One of the best feelings in the automotive world comes when you drive a Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep Wrangler is in every sense of the phrase, “to die for”. The Wrangler is quick, powerful, and quite comfortable.
Did we also mention that it looks mean and quite warm, a combination that you will not get from anywhere else?
The downside to all these amazing features is that in trying to make the Wrangler amazing all around, they had to compromise towing power in some of the Jeep Wrangler models.
Can you tow a Jet Ski or a boat with your Jeep Wrangler? Well, the answer is yes and in this article, we are going to be talking about how you can do it and which boats and jet skis are the best fit for your Jeep Wrangler.
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Can you pull a boat With Jeep Wrangler?
Having a boat is one of the best experiences in the world. If you have been lucky to ever own one or hire one then you know how important it is to have a vehicle that can tow your boat.
If you ask most people they are most likely going to tell you that the Jeep Wrangler is not that vehicle, Well, they are wrong.
The reason why most people rarely recommend a Jeep Wrangler for boat towing is that boats tend to be heavy especially now when boats come with all the luxurious trinkets.
Another reason is that the Jeep Wrangler since its inception has often come out with vehicles that are inferior in terms of towing.
In recent years though, Jeep has been making some massive improvements in the towing department. Because of this, we can confidently answer the question “can you pull a boat with a Jeep Wrangler?” with a resounding yes.
You can read our ultimate towing guide for wranglers article to know about a lot of things about towing including wrangler towing capacities.
What Is the Heaviest Boat You Can Pull With a Jeep Wrangler?
You can pull any boat with the Jeep Wrangler if it does not surpass your Wrangler’s towing capacity.
To make it clear, the maximum towing capacity that you can get from the Wrangler series is 5500 pounds. On the minimum side of things, the least you can tow with a Jeep Wrangler is 2000 pounds.
If you are accustomed to the boating world, then you know that there are so many boats in between this Wrangler that you are bound to find your perfect boat.
What to Consider When Choosing a Boat to Tow With Your Jeep Wrangler?
Now that we have a list of boats that you can tow with your Jeep Wrangler it is important to understand the criteria you should use to choose the best boat to tow with your Jeep Wrangler.
Some things are very important to consider when choosing a boat. The last thing you would want is to have a great boat but fail to tow it with your Jeep Wrangler. This is what you should be looking out for,
Boat Weight
We cannot highlight how important it is to consider the weight of the boat. The boat has to be within your Jeep Wrangler’s towing capacity.
One of the most important things is identifying your Jeep Wrangler trailer and model. We have already highlighted the impact of exceeding towing capacity already and you should not do it.
Here are some of the things; you should be looking at in terms of the boat weight.
- The boat weight should not exceed your Jeep Wrangler’s towing capacity
- The boat should be way below the towing capacity of the Jeep Wrangler if you plan to carry gear in the boat.
- Don’t forget that the weight of the trailer you use to load the boat also added to the overall towing capacity of the wrangler.
Boat Length and Width
Just like boat weight, you have to understand that the width and length of your boat are very important. If you exceed the state limit in terms of width and length, you might get yourself in trouble.
The width limit in terms of boat trailers or the boat itself if it comes with wheels, tends to be different from state to state. Remember if your boat does not come with some towing wheels. You are going to need to use a trailer to carry it around.
In most states, your boat and trailer should not be wider than 8 feet and 6 inches.
If you surpass this limit, you are going to abide by certain rules and regulations that mostly require you to have signals and also use certain roads.
In terms of length, anything that is more than 60 feet long, will need you to get towing clearance from the state, and also, you will have to abide by certain rules and regulations.
The good thing though is that most Jeep Wrangler, the boats, you can tow rarely ever exceed these extreme widths and lengths. You will be glad to find out that on our list very few boats get to those extremes. Length is one thing that you are most likely not going to have to worry about.
Which are the Best boats to Tow with a Jeep Wrangler?
Boat | Weight | Length | Weight with Trailer (estimate) |
Robalo R160 | 2056 lbs. | 4.9 m | 3156 lbs. |
195 Sportfish | 2150 lbs. | 5.95 m | 3250 lbs. |
Stingray 212SC | 3100 lbs. | 6.7 m | 5200 lbs. |
Bayliner Element E21 | 2645 lbs. | 5.53 m | 4100 lbs. |
Kencraft 21 | 2675 lbs. | 6.324 m | 4200 lbs. |
Lets see some of the amazing features that come with these machines.
The Robalo R160
For $22 695 you get some of the most premium features that you can find on a boat. These include
- Waterproof led lights
- Cooler box
- Bowfish seats
- Casting deck
The 195 Sportfish
The 195 Sportfish is one of the best boats on this list. The features you get on the bot are quite staggering compared to the cost. If you part with $33 195, you get a boat with the following features
- 2 USB outlets
- 12 volt supply system
- Stern jump seats
- Dual battery switch
The Stingray 212SC
This is the most expensive boat on the list and it is for a reason. The Stingray 212SC costs $47 000 and for that price you get
- Top of the range cup holders
- Huge cabin Windows
- Backlit instruments
- Multi-step rust-free ladder
Now, these are some of the best boats on the market. The best part is if you purchase any of these oats, you will not need to upgrade from your Jeep Wrangler model. You can easily tow them using the vehicle you already own. Amazing right.
