Adventure-loving people are always looking for newer things to try and have fun with whenever they get a chance to go outdoors. So, people who love wild journeys with a Jeep wrangler along with fishing ought to reach a situation where they are required to think about towing their boat.
Jeep wranglers are generally known to tow several kinds of vehicles easily. So, towing a boat might not be a big deal for these. However, it depends highly on the towing capacity of the Jeep and the boat’s weight.
So, can a Jeep wrangler tow a boat? Yes, it can. But your boat’s weight needs to be under the Jeep’s overall weight and between the towing capacity. Also, you need to consider the trailer weight with your boat’s weight to get a proper measurement.
How Much Weight Can a Jeep Wrangler Tow?
Jeep Wranglers are known to tow several other vehicles quite easily. But they do have a weight limit for that. Before diving into the main question, you have to first know how much your Jeep wrangler can actually tow.
Generally, most jeep wranglers have a weight of 4000 pounds themselves and can tow a vehicle that weighs up to 2000 to 3500 pounds.
However, each model has some specific limits as well as capacity and you should never weigh them with something outside their capability. So, you should have a clear idea about your Jeep Wrangler’s Towing capacity when you are buying your model.
This capacity can vary hugely depending on the brands and models. Usually, models like TJ, JK, and YJ can take a towing capacity of up to 2000 pounds. So, towing large boats with them might not be a good idea.
On the other hand, Jeep Wranglers like JL and JK unlimited, LJ, etc. can tow large boats that weigh up to 3500 pounds. However, it’s better to stay below the limit when you are connecting it with a boat.
One important thing to consider when you are measuring the weights is the mass of the boat trailer. A trailer can have a rather huge weight of 2000 pounds. So, you will have to add this weight to the weight of the boat and consider them together.
This might seem to be limiting the weight capacity but you will be able to find Jeep Wranglers that can carry on lightweight boats to tow.
Can a Jeep Wrangler Tow a Boat?
Yes, a Jeep Wrangler is capable of towing a boat. But the weight of the boat needs to be suitable enough for your Jeep Wrangler to handle. The following table consists of the average weight of some of the potential boats that your Jeep Wrangler can tow:
Ski Boats:
Ski boats are a great medium for recreation and enjoyment when you are out for a little family vacation. Though they are mostly used for recreation, they can weigh up to 3100 pounds.
So, depending on the capacity of your Jeep Wrangler, you need to decide whether your jeep can tow this kind of boat.
Pontoon Boats:
Pontoon boats are recreational vehicles made with a capacity of holding up to 10 people on occasions like get together. While a pontoon boat can offer great stability when it comes to fishing, it can also be used for skiing.
Though they are larger than most recreational boats, your Jeep Wrangler can actually tow some of the models of these boats. Models like Lowe SS210 come with a weight of 1900 pounds whereas the NauticStar Angler 193 SC weighs 2100 pounds.
So, if your jeep has the capacity to handle a minimum of 2500 pounds then you are free to buy some of these models for your family or friend’s gathering.
Small Fishing Boats:
Most people tend to tow a boat in order to spend some quality time in the water with a fishing tangler in hand and breathing through the fresh air. If you are among those people, then towing should not be anything for you to worry about.
The most common fishing boats are known as “Bass Boats” and they mostly come in a weight range that your jeep wrangler is capable of towing.
While you can get the Tracker Pro 2017 179 with 878 pounds weight, there is a bass cat jaguar that weighs 2150 pounds.
Personal Watercraft:
When we are talking about personal watercraft (most commonly known as PWC), the first thing that crosses our mind is a Jet Ski. Jet skis are the most common PWC that people tend to prefer. However, you might not think of them as a boat since they are rather smaller in size.
In truth, they are a category of boats and can be towed easily in a Jeep Wrangler because of their small amount of weight. In this category, you can find FX Cruiser HO Full models in 838 pounds of weight and a Sea-Doo Spark with 450 pounds weight.
Sounds impossible for a boat? Well, that’s why they are popular!
Airboats:
When you live somewhere near a lake area or a low-water area, airboats are the kind of boats that you will need to spend your quality time in the water. Also, they come in a rather suitable and ideal weight that allows your Jeep Wrangler to two them very easily.
Most airboats have a weight of 2000 pounds which goes up to 3200 pounds with the trailer. So, if you own a strong and high-capacity jeep wrangler, towing this boat will not be a great problem.
But if you already have one airboat and thinking of getting a Jeep wrangler, then be sure to buy something that has a towing capacity of at least 3500 pounds.
Sailboats:
The reason for not including the sailboats in the above-mentioned box is that most sailboats come with a higher range of weight and do not fall in the towing capacity of a Jeep Wrangler. So, if you are looking forward to getting a sailboat for yourself, be sure to book a parking place near the water source!
However, there are two models of these sailboats that fall in the general towing capacity of your Jeep. The mini 310 model has a weight of 77 pounds and the sunfish Sailboat classic has a weight of 130 pounds that can be easily towed by an average strong Jeep wrangler.
Considering Trailer Length:
Since the towing depends highly on the weight of the boat, you need to consider everything that might add to the weight. And in this case, I mean a trailer.
While I have already mentioned the necessity of considering trailer weight with the body weight, it’s time to consider the trailer length. Towing can be extremely difficult and dangerous too if your trailer is too long.
So, before jumping into any kind of action, make sure you have considered all the facts and that your Jeep Wrangler is capable of towing that thing.
Towing Equipment:
Another thing that impacts the towing of your jeep wrangler hugely is the appropriate towing equipment. Whatever hitch receiver you decide to choose should be totally compatible with boat towing. That’s because you can find different hitch receivers made to serve different towing facilities.
In this case, a Class III or a class II receiver can be the ideal option for towing. Also, you will need a hitch pin-assisted mount along with a hitch ball to complete your collection of towing equipment! You can find these things in any local boat accessories store.
But whatever you do, make sure to have everything ready before you go off to tow your boat on your Jeep Wrangler.
Can you Increase the Towing Capacity of your Jeep Wrangler?
The towing capacity of a vehicle indicates the amount of added weight that it can handle while still being able to move swiftly. Generally, the towing capacity mentioned by the manufacturers is lower than your vehicle’s actual capacity.
But fortunately, it is possible to increase the towing capacity of your jeep wrangler.
Installing larger wheels on your jeep wrangler can add to the towing capacity. Also, using a heavy-duty tow bar can help you in this case. A leveling hitch receiver can distribute the weight increasing the towing capacity of your vehicle.
Conclusion:
So, I hope you have gotten a clear answer to the question “Can a jeep wrangler tow a boat?”. Yes, they can and it depends highly on the weight of the boat.
You will have to make sure that the weight of your boat is not exceeding the towing capacity of your jeep wrangler. If that part’s alright, with the appropriate towing equipment, your Jeep will be ready to tow or pull your boat anywhere.
I hope this article has helped you to clear your confusion. You should always remember to compare the weights of your Jeep and boat in order to tow the boat successfully to your destination.
