Talk me off the ledge…

[Jefe1018]

Who tows at or anywhere near 80 mph, regardless of the tow vehicle? That is just nuts. There's a reason many highways out west post "55 mph for all vehicles when towing." It takes one waggle and it's all over at 80 mph.

I only know of California that imposes the 55 limit… hell the speed limit just a few miles into Utah is 80.

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[TheSolarWizard]

2021 JTRD, 31,000 trouble free miles

2 inch Mopar lift
37’s
Stubby bumper and 12k winch
Misc lighting, air compressor, etc
Motobilt hood vents

Love the JT for everything it is and everything it isn’t. However, I’d be lying if I wasn’t disappointed yesterday.

The situation: father in law needed help, just bought a 16x6 utility/UTV/ATV trailer but his truck is out commission.

Location Logandale, NV, roughly 120 miles round trip.

Weather: 99-105

Trailer is maybe 1,200lbs at most.

Speed limits here are 75, people cruise at 80-85. With a load, I wouldn’t expect to do anything near that. However, with an empty trailer I was still seeing oil temps in the 255-265 range all the way home at 60-65mph I saw my water temps rise to 250.

This was an empty trailer, I dream of a travel trailer one day. Not sure it is feasible in my parts with the JTRD.

I know bullet proof diesel makes a radiator and there are other solutions. But I’m curious if I’m wanting to tow a trailer across the country at near the speed limit or at least a safe speed with traffic, maybe JT just isn’t the right platform and a full size pick up would be.

Interest rates and vehicle prices are outrageous right now, the JT’s trade in is somewhat diminished. Help me make it make sense… I want to keep it!

I do tow an open bow boat and a pontoon, but don’t have the same issue because it’s mostly city driving and back roads to the lake are 50-55mph speed limits. In the winter I’ve take my boat as far as Texas, but 1/3 of the year here is unbearable.

You need a stage 1 tune and 4.56 gears
Also you are overdue for a coolant swap if you haven’t done so already. That also makes a difference

 

[PuddleJumper]

The trans was staying in 6th gear throughout, I’d say probably close to 3k RPM. I would put into manual mode up grades as it would hunt for gears and not be happy with any… this is something it does with my boats too.

Again, I love everything this little truck is and everything it isn’t. I don’t mind slowing down up hills in a midsize truck with a trailer. I just don’t like the feeling of imminent deration for trying to not be a hazard on the road.

At this point, regearing is cheaper than a new truck for sure. As is the aux oil cooler, just not 100% sure if after dropping $3,000 the problem will be gone, or just moderately addressed. A 2024 grill has to help as well, maybe not by much, but any is some.

I tow in 6th and 5th with a 5500lb travel trailer on my gasser Mojave, with no issues. You have a truck with double the torque, and the only outlier is your tires are way bigger than stock.

 

[BlackRuby23]

i only tow that fast when i am delivering a load to your moms house

Still in high school, huh?

 

[Jefe1018]

You need a stage 1 tune and 4.56 gears

I wish those 4.30’s came to be!

 

[Jefe1018]

I'd cost out how much some cooling upgrades would run you vs buying a new tow vehicle. Then figure out how much you like the Gladiator and how often you will really be towing in those conditions.

For some people, it's worth it to upgrade the JT because they like the size, the solid axles, and the overall look of the truck. For others, it's just a vehicle and if it doesn't do the job, they buy one that does. No one can answer that question but you.

If I run into cooling problems, I plan to upgrade my JTRD because I like it so much and I really don't want a full size truck.

I think a regear, aux cooler and a 2024 grill would be a good start. I love this truck too much to sell.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

I wish those 4.30’s came to be!

bout 90 rpm difference between the two.
if you wanna tow get the 4.56s I spent a TON of time trying out different diesel setups before setting out on the path im on right now.
4.56 is the perfect gear for towing on 37 or 38s and if you decide you are not gonna tow at some point but want 40s, it will still work great.

a stage 1 tune with a second ecu will make an enormous difference as well and is reversible in 10 minutes if you want for “various reasons”

 

[Jefe1018]

bout 90 rpm difference between the two.
if you wanna tow get the 4.56s I spent a TON of time trying out different diesel setups before setting out on the path im on right now.
4.56 is the perfect gear for towing on 37 or 38s and if you decide you are not gonna tow at some point but want 40s, it will still work great.

a stage 1 tune with a second ecu will make an enormous difference as well and is reversible in 10 minutes if you want for “various reasons”

You’re talking stage 1 from which vendor?

I’m assuming a good regear would be about $2,000?

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I wish those 4.30’s came to be!