Tips for Towing Boats with a Jeep Wrangler
Boat towing is pretty much the same as all kinds of towing but the fact that you have to load the boat onto the trailer. In some instances that can make it a bit difficult to tow the boats.
The good news though is that there are a few tips that you can put in play to help you out with getting your boat from point A to B.
- Slow down and take time when you switch lanes( you might not see the vehicles behind you clearly)
- Secure your boat on the trailer
- Constantly check on your vehicle and boat as you travel( especially the hitch, it can get loose)
We have talked about these things more deeply about towing with a wrangler guide. You can read that if you need more information. You can read my ultimate wrangler towing guide to know more details about towing with jeep wranglers as well as their towing capacities.
Can you tow a Jet Ski With A jeep Wrangler?
Jet skis, now this is one for adrenaline junkies. If you like thrill and speed, the Jet Ski is the perfect “fix” for you.
The question is can you tow it with your Jeep Wrangler? Well, you absolutely can. There is no Jet Ski on the market now that you cannot tow with your Jeep Wrangler.
We could just say, the Jeep Wrangler was made for towing Jet Skis. If you think that is a stretch just wait until we get into the details.
What do you Need to Tow a Jet Ski with A Jeep Wrangler
Towing a Jet Ski with your Jeep Wrangler should not be a problem. One thing though that is very important to note is that you are most likely not going to get some of the equipment required with the purchase of your Jeep Wrangler or your Jet Ski.
When it comes to towing, it is important to avoid taking shortcuts. This means that you are going to need these accessories if you plan to have a seamless towing experience.
The last thing you would want is failing to get to the water with your jet ski because you had a makeshift hitch.
Trailer
Yes, the most essential accessory you are going to need is a trailer. Jet skis are made for the water, we know you already know this but just as a recap, they do not come with wheels.
If you are going to carry them around, then you are going to need to have a trailer. The good news though is that most Jeep Wrangler trailers are very light.
This means even if a Jet Ski is on the trailer, it still will not exceed your vehicle’s towing limit. If you have a four-door Jeep Wrangler you can go as far as having a trailer that can carry up to four Jet Skis.
You can tow up to four jet Skis with your Jeep Wrangler. A full house, right?
Here are some of the best trailers available on Amazon that are suitable for towing jet skis.
Check Price on Amazon
- Aluminum build (light and rust free)
- Foldable trailer
- Large bed
Check Price on Amazon
- Sturdy and can be used for off-road towing
- Simple installation
- Affordable
Hitch Set
The Jet Ski and the trailer combined have a considerable amount of weight. If you are going to tow a jet ski on a trailer, then you need to securely engage it to the Jeep Wrangler.
The best way to do this is to get a hitch. A hitch will securely bind your Jet Ski trailer to your Jeep Wrangler. Compared to all the other no-hitch options, a hitch gives you the much-needed stability when towing.
It is very important to invest in a hitch. Trust us on this one. Here are some of the best hitches available on Amazon for your Jeep Wrangler.
Ratchet Tie-down Straps
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This is one of the most important accessories you can have when you decide to tow your Jet Ski. Ratchet tie-down straps hold your Jet Ski in place.
This is very important. The last thing you wouldn’t want is your Jet Ski falling off as you drive. The consequences of this happening are quite dire.
Besides your PWC being damaged, the whole scenario can cause fatal accidents. That one thing should not happen at all. Ratchet tie-down straps can ensure that it will not happen.
Ratchet tie-down straps come with S hooks and a winch. This might be a costly investment but trust us it is worth every penny you spent on it.
Depending on the model of the Jeep Wrangler you have, these accessories should be enough. Make sure you consult your mechanic before towing.
There might be other things that you might need to have in place to make your towing experience seamless.
How to Choose the Best Jet Ski to Tow with Your Jeep Wrangler
Now with Jet Skis, the limit is infinite. You can choose any Jet Ski in the world and be able to tow it with your Jeep Wrangler.
The heaviest Jet Ski on the market right now is the Kawasaki Ultra 310 LX weighing 1074 pounds. With the perfect trailer, you can easily tow it even with the base 2-door model of the Jeep Wrangler.
When it comes to choosing the perfect Jet Ski for you, towing will not be a problem.
How should you choose the best Jet Ski you can tow with a Jeep Wrangler? Well, it is easy just to choose the best jet ski your money can buy and we guarantee that your Jeep Wrangler will tow it with relative ease.
If you are looking to tow with the Jeep Wrangler, it is a good idea. It is important to stick to the towing guides though. That is very important. Enjoy your boats and your Jet Skis.
Don’t forget to share this guide with your fellow jeepers, they may also find this helpful. You just have to hit one of the share buttons to share this with them.
Have fun and safe towing!!