Can we talk JT Normal Tow?

[Ferg]

I don’t believe it counts as tongue weight though, because that starts at the point of coupling and goes back. At least that’s the way I understand it.

I read an article a while back on eTrailer.com that said the same thing — you do not count the weight of the hitch as part of the tongue weight. I can try to find the link to that online article if you’d like. I really like their advice at eTrailer — they tend to be top-notch, IMHO.

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[ChrisK]

So...in addition to this I called Jeep directly. Right on, with the trailer tow package it is 6k with a tongue weight of 600lbs. I couldn’t get an answer on what the trailer tow package adds to the rating but naturally one can deduce 1500 lbs. the salesman said it had to do with brakes etc but Jeep told me that any warranty repair would be based on the manual which does clearly say 6K and yes the authority is the book. Thanks for the help all, I’m anal about my vehicles and I do not plan on using this to trailer all the time but hauling a two bay horse trailer with a big animal in the back is a feat I would like to do on occasion in addition to getting hay as well as hauling my light duty covered 6x12 with my CanAm and want this beast to last. Also having the 10yr warranty will help.

 

[Jack'D]

I have the Sport S with auto trans and tow pkg. +WDH
We just did over 4100 miles (Michigan to Florida and back) in 31 days with our KZ 181BH, 2950lb dry & 360lb hitch weight, 21ft overall.
Fully loaded (wife, kid, 2dogs, full tank of gas, all the gear, food, clothes, etc.) we rolled the CAT scales at 9660lbs. (+1500lb under max rating if I'm remembering the +11klb max correctly..)
Towing this thing over long distances, 5-7hr stints, at highway speeds (60-75mph) is exhausting.
It pulls okay. Theres a lot of searching for gears, so I found manually shifting to be better, even on flat ground the truck will want to upshift with the slightest variation in presure to the gas pedal, so I found setting the cruise and shifting the gears myself the easiest method of keeping the RPMs in the best range and the trans temp under 215°. You cant let the RPM fall under 3k if you want to maintain speed on inclines, or about 2500 on flats, the truck just doesn't have the torque to do it. This is before you encounter head or crosswind. But the truck will gladly shift up to 4.5k rpms if you let it and just hang there when on inclines or on ramps. Then you have to shift like it or not.
That's all fine, tiering, but I can work with that and figure it out.
The exhaustion comes from the constant pounding of passing cars, trucks, and semis (yes cars too) that make staying in your lane a job. Out on the interstate it's not AS stressful, but going through a major city like Detroit or Atlanta's freeways or just about any city bypass freeway, were road conditions are shite and construction has narrowed lanes, it can be down right scary.
I would never recommend this truck for anyone whose never driven a wrangler, or hauled a TT. Towing really brings out the worst characteristics of the trucks already poor freeway speed handling.
Having said all that. I love my JT. I love my TT. But even if I had a MaxTow I wouldn't go much bigger.
Everyones different, opinions are what they are, just my shiny $.02

 

[MrJeep]

I have the normal tow package and tow my TJ somewhat regularly in the three to five hour range with no issues other than having to be careful and not winning any uphill races. Towing about 6000#. Other than that, braking, handling and shifting is excellent.
I somewhat disagree with the notion that this towing forum only talks about Max tow. Having followed it at least a year there is plenty more than that in here.

If I were to digest it all into a few sentences: weight is not a problem for any JT, regardless of tow package. Air resistance is. For example, I seem to have no trouble towing my 6000# Jeep long distances but many people with 4000# big boxes like the poster above experience tranny hunting and driver fatigue.
People seem very focused on weight and forget that a box behind a big box with a 6 cylinder is not going to be efficient and the ari resistance on the system can vary greatly by the second (drag is proportional to square of velocity, a gust of wind can double the drag in an instant)

 

[aai]

