The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic off-roading and Overlanding vehicle; the question is, can you tow a boat with a Jeep Wrangler? Can a two-door Jeep Wrangler tow a boat, and can a four-door Jeep Wrangler tow a boat? What type of boat can you tow with a Jeep Wrangler?
Some consideration to look out for when towing a boat with a Jeep Wrangler includes checking the length of the boat trailer, the ground clearance, and how it will affect your boat transportation.
You should also factor in the weight of the boat, trailer, and the cargo on the boat; another thing you should factor in includes the terrain you will be transporting the boat in and how it will affect the ground clearance of the boat trailer.
Another major factor to consider is your Jeep’s GVWR, which is the payload capacity and tongue weight, which will influence the weight of a boat to tow with a Jeep Wrangler. GVWR also factors in the passengers, personal effects, the cargo in the boat trailer, and the curb Weight of your Jeep Wrangler.
Let’s dive into the rest of the things you should know when towing a boat with a Jeep Wrangler.
Can a Jeep Wrangler tow a boat?
Yes! A Jeep Wrangler is capable of towing a boat with a weight of 2,000 to 3,500 pounds depending on the Jeep Wrangler trim and configurations; we do recommend buying a lightweight boat as the towing capacity of the Jeep Wrangler includes the cargo in the boat and the trailer.
Can a two-door Jeep Wrangler tow a boat?
Yes, a two-door Jeep Wrangler can tow a boat; the boat should weigh about 2,000 pounds, including the cargo and trailer.
Can a four-door Jeep Wrangler tow a boat?
Yes! A four-door Jeep Wrangler can tow a boat due to its powerful engine; the two-door Jeep Wrangler can tow a boat of 3,500, including the boat, its cargo, and the boat trailer.
Which boats can you tow with a Jeep Wrangler?
Below we will explain some of the boats you can tow with a Jeep Wrangler, and also give you some recommendations just in case you want to buy a boat that you can tow with a Jeep Wrangler, what to look out for, and the things you should consider when buying a boat to tow with a Jeep Wrangler.
Can you Tow a Bayliner Element With a Jeep?
We tried towing the Bayliner element with our Jeep Wrangler and a boat trailer; we adjusted the boat load so that more weight should be distributed near the Jeep hitch receiver; we also used a curt weight distribution hitch to restore the weight to the steering axle and also improve the handling of the Jeep when in transit.
Best Jeep Weight Distribution Hitch
We were able to transport the boat, there was no struggle in power from the Jeep engine, and there were no heating issues; even after using the best Jeep weight distribution hitch we could get, the steering was not solid due to the load of the Bayliner element the rear of our Jeep did squat about 2 inches.
This attests to the fact that you can tow a bayliner element with your Jeep Wrangler comfortably; the weight of a Bayliner element averages between 1,358 to 2,648 lbs, and depending on your trailer, 1,755 to 3,587 lbs, make sure you have the right towing equipment, secure the boat, remove excess weight on the Bayliner element such as fuel, etc., be cautious and keep a safe distance.
It’s also important to note that Bayliner elements boats’ weight varies with heavier Bayliner boats such as Trophy T24CC, which has a dry weight of 4466lbs, and with trailer is 6,115 lbs; we won’t recommend towing such a heavy Bayliner element with a Jeep.
| Bayliner Element Model | Approx. Dry Weight (lbs.) | Approx. Dry Weight With Trailer (lbs.) | Jeep Towing Capability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Element M15 | 1,385 lbs. | 1,755 lbs. | Yes |
| Element M17 | 1,984 lbs. | 2,457 lbs. | Yes |
| Element E18 | 2,000 lbs. | 2,473 lbs. | Yes |
| Trophy T18Bay | 2,000 lbs. | 2,627 lbs. | Yes |
| Element M19 | 2,399 lbs. | na | Yes |
| Trophy T21Bay | 2,645 lbs. | 3,587 lbs. | Yes |
| Element E21 | 2,645 lbs. | 3,587 lbs. | Yes |
| DX2000 | 2,810 lbs | 4,010 lbs. | Yes |
| VR4 Bowrider OB | 2,822 lbs | 3,520 lbs. | Yes |
| VR4 Bowrider | 2,822 lbs | 3,520 lbs. | Yes |
| Trophy T20CC | 3,200 lbs | 4,142 lbs. | Yes, with adjustment** |
| VR5 Bowrider | 3,342 lbs. | 4,095 lbs. | Yes, with adjustment** |
| VR5 Bowrider OB | 3,342 lbs. | 4,095 lbs. | Yes, with adjustment** |
| DX2050 | 3,497 lbs. | 4,750 lbs. | No |
| VR6 Bowrider | 3,797 lbs. | 4,739 lbs. | No |
| VR6 Bowrider OB | 3,797 lbs. | 4,739 lbs. | No |
| DX2200 | 3,805 lbs. | 5,500 lbs. | No |
| DX2250 | 3,999 lbs. | 5,699 lbs. | No |
| Trophy T22CC | 4,000 lbs | 4,942 lbs. | No |
| Trophy T24CC | 4,466 lbs. | 6,115 lbs. | No |
Can you tow fishing boats with a Jeep Wrangler?
