2021 Gladiator Rubicon Diesel Towing Upgrades

[Jeepfreak05]

Ive got a 21 Rubicon Diesel and im wanting to tow a 4,280 (Dry weight) camper. I got the truck with the tow package, not max tow.

I currently have a leveling kit and im running 37's.

What more does everyone suggest I need other than:

- Trailer brake controller
- Air Lift Bags for the rear end. (Red or Black? Does black fit?)
- Weight distribution hitch with sway control

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[AOGAudiman]

(EDITED)
I tow a smaller sized trailer (2500#) here in the PNW mountains. I have the red Airlift springs (it does help a lot) and I found the black bags will fit on my Mopar 2" lift. I have the REDARC brake controller and it's great. I do NOT use a WDH for our Rpod 172 and for my towing needs, I don't feel the need. Towed all over the west and never had an issue. Shoot I dragged the RPOD for years all over the place with my Q7 TDI without a WDH and never had an issue, but it's smaller than your setup.
The only thing I would suggest is the Tazer so you can turn the cooling fan on to drop oil temps when climbing any passes, but this would depend on where and when you are towing.

 

[1stXMan]

I recommend the Timber Grove Enterprise air bags, but that comes with a loss of articulation if that matters to you.

Better springs is the ultimate answer.

Upgrade to the Helwig rear sway bar.

Using a weight distribution hitch will help and is highly recommended for the weight you're considering.

Flush your coolant and monitor pH.

Get a Banks or Scan Gauge to monitor the diesel.

 

[Unkle Luk]

I have a very similar setup, towing a RPOD 197 that weighs in around 4200 dry. Clayton 3.5" lift with 37's. I did upgrade to the Clayton HD rear springs and FOX 2.5 adjustable shocks which helped towing a good bit. I crank the shocks all the way up at load. Beyond that I am using:

• EAZ lift recurve R3 WDH.
• Mopar Trailer Brake Controller
• Airlift bags

It tows very well, I just take it slow and easy

 

[Jeepfreak05]

@AOGAudiman, @Unkle Luk do you have the redarc elite or liberty? I'm trying to decide which one to go with. Also, as far as the air bags, how long did it take you and have you had any issues?

@1stXMan I have the banks control that came with it. Just starting to learn what all I can I can do with it. The timber groves are really nice, I just don't want to spend that much yet. I'm still using the OEM coolant. Is that what you run after you flush yours?

As far as me running my 37s, what PSI should I be running while towing?

Other than my Banks setup and a HD Steer Smart Front Track Bar, do you guys have any other suggestions of any other performance upgrade I should do? I know in the near future I'm going to do a full DEF delete but, that's later this year or beginning of next.

I am going to get a WDH. Its the BlueOx SwayPro. I think its overkill but, its on FB market place for a cheap price.

 

[Unkle Luk]

@AOGAudiman, @Unkle Luk do you have the redarc elite or liberty? I'm trying to decide which one to go with. Also, as far as the air bags, how long did it take you and have you had any issues?

@1stXMan I have the banks control that came with it. Just starting to learn what all I can I can do with it. The timber groves are really nice, I just don't want to spend that much yet. I'm still using the OEM coolant. Is that what you run after you flush yours?

As far as me running my 37s, what PSI should I be running while towing?

Other than my Banks setup and a HD Steer Smart Front Track Bar, do you guys have any other suggestions of any other performance upgrade I should do? I know in the near future I'm going to do a full DEF delete but, that's later this year or beginning of next.

I am going to get a WDH. Its the BlueOx SwayPro. I think its overkill but, its on FB market place for a cheap price.

I am using the Mopar Trailer Brake Controller, works perfectly, only downside is you lose the 12v cigarette plug in the dash.

The psi you should be running will depend on your weight over the rear axle loaded, as well as the tire load rating. There are some calculators online to help you estimate it. I would use those first based on the hitch weight of the trailer, then load up and hit a CAT Scale to get real numbers and adjust.

