High Altitude and Offroading

[GladVentures]

My wife and I are planning a month-long trek in July out west to Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. We would like to do some Jeeping in the San Juan mountains while in Colorado but I'm a little nervous about my tires and wheels. The High Altitude Gladiators come with 20" wheels. The tires are 275/55R20. Should I be looking for some 17" wheels and tires before leaving? We live in Tennessee so this will be a very long drive to get out there and we are pulling a 20' travel trailer (not taking the camper on the Jeep trails). I'm sure that 35" or 37" would be much better but we plan on sticking to the easy or moderate trails. Will I have issues with the short sidewalls? If it doable can I let some of the tire pressure out?

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[j.o.y.ride]

You won't be able to tow that trailer with 35s or 37s and the factory 3.73 gears up those hills out there. I can barely get up the hills to Tahoe on 35s with 3.73 and no trailer.

 

[GladVentures]

Not sure if it matters but this is an EcoDiesel.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Not sure if it matters but this is an EcoDiesel.

Well that does help in theory, but it is still going to negatively impact your towing especially on grade. Overheating may well become a problem.

 

[GladVentures]

Thank you, j.o.y.ride. I'm hoping to stay with 33". For what we use our Jeep for we really don't need too much low crawl.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/gladiator-on-fire-burned-to-the-ground….48078/page-5#post-776779

fwiw

 

[GladVentures]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/gladiator-on-fire-burned-to-the-ground….48078/page-5#post-776779

fwiw

That makes me want to throw up!!

 

[Daddiator54]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/gladiator-on-fire-burned-to-the-ground….48078/page-5#post-776779

fwiw

Yeah this is immediately what my mind went to. Torque is nice in the ecodiesel but they allegedly have overheating issues compared to a sport or sport s with max tow package.

 

[GladVentures]

I'm not sure if this matters but I did get the towing package and noticed that the package I got says:

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

And the max-tow package says:

• 240-Amp Alternator
• 245/75R17 All-Terrain Tires
• 4.10 Axle Ratio
• Trac-Lok® Anti-Spin Rear Differential
• Class IV Receiver Hitch
• Heavy-Duty Dana® 44 Wide Front Axle
• Heavy-Duty Dana® 44 Wide Rear Axle
• GVW Rating - 6,250 Pounds
• Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling
• Trailer-Hitch Zoom

Is there anything in the max package that isn't on the regular tow package that would help prevent overheating?

 

[Beemer533]

Assuming you have the stock tires, I'd be more concerned about the weak, thin sidewalls.

If I were you I'd look for a set of factory Rubicon takeoffs (wheels and tires). The factory Falken AT tires should be much more durable for some trail riding, especially if you want to air down a bit.

 

[Gvsukids]

I'm not sure if this matters but I did get the towing package and noticed that the package I got says:

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

And the max-tow package says:

• 240-Amp Alternator
• 245/75R17 All-Terrain Tires
• 4.10 Axle Ratio
• Trac-Lok® Anti-Spin Rear Differential
• Class IV Receiver Hitch
• Heavy-Duty Dana® 44 Wide Front Axle
• Heavy-Duty Dana® 44 Wide Rear Axle
• GVW Rating - 6,250 Pounds
• Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling
• Trailer-Hitch Zoom

Is there anything in the max package that isn't on the regular tow package that would help prevent overheating?

The gas engine. It's more about the air getting to the engine, and the gas engine it doesn't need as much as the diesel.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/diesel-vs-gas.15739/
Impressed that a high altitude will see dirt and maybe mud.

 

[GladVentures]

Impressed that a high altitude will see dirt and maybe mud.

LOL..my wife insisted on the Napa leather seats.

 

[GladVentures]

If I were you I'd look for a set of factory Rubicon takeoffs (wheels and tires)

That sounds like a solid plan. I have been looking around for some and the thought would be to swap the tires and wheels out depending on what we are wanting to do. Might be too much trouble and I may end up putting on Rubicon wheels and leaving them on. Thanks for the info.

 

[KevinC]

Light wheeling you will be fine with your stock tires. I'm not sure I would air down and risk a sidewall puncture.

If you go to a bigger tire, you are going to have issues towing that much weight. You are opening up a can of worms. I would suggest like others said and find some Rubicon or Mojave take-offs and get the complete tire/wheel/TPMS and be done with it.

KevinC

 

[GladVentures]

Well, I think I have the tires and wheels for it now.

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