Looking to tow a AR195 w/2020 Jeep Rubicon

[Raen]

Hey Everyone,

I'm new to the Forum and wanted to see if anyone on here could help me with some feedback on my vehicle.

I'm looking to purchase a 2019-2021 AR195 and tow it with a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. I live in San Diego, CA and will be towing it at most 2-4 miles to the bay. I know it's getting really close to the max 3500 tow capacity. Is there anything I should know about or do you think it's fine?

Thanks for the help

 

[Btsnhos]

Dry weight on the trailer is 3200lbs, 250 lbs for a full tank of fuel. So you are right at the tow capacity and probably above the max tongue weight of the truck. Not to mention the payload of those jeeps are low, like 1000lbs. Will it work? Yes. Will it be comfortable? Probably not. Stopping is also an issue as is a steep ramp if you don't have 4WD. I would recommend getting a beater truck to tow it

Thread 'Towing a 2019 195 with a 3500 pound tow rating?'

Jul 10, 2019

Can a 2019 195 be towed (and not exceed any limits) with a 2009 Ford Escape that has a 3500 pound rating? I would be doing this for about 1 season and mostly 10 mile trips to the ramp and one or two 50 mile trips. The next season I would be upgrading to a larger SUV.

• Stealth
• Replies: 15
• Forum: Tow Rigs, Trailers and other things with Wheels

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Hey Everyone,

I'm new to the Forum and wanted to see if anyone on here could help me with some feedback on my vehicle.

I'm looking to purchase a 2019-2021 AR195 and tow it with a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. I live in San Diego, CA and will be towing it at most 2-4 miles to the bay. I know it's getting really close to the max 3500 tow capacity. Is there anything I should know about or do you think it's fine?

Thanks for the help

There used to be a lot of variation in tow ratings by manufacturers, but since 2013 tow ratings across the industry have been standardized by the SAE J2807 tow rating based on many factors. You can read about it here.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1502-sae-j2807-tow-tests-the-standard/ This SAE tow rating took all of the wiggle room out of tow ratings which manufacturers used to use to make bigger tow rating claims, the manufacturers still claim highest tow capacities based on a certain model and configuration, but now each model / configuration tow ratings are now standardized.

What that means Is If your Wrangler Rubicon is rated for 3500 pounds of tow rating then that’s what it can safely tow.

Your owners manual should have a calculator about towing, tongue weight is part of the cargo weight which also includes persons other than the driver and other stuff you might have in the vehicle. As long as you are not exceeding the gross vehicle weight rating GVWR-total weight of the vehicle with people and cargo and or the gross combined vehicle weight rating GCVWR-Total weight of tow vehicle and trailer you are good.

Looking at the 2025 AR195 on Yamahas site, the dry weight on the trailer is 3170#, add in 240# of fuel for a full tank and the total weight is 3410#. If the tongue weight for the shore lander trail is the same as it is on my trailer it’s between 5-7%, so at 7% that gives a tongue weight of 238#. So you just need to check the tongue weight rating of your vehicle.

Having said all that, you’re very close to your max tow rating of 3500 pounds. You’ve got 90# of tow capacity remaining, enough for an anchor, a cooler full of stuff and a few other items in the boat.

As long as you stay within the tow capacity, GVWR and GCVWR you are totally fine, I would have no problem towing at max ratings, that’s what the rating is for. Read your owners manual on towing, it will say things like leaving extra braking distance etc…

 

[MTREADER]

Like to add.... If in an accident while towing, the insurance company can and will deny claims if towing a vehicle that exceeds manufactures specifications. Keep that in mind as well.

 

[Ribs77]

I tow a 2021 AR195 with a 2011 Hybrid Highlander rated for 3500 pounds. It does just fine. I tow twice a year about 180 miles each way, and then I keep my boat in a wet slip so I'm usually not towing it around during the season. The only downside is that my wiring isn't set up to automatically disengage the surge brakes when I go into reverse, so I need to use the magnetic doohickey to disable them manually when I need to reverse.

The wiring does control all the brake lights and turn signals, of course.

 

[BumbleBee255]

Like to add.... If in an accident while towing, the insurance company can and will deny claims if towing a vehicle that exceeds manufactures specifications. Keep that in mind as well.

I don't think that is true, at least not in all situations. Insurance companies do not necessarily have the authority to determine if negligence or even a crime releases them from their duty to make their client whole again. They payout on drunk driving accidents every day all over the country. My insurance company is well aware that I tow a dozer that is over my trucks rating and they have confirmed that I am covered. It may make a difference if both items are covered by the same company also.

 

[MTREADER]

I don't think that is true, at least not in all situations. Insurance companies do not necessarily have the authority to determine if negligence or even a crime releases them from their duty to make their client whole again. They payout on drunk driving accidents every day all over the country. My insurance company is well aware that I tow a dozer that is over my trucks rating and they have confirmed that I am covered. It may make a difference if both items are covered by the same company also.

I worked in a Body Shop the experience we had it was a vehicle the manufacture didn't offer a tow package and or hitch so the insurance deemed it as not for intended use. The customer had a uhaul dealer custom fit one. It was a mess the customer must of told the dealer it was only for a bike carrier but then had someone or himself wire in a harness for lighting. I remember the adjuster stating in some policies it states not intended use could mean excessive weight criteria outside the manufactures specifications. He used an example of someone hauling something to heavy and causing brake failure or handling limitations that could result in an accident. I guess all insurance companies have different policy guidelines I'd just be on the safe side and read them.