Jeep Wrangler Towing Capacity Variations- JK, JL, TJ & YJ – 2024 Guide

Learning about the Jeep Wrangler Towing Capacity Variations could be beneficial.

Once you take your mind and eyes off their appearance, you will be surprised to know that the Jeep Wranglers are some of the talented towers to find around.

While they cannot really compete with the full-sized trucks such as the Ram 1500 or the F-150, a Jeep Wrangler can also tow quite several things.

With this already established, individuals should know that every Wrangler they see is actually not made to be the same.

Users should always plan not to bite off more than what they can surely chew if they are to tow things in either a YJ or a TJ.

On average, the towing capacity peculiar to a Jeep Wrangler is actually 2000 lbs although some of the newer models can tow more than these 2000 lbs.

Wranglers that can tow more are those four-door variants type such as the JKU and bigger Wrangler models such as the LJ. However, 2000lbs is still a very good benchmark to have in mind.

Furthermore, towing is actually a serious business that is never thought to be a joking matter. While a couple of pounds over a stated limit like the 2000 lbs is not really a problem.

However, hundreds of pounds that are over 2000 lbs can result in a crucial impact depending on how the Wrangler handles it.

What Is Towing Capacity?

The towing capacity of a vehicle, especially a Jeep Wrangler simply refers to the highest amount of weight that the vehicle is capable of pulling while towing.

The towing capacity has to do with the weight of the boat, trailer, or even another vehicle that your car plans on towing.

In a bid to tow another vehicle, best tow bars, tow hitch or even recovery points are utilized in carrying out the task. Any of these devices can be attached to the chassis of the vehicle.

Different Types Of Jeep Wrangler Towing Capacity

Jeep Wrangler
Source: jeep.com

There are diverse types of Jeep wranglers available, and they all have their towing capacity that varies from each other. Some of them include:

The YJ Jeep Wrangler

The YJ Jeep Wrangler is actually the first vehicle to formally take on the Wrangler name. The car was made from the year 1987 down to 1995.

Although the vehicle is quite controversial as a result of its square-shaped headlights.

More obviously, it is still thought of as a classic Wrangler and It is always eager to disrupt trails, just like every other Jeep. In the same vein, the YJ prepares the tone for Wrangler towing capacities until the emergence of the JK Jeep Wrangler.

Nonetheless, the towing capacity of the YJ Wrangler is 2000 lbs regardless of its engine or even its transmission.

Note that the YJ Wrangler is the only Wrangler that is fully equipped with a leaf spring suspension and this gives it the shared elements of so many heavy trucks.

The TJ Jeep Wrangler

The TJ Jeep Wrangler
Source: pinterest.com

Here comes the TJ Wrangler, which is the most eager and exciting Wrangler one can get to purchase. Manufactured from the year 1996 up to 2006, this particular Wrangler practically screams Jeep as no other Wrangler does.

While the Wranglers after it are really incredible vehicles, but, TJ Jeep Wrangler has got its doubt since its wheels are already placed in the pulse of everything that makes a Wrangler great.

However, there is no much change from the YJ Jeep Wrangler in terms of their towing abilities. Additionally, some configurations actually give the TJ Wrangler a rating that is lower than 2000 lbs.

With its 2.4L power tech I-4 engine plus the four-speed automatic transmission, the highest tow capacity for the TJ Jeep is 1000 lbs. But, with its manual transmission and all its configuration with the 4.0L power tech I-6, the highest tow rating is actually 2000lbs.

Have it in mind that the TJ Wrangler was the starting of wranglers with a longer wheelbase.

The JK Jeep Wrangler

Note that the JK Jeep Wrangler was made from the year 2007 up to 2018.

It aided in setting the stage for what a modern-day Wrangler really is. JK Jeep Wrangler retained its reliable yet rough performance of a Wrangler as it continued to refine everything about the driving experience.

Getting to this exact point in the history of wranglers, the majority of the vehicles sold are the four-door variant. Sticking quite close to the towing capacity of the TJ Jeep Wrangler, this two-door model actually tows roughly 2000 lbs.

