Anyone towing a travel trailer?

[JTGuy]

Wow, you guys are really towing some good sized TTs. I had an outdoors RV TT for many years and loved it. no problems. Would love to get one for the JT but the 25 ft one is 6500 pounds. It's a top quality TT. I want top quality if I go there. Not a big fan of the Oliver or Bigfoot. What brands are top quality and can be towed behind the JT. How is it towing heavy with the JT and that little 3.6.

Sponsored

 

[danimal2000]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-youre-towing-with-your-jt.79587/post-1339359

Really liking this trailer. Chicago to Maine (3 days/2 nights, overnight stays at cracker barrel and cabelas), about 2weeks in Maine, drive back. not a single issue with the camper or JT towing. Pulls really well imo, got around 11mpg

 

[Labswine]

I've been very happy with the quality, build, and towability of my Vantage Sonic SN220VRB (pictured in a previous posting here). I do know that subsequent years from mine (a 2021) are a little heavier from the get go, but still, ours comes in at around 5,100 lbs with all we want or need and it's 27' long.

Keep in the ~5K lb or less region of weight and you can find a decent trailer of decent length with the amenities you want or need that your JT can handle with aplomb.

 

[Texops]

I have a Minni winni FLX off the grid appliances Truma air conditioner, 3000 Watt inverter with lithium batteries. I love that it has a lot of ground clearance, truck tires and 7’ wide and high. Towing weight is around 5,000# added rear air bags and adjustable 2.5 elite fox shocks to dial in the ride. This with 23 Rubicon on 33’s seems perfect, but i couldn’t leave my Jeep alone and now with 35’s i don’t like the rpm range so Monday I’m getting regeared to 4.88 and adding AEV HD springs so we will see.

 

[yoda13]

I have a Minni winni FLX off the grid appliances Truma air conditioner, 3000 Watt inverter with lithium batteries. I love that it has a lot of ground clearance, truck tires and 7’ wide and high. Towing weight is around 5,000# added rear air bags and adjustable 2.5 elite fox shocks to dial in the ride. This with 23 Rubicon on 33’s seems perfect, but i couldn’t leave my Jeep alone and now with 35’s i don’t like the rpm range so Monday I’m getting regeared to 4.88 and adding AEV HD springs so we will see.

What’s the significance of the Truma AC, and is it controlled via thermostat or old fashion unit mounted controls? Thanks!

 

[Texops]

What’s the significance of the Truma AC, and is it controlled via thermostat or old fashion unit mounted controls? Thanks!

It draws very little amps compared to regular units so can run off the grid on battery power

 

[yoda13]

It draws very little amps compared to regular units so can run off the grid on battery power

Thank you!

 

[MudderNuker]

I have a Minni winni FLX off the grid appliances Truma air conditioner, 3000 Watt inverter with lithium batteries. I love that it has a lot of ground clearance, truck tires and 7’ wide and high. Towing weight is around 5,000# added rear air bags and adjustable 2.5 elite fox shocks to dial in the ride. This with 23 Rubicon on 33’s seems perfect, but i couldn’t leave my Jeep alone and now with 35’s i don’t like the rpm range so Monday I’m getting regeared to 4.88 and adding AEV HD springs so we will see.

Let us know how it goes with the gears. I have 35s on my JTR and it tows our 3,500 lbs. Geo Pro 19BH well. But I am curious about 4.88s and if there is a big difference from 4.10.

 

[Texops]

Let us know how it goes with the gears. I have 35s on my JTR and it tows our 3,500 lbs. Geo Pro 19BH well. But I am curious about 4.88s and if there is a big difference from 4.10.

Ok I’m going through break in so 500 miles until I will tow but i can tell already it is holding gears longer. I’ll give an update on my next trip

 

[Labswine]

Ok I’m going through break in so 500 miles until I will tow but i can tell already it is holding gears longer. I’ll give an update on my next trip

Dude, you will do MUCH better if you shift manually.

That's how I handle it and rarely need to rev the engine to 3K RPMs. I typically shift between 2,500 and 2,800 RPMs and, once rolling at around 60-65 MPH on the highway, I'm in 7th at around 2,100 RPMs. I almost never see 8th. I get around 13 MPG towing.

