2018 Jeep Wrangler Can Tow as Much as 3,500 Pounds

TopSpeed

By Mark McNabb

Published Nov 30, 2017

And that’s true for the 3.6-liter V-6 and 2.0-liter turbo-four

The Jeep Wrangler is basically the embodiment of a sport utility vehicle. After all, it did invent the category way back in 1941. Today, most SUVs are truck-based family haulers that don’t mind big loads on their trailer hitches. Crossovers, on the other hand, are generally limited in their towing capacities, with a few notable exceptions The Wrangler is a different beast altogether. Despite its body-on-frame construction, its off-road-biased suspension and relatively small footprint leave it with a compromised tow rating compared to say a mid-size pickup like the Chevrolet Colorado. Still, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler provides adequate towing capabilities for most active users.

The two-door Wrangler can tow up to 2,000 pounds via its optional two-inch receiver hitch. That’s the case with both the standard 3.6-liter V-6 and the optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The longer, four-door Wrangler Unlimited has an increased tow rating of 3,500 pounds thanks to a heavier curb weight and its longer wheelbase. Again, both engines will do the job. The same is true for the manual and automatic transmissions.

Sadly, we don’t expect the 2019 Wrangler Unlimited with its optional 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 to boast any towing increases, either. It all comes down to what the chassis and suspension will handle. Thankfully, the upcoming Jeep Scrambler pickup will have an improved tow rating rumored at 6,500 pounds.

Continue reading for the detailed towing specs.

2018 Jeep Wrangler TOWING CAPACITIES

WRANGLER SPORT (4-door)
Engine	Trans Type	Transmission	Axle Ratio	Payload	Base Wt.	Base Wt. Front	Base Wt. Rear	GAWR Front	GAWR Rear	GCWR	Max Trailer
3.6-liter V-6 gas	M6	D478 6-speed manual	3.45	1000	4201	2226	1974	2700	3000	8117	3500
3.6-liter V-6 gas	A8	850RE 8-speed automatic	3.45	1000	4215	2240	1974	2700	3000	8117	3500
2.0-liter I-4 gas	A8	850RE 8-speed automatic	3.45	1000	4336	2298	2038	2700	3000	8117	3500
WRANGLER SAHARA (4-door)
Engine	Trans Type	Transmission	Axle Ratio	Payload	Base Wt.	Base Wt. Front	Base Wt. Rear	GAWR Front	GAWR Rear	GCWR	Max Trailer
3.6-liter V-6 gas	M6	D478 6-speed manual	3.45	880	4331	2289	2042	2700	3000	10836	3500
3.6-liter V-6 gas	A8	850RE 8-speed automatic	3.45	880	4345	2303	2042	2700	3000	10836	3500
2.0-liter I-4 gas	A8	850RE 8-speed automatic	3.45	880	4376	2319	2056	2700	3000	10836	3500
WRANGLER RUBICON (4-door)
Engine	Trans Type	Transmission	Axle Ratio	Payload	Base Wt.	Base Wt. Front	Base Wt. Rear	GAWR Front	GAWR Rear	GCWR	Max Trailer
3.6-liter V-6 gas	M6	D478 6-speed manual	4.10	892	4439	2346	2093	3100	3100	11063	3500
3.6-liter V-6 gas	A8	850RE 8-speed automatic	4.10	892	4453	2360	2093	3100	3100	11063	3500
2.0-liter I-4 gas	A8	850RE 8-speed automatic	4.10	892	4484	2376	2107	3100	3100	11063	3500

References

2018 Jeep Wrangler

Read our full review on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler.

2017 Jeep Wrangler

Read our full review on the JK-gen 2017 Jeep Wrangler

Read more 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show news.