Towing Set Up Questions

[mrmo]

'22 Willys diesel, auto. I have 35's and Mopar 2" kit. Getting ready to install 4.10's which should return the rpm to the basic original ratio spread. Im looking at a E-Pro 15tb trailer for boondocking occasionally. Trailer is 2800 lbs dry, figure w water, propane, clothes and food, will be in the 3200 range. Im hoping w the gear bump, the GDE tune and the 8 speed i will be able to pull it without issue. Gonna make a run from Tn to Moab, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Albuquerque, then back home. Anyone have comments w opinions on how this combo will be. Do you think i need a weight distrib hitch for this small trailer, or is it overkill

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[Camaroboi13]

You’ll be able to pull it just fine without gears, tune, etc. The most important thing is to just distribute your weight correctly on the trailer and you won’t need anything else.

 

[Rusty PW]

The diesel won't know it's back there. A good pair of rear shocks to keep the bounce down, maybe a WDH will help with that. Others will chime in with their 2 cents.

 

[RudeJeepin]

3200 pounds behind the diesel with gears and tune will be no sweat. The 400 pound tongue weight would be my concern, depending on the rest of your payload distribution.
WDH really aren't that expensive in the long run.
I'd seriously consider sway control as well.

I pull a 7x12 enclosed trailer, probably weighs about 4k loaded for the dunes. My JTRD is stock, except steel front bumper with winch and 3/4" spacers in front springs. The weight is no issue, but I run a sway control bar and wouldn't go without it. It gets pretty windy around here. Plus all the semis on the HWYs we run around.
I've thought about a WDH, and if I end up adding a shower and water tanks to my trailer, I'll definitely get a WDH. Right now I squat about 1.5 inches, just right for me. Truck still has a slight rake, trailer sits level and no bucking going down the hwy.

Truck and trailer as level as can be and no bucking from bumps while traveling down the hwy is key.
Don't forget mirrors, at 7' wide I can't see around my trailer. Tow mirrors help, but I've been thinking about adding a rear view camera to the trailer for the next year.

 

[mrmo]

Thanks for all the good comments thus far. I have pulled many trailers w my other larger trucks, just not too sure w this Jeep small truck. I pulled a 8x12 closed with a Harley in it from Fla to Tn and the JT seemed to struggle slightly, had a hard time getting into 8th gear, and used a butt load if DEF during that 800 mile run. This larger sized camper going across country has me worried a little

 

[RudeJeepin]

Thanks for all the good comments thus far. I have pulled many trailers w my other larger trucks, just not too sure w this Jeep small truck. I pulled a 8x12 closed with a Harley in it from Fla to Tn and the JT seemed to struggle slightly, had a hard time getting into 8th gear, and used a butt load if DEF during that 800 mile run. This larger sized camper going across country has me worried a little

Think about the frontal area of that 8x12 vs the frontal area of the new trailer. Plus leading edge shape. Wind resistance is just as big apart of the towing equation as is weight.
Wind drag will increase with speed, weight doesn't. Weight matters mostly when starting, stopping, quick maneuvers, and hills. Trailer brakes and sway control will help with all that except on the uphills. But your gears and tune matched to the diesel will help there.

 

[Bear Hunter]

The one consideration (and it's an easy one to do) will help with tongue weight and lo

ad stability for every load is adding the air lift airbags to rear springs. I don't tow that much but I do haul some. These work great! Easily adjustable for whatever you are doing or when you are empty...

 

[Jersey]

Brake controller, weight distribution hitch and a sway controller.

 

[mrmo]

Yes, i have the brake controller, and the tow package. Need to get a light weight dist hitch set up and prob weld on tabs for a single sway control, dont think this light of a trailer would need two. I have been looking at the airbags, will the WD hitch not perform this function somewhat? But i do like the air bags, Bear Hunter can you send some details on what bags you used and whether you set them up individually or tied together, i appreciate it

 

[Bear Hunter]

I used the Air lift 1000. I set them up together. I just use a bike pump to inflate them when I need or want. I have had them for over a year and love them. I can keep the suspension feeling just right with a somewhat light load or when pulling a heavy trailer (uhaul loaded to 3200) without the wdh. If you don't need them then leave them at about 5 lbs and you wont notice a difference from factory suspension...

 

[MemphisMississipp]

'22 Willys diesel, auto. I have 35's and Mopar 2" kit. Getting ready to install 4.10's which should return the rpm to the basic original ratio spread. Im looking at a E-Pro 15tb trailer for boondocking occasionally. Trailer is 2800 lbs dry, figure w water, propane, clothes and food, will be in the 3200 range. Im hoping w the gear bump, the GDE tune and the 8 speed i will be able to pull it without issue. Gonna make a run from Tn to Moab, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Albuquerque, then back home. Anyone have comments w opinions on how this combo will be. Do you think i need a weight distrib hitch for this small trailer, or is it overkill

I too plan on trip to canyon , Yosemite, Yellowstone this early spring pulling a 3000 lb teardrop trailer behind my 2020 Max Tow. Live in Mississippi just below Memphis, how long you planning on being out? Have a safe trip.

 

[mrmo]

I too plan on trip to canyon , Yosemite, Yellowstone this early spring pulling a 3000 lb teardrop trailer behind my 2020 Max Tow. Live in Mississippi just below Memphis, how long you planning on being out? Have a safe trip.

Im heading out late May for two weeks. Folks on here from that area say roads may be closed until around that time. I may do a Yosemite or Tetons on the trip

 

[MemphisMississipp]

Thanks for all the good comments thus far. I have pulled many trailers w my other larger trucks, just not too sure w this Jeep small truck. I pulled a 8x12 closed with a Harley in it from Fla to Tn and the JT seemed to struggle slightly, had a hard time getting into 8th gear, and used a butt load if DEF during that 800 mile run. This larger sized camper going across country has me worried a little

Use your manual option on the automatic when pulling. I use mine to keep the rpm’s where I want them and keeps the trans from shifting back and forth between 7 & 8 gear. I love the manual option, pick your rpm spread sit back & enjoy the drive.

 

[Labswine]

Use your manual option on the automatic when pulling. I use mine to keep the rpm’s where I want them and keeps the trans from shifting back and forth between 7 & 8 gear. I love the manual option, pick your rpm spread sit back & enjoy the drive.

When towing mine, I never see 8th gear. The whole schmegeggie rolls along nicely on the interstate at 65 MPH in 7th at around 2,100 RPMs. I also shift manually for the same reasons. I feel in better control and the engine isn't screaming along at 4K RPMs nor is the transmission jumping around hunting for gears. I tow a 27', 5,100 lb (with all we want or need) travel trailer and my Overland handles it all very nicely and I get right around 13 MPG. A good WDH and braking system and all's well with the world. And, remember, screw what everyone else on the road wants to do, YOU drive YOUR OWN drive.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Need to get a light weight dist hitch set up and prob weld on tabs for a single sway control, dont think this light of a trailer would need two. I have been looking at the airbags, will the WD hitch not perform this function somewhat?

Unless the tongue is grossly over weight, the proper sized WDH should more than compensate and keep the rig level. And yes, one sway control bar should be plenty, that's all I run with my setup.

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