Towing Report: CA to AZ, 37s, 4.88 gears, 4k trailer. 9.8MPG

[Bonanza]

The title gives most of it away. From Palm Springs to Scottsdale and back. Me, the wife, and my two small kids along with my Springfield trailer. My 2020 is regeared at 4.88, I have Baja Boss 37s, and a 3.5" lift. Airbags in the rear, with Vertex shocks all around. Weight distribution hitch. The trailer reads 3300 dry, but I suspect its at or above 4k with all of our stuff.

Overall-- no complaints. The MPG certainly isn't good, but the trans like to stay around 3k for most of the trip in varying gears. The Jeep didn't feel super weighted, but it certainly also didn't feel quick. I will say I didn't use my WDH when I was transporting the trailer a small distance, and there is a big difference there. I'm glad I have the better sway bar system. Pic for reference:

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[KWin]

if it makes you feel better my stock max tow and a similar trailer gets about 11-12mpg keeping it at 65 or less.
I've always wondered if someone with 37inch tires actually tows and im glad you shared your stats!

 

[Bonanza]

if it makes you feel better my stock max tow and a similar trailer gets about 11-12mpg keeping it at 65 or less.
I've always wondered if someone with 37inch tires actually tows and im glad you shared your stats!

I kept mine at 60-64 mpg. I got 10-11 for most of the trip, but the last incline from Blythe to the Coachella Valley sank me.

 

[KWin]

I kept mine at 60-64 mpg. I got 10-11 for most of the trip, but the last incline from Blythe to the Coachella Valley sank me.

the inclines are brutal, and then the downhills just wear on the breaks, I found the transmission really really wants to engine brake on the downhills if you leave it in auto

 

[Bonanza]

the inclines are brutal, and then the downhills just wear on the breaks, I found the transmission really really wants to engine brake on the downhills if you leave it in auto

On the freeway, there wasn't much "downhill" as much as just a "decline". The aero drag of the trailer was more than sufficient to keep me below speed. I'll say I'm really curious about driving a 1/2 ton with the same trailer just to see how it does.

 

[Coldtoes]

Overall-- no complaints. The MPG certainly isn't good, but the trans like to stay around 3k for most of the trip in varying gears. The Jeep didn't feel super weighted, but it certainly also didn't feel quick. I will say I didn't use my WDH when I was transporting the trailer a small distance, and there is a big difference there. I'm glad I have the better sway bar system. Pic for reference:

Pic of your truck? I've been considering this same lift and tire combo. What 'better sway bar system' are you referring to? Did you choose to do airbags after towing and seeing issues or preemptively?

 

[gouacats]

That's about what I get when we tow from AZ to San Diego with 4.10s and 33s. The trailer is probably a few hundred pounds lighter, but pretty similar overall. I haven't towed with it since I added 35s, so we'll see how that goes.

 

[Bonanza]

Pic of your truck? I've been considering this same lift and tire combo. What 'better sway bar system' are you referring to? Did you choose to do airbags after towing and seeing issues or preemptively?

Pic of your truck? I've been considering this same lift and tire combo. What 'better sway bar system' are you referring to? Did you choose to do airbags after towing and seeing issues or preemptively?

The sway bars I'm referring to is a weight distribution hitch. The hitch has two sway bars leading out from it, and I feel it helps tremendously. I choose airbags after towing. Below is the first day I had the trailer. Notice the squat in the back. The airbags leveled it out and were very easy to install. I also tow with my rear shocks set to maximum stiffness.

I also have adjusted the hitch to be lower, so the trailer doesn't tilt as far and there's more tongue weight on it.

 

[Coldtoes]

The sway bars I'm referring to is a weight distribution hitch. The hitch has two sway bars leading out from it, and I feel it helps tremendously. I choose airbags after towing. Below is the first day I had the trailer. Notice the squat in the back. The airbags leveled it out and were very easy to install. I also tow with my rear shocks set to maximum stiffness.

I also have adjusted the hitch to be lower, so the trailer doesn't tilt as far and there's more tongue weight on it.

Thanks for all the answers! Nice rig and setup.

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