I have the Sport S with auto trans and tow pkg. +WDH
We just did over 4100 miles (Michigan to Florida and back) in 31 days with our KZ 181BH, 2950lb dry & 360lb hitch weight, 21ft overall.
Fully loaded (wife, kid, 2dogs, full tank of gas, all the gear, food, clothes, etc.) we rolled the CAT scales at 9660lbs. (+1500lb under max rating if I'm remembering the +11klb max correctly..)
Towing this thing over long distances, 5-7hr stints, at highway speeds (60-75mph) is exhausting.
It pulls okay. Theres a lot of searching for gears, so I found manually shifting to be better, even on flat ground the truck will want to upshift with the slightest variation in presure to the gas pedal, so I found setting the cruise and shifting the gears myself the easiest method of keeping the RPMs in the best range and the trans temp under 215°. You cant let the RPM fall under 3k if you want to maintain speed on inclines, or about 2500 on flats, the truck just doesn't have the torque to do it. This is before you encounter head or crosswind. But the truck will gladly shift up to 4.5k rpms if you let it and just hang there when on inclines or on ramps. Then you have to shift like it or not.
That's all fine, tiering, but I can work with that and figure it out.
The exhaustion comes from the constant pounding of passing cars, trucks, and semis (yes cars too) that make staying in your lane a job. Out on the interstate it's not AS stressful, but going through a major city like Detroit or Atlanta's freeways or just about any city bypass freeway, were road conditions are shite and construction has narrowed lanes, it can be down right scary.
I would never recommend this truck for anyone whose never driven a wrangler, or hauled a TT. Towing really brings out the worst characteristics of the trucks already poor freeway speed handling.
Having said all that. I love my JT. I love my TT. But even if I had a MaxTow I wouldn't go much bigger.
Everyones different, opinions are what they are, just my shiny $.02

I had just completed a trip recently with similar findings. Towing a 7x12 trailer loaded up approx. 3000lbs. with our stock Overland with 34s. Figured out after several hours that manual mode is the way to go. Set cruise control to 70mph. Toggling from 6th down to 5th as needed. Stayed on 6th 95% mostly spinning at 2500rpms. Tons of Dyno graphs shows that's when this engine is just making torque and towing shows it, doesn't slow down when set on cruise at 6th on slight inclines. If it did just toggle one gear down to 5th, split second later back to 6th. Did an 11hr straight tow on one stint and monitored oil temps mostly. Everything stayed normal but oil temps creeped up 10 to 15 degrees once in a while. Slowing down to 65mph for a few minutes brought it to a steady 220 degrees. In automatic mode it would just down shift way too easily sometimes 3 gears, and then stays hung up for no reason or at least 10 seconds delay sometimes. Toggling 5th to 6th was a much more pleasurable tow, averaging 13mpg. Absolute no issues towing at 2500 rpms for hours. That said plan to do a 5:13 gear swap but with no mad rush as manual mode remedies it. Stay 34s/35s to make this gladiator a tow/camping vehicle.

 

[aai]

I have the normal tow package and tow my TJ somewhat regularly in the three to five hour range with no issues other than having to be careful and not winning any uphill races. Towing about 6000#. Other than that, braking, handling and shifting is excellent.
I somewhat disagree with the notion that this towing forum only talks about Max tow. Having followed it at least a year there is plenty more than that in here.

If I were to digest it all into a few sentences: weight is not a problem for any JT, regardless of tow package. Air resistance is. For example, I seem to have no trouble towing my 6000# Jeep long distances but many people with 4000# big boxes like the poster above experience tranny hunting and driver fatigue.
People seem very focused on weight and forget that a box behind a big box with a 6 cylinder is not going to be efficient and the ari resistance on the system can vary greatly by the second (drag is proportional to square of velocity, a gust of wind can double the drag in an instant)

I thought about that, towed with my 2dr wrangler also...I noticed wind gust really affected the gladiator to where the Wrangler not as much. Maybe a quick fix is a softopper cap or something. But definitely being a pickup that wind catches that whole front end of the box.

 

[ryan-g186]

Guys, I realize I’m dense when it comes to towing but...I have a 2020 Sport S Altitude pkg with the tow package. I cannot get a straight answer as to what my max is. The manual says 6k, the dealer says 4500. he said the package does not include the brakes to get to 6k. I’m pretty confused as it has the bigger alternator, cooler and class IV hitch. I probably won’t exceed the limit and am interested in getting the brake controller because I want to pull a two horse trailer as opposed to my 6x12 covered trailer with my CanAm this summer to get hay and occasionally bring a horse to the indoor ring. In short, how the heck do I find my weight caps, the decal doesn’t help and I want to follow the book but the dealership has kind of sent me into questioning what the book says. Also 373 gears automatic trans and the Mopar lift as well. Any help?

