Towing a Jayco 1406 Camper with a YJ 4.0L

It's that time of the year when we pull out our campers and get them
ready for some spring camping. I've been pulling my camper with a Ford
F-250 and have had no problems. I have recently sold the Ford and plan
to use my Jeep Wrangler as the tow vehicle. For those who are not
familiar with the Jayco 1406 series camper, its 14ft in length closed
and is pretty heavy. Does anyone have any experience towing this type
of camper with a smaller vehicle like the Jeep Wrangler? Or experience
pulling any camper with a Wrangler?

Happy Jeeping,

Dwayne

Whats the weight on the camper? CJ, YJ, and TJ cannot tow more than
2,000lbs, and that's pushing it.

Carl


"Dwayne" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> It's that time of the year when we pull out our campers and get them
> ready for some spring camping. I've been pulling my camper with a Ford
> F-250 and have had no problems. I have recently sold the Ford and plan
> to use my Jeep Wrangler as the tow vehicle. For those who are not
> familiar with the Jayco 1406 series camper, its 14ft in length closed
> and is pretty heavy. Does anyone have any experience towing this type
> of camper with a smaller vehicle like the Jeep Wrangler? Or experience
> pulling any camper with a Wrangler?
>
> Happy Jeeping,
>
> Dwayne
>

On Mar 21, 10:17 pm, "Carl S" > wrote:
> Whats the weight on the camper? CJ, YJ, and TJ cannot tow more than
> 2,000lbs, and that's pushing it.
>
> Carl
>
> "Dwayne" > wrote in message
>
> oups.com...
>

Only 2000lbs, that's a shame. I'm sure my camper is over 2000lbs. I'm
going to the Jayco dealer tomorrow and picking up the owners manual so
I know what the camper weight is before I try towing with the Jeep.

Thanks!

The engine, transmission and axles are OK to tow more than 2,000lbs. The
problem is the short wheelbase. Any kind of turn at speed is likely to cause
a jacknife.

Carl



"Dwayne" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> On Mar 21, 10:17 pm, "Carl S" > wrote:
>> Whats the weight on the camper? CJ, YJ, and TJ cannot tow more than
>> 2,000lbs, and that's pushing it.
>>
>> Carl
>>
>> "Dwayne" > wrote in message
>>
>> oups.com...
>>
>
> Only 2000lbs, that's a shame. I'm sure my camper is over 2000lbs. I'm
> going to the Jayco dealer tomorrow and picking up the owners manual so
> I know what the camper weight is before I try towing with the Jeep.
>
> Thanks!
>
>

I really wouldn't recommend it. My YJ (4.2L) pulls my empty utility
trailer fine, but when the trailer starts getting full... close to or
above a ton it starts slowing down. A lot.

Try hooking up your camper and just taking it around the block at
home. See how it handles and determine whether you think it'd be
alright on the highway. My vote is: No.

It's not only unsafe, it's illegal. That means in the event of a collision,
you could be determined to be at fault, even if it wasn't your fault. You
run a substantial legal risk, plus the potential for your insurance to deny
part or all of your claim.

Carl



"Micah" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I really wouldn't recommend it. My YJ (4.2L) pulls my empty utility
> trailer fine, but when the trailer starts getting full... close to or
> above a ton it starts slowing down. A lot.
>
> Try hooking up your camper and just taking it around the block at
> home. See how it handles and determine whether you think it'd be
> alright on the highway. My vote is: No.
>

depends whether it's a comparative or contributory negligence state.
regardless. rent a truck.

BAD IDEA. The wheelbase on the YJ is too short to tow a camper like that
safely.

"Dwayne" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> It's that time of the year when we pull out our campers and get them
> ready for some spring camping. I've been pulling my camper with a Ford
> F-250 and have had no problems. I have recently sold the Ford and plan
> to use my Jeep Wrangler as the tow vehicle. For those who are not
> familiar with the Jayco 1406 series camper, its 14ft in length closed
> and is pretty heavy. Does anyone have any experience towing this type
> of camper with a smaller vehicle like the Jeep Wrangler? Or experience
> pulling any camper with a Wrangler?
>
> Happy Jeeping,
>
> Dwayne
>

Or buy back his F250.

"Micah" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> depends whether it's a comparative or contributory negligence state.
> regardless. rent a truck.
>

I want to thank everyone for your comments and suggestions on this
topic. I guess it's time up update my old Jeep and use this as an
excess to buy a 2007 unlimited. Well I can always dream about owning
one!

Thanks again!

Dwayne