A Jeep is known for its ability to travel on or off the beaten path, it’s a rugged, no-nonsense machine that can go for miles and offer endless hours of fun. If you are in the equestrian scene you may want to know if a Jeep can pull a horse trailer. Knowing what your Jeep can handle will help you decide if you want to put it to the test.
Yes a Jeep can pull a horse trailer with 2 or 3 horses if the Jeep has a towing capacity of 4000lbs or more. Most Jeep models with a towing package will be able to tow 4000-5000lbs or more. The lighter SUV type Jeep models will only have a 2000lb towing capacity and will not pull a horse trailer.
For more information about pulling a horse trailer with a Jeep and other helpful information continue reading.
Can A Jeep Pull A Horse Trailer? Find Out Here
So if you are wondering whether or not a Jeep can pull a horse trailer, the short answer is, yes; some Jeeps can pull a horse trailer.
It’s possible to pull a horse trailer with a Jeep however you must first consider:
- Size and weight of the trailer
- How much the horses and gear weigh
- How many human passengers
- The towing capacity of your Jeep
Some Jeeps may not be good for towing so you must know the limits of the vehicle.
Before you get too excited and load that trailer to the max it is important to understand that certain factors can affect whether or not a Jeep can or should pull a horse trailer.
Not all Jeeps are created equally and it is important to know what to look for and how to safely load your horse trailer to prevent accidents.
Make your Jeep unique with any of these Jeep Accessories, Covers, Latches, Floor Mats, Etc. Found Here from Amazon
Don’t Ignore The Recommended Towing Capacity
When you think of a Jeep you automatically assume that such a rugged all-terrain machine would have no trouble pulling a loaded horse trailer, but that is not always the case.
That is why it is important to know the towing capacity of your Jeep and if you are considering the purchase of a new Jeep it is especially important to ask the right questions so you don’t wind up on the side of the road with a loaded trailer and no transmission or a blown engine.
Here’s a quick video talking about towing with a Jeep:
Tally Your Tack – Don’t Go Overboard And Overload
When calculating the towing capacity of your Jeep you must consider every pound. That means you need to account for the weight of the:
- Horses
- Human passengers
- Horse tack and other gear
If your Jeep says that it has a towing capacity of 4,000 pounds, you need to deduct the weight of the items listed above to be sure that you are not exceeding the weight it can handle pulling.
A few extra hundred pounds may not seem like a lot, but it can do a lot of damage to a Jeep, especially if traveling for a long distance.
A Jeep that is pulling a trailer that is loaded beyond its towing capacity can be dangerous. The Jeep can fail to stop or become unstable causing the trailer to sway.
Not only can this be dangerous to any people in the vehicle or oncoming traffic but the horses/animals can be injured or killed as well.
It is just best to be safe and know your towing capacity before loading up and setting off into the sunset.
Common Horse Trailer Weights Loaded And Unloaded
Generally, there are two types of trailers that people will use for transporting their horses. A small two-horse trailer or a larger livestock trailer. Both options will be discussed below.
Small Horse Trailer
A small horse trailer can generally hold two average-sized horses or one large draft horse or mule. When empty they can weigh between 2,300 – 3,900 pounds. Once loaded that number can nearly double.
Large Horse/Livestock Trailer
Larger trailers can vary greatly in weight depending upon if they are a bumper pull or gooseneck style. When empty they can range between 4,200 – 11,000 pounds.
Fully loaded a large trailer such as this can weigh up to 24,000 pounds or more. Nowadays many larger horse/livestock trailers come with sleeper cabins.
Many include refrigeration, heat, and/or air conditioning units in the front portion of the trailer which also contribute to the weight and must be accounted for when deciding what to load and pack for your trip.
Now that you know what you need to consider before pulling a horse trailer with a jeep you can read on to learn which models are said to be the best for towing trailers.
Towing Capacity Of Different Jeep Models
With so many different years and models of Jeeps on the road today it can be confusing to know which model is best for towing. The list below gives some helpful information about the three Jeep models that are recommended to be the best for towing.
Jeep Gladiator
The Jeep Gladiator is the newest trendy vehicle to hit the road lately. People love the safari Jeep slash truck style and boxy appearance which is why they are happy that it can be used for more than driving off-road.
The Gladiator comes standard with a 4,000-pound tow package but can be upgraded to the Max Trailer Tow Package and haul up to 7,650 pounds if necessary.
Jeep Cherokee
The Cherokee can vary as well when it comes to its towing capacity. The larger the engine the higher the towing capacity will be. Additionally, older models may not be equipped as well as some newer models.
A Jeep Cherokee with a 3.2L Pentastar V6 engine can tow up to 4,500 pounds whereas a Jeep Cherokee with a 3.6L engine can haul up to 7,650 pounds. That can make a world of difference if you own or plan on transporting multiple horses.
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler has been a popular mode of transportation on and off-road for many years and is still popular today.
Although not the best for hauling a large trailer with a lot of weight, it can easily handle 2,000 pounds and with an added tow package can tow up to 3,500 pounds
Make your Jeep unique with any of these Jeep Accessories, Covers, Latches, Floor Mats, Etc. Found Here from Amazon
Jeeps Are Okay For Small Time Pulling
As you can see from the information in this article it is possible to use a Jeep to pull a horse trailer. However, if you own more than two horses and travel frequently with them in tow a Jeep may not be the best option for you or your four-legged companions.
If you have any doubt about being overloaded do the safe thing and check your weight before hitting the road.