My kids are getting into horseback riding and jumping. We are looking at horses and trailers. Have you towed with yours yet?
Ryan

 

[MrJeep]

The real difference between stock sport and Max Tow is the wide axles, brakes, cooling and the 4:10 gears, small diameter tires with the 8 speed auto. There is plenty of power.

I'm just compelled to clear up a common misunderstanding, all Gladiators have the same brakes, and they are fantastic.

 

[XJADDICTION]

I'm just compelled to clear up a common misunderstanding, all Gladiators have the same brakes, and they are fantastic.

Ok I shouldn’t have said brakes.

These are the differences between Max and No Max

• Heavy Duty Dana 44 wide front and rear axles.
• Class IV hitch.
• Trailer hitch zoom rear camera.
• Daytime running lights.
• Heavy-duty engine cooling.
• 240-amp alternator

 

[tstugel]

I have the Sport S with auto trans and tow pkg. +WDH
We just did over 4100 miles (Michigan to Florida and back) in 31 days with our KZ 181BH, 2950lb dry & 360lb hitch weight, 21ft overall.
Fully loaded (wife, kid, 2dogs, full tank of gas, all the gear, food, clothes, etc.) we rolled the CAT scales at 9660lbs. (+1500lb under max rating if I'm remembering the +11klb max correctly..)
Towing this thing over long distances, 5-7hr stints, at highway speeds (60-75mph) is exhausting.
It pulls okay. Theres a lot of searching for gears, so I found manually shifting to be better, even on flat ground the truck will want to upshift with the slightest variation in presure to the gas pedal, so I found setting the cruise and shifting the gears myself the easiest method of keeping the RPMs in the best range and the trans temp under 215°. You cant let the RPM fall under 3k if you want to maintain speed on inclines, or about 2500 on flats, the truck just doesn't have the torque to do it. This is before you encounter head or crosswind. But the truck will gladly shift up to 4.5k rpms if you let it and just hang there when on inclines or on ramps. Then you have to shift like it or not.
That's all fine, tiering, but I can work with that and figure it out.
The exhaustion comes from the constant pounding of passing cars, trucks, and semis (yes cars too) that make staying in your lane a job. Out on the interstate it's not AS stressful, but going through a major city like Detroit or Atlanta's freeways or just about any city bypass freeway, were road conditions are shite and construction has narrowed lanes, it can be down right scary.
I would never recommend this truck for anyone whose never driven a wrangler, or hauled a TT. Towing really brings out the worst characteristics of the trucks already poor freeway speed handling.
Having said all that. I love my JT. I love my TT. But even if I had a MaxTow I wouldn't go much bigger.
Everyones different, opinions are what they are, just my shiny $.02

I am in 100% agreement with you on this. There is no "Jeep" sugar coating to cover the fact this truck, I love mine as well BTW, was not designed for towing much of anything. The biggest disappointment for me is the fact Jeep advertised this as a capable towing pickup. But then again, when was the last time a corporation over advertised their product.......

 

[MrJeep]

I am in 100% agreement with you on this. There is no "Jeep" sugar coating to cover the fact this truck, I love mine as well BTW, was not designed for towing much of anything. The biggest disappointment for me is the fact Jeep advertised this as a capable towing pickup. But then again, when was the last time a corporation over advertised their product.......

I would argue that it is a capable towing truck and was designed for it (it's basically a RAM 1500 from the rear seats back, chassis wise), but there is a HUGE diversity of items being towed and studying this forum in particular for a while now people's experience really seems to be based more on what they tow than the truck itself.

 

[troy_brady]

Ok I shouldn’t have said brakes.

These are the differences between Max and No Max

• Heavy Duty Dana 44 wide front and rear axles.
• Class IV hitch.
• Trailer hitch zoom rear camera.
• Daytime running lights.
• Heavy-duty engine cooling.
• 240-amp alternator

If you're trying to state these are the differences between the Max Tow Package and Trailer-Tow Package, stating that those options don't come on the Trailer-Tow Package your statement couldn't be more wrong. The Trailer-Tow Package comes with half of what you have listed there.

