So, what is everybody towing?

[suroot]

Did a run last weekend towing the Off Grid Trailer (OGT) around 9,000 feet near Rocky Mountain National Park. Still a bit of snow lingering as winter winds down—conditions were a mix of slush, ice crust, and surprise powder pockets.

Tried to hit a few trails, but 2+ feet of snow in the shaded areas had me rethinking those plans. Some spots were still fully socked in. Not worth risking getting the rig buried when the melt is this close.

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[Redfour5]

Just bought a new trailer, thank goodness I have Max Tow 5th Wheel edition with air bags.

Pin weight 2300, 12,000lbs loaded, average 13mpg at 75mph and I don't even know I'm towing anything.

Pants on fire...

 

[Redfour5]

Did a run last weekend towing the Off Grid Trailer (OGT) around 9,000 feet near Rocky Mountain National Park. Still a bit of snow lingering as winter winds down—conditions were a mix of slush, ice crust, and surprise powder pockets.

Tried to hit a few trails, but 2+ feet of snow in the shaded areas had me rethinking those plans. Some spots were still fully socked in. Not worth risking getting the rig buried when the melt is this close.

I live in MT cancelled a trip to W. Yellowstone because... " Still a bit of snow lingering as winter winds down..." You sir are a master of understatement...

 

[Redfour5]

Grand Design Transcend One 3600 lb UVW

2023 Mojave, stock except for bumper and winch

8 mpg average at 60 mph lol.

Just about perfect assuming the tow package "lite."

 

[Dickies Outdoor's]

Was a bad trip, fun but didnt tow for shit! Damn, lots of upgrades since these pictures

 

[RudeJeepin]

Was a bad trip, fun but didnt tow for shit! Damn, lots of upgrades since these pictures

I had a very similar trailer. I found that removing the tailgate ramp actually made a noticeable difference in fuel economy.
I'd take it off if just hauling motorcycles very far. At the time, i didn't have ramps big enough for our side by side so I'd leave it on for it.
My ramp was designed so you just let it down a touch then slid it to the side and off it came.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Was a bad trip, fun but didnt tow for shit! Damn, lots of upgrades since these pictures

Is that trailer really that heavy and hard to pull?
Mine gets over 13 with 5,000 pounds behind it and the car sitting on the trailer back there isn't exactly 0 drag - they didn't much care about aerodynamics back in the 70s and 80s.

I had a very similar trailer. I found that removing the tailgate ramp actually made a noticeable difference in fuel economy.
I'd take it off if just hauling motorcycles very far. At the time, i didn't have ramps big enough for our side by side so I'd leave it on for it.
My ramp was designed so you just let it down a touch then slid it to the side and off it came.

Must be because it stands up there so far back, where the air is once again past the disruption caused by the Jeep itself.

 

[Dickies Outdoor's]

Huge difference just between my manual trans and my wifes automatic JL

 

[Blackjeepjk]

Was a bad trip, fun but didnt tow for shit! Damn, lots of upgrades since these pictures

To OP. You may try a shorter trailer hitch. Looks like this one is extended. I have an extended that I used on jk to clear spare tire on my jt, and it definitely affected my pull

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Huge difference just between my manual trans and my wifes automatic JL

The manual has a much lower tow rating than the automatic (1500 to 2500 pounds difference depending on the level of the JT) - there's a huge part of it right there.
You are stuck with 2 fewer ratios to choose from with the manual and either do a lot of shifting, or end up driving with the engine out of it's best power areas.

 

[DanW]

The manual has a much lower tow rating than the automatic (1500 to 2500 pounds difference depending on the level of the JT) - there's a huge part of it right there.
You are stuck with 2 fewer ratios to choose from with the manual and either do a lot of shifting, or end up driving with the engine out of it's best power areas.

Actually, towing with my JL 6 speed is easy as pie. plenty of gear ratios. I get better mileage towing my 2500lb boat than the Gladiator. The auto is effortless, but the manual doesn´t present any challenges, either.

Of course, the tow rating on the auto is indeed superior. That is really the only reason I did not go with a manual on the Gladiator. But I do love the auto. It is nice to have both.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Actually, towing with my JL 6 speed is easy as pie. plenty of gear ratios. I get better mileage towing my 2500lb boat than the Gladiator. The auto is effortless, but the manual doesn´t present any challenges, either.

Of course, the tow rating on the auto is indeed superior. That is really the only reason I did not go with a manual on the Gladiator. But I do love the auto. It is nice to have both.

I'd guess that how well the manual works may be dependent on:
Load - I tow 5,000+ pounds
Terrain - Hills vs. flat vs. mountains (it's really hilly here until I get into IL)
Speed - I tend to tow at 65 - some tow faster, some slower

My ex and her husband drove up from FL - she grew up around Belmond, Goodell, where it was scraped flat to perfection by glaciers. But coming into Iowa from the south - driving - she commented on not realizing how hilly Iowa was.

I love a manual transmission (most of the time, really) but for towing, I had to take into account where, how much, and so on.

People need to weigh their real needs - like you have - balance their true needs with what they'd prefer otherwise.
The fact my wife's license is restricted to automatic because desk-sitters are clueless about things also makes a difference. Can she drive a stick? Hell yeah. Is it convenient - NOPE - she has to really lean over to reach the shifter and move it. Is it "legal" - no. If she were in an accident, well.......... (she drove my Comanche with 5 speed quite a bit but the shifter was easy to reach and easy to use)

 

[Stan H]

My big ol'butt !!!

 

[Darkamek]

Just purchased this thing. We picked it up in Oklahoma City and drove it to Branson with no issues. Will probably upgrade in two years.

 

[LOL WUT]

New toy for the whole family to enjoy. Jeep tows it quite well!

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