramp. Remember that it's only rated to tow 1,000 lbs.
I'd also use 4WD-Low with the 6-cylinder Sport and X version if they only have the 3.07:1 standard axle ratio and not the optional 3.73:1. The higher 3.07:1 will call for more clutch slipping pulling out. The Unlimited with 3.73:1 and Unlimited with 4.11:1 should be okay in 4WD-High. Remember that you can be pulling around 5,000 lbs up a grade with the water ballast still in it.
Using low range reduces the time you have to have the clutch slipping and saves wear and tear on it. Using 4WD once lined up straight gives you front tire grip if the rear tires are on ramp algae at low tide. Part-time 4WD also applies the parking brake effect to the front tires. Just don't forget to disengage part-time 4WD before turning. If you have an automatic tranny, I'd add an auxiliary cooler.
--
Moe
I'd also use 4WD-Low with the 6-cylinder Sport and X version if they only have the 3.07:1 standard axle ratio and not the optional 3.73:1. The higher 3.07:1 will call for more clutch slipping pulling out. The Unlimited with 3.73:1 and Unlimited with 4.11:1 should be okay in 4WD-High. Remember that you can be pulling around 5,000 lbs up a grade with the water ballast still in it.
Using low range reduces the time you have to have the clutch slipping and saves wear and tear on it. Using 4WD once lined up straight gives you front tire grip if the rear tires are on ramp algae at low tide. Part-time 4WD also applies the parking brake effect to the front tires. Just don't forget to disengage part-time 4WD before turning. If you have an automatic tranny, I'd add an auxiliary cooler.
--
Moe
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James V
- Admiral
- Posts: 1705
- Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:33 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key West, Fl USA, 26M 06, Merc 50hp BF "LYNX"
I have seen big boats towed with a small wheel base before. They were swaying dangerously at freeway speeds.
By this I mean - the trailer is going one way and pushing the rear end over and the front end points the other. The driver is constantly having to correct and the wear and tear on the Jeep is quite a lot.
I recommend -
An anti-sway bar from your RV dealer.
A second axle.
Make sure that the weight on the ball is not to much.
The trailer is level
The Jeep is level, you may need air shocks.
Center the weight in the boat as much as possible.
Slow down if it is too bad.
By this I mean - the trailer is going one way and pushing the rear end over and the front end points the other. The driver is constantly having to correct and the wear and tear on the Jeep is quite a lot.
I recommend -
An anti-sway bar from your RV dealer.
A second axle.
Make sure that the weight on the ball is not to much.
The trailer is level
The Jeep is level, you may need air shocks.
Center the weight in the boat as much as possible.
Slow down if it is too bad.
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mtc
- Captain
- Posts: 545
- Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 5:06 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Panama City Beach, Florida 05 M 'Bellaroo' 60hp Merc BF
So, i'm not alone with my little YJ pulling the mac, eh?
What i've done to the Jeep in my rebuild:
manual 5 speed rebuild
8-leaf springs (stock 6)
not raised the suspension (stock height)
Air shocks, oversize truck shock tubes in front
12x10.5 Bridgstone Reva LT tires (never use another now)
New ceramic brakes, discs, drums, cailpers, cyls
5,000# tow bar grade 8 bolts to frame with reinforcements
Electric 2,400cfm cooling fan
Induction system for fuel injection
HD oversized steering damp (may go to duel tubes)
Front and rear 1" sway bars
She definately rides like a jeep now, but is extreamly tight and tows smaller trailers with ease. My concern here is the simple physics of wheel base, lever arm, mass, momentum, and velocity.
I'm on my way to Mobile in an hour or so and will let you all know it it's safe or stupid to tow with the wrangler. Refer to my third eye posting this morning. . . this is what i ment about getting close to the 'line' and listening to my instinct which tells me i wish i still had my superduperkingcab f150. I have to drive down I10 for a stint. How slow can I go? Oh, great - so i wont sway, now i'll get creamed by a semi clocking along at 80.
If this is the last posting you receive from me, thanks for all the help, and if anyone asks about towing the mac with a jeep wrangler, link 'em to this string.
