Labswine
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Steven
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2020
- Threads
- 21
- Messages
- 774
- Reaction score
- 1,102
- Location
- West Chester, Pennsylvania
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Gladiator Overland, 2019 GC Ltd
- Occupation
- Retired
- Thread starter
- #1
So, (set up pictured below...2020 Overland, tow package, stock, 27' LOA trailer, ~5,100 lbs loaded, BlueOx WDH/Sway control combo, Tenkonsha Primus IQ brake conroller) we took our maiden voyage.
Left West Chester, PA bound for Ft. Myers, FL, with a stop in Raleigh, NC (almost half way) to visit a cousin for the night (never got outta NC due to medical issues but that's another story
).
Impressions:
First half hour was getting used to the set-up once on the interstate (I-95 southbound). Yes, keeping vigilant as to what's coming up on you r left and, your surroundings is paramount (I stuck to the right lane as much as possible). The extended mirrors from Amazon for the JK and the Thorne Engineering adapters are beyond awesome!!! Keeping an eye on what's coming up allows you to prepare for the semi's that will be passing you like you're standing still, as the initial blast of wind off the front will push you to the right a little, then prepare for the vacuum on the side which will try and suck you into the truck...it's all good if you're ready for it and you won't be pulling the upholstery from your butt crack.
I kept the speed between 60 and 65 where applicable for the trip. Fuel economy from W.C., PA to the Richmond area was about 13mpg. Richmond to Raleigh...12 mpg. I-85 is pretty much UP HILL 95% of the way!!!
Anywho, driving style: As mentioned, 60-65 mph. Shifting: I used the manual shifting the whole time.
Upshifts were at 2,500 rpm between gears.
Cruising was basically between 7th and 8th. Level, down grade was 8th. Upgrades were 7th but, if the speed dropped below 58mph, I would downshift to 6th until I was above 62mph then able to go back to 7th, no muss, no fuss.
I kept the RPMs between 2,000 and 2,500 RPMs. In 7th, typical was between 1,900 and 2,000 RPMs and in 6th, kept below 2,500. 8th was typical ~1,750-1,800.
I was VERY pleasantly surprised as to how well the trailer towed and my Overland handled it. Yes, it's a V-6 but with proper shifting she easily held her own.
I strongly recommend manual shifting. Once on a slight upgrade, I wanted to see what the trans would do in automatic, and it dropped to 4th when previous experience showed 6-7th was more than adequate to maintain speed.
My route was I-95 to north of Baltimore, then I-695, F. Scott Key bridge (can't take gas bottles through the harbor tunnel) around then back to I-95 to DC,495/95 EAST bound....the shorter side of the beltway, back to I-95 to south of Richmond, VA where we picked up I-85 south and the near constant up grade
.
So, I have read some guys here like to cruise at 65-75 mph and that's great for them, I was VERY comfortable between 60 and 65. Drive your own drive and the hell with what others think. Let' em pass ya.
In a final statement, I would not want to go any bigger for a trailer with this truck, but It is a VERY capable and comfortable tow vehicle. As far as tires, I have the stock 255's but will eventually go with 275's for just a bit wider footprint which I think will help handle the truck blast better. keep the height the same.
Except for the occasional blow around from a big truck, it wasn't the tail wagging the dog at all.
Can't wait for the next journey!!!
Left West Chester, PA bound for Ft. Myers, FL, with a stop in Raleigh, NC (almost half way) to visit a cousin for the night (never got outta NC due to medical issues but that's another story
).Impressions:
First half hour was getting used to the set-up once on the interstate (I-95 southbound). Yes, keeping vigilant as to what's coming up on you r left and, your surroundings is paramount (I stuck to the right lane as much as possible). The extended mirrors from Amazon for the JK and the Thorne Engineering adapters are beyond awesome!!! Keeping an eye on what's coming up allows you to prepare for the semi's that will be passing you like you're standing still, as the initial blast of wind off the front will push you to the right a little, then prepare for the vacuum on the side which will try and suck you into the truck...it's all good if you're ready for it and you won't be pulling the upholstery from your butt crack.
I kept the speed between 60 and 65 where applicable for the trip. Fuel economy from W.C., PA to the Richmond area was about 13mpg. Richmond to Raleigh...12 mpg. I-85 is pretty much UP HILL 95% of the way!!!
Anywho, driving style: As mentioned, 60-65 mph. Shifting: I used the manual shifting the whole time.
Upshifts were at 2,500 rpm between gears.
Cruising was basically between 7th and 8th. Level, down grade was 8th. Upgrades were 7th but, if the speed dropped below 58mph, I would downshift to 6th until I was above 62mph then able to go back to 7th, no muss, no fuss.
I kept the RPMs between 2,000 and 2,500 RPMs. In 7th, typical was between 1,900 and 2,000 RPMs and in 6th, kept below 2,500. 8th was typical ~1,750-1,800.
I was VERY pleasantly surprised as to how well the trailer towed and my Overland handled it. Yes, it's a V-6 but with proper shifting she easily held her own.
I strongly recommend manual shifting. Once on a slight upgrade, I wanted to see what the trans would do in automatic, and it dropped to 4th when previous experience showed 6-7th was more than adequate to maintain speed.
My route was I-95 to north of Baltimore, then I-695, F. Scott Key bridge (can't take gas bottles through the harbor tunnel) around then back to I-95 to DC,495/95 EAST bound....the shorter side of the beltway, back to I-95 to south of Richmond, VA where we picked up I-85 south and the near constant up grade
.So, I have read some guys here like to cruise at 65-75 mph and that's great for them, I was VERY comfortable between 60 and 65. Drive your own drive and the hell with what others think. Let' em pass ya.
In a final statement, I would not want to go any bigger for a trailer with this truck, but It is a VERY capable and comfortable tow vehicle. As far as tires, I have the stock 255's but will eventually go with 275's for just a bit wider footprint which I think will help handle the truck blast better. keep the height the same.
Except for the occasional blow around from a big truck, it wasn't the tail wagging the dog at all.
Can't wait for the next journey!!!
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and I'm guessing loaded you're between 6,500 and 7,000 lbs? Good thing you've got the MaxTow 
) with rear bunks but decided since it's just me and the Bride, they weren't necessary and we preferred the larger inside space.
...cloth seats suck up easier than leather 