Of course, this is with an Overland with factory 3.73 gears and stock tires. When it's time for new tires (mine was ordered 5/19, delivered 7/19, and I currently have just over 34K miles on her) I'll go with Hankook Dynapro ATM 265s vs. the factory 255s, keeping the rest of the geometry intact so I don't lose any towing capacity. (Look at my earlier post in this thread to see what I'm towing).

 

[Texops]

Dude, you will do MUCH better if you shift manually.

That's how I handle it and rarely need to rev the engine to 3K RPMs. I typically shift between 2,500 and 2,800 RPMs and, once rolling at around 60-65 MPH on the highway, I'm in 7th at around 2,100 RPMs. I almost never see 8th. I get around 13 MPG towing.

Of course, this is with an Overland with factory 3.73 gears and stock tires. When it's time for new tires (mine was ordered 5/19, delivered 7/19, and I currently have just over 34K miles on her) I'll go with Hankook Dynapro ATM 265s vs. the factory 255s, keeping the rest of the geometry intact so I don't lose any towing capacity. (Look at my earlier post in this thread to see what I'm towing).

That’s true you can use man mode and i have before, i had an Overland Gladiator with 37’s and had it geared 5.13 i towed very well holding gears in 2500 to 3300 rpms. I sold it and missed it a lot after that’s why i went back to another gladiator.

 

[Redfour5]

if so, what are you towing?

We have a 2023 Freedom Edition with the tow package not THE tow package. So, we have the 6K limit. I've been towing a good 20 years.

We have pretty much come to the conclusion that a Lance is pretty close to perfection for empty nestors not wanting to push the capacity envelopes anymore. I have boxes needing checked off and she has hers and amazingly we both find this layout acceptable.

My boxes are things like staying at least 20% under tow max capacities, two or three way fridge (these have three way as in 12V, propane, elec). I love the torsion bar suspension and the Good Year Endurance tires and decent tank sizes for such a small travel trailer all things considered. LOTS of storage for such a small unit also easily accessible from inside and out. Build quality "underneath" is noticeably better than the vast majority of travel trailers. It is an 8 feet wide unit but I'm good with that and that makes inside bigger. It also has heated tanks so three season even if it says four but it will go out late into the camping season and be OK...realistically. I don't like the schwintec slide, but the things that break those are not in play as it is not too heavy or wide so that will be acceptable.

My wifes boxes are DRY BATH, yes I emphasized it. Did I say dry bath? But the slide out really improves the small space and it is truly sleepable for an adult. Well, maybe not too tall. She noticed immediately the fit and finish build quality compared to our old trusty Aspen Trail 2340 towed by the Ram 2500 Hemi. It has little things that make it nice like a full size stove (not two burner) and glass door oven oven. Lots of windows with a unique blackout shade and screen system kind of unique but relatively robust it appears. Max Fans, door screen etc. And the airco also has the heat strip so that will take you down to 40 degrees outside with no need for furnace. I know these things from experience. Good mattress.

Lances look like I might be able to drive off the lot and NOT be having a bunch of warranty issues. I better not for 42K new. The main issue with them is that they aren't cheap but you can find some decent used deals on RvTrader and knock 10K or more off the price if you are willing to drive a bit. But they also will go places so many others will not. The suspension helps there and intrinsically Torsion bar suspensions have a bit of a lift over your standard travel trailer suspension.

Realistically, these are for a certain population of people likely like us "empty nesters" with decent retirements or a couple seeing a kid or two in the future for a few years after. The other "assumed" thing is that whomever buys one isn't poor like I started out camping. These aren't cheap OR inexpensive new... Like I said though some good deals used across the country. If you are young do some kind of ovelanding thing would be my rec as you are only young once and I did.

https://www.lancecamper.com/travel-trailers/1575/

Gross Dry Weight 3270 Lbs.
Hitch Dry Weight 325 Lbs.
Axle Weight 2945 Lbs.
Cargo Carrying Capacity 1330 Lbs.
GVWR 4600 Lbs.

Fresh Tank 26 Gal
Grey Tank 26 Gal
Black Tank 26 Gal

 

[Texops]

We have a 2023 Freedom Edition with the tow package not THE tow package. So, we have the 6K limit. I've been towing a good 20 years.

