392 Towing Capacity

JD37064 · May 30, 2022

Yes I know Jeep aren't really towing vehicles but I'm looking at travel trailer options for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 9-year olds) and the minimum size interior space and features that I could possibly live with is a Rockwood Geo Pro G20BHS or very similar. The UVW is listed at 3,517. We won't have much gear in the trailer except maybe cooking supplies and linens. Even though the empty weight is ever so slightly over the 3,500 pound tow rating would this be safely doable? Obviously 3,500 pounds isn't an arbitrary number but is it a hard stop or a very close estimate of weight?

@JC · May 30, 2022

Well the EU JLU Wrangler is rated at 5500#s... not advice, just a statement.

Electrified · May 30, 2022

If you have a wreck and are beyond the stated towing capacity it can get ugly. Yes, I believe the 392 can safely tow more but all the "what ifs" come into play. I know about the "what ifs" because I routinely travel in a RV that is slightly over the stated GVWR.

dog · May 30, 2022

@JC said:
Well the EU JLU Wrangler is rated at 5500#s... not advice, just a statement.

For more info worth checking out the rest of the discussion here!

hardhat · May 31, 2022

Electrified said:
If you have a wreck and are beyond the stated towing capacity it can get ugly. Yes, I believe the 392 can safely tow more but all the "what ifs" come into play. I know about the "what ifs" because I routinely travel in a RV that is slightly over the stated GVWR.

From a practical standpoint, 3600# is not really much different from 3500# and if you are careful, I think you'd be fine. My camper dry weight is 2900# or so. I'm sure I'm over 3500# fully loaded. Tongue weight at 394# is little over spec of 350#. Tows fine.

BUT, like Electrified said, if you have a wreck and it is noticed that you are towing outside of recommended specs, insurance may not cover you and that could be a huge disaster. To me that is more of a concern that the actual ability of the vehicle.

The tow rating system changes over time, too. The Lexus LX570 ratings dropped from 8500# to 7000# although no real changes to vehicle. So legal to tow 8500# with 2010 but only 7000# with 2011. Same vehicle. So the numbers are nothing really magic, but not arbitrary either.

JD37064 · May 31, 2022

hardhat said:
From a practical standpoint, 3600# is not really much different from 3500# and if you are careful, I think you'd be fine. My camper dry weight is 2900# or so. I'm sure I'm over 3500# fully loaded. Tongue weight at 394# is little over spec of 350#. Tows fine.

BUT, like Electrified said, if you have a wreck and it is noticed that you are towing outside of recommended specs, insurance may not cover you and that could be a huge disaster. To me that is more of a concern that the actual ability of the vehicle.

The tow rating system changes over time, too. The Lexus LX570 ratings dropped from 8500# to 7000# although no real changes to vehicle. So legal to tow 8500# with 2010 but only 7000# with 2011. Same vehicle. So the numbers are nothing really magic, but not arbitrary either.

Thanks I guess I'm going to pass on a travel trailer at this point. No use risking a lawsuit. It's a shame that Jeep didn't put some effort into seeing if the 392 would qualify for a higher capacity given the increased power, upgraded rear brakes and wider stance. To believe that the 392 and the Sport have the same tow capacity is crazy, and likely a legal (or cost) related decision. I only say this because there are several trailers in the 3501-4000 pound range that have much more space than 3000-3400 pound trailers. A shame but reality.

Initial-Jeep · May 31, 2022

I'm having a hard time finding actual fact vs. conjecture (and there is a lot of conjecture).

AFAICT, the only legality here is what your license allows.

What your insurance company does, I think, would depend on your insurance company and how they do business--do they fight you or for you?

The door jamb sticker is a suggestion, not a law, based on a particular test. The same sticker on the same vehicle in Europe is completely different (much higher) since their test is different (and doesn't account for 'stupid Americans'?). My PT Cruisers are US-rated at 1000# and EU-rated at 2000#; the JLU, 3500#, and 5000(?)# respectively. That's quite a disagreement about what's 'safe' or what the vehicle can do!

Additionally, these ratings are for the OE tire at a particular pressure. What does the sticker mean if you have different tires and/or different PSI? The sticker cannot apply since it no longer applies to your vehicle and I've not found any way to recalculate based on changing variables. The sticker really goes out the window if your suspension is modified, which many are.

Finally, I think the real issue--in the event of an accident--would be causality: did your setup cause the accident? Can it be shown that it did or did not?

I say this as someone with a Lance 1575 on order (dry weight ~3000# or so, so I should be within ratings still).

There's a guy in Charlotte with a YouTube video showing his Power Wagon--modified with bags--towing a fifth-wheel trailer.

hardhat · Apr 6, 2023

Did my first real towing today. Pulled my 2012 Seadoo Speedster 200 today with 392. It is 2800# dry. Trailer maybe 400 lbs. So with 40 gal gas probably around 3500#. Towed like a champ. Was able to cruise 70mph in 8th gear. Would downshift to 7th going uphill, but would accelerate uphills in 7th gear. Really did a nice job. Trailer has hydraulic brakes and they did great. I'm sure this thing would tow 5000lbs without batting an eye. I know it is not rated for that but if all they are changing is the axle on the 2024.......just sayin'. I was really impressed at how nicely it towed the boat.