 

[AOGAudiman]

@AOGAudiman, @Unkle Luk do you have the redarc elite or liberty? I'm trying to decide which one to go with. Also, as far as the air bags, how long did it take you and have you had any issues?

I am running the Redarc Liberty. Zero issues installing. In regards to the airbags, I have been running them for over a year and have had no issues. It's my daily driver and I just keep them at 5psi unless I am loaded up. Install was crazy simple. I made spacer pucks for the bottom of the spring cups since I have a modest Mopar lift. If I were to buy again I would buy the black springs due to the extra length (60818HD Air Lift 1000HD). Others warned me about bags popping/tearing but I have abused the hell out of these bags.

 

[RubiNewbCB]

Maybe get the valve stem temperature/pressure sensors too for your rear axle. Too little PSI will overheat the tires under load and cause premature failure same on your trailer too.

https://a.co/d/5eCseZV

 

[Gladi8r_22]

Ive got a 21 Rubicon Diesel and im wanting to tow a 4,280 (Dry weight) camper. I got the truck with the tow package, not max tow.

I currently have a leveling kit and im running 37's.

What more does everyone suggest I need other than:

- Trailer brake controller
- Air Lift Bags for the rear end. (Red or Black? Does black fit?)
- Weight distribution hitch with sway control

I am planning to get the Shift Autowerx Reinforcement Bridge Brackets installed this week. The Owner at Shift showed me a Mojave that came in and had a bent frame from towing too much load and cracked the frame on the inside just above the spring.
These are strongly recommended!!

Link: Shift Autowerx Reinforcement Bridge Bracket

Edit: While they are in there installing it i am also having them install some Fox Hydro Bumps, i have an ORU Desings popup camper on the back and i tow a 17" Jayco Baja trailer.

 

[Rusty PW]

I am planning to get the Shift Autowerx Reinforcement Bridge Brackets installed this week. The Owner at Shift showed me a Mojave that came in and had a bent frame from towing too much load and cracked the frame on the inside just above the spring.
These are strongly recommended!!

Link: Shift Autowerx Reinforcement Bridge Bracket

Edit: While they are in there installing it i am also having them install some Fox Hydro Bumps, i have an ORU Desings popup camper on the back and i tow a 17" Jayco Baja trailer.

Can't go wrong with the hydro bumps. Have them on the front of mine.

 

[Gladi8r_22]

Can't go wrong with the hydro bumps. Have them on the front of mine.

Yes sir!
I have them on the front as well, very pleased. so I figured might as well get them done at the same time.

 

[Rusty PW]

Yes sir!
I have them on the front as well, very pleased. so I figured might as well get them done at the same time.

I have the JKS hydro with the adjustable spring seat on the front.

 

[Chance575]

I tow 5000 lbs travel trailer once or twice a month. Last year from central Illinois to Moab, don to New Mexico and the home. 21 Overland with 4.5 evo overland kit on 37s, 4.88 gears and black air lifts in the rear. Use a equilizer wdh and have no problems. Twice while going through the mountains of Colorado I got the 00 check engine light. Occurs under high boost demand, clear it and continue on with no problems. Trying to order a new turbo actuator but they are out of stock

 

[Gladi8r_22]

I have the JKS hydro with the adjustable spring seat on the front.

Ohhhh... I am gonna have to look into those, especialy with having some sag in the front with the Diesel.

 

[Jeepfreak05]

First, thanks everyone for your input/ideas. I went with the red airlift bags and I got the redarc liberty brake controller. I did my first trip fully loaded in the camper and bed. My test drive with 15psi in the bags but I still had too much bounce. I ended up putting 25psi and that made a huge difference. The trailer brake works great and install was pretty simple. It did great towing 35mins to our campsite. The next trip its going on it to Bantam Fest, which is about 1hr and 40mins from me. Hopefully everything goes to plan. I would like to upgrade the rear sway bar before I leave though, just to see if it helps any. I will be buying the Timber Grove air spring kit (19'-UP JEEP Gladiator Rear ASAM 2nd Gen Air Spring Kit (SQ6466100)) here in a few weeks, just for a more permanent solution.

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