However, the four doors model can tow about 3500 lbs. Asides the alternative for a much more increased towing capacity on the JKU, every JK Wrangler comes with the option of an extra tow package.

For this one, it comes with a bigger alternator as well as a bigger battery plus diverse programmable aux switches.

The JL Jeep Wrangler

The JL Jeep Wrangler
Source: youtube.com

It made its debut in the year 2018, and it is the latest iteration of the Jeep Wrangler line. It is taken to be the most modern Jeep for now, and it comes fully equipped with every technology you will love to see.

Although the JL Jeep Wrangler has a very nice interior option, a popular infotainment screen and lots of additional safety tech, it has not for once compromised on any one of its performance.

The most capable Wrangler from the JL factory is argued to be the JL Rubicon. Nonetheless, the two-door JL Wrangler has a tow rating of 2000 lbs, and as for the JL limited, it can tow about 3500 lbs.

For those who may want more towing abilities from the JL Wrangler factory, they can check out the Jeep gladiator which tows about 7650 lbs.

Jeep Wrangler Towing Capacity: Jeep Wrangler Towing Test Drive!

The Latest Wranglers And Their Towing Features

Some of the features of the Jeep wranglers mentioned earlier include:

JK Wrangler

JK Wrangler
Source: unsealed4x4.com.au

The JK Wrangler is the newest and strongest Wrangler to be made, and it does not come as a surprise as you can discover the maximum towing capacity.

All of these models have trailer hitches that range up to 5000 lbs towing capacity.

Features of the JK Wrangler include:

  1. It has variance in the type of hitches
  2. Its average highest towing capacity is 5000lb

Although these new sets are not more capable than the previous generation, users can be guaranteed that these new models can actually pull the payload much more conveniently.

TJ Wrangler

For the generation of TJ Wranglers, users will see a lot of bumper-mounted hitches. The TJ Wrangler is mostly specific to certain bumpers. There are also chassis mounted hitches that mount the receiver that is below the bumper.

They are able to pull about 4000 lbs, and some of its other features include:

  1. The average highest towing capacity is 4000 lbs
  2. They have different HITH types
  3. Chassis mounted hitches are available

Although the mounting style is strong, it is much more difficult when it comes down to its installation. All of these newer models have a much higher tow rating than other generations.

YJ Wrangler

YJ Wrangler
Source: pinterest.com

For this Jeep Wrangler, its rear bumpers are quite limited in the after-market. Users will be able to find their desired mount to the rear bumper, and they will have to pay additional attention to the type of bumper they will be working with.

While some of the Jeep Wranglers work with this factory bumper, others are structured to work with those at the aftermarket.

There are manufacturers that have particular hitches that function well enough with their bumpers, and there are other hitches that are supposed to work on a specific style of bumper like the tubular.

However, the largest advantage this tubular design has is that it is actually relative to a modular setup. What this means is that users can easily pop one of the hitches when they are needed, and when they do not need them, it can easily be removed.

The high end of these hitches actually reaches about 2000 lbs, and this is perfect for pulling a small trailer around as well as some things that can be loaded in the trailer.

The YJ Jeep Wrangler can get you anywhere without any issue if you do not want to leave it idle for a little while.

Some of its additional features include:

  • Its hitches are specific to the particular bumper
  • Highest maximum towing capacity remains at 2000lbs
  • It is easy to install as well as it is easy to remove

To Wrap It Up

Jeep Wrangler towing capacity could be varied according to the model, specification etc. Whenever you want to tow very heavy equipment or possibly ditching that trailer of yours at a campsite for a very rugged adventure with friends on terrains.

Moreover, that is barely traveled by, it is vital that you have a vehicle that has been built on a sturdy foundation.

This vehicle is none other than the Jeep Wrangler as it is not known to have ever disappointed anyone. It has steel bumpers hat adds to its protective layers.

The Wrangler can always assist you in helping out a stranger that might find himself or herself stuck in a tight spot on the trail.