We have pretty much come to the conclusion that a Lance is pretty close to perfection for empty nestors not wanting to push the capacity envelopes anymore. I have boxes needing checked off and she has hers and amazingly we both find this layout acceptable.

My boxes are things like staying at least 20% under tow max capacities, two or three way fridge (these have three way as in 12V, propane, elec). I love the torsion bar suspension and the Good Year Endurance tires and decent tank sizes for such a small travel trailer all things considered. LOTS of storage for such a small unit also easily accessible from inside and out. Build quality "underneath" is noticeably better than the vast majority of travel trailers. It is an 8 feet wide unit but I'm good with that and that makes inside bigger. It also has heated tanks so three season even if it says four but it will go out late into the camping season and be OK...realistically. I don't like the schwintec slide, but the things that break those are not in play as it is not too heavy or wide so that will be acceptable.

My wifes boxes are DRY BATH, yes I emphasized it. Did I say dry bath? But the slide out really improves the small space and it is truly sleepable for an adult. Well, maybe not too tall. She noticed immediately the fit and finish build quality compared to our old trusty Aspen Trail 2340 towed by the Ram 2500 Hemi. It has little things that make it nice like a full size stove (not two burner) and glass door oven oven. Lots of windows with a unique blackout shade and screen system kind of unique but relatively robust it appears. Max Fans, door screen etc. And the airco also has the heat strip so that will take you down to 40 degrees outside with no need for furnace. I know these things from experience. Good mattress.

Lances look like I might be able to drive off the lot and NOT be having a bunch of warranty issues. I better not for 42K new. The main issue with them is that they aren't cheap but you can find some decent used deals on RvTrader and knock 10K or more off the price if you are willing to drive a bit. But they also will go places so many others will not. The suspension helps there and intrinsically Torsion bar suspensions have a bit of a lift over your standard travel trailer suspension.

Realistically, these are for a certain population of people likely like us "empty nesters" with decent retirements or a couple seeing a kid or two in the future for a few years after. The other "assumed" thing is that whomever buys one isn't poor like I started out camping. These aren't cheap OR inexpensive new... Like I said though some good deals used across the country. If you are young do some kind of ovelanding thing would be my rec as you are only young once and I did.

https://www.lancecamper.com/travel-trailers/1575/

Gross Dry Weight 3270 Lbs.
Hitch Dry Weight 325 Lbs.
Axle Weight 2945 Lbs.
Cargo Carrying Capacity 1330 Lbs.
GVWR 4600 Lbs.

Fresh Tank 26 Gal
Grey Tank 26 Gal
Black Tank 26 Gal

Lance has always been a solid camper , should be awesome set up

 

[sep]

2020 Little Guy Mini Max.
No issues towing @ 3500 loaded.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Dude, you will do MUCH better if you shift manually.

That's how I handle it and rarely need to rev the engine to 3K RPMs. I typically shift between 2,500 and 2,800 RPMs and, once rolling at around 60-65 MPH on the highway, I'm in 7th at around 2,100 RPMs. I almost never see 8th. I get around 13 MPG towing.

Of course, this is with an Overland with factory 3.73 gears and stock tires. When it's time for new tires (mine was ordered 5/19, delivered 7/19, and I currently have just over 34K miles on her) I'll go with Hankook Dynapro ATM 265s vs. the factory 255s, keeping the rest of the geometry intact so I don't lose any towing capacity. (Look at my earlier post in this thread to see what I'm towing).

You'd be running some high cylinder pressures and making more heat doing that. Very inefficient. You are fording it to stay in low lift valve mode and in the low torque and HP ranges.
I only manually shift if the transmission is "hunting" - otherwise I let 'er rip.
It runs cool and gets nearly 14 mpg, even in the hills on I80 between Altoona and Iowa City where the big rigs keep shifting to keep up speed.
Seriously not good to keep the RPM low - and it makes no sense, really. Heat rejection is in a bad place at those low RPMs under that sort of load.

I can never recommend keeping below 3,000 while towing and trying hard to stay in the low 2000s. Just not good.

Sponsored