2016 JEEP WRANGLER Owners Manual

values are determined by weighing your vehicle on a
commercial scale before any occupants or cargo are
added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight of the front and
rear of your vehicle at the ground can best be determined
by weighing it when it is loaded and ready for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a commer-
cial scale to insure that the GVWR has not been exceeded.
The weight on the front and rear of the vehicle should
then be determined separately to be sure that the load is
properly distributed over the front and rear axle. Weigh-
ing the vehicle may show that the GAWR of either the
front or rear axles has been exceeded but the total load is
within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted
from front to rear or rear to front as appropriate until the
specified weight limitations are met. Store the heavieritems down low and be sure that the weight is distributed
equally. Stow all loose items securely before driving.
Improper weight distributions can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
CAUTION!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR
or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, or it can change the
way your vehicle handles. This could cause you to
lose control. Also overloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 543

TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer, carefully
review this information to tow your load as efficiently
and safely as possible.
To maintain the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage,
follow the requirements and recommendations in this
manual concerning vehicles used for trailer towing.
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited so that you do notexceed the GVWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle
Certification Label” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all
cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or tem-
porary) loaded in or on the trailer in its
loaded and
ready for operation condition.
The recommended way to measure GTW is to put your
fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight
of the trailer must be supported by the scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
and trailer when weighed in combination.
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Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certifica-
tion Label” in “Starting And Operating” for further
information.
WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have a collision.
Tongue Weight (TW)
The tongue weight is the downward force exerted on the
hitch ball by the trailer. The recommended tongue weightis 10% to 15% of the vehicle’s GTW for a conventional
hitch. You must consider this as part of the load on your
vehicle.
Frontal Area
The frontal area is the maximum height multiplied by the
maximum width of the front of a trailer.
Trailer Sway Control – If Equipped
The trailer sway control is a telescoping link that can be
installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer
tongue. It typically provides adjustable friction associ-
ated with the telescoping motion to dampen any un-
wanted trailer swaying motions while traveling.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue
weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or
some other connecting point of the vehicle. These kinds
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 545

of hitches are the most popular on the market today and
they are commonly used to tow small and medium sized
trailers.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing system works by applying lever-
age through spring (load) bars. They are typically used
for heavier loads to distribute trailer tongue weight to the
tow vehicle’s front axle and the trailer axle(s). When used
in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions, it pro-
vides for a more level ride, offering more consistent
steering and brake control thereby enhancing towing
safety. The addition of a friction/hydraulic sway control
also dampens sway caused by traffic and crosswinds and
contributes positively to tow vehicle and trailer stability.
Trailer sway control and a weight distributing (load
equalizing) hitch are recommended for heavier Tongue
Weights (TW) and may be required depending on vehicleand trailer configuration/loading to comply with Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) requirements.
WARNING!
•
An improperly adjusted Weight Distributing Hitch
system may reduce handling, stability, braking
performance, and could result in a collision.
• Weight Distributing Systems may not be compat-
ible with Surge Brake Couplers. Consult with your
hitch and trailer manufacturer or a reputable Rec-
reational Vehicle dealer for additional information.
Trailer Hitch Classification
The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
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Trailer Hitch Classification Definitions
Class Max. Trailer Hitch Industry Standards
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium Duty 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2 267 kg)
Class IV - Extra Heavy Duty 10,000 lbs (4 535 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)” chart for the Maximum Gross Trailer
Weight (GTW) towable for your given drivetrain.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on your vehicle.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 547

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
Engine/
Transmission Axle Model GCWR
(Gross Com- bined Wt.Rating) Frontal Area
Max. GTW
(Gross
Trailer Wt.) Max. Trailer
Tongue Wt. (See Note)
3.6L/Manual 3.21 Two–Door Sport Model(4WD) 6,900 lbs
(3 130 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) 200 lbs
(91 kg)
3.6L/Manual 3.73 Two–Door Sport Model(4WD) 8,400 lbs
(3 810 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(158 kg)
3.6L/
Automatic 3.21 Two–Door
Sport Model(4WD) 6,900 lbs
(3 130 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) 200 lbs
(91 kg)
3.6L/
Automatic 3.73 Two–Door
Sport Model(4WD) 8,400 lbs
(3 810 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(158 kg)
548 STARTING AND OPERATING

Engine/
Transmission Axle Model GCWR
(Gross Com- bined Wt.Rating) Frontal Area
Max. GTW
(Gross
Trailer Wt.) Max. Trailer
Tongue Wt. (See Note)
3.6L/Manual 3.21 Two–Door SaharaModel
(4WD) 7,000 lbs
(3 175 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) 200 lbs
(91 kg)
3.6L/Manual 3.73 Two–Door SaharaModel
(4WD) 8,500 lbs
(3 856 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(158 kg)
3.6L/
Automatic 3.21 Two–Door
SaharaModel
(4WD) 7,000 lbs
(3 175 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) 200 lbs
(91 kg)
5
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Engine/
Transmission Axle Model GCWR
(Gross Com- bined Wt.Rating) Frontal Area
Max. GTW
(Gross
Trailer Wt.) Max. Trailer
Tongue Wt. (See Note)
3.6L/
Automatic 3.73 Two–Door
SaharaModel
(4WD) 8,500 lbs
(3 856 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(158 kg)
3.6L/Manual 4.10 Two–Door RubiconModel
(4WD) 8,600 lbs
(3 900 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(158 kg)
3.6L/
Automatic 3.73 Two–Door
RubiconModel
(4WD) 8,600 lbs
(3 900 kg) 25 sq ft
(2.32 sq m) 3,500 lbs
(1 587 kg) 350 lbs
(158 kg)
550 STARTING AND OPERATING