Talk me off the ledge…

[Jefe1018]

2021 JTRD, 31,000 trouble free miles

2 inch Mopar lift
37’s
Stubby bumper and 12k winch
Misc lighting, air compressor, etc
Motobilt hood vents

Love the JT for everything it is and everything it isn’t. However, I’d be lying if I wasn’t disappointed yesterday.

The situation: father in law needed help, just bought a 16x6 utility/UTV/ATV trailer but his truck is out commission.

Location Logandale, NV, roughly 120 miles round trip.

Weather: 99-105

Trailer is maybe 1,200lbs at most.

Speed limits here are 75, people cruise at 80-85. With a load, I wouldn’t expect to do anything near that. However, with an empty trailer I was still seeing oil temps in the 255-265 range all the way home at 60-65mph I saw my water temps rise to 250.

This was an empty trailer, I dream of a travel trailer one day. Not sure it is feasible in my parts with the JTRD.

I know bullet proof diesel makes a radiator and there are other solutions. But I’m curious if I’m wanting to tow a trailer across the country at near the speed limit or at least a safe speed with traffic, maybe JT just isn’t the right platform and a full size pick up would be.

Interest rates and vehicle prices are outrageous right now, the JT’s trade in is somewhat diminished. Help me make it make sense… I want to keep it!

I do tow an open bow boat and a pontoon, but don’t have the same issue because it’s mostly city driving and back roads to the lake are 50-55mph speed limits. In the winter I’ve take my boat as far as Texas, but 1/3 of the year here is unbearable.

Sponsored

 

[aFatBird]

If you tow regularly in hot temps I would get rid of the diesel. I have had issues with mine without towing.

I still like the diesel tho

 

[1945gpw]

What rpm are you cruising at? I just posted positive results towing 3500 lbs in my gladiator just below your post coming out of Phoenix and in Colorado. With 37s you might just be lugging the engine too much. If you haven’t maybe try keeping the transmission in manual mode and keep rpm’s above 2k

 

[PuddleJumper]

might need a regear. rpms may be too high

 

[NOTJeepBeerSleep]

i tow in CO summer temps in the 90s long steep grades. if i see my oil temps getting high, i back off RPMs, throw it in manual mode and chug up the hill. it would be nice to set cruise at 80 up these grades and stay with traffic but i just remember that i am towing with a jeep and its not a race. 1200 pounds is still a "load"

 

[Mr._Bill]

Just for comparison, I made a round trip from Vegas to Laughlin yesterday. I keep it within 5mph of the posted speed limit. Oil temps stayed in the 212 range most of the trip. This is a fully stock High Altitude with a gas engine.

 

[Jefe1018]

What rpm are you cruising at? I just posted positive results towing 3500 lbs in my gladiator just below your post coming out of Phoenix and in Colorado. With 37s you might just be lugging the engine too much. If you haven’t maybe try keeping the transmission in manual mode and keep rpm’s above 2k

might need a regear. rpms may be too high

i tow in CO summer temps in the 90s long steep grades. if i see my oil temps getting high, i back off RPMs, throw it in manual mode and chug up the hill. it would be nice to set cruise at 80 up these grades and stay with traffic but i just remember that i am towing with a jeep and its not a race. 1200 pounds is still a "load"

The trans was staying in 6th gear throughout, I’d say probably close to 3k RPM. I would put into manual mode up grades as it would hunt for gears and not be happy with any… this is something it does with my boats too.

Again, I love everything this little truck is and everything it isn’t. I don’t mind slowing down up hills in a midsize truck with a trailer. I just don’t like the feeling of imminent deration for trying to not be a hazard on the road.

At this point, regearing is cheaper than a new truck for sure. As is the aux oil cooler, just not 100% sure if after dropping $3,000 the problem will be gone, or just moderately addressed. A 2024 grill has to help as well, maybe not by much, but any is some.

 

[NOTJeepBeerSleep]

The trans was staying in 6th gear throughout, I’d say probably close to 3k RPM. I would put into manual mode up grades as it would hunt for gears and not be happy with any… this is something it does with my boats too.

