2023 JT Willys Aftermarket “Max Tow Package”

[BoomerSooner1994]

Before I start, I understand that putting additional equipment on my Willys will not legally change anything about the official published FCA Payload and Towing Capacities. With that being said, what do I need to add to my Willys in order to safely tow a 7800lbs (fully loaded) travel trailer? Does the additional 1.5” on the axels really make a difference? To my understanding the 3:73 gear ratio that comes on my Willys can tow plenty, it just maybe not be ideal for long periods up and down slopes and mountains. Do I need stiffer rear spring coils? 240 alternator? 850 watt cooling fan? Also, I have already purchased and installed the Mopar Class IV receiver. I appreciate all of the help!

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[Labswine]

If I recall, not only are the MaxTow axles 1.5" per side wider, but they're also just a bit more 'beefy' than the regular DANA 44s used in the rest of the line. Also, you will be wanting that 4.1 gear ratio vs. the regular 3.73 to help with moving that weight up mountains and other places.

Another place to look at is the rear suspension. The springs and leafs on the MaxTow have a stiffer spring rate to handle the increased load. Those and airbags can help with stability with towing.

As far as 'safely' towing a 7,800 lb trailer, I wouldn't. Even the factory built MaxTow is only rated to 7,600 lbs. For long distance towing, I'd actually opt for a vehicle that was built from the get-go to handle that weight like a 2500 series something, not our Gladiators.

I have an Overland with the factory tow package and it tows my 5,100 lb (with all we want or need) 27' travel trailer just fine. I wouldn't want to go any bigger on my trailer with this as my tow vehicle. If I were going to go larger in the trailer area, then I'd get a more appropriate towing vehicle to 'SAFELY' tow that weight.

 

[Sandevino]

Doesn't look like you can order the Max Tow package on Jeep's site any longer.

What it did include is below:

• 240 Amp Alternator
• All-Terrain Tires
• 4.10 Axle Ratio
• Trac-Lok Anti-Spin Rear Differential
• 2-Piece Fender Flares
• Class IV Hitch Receiver
• Heavy-Duty Dana 44 Wide Front Axle
• Heavy-Duty Dana 44 Wide Rear Axle
• Daytime Running Lamp System
• Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
• Trailer-Hitch Zoom

 

[wildtaco]

If I recall, not only are the MaxTow axles 1.5" per side wider, but they're also just a bit more 'beefy' than the regular DANA 44s used in the rest of the line. Also, you will be wanting that 4.1 gear ratio vs. the regular 3.73 to help with moving that weight up mountains and other places.

Another place to look at is the rear suspension. The springs and leafs on the MaxTow have a stiffer spring rate to handle the increased load. Those and airbags can help with stability with towing.

As far as 'safely' towing a 7,800 lb trailer, I wouldn't. Even the factory built MaxTow is only rated to 7,600 lbs. For long distance towing, I'd actually opt for a vehicle that was built from the get-go to handle that weight like a 2500 series something, not our Gladiators.

I have an Overland with the factory tow package and it tows my 5,100 lb (with all we want or need) 27' travel trailer just fine. I wouldn't want to go any bigger on my trailer with this as my tow vehicle. If I were going to go larger in the trailer area, then I'd get a more appropriate towing vehicle to 'SAFELY' tow that weight.

Agreed, there's nothing safe about towing 7,800 lbs with a Gladiator.

 

[ATL_Rubi]

Before I start, I understand that putting additional equipment on my Willys will not legally change anything about the official published FCA Payload and Towing Capacities. With that being said, what do I need to add to my Willys in order to safely tow a 7800lbs (fully loaded) travel trailer? Does the additional 1.5” on the axels really make a difference? To my understanding the 3:73 gear ratio that comes on my Willys can tow plenty, it just maybe not be ideal for long periods up and down slopes and mountains. Do I need stiffer rear spring coils? 240 alternator? 850 watt cooling fan? Also, I have already purchased and installed the Mopar Class IV receiver. I appreciate all of the help!

The labor needed to make it a max tow is not worth it. As mentioned, the Rubicon/Max Tow/Mojave axles are not only wider but also beefier, more splines as well if I am not mistaken. The cooling package has been shown to be a viable addition, someone did that recently, but it wasn't a walk in the park.

Your largest hindrance between a Willys towing capability and the Max tow is likely the cooling and springs. Beyond that, the axles don't necessarily aid in towing but do help in stability and longevity.

 

[BoomerSooner1994]

If I recall, not only are the MaxTow axles 1.5" per side wider, but they're also just a bit more 'beefy' than the regular DANA 44s used in the rest of the line. Also, you will be wanting that 4.1 gear ratio vs. the regular 3.73 to help with moving that weight up mountains and other places.

Another place to look at is the rear suspension. The springs and leafs on the MaxTow have a stiffer spring rate to handle the increased load. Those and airbags can help with stability with towing.

As far as 'safely' towing a 7,800 lb trailer, I wouldn't. Even the factory built MaxTow is only rated to 7,600 lbs. For long distance towing, I'd actually opt for a vehicle that was built from the get-go to handle that weight like a 2500 series something, not our Gladiators.

I have an Overland with the factory tow package and it tows my 5,100 lb (with all we want or need) 27' travel trailer just fine. I wouldn't want to go any bigger on my trailer with this as my tow vehicle. If I were going to go larger in the trailer area, then I'd get a more appropriate towing vehicle to 'SAFELY' tow that weight.

I appreciate the reply! The trailer we have is the Imagine 2500RL. It has a dry weight of 5,800 lbs. I don’t imagine we have 2,000 lbs of extra stuff, I was trying to be all encompassing with my scenario.

