Rubicon difference with and without trailer tow package

[macgyvr]

I'm trying to figure out exactly what the differences are in the Rubicon package with the trailer tow package and one without.

The obvious is the tow package includes a hitch. It also says heavy duty engine cooling. What exactly does that mean?

If I was ordering one, I obviously would order the tow package for $350. However there happens to be on on the local lot that is spec'd out pretty much how I would order it minus the trailer tow package and aux switches.

I've read that you can add the aux switches and that's not a deal breaker. I can put a hitch on it, it's already wired back there for one. My guess is that the alternator is not the max rated one. But what I don't understand is the heavy duty engine cooling. Someone in the facespace group mentioned that the fan is bigger for the heavy duty cooling. Is that it.

Also, is the Rubi still rated for 7000 pounds towing without the tow package?
It still has the auto and the Rubi 4.10 axles. The poking around I did on the intraweb seems to suggest that it still is rated for 7k. Someone on the facespace group said that it only rated for 4500 towing...

Can anyone help clear the mud for me?

mac 'cool me down' gyvr

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[calicorks]

I'm trying to figure out exactly what the differences are in the Rubicon package with the trailer tow package and one without.

The obvious is the tow package includes a hitch. It also says heavy duty engine cooling. What exactly does that mean?

If I was ordering one, I obviously would order the tow package for $350. However there happens to be on on the local lot that is spec'd out pretty much how I would order it minus the trailer tow package and aux switches.

I've read that you can add the aux switches and that's not a deal breaker. I can put a hitch on it, it's already wired back there for one. My guess is that the alternator is not the max rated one. But what I don't understand is the heavy duty engine cooling. Someone in the facespace group mentioned that the fan is bigger for the heavy duty cooling. Is that it.

Also, is the Rubi still rated for 7000 pounds towing without the tow package?
It still has the auto and the Rubi 4.10 axles. The poking around I did on the intraweb seems to suggest that it still is rated for 7k. Someone on the facespace group said that it only rated for 4500 towing...

Can anyone help clear the mud for me?

mac 'cool me down' gyvr

It’s all in here on this forum. The Rubi auto can tow 7000 lbs. it’s a trailer hitch, and the heavy duty cooling is just a higher output than the standard fan. So yep, just a bigger fan and a trailer hitch. 4500 towing is a manual transmission. I remember seeing a YouTube video about it on here. Was a while ago.

 

[macgyvr]

I'm sure that it's in this forum somewhere. I did a bit of search and didn't turn anything that helped answer my question tho, so I posted the question.

Would not having that package bother someone when it comes to towing and long term performance of the truck?

Or if someone could point me to the thread where it's thoroughly discussed, that would work too.

mac 'point the way' gyvr

 

[calicorks]

 

[Renegade]

I intentionally left the towing package off of my order because I didn’t want the box receiver hanging down below the bumper. I take mine off road and didn’t want it hanging up on stuff. I will eventually have a high clearance bumper built which incorporates a hitch in some manner. As stated previously, the difference is in the fan. How big of a deal that is depends on how frequently and what weight you will tow. I rarely tow anything, so for me, it made more sense to omit the package.

 

[calicorks]

 

[WXman]

Heavy Duty Engine Cooling on the JT means you get a 850 watt engine fan instead of a 600 watt unit, and a 240 amp. alternator to power it. That's it.

 

[spazzyfry123]

I was about to add the higher output alternator to the conversation, but @WXman beat me to it.

You mentioned you also want the AUX package. I believe (in addition to the upgraded alternator) that that package comes with a secondary battery.

 

[brancky3]

Heavy Duty Engine Cooling on the JT means you get a 850 watt engine fan instead of a 600 watt unit, and a 240 amp. alternator to power it. That's it.

Well worth the ~$300 IMO

 

[smlobx]

I was about to add the higher output alternator to the conversation, but @WXman beat me to it.

You mentioned you also want the AUX package. I believe (in addition to the upgraded alternator) that that package comes with a secondary battery.

I may be wrong but all Gladiators get two batteries. The second battery powers the electronics when the ESS kicks in. I think that when you order the aux. switches you get a more powerful primary battery.

 

[PyrPatriot]

I may be wrong but all Gladiators get two batteries. The second battery powers the electronics when the ESS kicks in. I think that when you order the aux. switches you get a more powerful primary battery.

Owners manual says 2 batteries, not just "if equipped". That is VERY important when jumping/charging your battery from external sources and replacing the main battery.

 

[spazzyfry123]

I may be wrong but all Gladiators get two batteries. The second battery powers the electronics when the ESS kicks in. I think that when you order the aux. switches you get a more powerful primary battery.

Good info to know!

 

[macgyvr]

Finally buried in that 3rd video we get some good info. Thanks for finding and posting that @WXman

SO, given that it's a bigger fan, bigger alternator, and a hitch, it would be worth it to check the box when ordering. But if you find the right deal that doesn't have it, it's not necessarily a deal breaker...

I may tow a mildly built 5.9 ZJ with it from time to time and would be under the 7k tow rating.

I do like the idea of having a hitch that is higher than the stock hitch, due to that departure angle. He even wacked his hitch in that last video. I just was concerned about loosing towing performance w/o the trailer tow package.

mac 'decisions, decisions' gyvr

 

[macgyvr]

Well I decided the right deal didn't matter and I bought it on Black Friday...

Then my wife who can barely be pulled from her F150 wanted to drive it home...

mac 'so I let her' gyvr

 

[futzin']

Cool, congrats!

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