Maintenance & Restoration

Laura June · 08-21-2011, 12:44 PM

Hi I am a newbie; I need someone to help me. We have a 2010 Jeep Unlimited 4 door with a 3.7 engine. We love the car and would like to pull a camper with it. We are currently pulling an Aliner Sport, which is working ok but we would like to get something a little bigger. W'e were at the Scamp Plant this week and looked at the 16 and 13 foot trailers. We think they would give us more space, but do not know if we can pull them with the jeep. Is anyone out there pulling a small FB with a jeep. We would really like to hear from you.
Thanks:
Laura June

Greg H · 08-21-2011, 12:58 PM

We Jeepers call those LJ's for long jeep, I have towed with a couple of Cherokees and they do fine, I have a '99 Wrangler TJ that I don't like to tow with because it's too short. I really think your LJ will work ok because of the longer wheelbase.

Donna D. · 08-21-2011, 01:05 PM

Hey Laura June welcome to FiberglassRV. I think the A-liners are cute, but I can see why you want to change to molded. Not much setup with our cute eggs! Our mantra here, is for you to check the owners manual of your tug and see what it says about towing weight. Let that be your first guide. As a bit of unsolicited advice from me, if you're ordering a new trailer (of ANY size) be sure to get brakes!

and once again, welcome

cpaharley2008 · 08-21-2011, 01:15 PM

I have a Liberty with the 3.7 and pull my 17' EggCamper with no problems

Greg H · 08-21-2011, 01:49 PM

That looks good Jim, looks like the Nitro a big upgrade from the little Liberty's.

cpaharley2008 · 08-21-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg H

That looks good Jim, looks like the Nitro a big upgrade from the little Liberty's.

Actually that is a Liberty- it's called a liberty jet package- it does look like the nitro but I do not think the nitro can tow 5000#

Greg H · 08-21-2011, 01:55 PM

I don't Know the tow rating on the Nitro, but when they first came out we almost traded the Durango for one , It was Electric Blue and beautiful, I think some had the new Hemi but I don't know about towing with one.

cpaharley2008 · 08-21-2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg H

I don't Know the tow rating on the Nitro, but when they first came out we almost traded the Durango for one , It was Electric Blue and beautiful, I think some had the new Hemi but I don't know about towing with one.

According to the website, same drivetrain and towing as the Liberty. All Jeeps for 2012 will have the new Pentastar motor- 3.6 but another 60 hp and more torque and a 5 speed auto. I could not wait but would've if could've.

lars · 08-21-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg H

We Jeepers call those LJ's for long jeep, I have towed with a couple of Cherokees and they do fine, I have a '99 Wrangler TJ that I don't like to tow with because it's too short. I really think your LJ will work ok because of the longer wheelbase.

The OP said she has a 3.7L in it? I thought all 6-cyl LJs have the 4.0L I-6, and not the 3.7L V-6?

Or does "Unlimited" refer to a trim package in a Liberty?

...lars

lars · 08-21-2011, 02:23 PM

BTW, we have towed our 1800lb (dry weight) 15' tent trailer with our 3.7L Liberty (automatic), as well as our new-to-us 16' Casita with a dry weight of around 1900 lbs.

...lars

Laura June · 08-21-2011, 02:38 PM

Thanks for all the replies, but still have not found anyone that is pulling a scamp with a wrangler 4 door. I just checked the engine size and it is actually a 3.8. The book says we can pull 3500 lbs., but the hitch is only rated for 2000 lbs. Our Aliner when loaded weighs around 1500 lbs. It pulls fine until we get to the hills and then really has to down shift. The 13 foot scamp weighs 1200 empty, so if we add air and all the other things, it is probably going to weigh about 1800 to 2000 lbs. My husband really likes the 16 foot scamp, but I think it is too heavy.
Laura

cpaharley2008 · 08-21-2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura June

Thanks for all the replies, but still have not found anyone that is pulling a scamp with a wrangler 4 door. I just checked the engine size and it is actually a 3.8. The book says we can pull 3500 lbs., but the hitch is only rated for 2000 lbs. Our Aliner when loaded weighs around 1500 lbs. It pulls fine until we get to the hills and then really has to down shift. The 13 foot scamp weighs 1200 empty, so if we add air and all the other things, it is probably going to weigh about 1800 to 2000 lbs. My husband really likes the 16 foot scamp, but I think it is too heavy.
Laura

That is why I went with the Liberty vs 4dr wrangler, higher tow rating. Wait until 2012, the Wrangler's will have a higher tow I'm sure due to replacing the 3.8 with new motor.

Greg H · 08-21-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lars

The OP said she has a 3.7L in it? I thought all 6-cyl LJs have the 4.0L I-6, and not the 3.7L V-6?

Or does "Unlimited" refer to a trim package in a Liberty?

...lars

I'm pretty sure Unlimited is a package just like Rubicon is a package, I don't know much about the Liberty's.

Radar1 · 08-21-2011, 02:58 PM

I came close to buying the 4 door Wrangler because I always wanted a Wrangler and the 4 door is so practical for my needs. Except for one thing; the V6 3.8 engine they currently use just seemed underpowered to me trying to accelerate or maintain speed in a headwind when I tested it. I think it should handle the 16 Scamp just fine stability wise, but only if you are willing to accept what I expect to be poorer fuel mileage, especially in a headwind. It probably won't be much worse than towing the ALiner since the Jeep will punch a big aerodynamic hole in the air, but the Scamp or Casita will cause it to have to push even more air out of the way and they will also be heavier.
I'm waiting for them to start putting the newer V6 Pentastar which is getting excellent reviews in other vehicles that use it.

John

honda03842 · 08-21-2011, 02:59 PM

"I think it is too heavy."
Laura

Our Scamp 16 weighs 2400 pounds fully loaded for extended travel. I think this is a typical Scamp 16 weight. Our tongue weight is about 200 lbs.

We have towed everywhere in the USA and Canada without any issues. We tow with a 4 cylinder, 2.4 L Honda CRV. We do down shift on long hills however we don't see it as a problem. Most of our travels we are in 5th gear.

A number of people pull Scamp 16s with 4 cylinder vehicles.

cpaharley2008 · 08-21-2011, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg H

I'm pretty sure Unlimited is a package just like Rubicon is a package, I don't know much about the Liberty's.

I think the 4 door Wranglers are called Unlimited.

cpaharley2008 · 08-21-2011, 03:15 PM

I'm moving this under towing since that is the main thrust of the content

Laura June · 08-21-2011, 03:43 PM

Yes I know what you mean about the gas milage. Jeeps do not get very good. My husband added a chip hoping that would help. We gained only about 1 to 2 miles per gallon. I am begining to think we need to get a different tow vehicle, rather than another travel trailer.
Laura