Yes, you can tow fishing boats with a Jeep Wrangler; the fishing boat should be at least 2,000 – 3,500 pounds depending on your Jeep Wrangler trim and Configurations.
Some of the factors to consider when buying a fishing boat that you will tow with a Jeep Wrangler include its design and the materials used to make the fishing boat; for example, a fishing boat made of aluminum is lightweight compared to a fishing boat made of steel.
Most aluminum fishing boats are at least 16ft long, which will not affect the Jeep Wrangler’s ground clearance; the fishing boat’s weight should be at least 500 pounds. Some things that can affect the weight of the fishing boat include the bench chair, its motor, and the steering console, which are made of a heavier material.
Can you tow a Skiff boat with a Jeep Wrangler?
Most fishermen in the United States own a skiff boat, especially those who reside in swampy areas. Can they tow their skiff boats with a Jeep Wrangler? Yes, you can tow a skiff boat with a Jeep Wrangler, a skiff boat is normally light and doesn’t exceed 3,500 pounds in weight; they are made of light materials that make them ideal for transportation with a Jeep Wrangler.
Some things to consider when transporting a Skiff boat with a Jeep Wrangler are the weight, the paddles or motor used to power the boat, and the weight of the cargo on the Skiff boat.
Can you tow a sailboat with a Jeep Wrangler?
Sailboats are popular with Americans living near lakes and rivers; they are usually very long and can reach up to 20 feet long.
Yes, you can tow a sailboat with a Jeep Wrangler that doesn’t exceed 3,500 in weight, however, the length of the sailboat should be put into consideration, and the longer the sailboat, the higher the ground clearance of the boat trailer should be, you should also factor in the weight of the sailboat, and its cargo.
Can you tow a Fiberglass boat with a Jeep Wrangler?
Yes, you can tow a fiberglass boat with a Jeep Wrangler; the weight of the fiberglass boat and its cargo and boat trailer should not exceed 3,500 pounds. The length of the fiberglass should be considered and determine the ground clearance of the boat trailer; the longer the fiberglass boat, the higher the ground clearance needed.
Types of boats YOU SHOULD NOT tow with a Jeep Wrangler.
Boats such as Cabin cruisers, Caddy Cabins, Deck Boats, Pontoon Boats, and Wake Boats are heavy boats, and most of them exceed 3,000 pounds; for these reasons, they are not suitable for transportation with a Jeep Wrangler; this is because we have not factored in the weight of the boat trailer, most boat trailer weight a minimum of 800 pounds and this would exceed a Jeep Wrangler tow Capacity.
If you have such kind of boat, and maybe it’s a small boat and made of lightweight materials and the boat, plus the trailer weight doesn’t exceed 3,500 pounds, you can tow it with a Jeep Wrangler. We don’t recommend towing anything more than Jeep’s recommended towing capacity because towing more than the recommended weight can cause stress to your engine and transmission (gears).
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Conclusions.
A Jeep Wrangler two-door can tow up to 2,000 pounds of boat weight + boat trailer, while a four-door Jeep Wrangler can tow up to 3,500; all these capacities depend on the towing capacity of your Jeep Wrangler trim level; you can check your Jeep towing capacity at behind the front door, there is a sticker with the Jeeps towing capacity.
We have included some boats you can tow with a Jeep Wrangler and what you should consider when towing a boat with a Jeep Wrangler.
The main thing to factor in is the weight of the boat, the cargo on the bought, and the weight of the boat trailer; you should also factor in the ground clearance of your boat trailer and the terrain you will be transporting the boat trailer on, the rough the terrain and the longer the boat, the higher the ground clearance of your boat trailer.
About the Author: James Ndungu
James Ndungu is a seasoned automotive professional with a deep passion for Jeeps. With 40 years of experience in owning, testing, and reviewing various Jeep models, James has gained extensive first-hand knowledge and expertise. He shares his insights, tips, and advice through his engaging writing, helping fellow Jeep enthusiasts navigate the exciting world of Jeeps.
Last update on 2025-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
