So disappointed in this Diesel platform; wish there was a return policy.

[CreepyJeepy]

I had an email chain back and forth with TFL.
Hmm very interesting, and I am looking forward to the video! Hope we see one soon!


………………………… Tommy at TFL
We have towed quite heavy with a Gladiator diesel before and didn't notice any temp fluctuations,

Next time we have one we'll try it up the hill but from our experience it has been okay. Is your truck performing up to spec?

Tommy
TFLtruck

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[XJADDICTION]

So much of towing is staying in the strongest part of your torque curve. The diesel has the torque, even with the added weight it should Tow better than a gas motor IMOP.

Y’all with the 37’s and lift completely change so many dynamics of the JT whether it be the diesel or the gas. I like the looks of the 37’s and accessories like bumpers and winches lights etc. That said you need to decide which is more important and what your intentions are for your JT. If it is towing 5000+ lbs and a trailer that is 20+ feet long with poor trailer aerodynamics, maybe that lift and 37’s isn’t a good idea.

That said, this diesel is heavily restricted. I do not own a JT diesel, but I’ve owned plenty of 1 Ton Ford diesel 7.3 turbos ( I know not apples to apples). Before chipping, changing intake and exhaust (read un-restricting these) EGT’s on the ton diesel Fords would get high towing heavy loads. After these changes, no issues except for the stock transmission.

Back to the JT; I think in the near future there will be plenty of ways to un-restrict the exhaust and intake. Make sure you don’t have a winch and lights on the front bumper restricting airflow. Get better venting from real fender side vents and change the hood to something that actually helps as well.

Drive it slower, especially at higher elevation. I know we all get in the trap of wanting to go faster, but slowing down and staying in your max torque range will keep the JT happy.

The 8 speed auto in the diesel is stronger than the gas 8 speed. Using manual on steep grade and high elevation will help. Also a re-gear would help as well. Even with stock Rubicon 33’s.

I have the gas engine and I HATE my 245x75x17 tires, but when I am daily driving or towing weight, those small tires with the 4:10’s are awesome. The Jeep performs very well with stock Sport Max Tow setup.

IMOP you are going to need to just get used to slow easy driving towing these big RVs with the JT.

Dong this doesn’t make you weak, just realize it lets more people see your awesome rig as they drive by.

P.S. the big Ton trucks with lift and large tires rolling coal as fly by you, know that most are melting transmissions and turbos.

 

[CrazyCooter]

I had an email chain back and forth with TFL.
Hmm very interesting, and I am looking forward to the video! Hope we see one soon!


………………………… Tommy at TFL
We have towed quite heavy with a Gladiator diesel before and didn't notice any temp fluctuations,

Next time we have one we'll try it up the hill but from our experience it has been okay. Is your truck performing up to spec?

Tommy
TFLtruck

Don't you think its strange that there was never an Ike video posted for the JT Diesel? Isn't this test what they do with every truck they get even if they are really a "towing" truck?

 

[CreepyJeepy]

There was a video of them with a red rubicon diesel. But they didn’t do the Ike

Don't you think its strange that there was never an Ike video posted for the JT Diesel? Isn't this test what they do with every truck they get even if they are really a "towing" truck?

 

[lrtexasman]

Looks like a video is coming soon. I don’t recall an Ike test with the new Defender either.

 

[jeepin48]

In short, my service advisor said the factory charging parameters were too tight, so the new flash widens that parameter so you won't get the warning.

I had the same email notification while towing as well. Never a dash light. I also got a "service throttle control" error which the dealer is slated to look at tomorrow.

 

[CreepyJeepy]

There was a video of them with a red rubicon diesel. But they didn’t do the Ike

I’d offer my truck, but I already have a dealer appointment setup to review the cooling system, and also the soggy front suspension

 

[biodiesel]

I do not own a JT diesel, but I’ve owned plenty of 1 Ton Ford diesel 7.3 turbos ( I know not apples to apples). Before chipping, changing intake and exhaust (read un-restricting these) EGT’s on the ton diesel Fords would get high towing heavy loads. After these changes, no issues except for the stock transmission.

