Leveling Jeep JLU towing basecamp

[cno167]

I am the proud new owner of a basecamp 16x towing with a Jeep 4xe 4 door. Noticed substantial drop in rear of Jeep that I’d like to fix. Confused by the different options I don’t want the rear to sit high without the trailer in tow. Is there an adjustable suspension I can install in the rear? Any advice appreciated!

[Ginophiles]

Most of us use some sort of WD (weight distribution) hitch with our trailers. It will transfer some of the tongue weight from your rear axel to the front, thus leveling you out. Here is a thread about WD hitches for Basecamps:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f40...-a-212706.html

[cno167]

It has GWR 3500 lbs I believe tongue weight is 400# so thanks for the weight distribution reco…! Would different shocks help also?

[Wazbro]

You should go to a CAT scale and get your axle weights. If your Jeep is sagging a lot you might be over the rear axle weight rating, this would require WD hitch to get some weight off of the rear axle.

[Dennis C]

There are several puzzle pieces that you have to fit together for a safe and enjoyable towing experience. These pieces include: the maximum towing capacity of the vehicle, the GVWR of the vehicle, the maximum payload rating of the vehicle, and the maximum trailer tongue weight for your hitch. Weight distribution hitches are another piece of the puzzle.

I’d start with the specifications of your specific Jeep. This will be found on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb. It’s unique for each vehicle, so don’t rely on Jeep marketing literature. You’ll also need to consult your owner’s manual to find your maximum tongue weight, or perhaps inspect the hitch itself for a number.

I obviously haven’t seen the numbers for your vehicle, so I’m speculating with my comments, but I’d guess that you’re exceeding one or more of your limits. These are most likely payload and tongue weight.

Don’t fall into the trap of leveling the Jeep with airbags. This only masks the issue and doesn’t solve it. There are some things you can do to make your experience better, like weight distribution hitches. However, they can only do so much.