Straight from the Jeep build website

Trailer Tow Package comes with...

• 240-Amp Alternator
• Class IV Receiver Hitch
• Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling
• Trailer-Hitch Zoom

Max Tow Package comes with...

• 240-Amp Alternator
• 4.10 Axle Ratio
• Trac-Lok® Anti-Spin Rear Differential
• Class IV Receiver Hitch
• Heavy-Duty Dana® 44 Wide Axles
• Daytime Running Lamp System
• Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling
• Trailer-Hitch Zoom

Please do actual research with the correct facts before posting misinformation on forums. Posting things like this doesn't help people, it just muddies up the facts and causes confusion.

 

[XJADDICTION]

If you're trying to state these are the differences between the Max Tow Package and Trailer-Tow Package, stating that those options don't come on the Trailer-Tow Package your statement couldn't be more wrong. The Trailer-Tow Package comes with half of what you have listed there.

Straight from the Jeep build website

Trailer Tow Package comes with...

• 240-Amp Alternator
• Class IV Receiver Hitch
• Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling
• Trailer-Hitch Zoom

Max Tow Package comes with...

• 240-Amp Alternator
• 4.10 Axle Ratio
• Trac-Lok® Anti-Spin Rear Differential
• Class IV Receiver Hitch
• Heavy-Duty Dana® 44 Wide Axles
• Daytime Running Lamp System
• Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling
• Trailer-Hitch Zoom

Please do actual research with the correct facts before posting misinformation on forums. Posting things like this doesn't help people, it just muddies up the facts and causes confusion.

No, I was stating ALL the options the Max Tow comes with, and I forgot to add that they also have LED side marker lights and Daytime Running lights with two piece fenders unlike the base sport with black fenders.

Maybe get that chip off of your shoulder and move along.

 

[JTBurns]

If you're trying to state these are the differences between the Max Tow Package and Trailer-Tow Package, stating that those options don't come on the Trailer-Tow Package your statement couldn't be more wrong. The Trailer-Tow Package comes with half of what you have listed there.

Straight from the Jeep build website

Trailer Tow Package comes with...

• 240-Amp Alternator
• Class IV Receiver Hitch
• Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling
• Trailer-Hitch Zoom

Max Tow Package comes with...

• 240-Amp Alternator
• 4.10 Axle Ratio
• Trac-Lok® Anti-Spin Rear Differential
• Class IV Receiver Hitch
• Heavy-Duty Dana® 44 Wide Axles
• Daytime Running Lamp System
• Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling
• Trailer-Hitch Zoom

Please do actual research with the correct facts before posting misinformation on forums. Posting things like this doesn't help people, it just muddies up the facts and causes confusion.

Thank you!! A lot of 2020 max tows didn't even come with the LSD either. Also many trailer tows are also equipped with the popular equipment package which gets you painted flares and the daytime running lights. This is what I have. As far as I can tell, the true differences between maxt tow and trailer tow are 4.10s, the wide axels, the extra little pice on the fenders to prevent poke, and stiffer rear springs. Anything else is noise

 

[XJADDICTION]

Thank you!! A lot of 2020 max tows didn't even come with the LSD either. Also many trailer tows are also equipped with the popular equipment package which gets you painted flares and the daytime running lights. This is what I have. As far as I can tell, the true differences between maxt tow and trailer tow are 4.10s, the wide axels, the extra little pice on the fenders to prevent poke, and stiffer rear springs. Anything else is noise

That is the Heavy Duty Dana 44’s with 4:10 gears. Let’s get this right now. The early 2020’s didn’t have LSD, but with Jeep traction control really no need for LSD. For me not having LSD is a plus as I will be adding ARB lockers.

The mass confusion that is happening with the Max Tow is caused by the changes Jeep made on the 2021 models. You have more available group packages now that are sweet additions to the Max Tow on the Sport S, like the preferred package , LED package, the upgrade for stereo and the diesel option.

The Main point IMOP for the Max Tow are the stronger, wider Dana 44’s with the 4:10 gears. This lends to more power available to tow and the wider axles Give the JT more stability when towing.

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