Tips for pulling a 5x8 U-haul trailer w/ a Mojave X

[fastfreddie]

I have a 25' Mojave X, V6, and am going to be pulling a 5x8 enclosed u-haul trailer. Cargo is not heavy, some bedding, patio furniture, odds and ends. I've read the owners manual portion for trailering and it doesn't really say much other than the usual tips that most people know. I've pulled trailers before in a Silverado V8 and a Colorado ZR2 V6. Anything I should know or tips you may have with the Gladiator?

Thanks in advance!

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[DylanM]

1) With previous trailer towing experience and some common sense, you should have no problems. The JT is perfectly capable of towing the trailer you mention.
2) Trailer surge brakes suck, but they're better than no trailer brakes... kinda.

 

[Cburd61]

No problems, other than if it’s a soft top. Most U-Haul dealers won’t rent to a “convertible”. They cite “safety reasons”.

 

[Freems]

Wind will not be your friend

 

[ChrisNLA]

The best tip I have has nothing to do with the Gladiator. The Gladiator is fine, needs no help with such a trailer.

The last UHaul trailer I had of that size though had a goofy ass square knob on the tongue to tighten the ball jaw down. Well, this one 'seemed' tight when turned down but wasn't, trailer bounced off on a bump around the corner from the UHaul place. To be fair, I should have did the pick up on the tongue and check test -lesson learned. My personal trailers when empty have too much tongue weight to check that way, even empty.

So now when I rent one of those trailer I bring a big set of slip joint pliers in case I get one with a tough knob so I can get a good grab on it and make sure its tight.

 

[fastfreddie]

The best tip I have has nothing to do with the Gladiator. The Gladiator is fine, needs no help with such a trailer.

The last UHaul trailer I had of that size though had a goofy ass square knob on the tongue to tighten the ball jaw down. Well, this one 'seemed' tight when turned down but wasn't, trailer bounced off on a bump around the corner from the UHaul place. To be fair, I should have did the pick up on the tongue and check test -lesson learned. My personal trailers when empty have too much tongue weight to check that way, even empty.

So now when I rent one of those trailer I bring a big set of slip joint pliers in case I get one with a tough knob so I can get a good grab on it and make sure its tight.

I appreciate the tip. I"ll definitely check that and also pack some pliers when I go pick it up.

 

[fastfreddie]

1) With previous trailer towing experience and some common sense, you should have no problems. The JT is perfectly capable of towing the trailer you mention.
2) Trailer surge brakes suck, but they're better than no trailer brakes... kinda.

Comforting to hear the JT will pull with no problem. I pulled a loaded motorcycle trailer with my ZR2 and was hoping for a similar experience. Agree with your #2 as well.

I see you're USAF Retired. Thank you for your service!

 

[Labswine]

You'll probably want to shift manually. Otherwise you'll be screaming along in 4th at 60 MPH and 4K RPMs.

Personal experience, I tow a 27', 5,100 lb (with all we want or need) travel trailer and shift manually. I drive at 65 MPH in 7th at around 2,100 RPMs. I have the Overland with the 3.73 gearing and you have the Mojave with the 4.1 gearing so your RPM ranges will be different than mine.

Your Mojave will probably not even realize that trailer's back there so...

 

[pcrawfordpt]

If you’ve pulled trailers before, it’s no different. I’ve pulled a 20 foot camper thousands of miles with my lifted JTR on 37’s. I often forget it’s even there. Just got back from our annual Moab trip a few days ago. Great to have a tow vehicle and a wheeler all in one.

 

[ChrisNLA]

You'll probably want to shift manually. Otherwise you'll be screaming along in 4th at 60 MPH and 4K RPMs.

Personal experience, I tow a 27', 5,100 lb (with all we want or need) travel trailer and shift manually. I drive at 65 MPH in 7th at around 2,100 RPMs. I have the Overland with the 3.73 gearing and you have the Mojave with the 4.1 gearing so your RPM ranges will be different than mine.

Your Mojave will probably not even realize that trailer's back there so...

Last 5x8 U-Haul I pulled I stayed in 6th-7th gear at 60-70 MPH. Truck did its own thing in auto.

Should be fine long as he isn't filling the trailer full of gold bars and concrete

Edit: The fenders say 55 MPH but the tires will hold up to 96 MPH no problem.

Not that I did that myself or anything...

 

[Stingray 5517]

If you’ve pulled trailers before, it’s no different. I’ve pulled a 20 foot camper thousands of miles with my lifted JTR on 37’s. I often forget it’s even there. Just got back from our annual Moab trip a few days ago. Great to have a tow vehicle and a wheeler all in one.

What a awesome set up can you give me the details on your suspension? We have similar taste in color and wheels. Leaving tomorrow morning to go to Panama City Beach bike week. 1st time towing for any distance. 2023 Diesel w 35's.

 

[fastfreddie]

Just to follow up for anyone that reads this down the road. I did my trailering last weekend and here are my thoughts and findings. The 5x8 trailer was not loaded with super heavy stuff. The truck had no trouble pulling it. Believe someone said I wouldn't even know it was back there and that was the case. My trip consisted of mostly interstate driving. I left the transmission in auto until I got up to speed on the interstate then I went to manual and shifted between 6 and 7th gear based on the hills. My trip was north Alabama to south Alabama. I stayed at 65 miles an hour and ended up getting 14mpg. I was pretty pleased with that, expected much less. Thanks again for the tips!

 

[WambliSka]

Don’t overthink it. I pulled that same u-haul trailer from NC to AZ during my last move totally full with all the stuff my mover refused to move (you can figure out what the contents were) with my old ‘22 Gladiator. The trailer was so full and heavy it was riding almost down to the stops on the suspension. I did this in July with temps up to over 100 all over the SW in n just 3 days. Zero issues with the truck or trailer during or after the trip and in some highways I was booking at over 70mph (I am a very experienced at towing trailers with boats and horses so is my wife). The Gladiator is a great truck for towing stuff.

 

[Stingray 5517]

What a awesome set up can you give me the details on your suspension? We have similar taste in color and wheels. Leaving tomorrow morning to go to Panama City Beach bike week. 1st time towing for any distance. 2023 Diesel w 35's.

Great trip to Thunder Beach 1st time towing with my 5 x 10 Big Tex trailer. 1115 mile trip total. No problems at all with the towing and the Harbor freight motorcycle wheel chock steady as a rock. Overall mileage average was 19.8. Back home safe and sunburned

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