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.