 

[Sandevino]

I appreciate the reply! The trailer we have is the Imagine 2500RL. It has a dry weight of 5,800 lbs. I don’t imagine we have 2,000 lbs of extra stuff, I was trying to be all encompassing with my scenario.

That's a beautiful trailer but the Gladiator is at it's limits, possibly beyond depending on how you set it up and what you bring with you.

Grand Design 2500RL

 

[Mister Lamb]

I was in the same boat as you and came to the realization that I just I got the wrong Gladi. Depending on the age of your car, if you see towing in your foreseeable future it might just be worth trading it in for a Max Tow/bigger truck

 

[ChrisNLA]

Doesn't look like you can order the Max Tow package on Jeep's site any longer.

What it did include is below:

• 240 Amp Alternator
• All-Terrain Tires
• 4.10 Axle Ratio
• Trac-Lok Anti-Spin Rear Differential
• 2-Piece Fender Flares
• Class IV Hitch Receiver
• Heavy-Duty Dana 44 Wide Front Axle
• Heavy-Duty Dana 44 Wide Rear Axle
• Daytime Running Lamp System
• Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
• Trailer-Hitch Zoom

I was curious (I have a Max Tow, specifically ordered it that way).

It's still shown far as I can tell.

https://www.jeep.com/bmo.gladiator....PX8,X9,ERC,DEM,DME,SDW,TQK,WFP,A7,UAG,ABR,23S

 

[Sandevino]

I was curious (I have a Max Tow, specifically ordered it that way).

It's still shown far as I can tell.

https://www.jeep.com/bmo.gladiator....PX8,X9,ERC,DEM,DME,SDW,TQK,WFP,A7,UAG,ABR,23S

You're right. I thought it was available for any model other than the Mojave or Rubicon and was looking at a Willys. I click on the Sport S and there it is...

 

[IamPro2A]

Besides the taller 4.10 gears and all the other stuff already mentioned, the max tow package comes with a shorter, lighter tire than the Willys package. So your effective gearing (and braking ability) will be even worse than just just the difference between 4.10 and 3.73 gears.

 

[Jaxmax]

That’s big to tow with any Gladiator. It is basically 30’ long, 50 amp service probably two A/C units. I learned about weights of campers, is the advertised weight is base model no options, my Vista Cruiser 19 at 24’ long was advertised as 2850 pound weight, but the sticker in kitchen cabinet and also the door jam say 3100 pounds, , dealer said you have to add the options, A/C units , stoves, outdoor grill, power jack , basically, any option. You have the camper so check in the kitchen cabinet or the yellow sticker on the door, you might have hundreds pounds of cargo already. My sticker says weight is for trailer with two full propane tanks but no water in any tank, and call outs how much each tank weighs with water or waste in it. Most people say they never tow with any water, but I have many times going to remote camping for kayak tournaments so I would figure a full fresh water tank at the max.
People here tow campers that weight what yours does , and do things like two cars driving with family in other car or sticking to flat land towing with no hills. I tow with my Mohave with tow package and the 4100 pound Vista Cruiser is about what I feel comfortable with, I have towed up to about 5200 pounds….Jack

 

[IamPro2A]

I've also wondered if there is any difference in the way the computer handles things like anti-lock and sway between no tow, regular tow, and max tow packages, since there is no dedicated tow mode on the Gladiators. I know there is at least one tow setting you can turn off/on with Jscan/Tazer/AlphaOBD, I really have no clue if it does anything.

 

[JRobes]

If I recall, not only are the MaxTow axles 1.5" per side wider, but they're also just a bit more 'beefy' than the regular DANA 44s used in the rest of the line.

It's 3/4" per side, 1.5 total wider than the base axle.

As far as the axle being beefier, I do remember seeing a very early video from a show floor Gladiator launch event where some MOPAR rep claimed the wide track axle was beefier (slightly thicker axle tube walls was what I remember hearing), though that was the one and only time I ever saw it... I wonder if he was just misinformed and it spread on the forums for a bit. Anyone know for sure?

 

[Snake Eyes]

Before I start, I understand that putting additional equipment on my Willys will not legally change anything about the official published FCA Payload and Towing Capacities. With that being said, what do I need to add to my Willys in order to safely tow a 7800lbs (fully loaded) travel trailer? Does the additional 1.5” on the axels really make a difference? To my understanding the 3:73 gear ratio that comes on my Willys can tow plenty, it just maybe not be ideal for long periods up and down slopes and mountains. Do I need stiffer rear spring coils? 240 alternator? 850 watt cooling fan? Also, I have already purchased and installed the Mopar Class IV receiver. I appreciate all of the help!

I have a Max Tow and would never ever tow the 7650 allowed nor would I tow the GD you mentioned. It is not safe. You are going to end up with the tail wagging the dog as we say or it will push you right down a hill burning out the brakes. Also you would be starting with a tongue of 581 dry. You will blow right past max I guarantee it once you load the trailer, add batteries and propane. Get a different truck of you want that trailer. Also, Remember there is just not how much you can tow but how much you can stop.

Also there is GCWR and tongue. The Max Tow allows a GCWR of 12800 but of you take the Glad to 6250 GVWR you can only tow 6550 and max out. Etc etc etc. Towing 7800 just isn’t safe.

I currently have a Grand Design Imagine AIM (20 feet single axle) travel trailer which has a 4700 GVWR as well as a WDH/sway hitch and I would never tow more than that even with my Max Tow.

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