I don't own a Gladiator diesel either, so I try not to run my mouth too much on this forum and tick too many people off. I've owned everything from the Jeep Liberty CRD (2.8L turbo diesel ) to the Ram Cummins. I currently own two EcoDiesel trucks and feel that my towing experience adds valuable information to the forum discussion.

As you mentioned, there are few modifications that will enhance towing performance and there are loads of modifications that will hinder towing performance. I have the GDE Emissions Compliant Tune on my 2015 EcoDiesel. GDE sells a lower temperature thermostat that reduces coolant and oil temps about 18 F when warmed up.

In essence, Gladiator diesel owners who are towing in strenuous conditions need to lockout the higher gears and slow down. That will substantially help their engine performance. After all, the Gladiator is a mid-sized truck, not a full sized truck like the Ram 1500. I see the same issues on the Ram 1500 forum. People are trying to tow loads with the 1500 that should be towed with a 2500/3500.

 

[CreepyJeepy]

Agreed, when I purchase any towing vehicle I always aim to only tow up to 60% of the max tow rating. Longevity/ vehicle stress are real concerns.

I started this thread due to the stark performance differences I experienced when comparing it to my 4.0L Tacoma which has a similar rating. (6400)

Since then I have towed in a few different areas.

- Flat land (up to 60mph) is great.
- Small hills are fine, (less than 3min of higher load levels) it does warm up.
- Long climbs in the mountains on hot days does require I do not run a/c and it’s better to blast the heater. Also stay sub 48mph.


Images that show the hot temps/derate at the beginning of this thread are towing well under the max, and comparing it to the Tacoma 4.0 when climbing Colorado mountains.

I stick by what I said. If towing is your concern in Colorado, in the mountains, performance is better in the Tacoma.

If we see an IKE video, I bet the taco spanks it up the IKE.

I can say flat land the eco diesel spanks the Tacoma, up to about 60mph.

Remember the Jeep has bad aerodynamics.

The torque is real, but my disappointment was climbing hills here in Colorado (where I live, and where I tow).

 

[Granitelvr]

Am I reading this correctly?

I'm trying to be nice here and not call a spade a spade.

No wonder temps are pegged.

It’s a spade. However, people are reporting high temps when general towing under spec in above 80 degree temps. Just sharing my experience. Just pulled 10-11k lb in 60 degree temps and she didn’t squawk at all. this is from one of the big grades on HWY 395 south called Conway summit. So, I just wanted to share that it seems the issue is more with outside ambient temperature for temp spikes. Obvious, I know. But, it is good to narrow down and then figure out a solution. I am eagerly awaiting the GDE and banks tune.

 

[biodiesel]

I just wanted to share that it seems the issue is more with outside ambient temperature for temp spikes.

Ambient temperatures are certainly a factor, but I think long steep grades is causing the most problems. I was towing my travel trailer in 117*F and had no problems, but the high flowing front grille is big on the 2020+ Ram EcoDiesel compared to the Gladiator.

 

[biodiesel]

The torque is real, but my disappointment was climbing hills here in Colorado (where I live, and where I tow).

I know what you mean. I live at 7,000' feet and tow all over the mountain west. For reference, I've dropped the speed down as low as 28 mph when towing over Wolf Creek Pass and Ike Gauntlet with the EcoDiesel. That's the best way to keep the temperature down.

 

[CrazyCooter]

My lifted 1991 YJ with 35's, almost 200K miles, and a 2,000lb rating tows my 1,500lb Tentrax better up the hills in the heat than my 2021 Diesel JT with a 6K tow rating and some people think this is acceptable?

 

[CrazyCooter]

There was a video of them with a red rubicon diesel. But they didn’t do the Ike

Yes, I remember watching it and waiting for the Ike test........

 

[RoryR88]

All this reminds me of the Tundra pulling the space shuttle in the commercial. I guess it is all expectations and what you are using as a baseline.

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