Cooling options for towing?

[Overland-2021]

Hi All,

Have the overland model -diesel, with the towing package.
In 3-4 months we plan on towing our 4.5k lb trailer on some long distance trips.

I am sure when temps are moderate we will be fine, but have no idea if the cooling system will handle mid summer (over 95°F) so looking at different ways to handle that heat.
Figured I would post my thoughts and see what others have had success with...

Restricted airflow is a reason I see they lowered the tow rating so I'm confused as to why no factory mods are out there to help out. The overland hood has no convent place to put vents - even if I did install top vents they would be rear facing as I am sure forcing air down would only defeat the factory air flow. .

Saw a post by "sourdough" on the wrangler forum where he lifted the back of the hood - I don't know - looks a bit odd but I'll bet it removes a lot of heat.

Would like to do some simple mods before I go adding additional water/engine/trani coolers.
Maybe even wrap the exhaust a bit better?
Any ideas would be appreciated.







an induction hood with a rear facing opening

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[Mac]

You should be fine, pretty sure the JT is SAE J2807 tested to come up with the tow ratings. http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/towing/1502-sae-j2807-tow-tests-the-standard

 

[Oilburner]

I would think removing some of the sound-deadening foam/plastic from the engine compartment could help.

 

[Renegade]

I would think removing some of the sound-deadening foam/plastic from the engine compartment could help.

I’m thinking that’s not going to help...
It really should be fine as is for that load.

 

[Mac]

Looking for a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist...

 

[Alteredspeed]

A heat extracting hood, maybe. I would probably try towing it first. I believe there rated at 6k.

 

[Overland-2021]

Well, Thats is true - I have no data to go buy AND the weight calculations give me an easy 20% margin. So, sure I am looking to solve something that may never be an issue.

This is my first new vehicle and I have driven several trucks that they say CAN do it but when put to the test they JUST do it.

Thanks All

 

[jeepin48]

I am in your same boat. Overland Diesel with a 28ft 5100lb camper. We wont know until we try. My plan of attack is to monitor the off road pages on the stereo. Trans, Engine, and Oil temps should only move 10F above normal while towing. If I see 15-20f I will simply slow down until it maintains temp. I may add a few thermocouples under the hood in a few places an see how they vary towing vs not towing.

One option may be to remove the trim bezel on the grill. It eats up about 1/2" of air space on all edges.

 

[lrtexasman]

I’d avoid adding a winch if you’re considering one, as it has been reported to block airflow leading to higher temperatures. What about adding one of the aftermarket hoods with functional scoops?

 

[KurtP]

You’ll be fine at that weight. Id keep a closer eye on trans and diff temps than engine temps.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Hi All,

Have the overland model -diesel, with the towing package.
In 3-4 months we plan on towing our 4.5k lb trailer on some long distance trips.

I am sure when temps are moderate we will be fine, but have no idea if the cooling system will handle mid summer (over 95°F) so looking at different ways to handle that heat.
Figured I would post my thoughts and see what others have had success with...

Restricted airflow is a reason I see they lowered the tow rating so I'm confused as to why no factory mods are out there to help out. The overland hood has no convent place to put vents - even if I did install top vents they would be rear facing as I am sure forcing air down would only defeat the factory air flow. .

Saw a post by "sourdough" on the wrangler forum where he lifted the back of the hood - I don't know - looks a bit odd but I'll bet it removes a lot of heat.

Would like to do some simple mods before I go adding additional water/engine/trani coolers.
Maybe even wrap the exhaust a bit better?
Any ideas would be appreciated.







an induction hood with a rear facing opening

If there were options available to run it cooler, Jeep would have already added them so they could increase towing capacity. The size and shape of the front end creates an engineering obstacle. They did everything they could with what they had to work with. There is an interview with one of the Jeep engineers floating around here somewhere, that discusses the cooling limitations and the challenges they faced during design.

 

[MrZappo]

I am in your same boat. Overland Diesel with a 28ft 5100lb camper. We wont know until we try. My plan of attack is to monitor the off road pages on the stereo. Trans, Engine, and Oil temps should only move 10F above normal while towing. If I see 15-20f I will simply slow down until it maintains temp. I may add a few thermocouples under the hood in a few places an see how they vary towing vs not towing. One option may be to remove the trim bezel on the grill. It eats up about 1/2" of air space on all edges. Yes, we do know. Do you think that they just throw these things together and hope for the best? If they publish a towing capacity, it was tested at that capacity in the highest temperature that the vehicle was expected to experience. Probably many times over a period of days or weeks. They put these vehicles through the ringer before bringing them to market. The notion that you will be "testing" it in any configuration that has not already been certified to work perfectly (as long as you don't exceed the specs) does not make sense.

 

[Pizziola29]

I went to a heat extraction hood and I can tell you the heat blows out the sides and tops of the vents a few weeks ago about 7K in the mountains with a 3k trailer. Temp was about 85 degrees. Will need to see when it gets above 95.

 

[PDiddy]

You can also do a regear. that will reduce stress on the engine and trans.

 

[RedRockRider]

Testing for various environments you may be driving in makes perfect sense. The engineers must consider the entire range of temps the vehicle will be operated in, along with altitudes, loads, the vehicle owner's inability to make changes as needed, etc. Example: the engineers probably didn't want rain or snow soaking the top of the engine regularly. But if you don't drive very much in incremental weather (Vegas just went 8 months with no precip) hood venting may be an option. Especially if the owner had a system to cover vents when needed.

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