Jeep Wrangler Unlimited & Camlite

[cowfly]

Hello all!  I own a 2014 Jeep Unlimited with the max tow package (3500lbs).  I'm considering purchasing a Livin Lite Camplite 13BHB (2250lbs dry) and wanted to know if anyone had any experience with this combination.  I'm planning on getting trailer brakes (of course) and the tow stabilizer bars.  And the additional cargo weight would be no more than 700lbs.  Thoughts?  Thanks in advance...

[david]

The CL you buy will weigh more than 2,250 lbs with options, battery and LPG tank, maybe 200 lbs more. Maybe that was figured into to your 700 lb cargo weight as that looks high. We tow with half full water, and minimal gear, maybe 400 lbs in all on our 16TBS. So in any case you will probably be under 3,000 lbs.

The tow weight may not be the limiting factor for you. Sway may be because sway is related to wheelbase and that Jeep has a short wheelbase. OCTOH it has a rather stiff suspension which is a good thing in dealing with sway.

So with that weight, brakes and sway control, not necessarily a weight distributing hitch, you should be ok. So I would go ahead, see what it feels like, note how far the rear end settles when you drop the tongue on it and go from there. If the rear end drops more than 1-1/2 to 2" then consider a WDH. Many here like Anderson but it doesn't do much as a WDH. I would prefer the lightest Reese or equivalent WDH with sway control if you need it and you may not.

David

[hogtyd]

I tow a 13QBB which should be about the same weight as the 13BHB. My tow vehicle is a 97 4Runner which has a wheelbase, stiff suspension and ride height that are probably all similar to your Wrangler.  I do not have any sway control or weight distribution system installed, as I have not noticed any significant sway or braking issues (the 13BHB should have brakes as standard equipment).  I wouldn't mind a little more power on hills, but it gets the job done.  I can feel a bit of trailer movement when being passed by or overtaking an 18-wheeler, but nothing that required more then a small steering correction.  I do also have rear air bags installed on my 4Runner, as they are notorious for soft rear coils.

If you have a dealer near you that has a 13BHB or 13QBB on their lot, I'd ask if you take a test tow to get a first-hand opinion.

-Graham

[2moonunit]

[quote source="/post/12104/thread" timestamp="1433874135" author="@cowfly"]Hello all!  I own a 2014 Jeep Unlimited with the max tow package (3500lbs).  I'm considering purchasing a Livin Lite Camplite 13BHB (2250lbs dry) and wanted to know if anyone had any experience with this combination.  I'm planning on getting trailer brakes (of course) and the tow stabilizer bars.  And the additional cargo weight would be no more than 700lbs.  Thoughts?  Thanks in advance...[/quote]I used to have a 2007 wrangler and towed a 3800 lb tent trailer/toy hauler.  It was underpowered but pulled ok.  You will need a transmission cooler, and possibly a set of helper air bags inside your rear coils, to keep it level.  Now my trailer was not as high as the camplite i have now but I never had any sway issues.

Doug

[cowfly]

Sounds like I'm a go on the 13BHB then.  Non of my surrounding dealers have a 13BHB in stock, so I cannot do a test tow.  Scanning the net looking for a used one before ordering new to save a few $$.  If anyone comes across a used one for sale, shoot me a message.  Thanks!

[peislander]

If your 2014 Jeep Unlimited is one where the top can come off you should at least be aware that there are many people who would recommend never towing a trailer with a convertible. I have heard that some U-Haul dealers will not rent a trailer to customers with a convertible Jeep.

That said, my next tow vehicle will likely be a convertible Jeep. For lifestyle reasons I think a convertible Jeep would suit us well. Our current tow vehicle is a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee paired with a small but mighty 11-foot Camplite. I'm awful at backing up and I like to think the combination of short wheelbase & short trailer is to blame (rather than my general incompetence). 

[kath]

[quote timestamp="1434199469" author="@peislander" source="/post/12259/thread"]If your 2014 Jeep Unlimited is one where the top can come off you should at least be aware that there are many people who would recommend never towing a trailer with a convertible. [/quote]Why?

[peislander]

If your 2014 Jeep Unlimited is one where the top can come off you should at least be aware that there are many people who would recommend never towing a trailer with a convertible. 

Why?

Because in an serious accident like a head-on collision the trailer can end up on top of you. With the convertible factoring into the equation, there apparently is a significant increase in the risk of a fatality. 

A quick look on google raises another concern: Many convertibles are structurally weaker than their non-convertible equivalents. That relative weakness may be insignificant in everyday use but become significant when towing. Apparently many manufacturers won't provide a tow rating on their convertibles and those that do the limit can be quite low -- like 1000lbs. That said, I'd imagine a Jeep is likely stronger than a typical convertible car. My wife has a Mazda Miata. I doubt it could tow anything bigger than one of those tiny motorcycle trailers.

[spunk4]

Hi cowfly,

i tow a cl16db with my unlimited 2012 but its a 6 speed manual. Il you have the tow package, you are gear 3.73 as i am and you Will have a lot or torque on low speed. The jeep have electronic anti-sway control and i dont use any Sway control system and its driving good,only a Litle bumpy for back passenger due to stifness of suspension and offroad tire. I am on the edge with my 16db and have to travel real lite but i Think you Will have a pefect setup with a 13bhb.

Eric

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/12776/thread" author="@ericlefebvre" timestamp="1435541436"]Hi cowfly,

i tow a cl16db with my unlimited 2012 but its a 6 speed manual. Il you have the tow package, you are gear 3.73 as i am and you Will have a lot or torque on low speed. The jeep have electronic anti-sway control and i dont use any Sway control system and its driving good,only a Litle bumpy for back passenger due to stifness of suspension and offroad tire. I am on the edge with my 16db and have to travel real lite but i Think you Will have a pefect setup with a 13bhb.

Eric[/quote]What year is your 16DB?

I ask because your experience matches mine and I have reason to believe the 2013 model I have is significantly lighter than subsequent years.

[spunk4]

Hi whoofit,

It is a 2013 and it is lighter than my previously trailer a rockwood roo 17 than hit the scale at 2800 lb. 

[whoofit]

Hi whoofit,

It is a 2013 and it is lighter than my previously trailer a rockwood roo 17 than hit the scale at 2800 lb. 

[p]Have you weighed it yet? I have and my trailer is far lighter, both in tongue and trailer, than the later years. At least per LLs written specs on the later years.[/p][p]
[/p][p]I think this helps a lot with our smaller TVs vs the 2014 and later 16DBs where they picked up considerable weight somehow. Glad to have a 2013.
[/p]

[cowfly]

I decided to hold off on the hard shell Camplite and purchased a Quicksilver 6.0 with the off road package and rear deck.  I pick the QS up this weekend and should not have any towing issues with it.  I decided to go this route since I am interested in traveling off road and did not want the trailer to hold me back.  I'm excited and looking forward to traveling anywhere:)

[ammobob]

Congrats on the 6.0. Definitely will let you go just about anywhere the Jeep will and should make for some great boondocking off grid.

[gnies]

Post picture when you have a chance!