Sport with Max Tow & Mopar 2" Suspension Lift - Will Towing Performance Take A Big Hit?

[JRegister]

So my wife and I bought a Sport with Max Tow on Thursday (still super excited)...

We're looking at getting the Mopar 2" performance suspension lift, and running 35's... but I'm just concerned what kind of effect that will have on towing.

We plan on towing up to around 5,000 pounds.

For those of you with a similar setup have you seen a big drop in towing performance?

Does the back end squat really bad when towing? Did you do anything to compensate for the back end squat when towing?

Thank you in advance! I really appreciate the help!

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[Phljeeper]

Mine is a Rubicon but same gearing and tow capacity. The 35s did impact towing. I still successfully tow a 4,200lb travel trailer and towed it recently in the mountains of VA/WV without issue. It isn’t a racecar and struggles on hills much more than the Hemi Grand Cherokee I had before it but does tow and I am confident getting anywhere I need to. In all honesty it struggled up hills with the stock tires and no lift the same way. Just take it slow when needed and on flat or small inclines I still hold 65+ no problem on 35s towing my camper. As for the rear end, with stock springs I did add airbags and also use a weight distribution hitch and that helped a ton. These pics are with stock coils, no airbags, no lift and 35s. The one with the camper has a weight distribution hitch and the one with the Defender is just straight tow and hookup. I now have an EVO 2.5” lift and it’s taller and stiffer springs so that should help. If it makes you feel better, I am upgrading to 37s soon and will still successfully tow my camper.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

So my wife and I bought a Sport with Max Tow on Thursday (still super excited)...

We're looking at getting the Mopar 2" performance suspension lift, and running 35's... but I'm just concerned what kind of effect that will have on towing.

We plan on towing up to around 5,000 pounds.

For those of you with a similar setup have you seen a big drop in towing performance?

Does the back end squat really bad when towing? Did you do anything to compensate for the back end squat when towing?

Thank you in advance! I really appreciate the help!

If all you want is 35’s, and still retaining tow function, save that $2,000+ your fixing to spend on the dealer to install that 2” Mopar lift, and just get a nice Alloy USA 1.5” front leveling kit, and some bags for the rear to prevent it from squatting so bad when you’re hooked up. And leave the rear alone. These trucks will clear 35’s stock. The 1.5” leveling kit will bring the front end up so it doesn’t have such a heavy rake to it.

 

[JRegister]

@Phljeeper That's great feedback, I appreciate it! This is my first truck that's capable of towing, so maybe that's good since I have nothing to compare it too.

thanks again man!

 

[JRegister]

If all you want is 35’s, and still retaining tow function, save that $2,000+ your fixing to spend on the dealer to install that 2” Mopar lift, and just get a nice Alloy USA 1.5” front leveling kit, and some bags for the rear to prevent it from squatting so bad when you’re hooked up. And leave the rear alone. These trucks will clear 35’s stock. The 1.5” leveling kit will bring the front end up so it doesn’t have such a heavy rake to it.

Thanks for the feedback @Alabama Mud Machine . I'll have to look into the Alloy kit. Also...

You mentioned "some bags for the rear to prevent it from squatting." I have a lot to learn so not sure what "bags" are.

Could you share what that is, and maybe an example you might recommend?

Thank you!

 

[Incommando]

If all you want is 35’s, and still retaining tow function, save that $2,000+ your fixing to spend on the dealer to install that 2” Mopar lift, and just get a nice Alloy USA 1.5” front leveling kit, and some bags for the rear to prevent it from squatting so bad when you’re hooked up. And leave the rear alone. These trucks will clear 35’s stock. The 1.5” leveling kit will bring the front end up so it doesn’t have such a heavy rake to it.

You will notice that there are small “wings” or “air dams “ between the front bumper and the fender. Many people remove these or trim them so they just cover the back of the bumper to gain a touch extra tire clearance. Another popular option for the leveling kit is the Teraflex kit.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...k-height-level-or-no.27766/page-3#post-453364

 

[@californiajeeping]

This is no lift with 35s just removed the bumper wings. I also have max tow.

A spacer lift will not affect towing at all really. 35s will make it home anlower gear most of the time.

 

[TheNewWampsCat]

Mine is max tow with 315/70/17. I have yet to tow any weight with it, 18’ trailer and a riding lawnmower doesn’t count. I went with BDS leveling kit and like was mentioned the “air dam” things had to be trimmed. I have since changed the front bumper so they’re gone now! The 4:10 gears do just fine and I’m sure pulling 5K you’re fine! And the “bags” are air bags that fit inside the rear coils and are a nice assist for the suspension. Hope this helps!

 

[PyrPatriot]

I have been very interested in this subject as well

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/performance-cost-benefit-to-accessorizing.24139/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ze-gear-ratio-affect-on-payload-towing.24058/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-availability-now-a-max-payload-thread.23638/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/regearing-and-towing.24572/

 

[tampahoosier]

This is no lift with 35s just removed the bumper wings. I also have max tow.

A spacer lift will not affect towing at all really. 35s will make it home anlower gear most of the time.

So this is a Sport S with 35" tires and nothing else done to it (other than removing those pesky inserts between the fender and bumper)? What brand tire is that and are they 35s or something like 315/325s?

 

[tampahoosier]

[QUOTE="Phljeeper, post: 487018, member: 8678"}I now have an EVO 2.5” lift and it’s taller and stiffer springs so that should help. If it makes you feel better, I am upgrading to 37s soon and will still successfully tow my camper.

[/QUOTE]

Do you have any pics of the 2.5" lift and 35s? I'm interested in that route for myself.

 

[@californiajeeping]

So this is a Sport S with 35" tires and nothing else done to it (other than removing those pesky inserts between the fender and bumper)? What brand tire is that and are they 35s or something like 315/325s?

They are bfgoodrich ko2 in a 35x12.5r17 measure something like 34.65 on the jeep at 28psi.

 

[PyrPatriot]

Mine is a Rubicon but same gearing and tow capacity. The 35s did impact towing. I still successfully tow a 4,200lb travel trailer and towed it recently in the mountains of VA/WV without issue. It isn’t a racecar and struggles on hills much more than the Hemi Grand Cherokee I had before it but does tow and I am confident getting anywhere I need to. In all honesty it struggled up hills with the stock tires and no lift the same way. Just take it slow when needed and on flat or small inclines I still hold 65+ no problem on 35s towing my camper. As for the rear end, with stock springs I did add airbags and also use a weight distribution hitch and that helped a ton. These pics are with stock coils, no airbags, no lift and 35s. The one with the camper has a weight distribution hitch and the one with the Defender is just straight tow and hookup. I now have an EVO 2.5” lift and it’s taller and stiffer springs so that should help. If it makes you feel better, I am upgrading to 37s soon and will still successfully tow my camper.

Size/weight of trailer? Has your payload suffered at all given you said the Evo springs were stiffer

Edit: nvm. That is a Rubicon, oem springs for it are not as good as the Max Tow springs for payload.

 

[Phljeeper]

[QUOTE="Phljeeper, post: 487018, member: 8678"}I now have an EVO 2.5” lift and it’s taller and stiffer springs so that should help. If it makes you feel better, I am upgrading to 37s soon and will still successfully tow my camper.

Do you have any pics of the 2.5" lift and 35s? I'm interested in that route for myself.
[/QUOTE]
Not the best picture but here is one.

 

[tampahoosier]

Thanks! Is the front sitting higher than the rear, or is it just the way the picture was taken?

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