Nitro makes a 4.30 gear set for the D44 Advantek axles.

https://nitro-gear.com/nitro-gear-a...for-jeep-gladiator-wrangler-jl-2018-2021.html

 

[TheSolarWizard]

You’re talking stage 1 from which vendor?

I’m assuming a good regear would be about $2,000?

That’s probably a good number to budget for.

EOC is the only vendor to use.

 

[Rusty PW]

Nitro makes a 4.30 gear set for the D44 Advantek axles.

https://nitro-gear.com/nitro-gear-a...for-jeep-gladiator-wrangler-jl-2018-2021.html

There was something about them in another thread. They're listed, but can't order them.

 

[BearFootSam]

You could sell the JTD but from what I'm reading, overheating issues are widespread across the light duty truck market. I've seen the F-150, Silverado, Toyotas with transmission overheating issues. Now that is with a bit more weight but still safely under max towing for each.

Other than a gas JT, I'd drop your speeds and look at gears. A gear set is probably your cheapest most effective solution.

 

[Koolcarguy]

2021 JTRD, 31,000 trouble free miles

2 inch Mopar lift
37’s
Stubby bumper and 12k winch
Misc lighting, air compressor, etc
Motobilt hood vents

Love the JT for everything it is and everything it isn’t. However, I’d be lying if I wasn’t disappointed yesterday.

The situation: father in law needed help, just bought a 16x6 utility/UTV/ATV trailer but his truck is out commission.

Location Logandale, NV, roughly 120 miles round trip.

Weather: 99-105

Trailer is maybe 1,200lbs at most.

Speed limits here are 75, people cruise at 80-85. With a load, I wouldn’t expect to do anything near that. However, with an empty trailer I was still seeing oil temps in the 255-265 range all the way home at 60-65mph I saw my water temps rise to 250.

This was an empty trailer, I dream of a travel trailer one day. Not sure it is feasible in my parts with the JTRD.

I know bullet proof diesel makes a radiator and there are other solutions. But I’m curious if I’m wanting to tow a trailer across the country at near the speed limit or at least a safe speed with traffic, maybe JT just isn’t the right platform and a full size pick up would be.

Interest rates and vehicle prices are outrageous right now, the JT’s trade in is somewhat diminished. Help me make it make sense… I want to keep it!

I do tow an open bow boat and a pontoon, but don’t have the same issue because it’s mostly city driving and back roads to the lake are 50-55mph speed limits. In the winter I’ve take my boat as far as Texas, but 1/3 of the year here is unbearable.

So we have 4 diesel and absolutely love them 3 Jt's and 1 Jlu we have had temps raise here and there keep the Jeep out of overdrive rpms down helps a ton my son is running 40's with a 4.63 gear and pulls a 5200 travel trailer the gears helped a lot but he has a lead foot....he put in a cold air intake and did a radiator upgrade and has very little issue now when you lug this diesel it tends to heat up they are awesome motors probaly never buy another new Jeep since you can no longer get the diesel I own 7 Jeeps but the rest don't see much road time after having the diesel. Stick with the diesel is my vote

 

[Felinus Maximus]

I cut and pasted this comment from my response to the post yesterday by the 1945gpw fellow about how well his JTRD towed:
"If you lift a mid-sized JT 3-5", then add 150+ lbs. of 35-37" tire/ custom wheel unsprung weight, and a 200 lb. bumper/winch, please don't be shocked if it doesn't like to tow. That is for the HD chat group." This platform just isn't designed for both. A stock max tow JTSD tows like a mid-size truck up to about 6500#.

Having personally owned and put several hundred thousand miles on all three sizes of diesel trucks (my current JTOD, current '02 Excursion 7.3, and previous 1500, 2500, and 3500 from Ram and GMC) over the past 35 years, this issue always comes down to a compromise. A '15 2500 GMC Duramax was the closest thing to a perfect truck I ever found, and the only one I seriously regret not keeping. It returned a consistent 20mpg unloaded with a Diablosport programmer, towed a 10K boat with ease, and a comfortable ride. I love the 28-30 mpg unloaded with the stock JTOD, and look forward to putting a GDE tune in it, it tows a 5500# loaded cargo trailer here in FL with no issues, and I find it fun to drive with the top back.

Anyone who tows over 60-65mph has probably never had a blowout on a trailer and is a danger to everyone else on the road, period. Those guys in the semi-trucks have a bunch of extra wheels and tires under the trailer for a reason.

 

[Pilsner]

Who tows at or anywhere near 80 mph, regardless of the tow vehicle? That is just nuts. There's a reason many highways out west post "55 mph for all vehicles when towing." It takes one waggle and it's all over at 80 mph.

I don't like exceeding 65 and I won't exceed 70. I have have thrown tread on trailers twice and had wheel bearings go out twice over the years.

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