Again, I love everything this little truck is and everything it isn’t. I don’t mind slowing down up hills in a midsize truck with a trailer. I just don’t like the feeling of imminent deration for trying to not be a hazard on the road.

At this point, regearing is cheaper than a new truck for sure. As is the aux oil cooler, just not 100% sure if after dropping $3,000 the problem will be gone, or just moderately addressed. A 2024 grill has to help as well, maybe not by much, but any is some.

has it derated on you yet?

 

[WK2JT]

What about a tune like Green Diesel? I had it on my WK2 and it helped across the board. Now, the tunes aren’t as comprehensive as they were back then due to EPA crackdowns, but might still be a help.

 

[JTL21]

For another data point I have a completely stock Overland diesel and last summer towed a roughly 4,000+ lbs trailer of oak logs from south Arkansas to northwest Arkansas in august heat. Only on the longest grade did I have to slow down to avoid derate otherwise I kept it at 75mph the whole way.

 

[BlackRuby23]

it would be nice to set cruise at 80 up these grades and stay with traffic but i just remember that i am towing with a jeep and its not a race

Who tows at or anywhere near 80 mph, regardless of the tow vehicle? That is just nuts. There's a reason many highways out west post "55 mph for all vehicles when towing." It takes one waggle and it's all over at 80 mph.

 

[Jefe1018]

has it derated on you yet?

Nope, I keep an eye on temps and haven’t had that issue. I did have a turbo heat soak issue last year when ambient hot 120. A few minutes at idle on the shade, it was good.

Problem is, yesterday was a mild summer day by all accounts and I was on watch. I don’t want to wait for better or ideal conditions to use my truck, any midsize will have compromise, a derate just seems dangerous to me.

 

[1945gpw]

Sounds like the big tires is what effects these the most. Cheapest option is probably to go with a smaller tire. More benefits across the board

 

[NOTJeepBeerSleep]

Who tows at or anywhere near 80 mph, regardless of the tow vehicle? That is just nuts. There's a reason many highways out west post "55 mph for all vehicles when towing." It takes one waggle and it's all over at 80 mph.

i only tow that fast when i am delivering a load to your moms house

 

[Sweetums]

2021 JTRD, 31,000 trouble free miles

2 inch Mopar lift
37’s
Stubby bumper and 12k winch
Misc lighting, air compressor, etc
Motobilt hood vents

Love the JT for everything it is and everything it isn’t. However, I’d be lying if I wasn’t disappointed yesterday.

The situation: father in law needed help, just bought a 16x6 utility/UTV/ATV trailer but his truck is out commission.

Location Logandale, NV, roughly 120 miles round trip.

Weather: 99-105

Trailer is maybe 1,200lbs at most.

Speed limits here are 75, people cruise at 80-85. With a load, I wouldn’t expect to do anything near that. However, with an empty trailer I was still seeing oil temps in the 255-265 range all the way home at 60-65mph I saw my water temps rise to 250.

This was an empty trailer, I dream of a travel trailer one day. Not sure it is feasible in my parts with the JTRD.

I know bullet proof diesel makes a radiator and there are other solutions. But I’m curious if I’m wanting to tow a trailer across the country at near the speed limit or at least a safe speed with traffic, maybe JT just isn’t the right platform and a full size pick up would be.

Interest rates and vehicle prices are outrageous right now, the JT’s trade in is somewhat diminished. Help me make it make sense… I want to keep it!

I do tow an open bow boat and a pontoon, but don’t have the same issue because it’s mostly city driving and back roads to the lake are 50-55mph speed limits. In the winter I’ve take my boat as far as Texas, but 1/3 of the year here is unbearable.

I'd cost out how much some cooling upgrades would run you vs buying a new tow vehicle. Then figure out how much you like the Gladiator and how often you will really be towing in those conditions.

For some people, it's worth it to upgrade the JT because they like the size, the solid axles, and the overall look of the truck. For others, it's just a vehicle and if it doesn't do the job, they buy one that does. No one can answer that question but you.

If I run into cooling problems, I plan to upgrade my JTRD because I like it so much and I really don't want a full size truck.

Sponsored