Can A Jeep Wrangler Pull a Camper? [Answered + Tips]

If you’re thinking about having an off-road adventure on wheels, there are two things that come to mind — a Jeep and a camper. But can a Jeep Wrangler pull a camper?

Yes, but there are a few caveats.

The type of camper (or travel trailer), and its weight, play a big factor, and so do your Jeep’s towing capabilities.

Let’s dive into the details.

What is the Jeep Towing Capacity?
How to Prepare your Jeep for a Camper
What Kind of Campers Can A Jeep Pull
Conclusion

What is the Jeep Towing Capacity?

A Jeep Wrangler’s towing capacity depends on the type of model it is.

Four-door Jeep Wranglers can pull up to 3,500 pounds with a standard towing package.

Two-door Wranglers made after 2012 can pull up to 2,000 pounds with a standard towing package, while two-door Jeeps made before 2012 can pull only 1,000 pounds.

One thing is crucial to note: Just because your trailer weighs 3,000 pounds and you have a four-door Jeep that can handle 3,500 pounds, doesn’t mean you’re all set. It means you only have 500 pounds left for everything else like camping gear, food, water, generators, bikes, etc.

The weight of an empty trailer is referred to as dry weight and the weight of a loaded trailer is referred to as loaded weight.

You’ll be able to tow many different types of trailers with a Wrangler including teardrop trailers, hybrid trailers, pop-up trailers, and airstreams, as long as the loaded weight remains under your maximum capacity.

How to Prepare your Jeep for a Camper

Driving with a camper doesn’t mean just mean hooking up and going. There are a few steps and adjustments to follow for safety and smooth driving.

Your Jeep’s Hitch Kit

Not all Jeep Wrangler models come with a hitch installed. If your Wrangler doesn’t have one, you’ll need to install one.

You can purchase one online for $50 to $100 and install it yourself or you can get it done professionally. Most Jeep dealerships will be able to do it for you.

If you’re not sure what to do, we suggest getting it done professionally. Even though a mechanic is more expensive than doing it yourself, we suggest getting it installed professionally. Getting it done through a mechanic could cost anywhere between $200 and $400.

We advise getting a weight-distribution hitch installed. This will prevent putting too much pressure on the suspension and equally distributing the weight of the trailer, keeping your Jeep level.

Wind resistance can be an issue when towing a camper. To make your life easier and your drive safer, try to get a hitch with sway control as well. This will help you keep control of your vehicle and trailer when there are strong wind gusts.

Wiring for Lights and Brakes

If your camper has lights and brakes, they should be connected to your Jeep’s electrical system. Most states don’t require this by law, but it adds a layer of safety for everyone on the road, especially during inclement weather or for night driving.

A brake controller is also a great addition. If you don’t use one, the camper should still brake when your Jeep does. However, if you hard brake, you could lose control of the trailer, and it could sway or end up rolling. With a brake controller, the camper will actually use its brakes simultaneously as the Jeep, preventing any unwanted situations.

Prevent Transmission Overheating

Carrying extra weight puts more pressure on your transmission. You might not notice it initially, but the transmission may overheat after pulling the additional weight for an extended period of time.

To prevent this, you should ideally install a transmission cooler. This will help the transmission fluids stay cool for a longer period, thus preventing the transmission from overheating and wearing out.

Driving With A Trailer

Have you ever noticed how big trucks sway on the road even with a bit of wind? It’s physics in action; the longer the object, the more the wind will affect it. The same is true when you’re hauling a camper.

Since you’ll be adding length to your Jeep, you’ll have to adapt your driving technique and speed to the new size. Keep your max speed under 60 mph to 70 mph once you’re comfortable — and start even slower until you get the hang of things.

It’s important for your safety and everyone else’s on the road that you don’t overload your hitch. everyone else on the road that you don’t overload the hitch. Typically, towing limits are a bit underrated for safety, so a few pounds more won’t be an issue. But a couple hundred more could lead to an accident at high speeds.

What Kind of Campers Can A Jeep Pull

A Jeep Wrangler can pull any camper that falls within its towing capacity — 3,500 lbs for a 4-door Jeep and 2,000 for a 2-door Jeep. Here are some of the most common types of travel trailers to hook up to your Jeep.

Teardrop Trailers

These trailers get their name from their shape. They look like a teardrop and usually have space for just a bed inside. Most models have a rear kitchen area that can be accessed from the outside by opening the back door.

A few models also include the option of an external shower. Unfortunately, these trailers don’t have enough space for a proper living area. However, their design is perfect to create a room to sleep safely and warm even in windy or cold regions.

Benefits:

It is usually cheaper than other trailers.
It is more comfortable than sleeping in a tent.
It is low-weight, so it is easy to tow.
It is small, so it usually fits in most garages when not in use.

Usually, pop-up trailers are cheaper than their counterparts. And they are also lightweight since most of them have soft walls instead of fiberglass or rigid walls. In addition, they are small in size and have a back area that you can “pop up” to create a larger living outdoor space.

They are usually small and don’t include a bathroom. One thing that you need to review when purchasing one is its waterproof capacity. Unfortunately, not all of them are waterproof treated. This means that they could leak when it rains, and they won’t be able to hold heat under cold conditions.

Benefits:

It is one of the cheapest options.
It is more comfortable than sleeping in a tent during the summer months.
It is low-weight, so it is easy to tow.
It is small, so it usually fits in most garages when not in use.
It is suitable for small families.

Hybrid Trailers

As its name states, a hybrid trailer mixes a travel trailer and a pop-up trailer. It takes the design of the hard wall from a travel camper and the pop-out living area of the pop-up trailer. Some models have only one pop-out space, and more advanced models have two (one at the front and one at the back).

Since they have rigid walls, they weigh more than a simple pop-up trailer. Another upside is that since they have hard walls, they are waterproof and can keep the heat. They also provide larger living space with an open floor. Most models include bathroom and kitchen areas.

Benefits:

It has an open floor design.
It is more comfortable than sleeping in a tent.
It is safer and more comfortable than other options.
It provides noise protection.
It provides more amenities than pop-up trailers.

Airstream Trailers

Airstream trailers are usually too heavy for a Jeep. However, some smaller models, like the Basecamp Travel Trailer, offer everything you’d want in a camper and don’t weigh too much. The Basecamp design resembles that of a teardrop trailer. However, it offers more amenities and space.

Another lightweight option is the Airstream Bambi. Which shouldn’t go above 3,500 pounds when loaded.

Airstream trailers usually provide a bathroom, kitchen, and living area that you can convert into a sleeping space. Their design is generally considered retro; many call them silver bullets. And this is one of their main aesthetic attractions for their owners.

Benefits:

It is exceptionally durable.
It is more comfortable than sleeping in a tent.
It has high-quality materials, both inside and outside.
It offers all the necessary amenities, including a bathroom, kitchen, and lounge/sleeping area.
It keeps its value over time; it is easily resellable once you don’t need it anymore.

Conclusion

Even though you won’t be able to tow the largest campers, there are several great choices of campers for your Jeep Wrangler. No matter which you choose to go with, remember to your safety seriously. Don’t go past your max towing capacity and make sure you’re comfortable with driving with the extra weight before cruising on the open road. Once you have those bases covered, you’re ready for your off-road adventures.

Can A Jeep Wrangler Pull a Camper? [Answered + Tips]

Table of Contents

What is the Jeep Towing Capacity?