Michael
What i've done to the Jeep in my rebuild:
manual 5 speed rebuild
8-leaf springs (stock 6)
not raised the suspension (stock height)
Air shocks, oversize truck shock tubes in front
12x10.5 Bridgstone Reva LT tires (never use another now)
New ceramic brakes, discs, drums, cailpers, cyls
5,000# tow bar grade 8 bolts to frame with reinforcements
Electric 2,400cfm cooling fan
Induction system for fuel injection
HD oversized steering damp (may go to duel tubes)
Front and rear 1" sway bars
She definately rides like a jeep now, but is extreamly tight and tows smaller trailers with ease. My concern here is the simple physics of wheel base, lever arm, mass, momentum, and velocity.
I'm on my way to Mobile in an hour or so and will let you all know it it's safe or stupid to tow with the wrangler. Refer to my third eye posting this morning. . . this is what i ment about getting close to the 'line' and listening to my instinct which tells me i wish i still had my superduperkingcab f150. I have to drive down I10 for a stint. How slow can I go? Oh, great - so i wont sway, now i'll get creamed by a semi clocking along at 80.
If this is the last posting you receive from me, thanks for all the help, and if anyone asks about towing the mac with a jeep wrangler, link 'em to this string.
Michael
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mtc
- Captain
- Posts: 545
- Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 5:06 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Panama City Beach, Florida 05 M 'Bellaroo' 60hp Merc BF
Just to keep you all in the loop and to prevent anyone from getting creamed on the interstate, here's how my tow from Mobile to PNS went.
Interstate speeds on this trailer can't be a good idea - no matter what you're towing with. The boat's simply too tall and narrow acting like a sail when a semi flies by.
The Jeep did great, the torquie little thing that it is. The weight was certainly felt, but with all the suspension modifications, the only problem I had was the short wheel base. Any worn Jeep suspensions should be avioded unless at real slow speeds. No sway, mostly because I was veeerrrrrrrrrryy careful not to get ahead of my death zone. Never felt any yawing, just the whole rig would move when the semi slammed by me.
Ended up crossing the causeway - aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhh - then dropped down to Highway 90 (a two laner). Nice slow rolling hills that turned into a roller coaster. So, now I had to either slow down decending then labor up the ascent, or fly down and coast up. Of course, the first time I tried the fly down method, one of those semis met me at the trough at warp speed resulting in a wind blast that probably removed the port blue gel coat. Now Yin will sail in circles as the starboard blue hull overruns the port white hull!
No overheating, no clutch chatter, no problems. Excellent drive, perfect weather, had my lovely bride with me to exchange looks of horror and terror on the causeway as the semis tried to blow us into the water.
I love it!!
My hypothesis? Don't tow the boat with a Wrangler on the interstate at any speed unless there are no trucks. Mabye on a closed section?
Michael
By the way, the lugs on the trailer were loose - one full turn loose.
Interstate speeds on this trailer can't be a good idea - no matter what you're towing with. The boat's simply too tall and narrow acting like a sail when a semi flies by.
The Jeep did great, the torquie little thing that it is. The weight was certainly felt, but with all the suspension modifications, the only problem I had was the short wheel base. Any worn Jeep suspensions should be avioded unless at real slow speeds. No sway, mostly because I was veeerrrrrrrrrryy careful not to get ahead of my death zone. Never felt any yawing, just the whole rig would move when the semi slammed by me.
Ended up crossing the causeway - aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhh - then dropped down to Highway 90 (a two laner). Nice slow rolling hills that turned into a roller coaster. So, now I had to either slow down decending then labor up the ascent, or fly down and coast up. Of course, the first time I tried the fly down method, one of those semis met me at the trough at warp speed resulting in a wind blast that probably removed the port blue gel coat. Now Yin will sail in circles as the starboard blue hull overruns the port white hull!
No overheating, no clutch chatter, no problems. Excellent drive, perfect weather, had my lovely bride with me to exchange looks of horror and terror on the causeway as the semis tried to blow us into the water.
I love it!!
My hypothesis? Don't tow the boat with a Wrangler on the interstate at any speed unless there are no trucks. Mabye on a closed section?
Michael
By the way, the lugs on the trailer were loose - one full turn loose.