jeep towing question.

[m@w]

I have a 98 jeep tj. It has the factory chrome tube bumper on the rear w/ a hitch. I am not sure of the towing ability of the factory hitch. I am looking to tow my 16' aluminum jon boat.

 

[galvatron]

Owners manual? ? Does it have a real hitch or is the ball bolted to the bumper?
IIRC it's 2500 with the 4.0

 

[Smoothie]

My 97 TJ Sport with the 4.0L manual was 3000 I believe.

 

[militaryrednek]

our 97 wrangler towed a pro team 185 bass boat no problem, so a jon boat should be cake.

 

[LARGO9]

I got a 98 wranger 4.0 and just towed my dads 16 lund w/15 honda on it loaded with stuff after he passed last nov. towed it 150 miles never new it was back there---sounds like i got the same bumper as you but not chrome

 

[m@w]

Thanks for the info. I just wanted to verify before I took it to streets.

 

[41mag]

Shouldn't be a problem. That's an actual receiver hitch....mounted to the frame it looks like. Should be good for a pontoon. Just watch braking distances.
you may want to check to see if the trailer has electric brakes, if so you will need to mount a controller in the Jeep.

 

[m@w]

No trailer brakes. Its just a standard trailer and an aluminum jon boat.

 

[41mag]

You will be ok...just use common sense. If you've never towed anything, get someone else to do the driving for you. That's a large tow (size) for a first timer.

 

[LARGO9]

Thanks for the info. I just wanted to verify before I took it to streets.

minds looks a little different,,it also has a support arm thats wielded to the back of the reciever for support