We bought a camper! (Towing question/help please!!!)

[GoBraves95]

Forgot. My side steps make up for it i bet

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[Labswine]

Just a thought. Does removing my freedom panels and having my sunrider installed increase payload? ??

Probably does as I think the SunRunner weighs around 10-15 lbs less than the Freedom panels ? ??

 

[GoBraves95]

It’s here! We had to stop for mirrors. I drove 20 minutes farther away from home because I was scared to merge ?

 

[Summitsearcher]

I tow a TT that probably runs about 4klbs loaded quite a bit with a non-tow package Gladiator. I also have another TT that weighs 7klbs and won't do that again. There are two groups of thought on this one.

One group gets stoked about how the Gladiator could actually perform the task and is super happy about it. I suggest a good weight distribution hitch with anti-sway, a brake controller is a must, and an adjustable height receiver hitch to get things dialed in. I use the Mopar brake controller (plug and play) with a Blue Ox hitch setup and never feel "unsafe". Overall, the Gladiator does the job.

The other group realizes that although the task can be accomplished and safely, it truly is an exercise in patience, lol. You will make it...eventually.

Buy snacks and a good audio book, relax, plan on the trip taking longer than you thought, ignore the other impatient drivers as you attempt to hold something close to the speed limit, manual shift the transmission to keep the rpm range happy, and maybe throw in a small gas can because it will swallow the fuel quicker than you expect. If you figure 8-10mpg, you should be safe.

Neat little camper. What is it? Like the rear entry like a cab over. Looks lifted too.

 

[Gladiator Brad 704]

Get a good weight distribution hitch with sway control. I use a Curt. A good trailer brake setup that works and mirror extensions. I tow a similar load with my 2020 Rubicon. I do have Max Tow.

 

[MrClortho]

Neat little camper. What is it? Like the rear entry like a cab over. Looks lifted too.

R-Pod RP-153

It is not lifted but does have the torsion axle. I added 235 mud tires to it a few weeks ago. They make a 3" lift for it that I might do at some point but did not want to unless it is really needed. It isn't an "off-road" trailer but is more robust than the average one of that size. It will handle dirt roads fine but in its current state, not the trails.

 

[Gladiator Brad 704]

Forest River Wolf pup toy hauler 22'. All stock. Even came with the 33" tires.

 

[Curt Oz]

I have a Sport S 3.6 automatic with the regular tow package and it's rated to tow 4,500 lbs.
Tongue weight 450lbs.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Forest River Wolf pup toy hauler 22'. All stock. Even came with the 33" tires.

Could you share the model number please?

 

[Gene26]

I have a rubicon with the 3.6. Tow a very similar weight trailer. I have a weight distribution hitch and mopar break controller. Tows fine on flat ground. hills were rough but I live at 5200ft above sea level. I recently upgraded to 5.13 gears helps a lot with hills. Slow and steady and you will be fine.

 

[danimal2000]

I think you'll be just fine. I have similar setup, 4200 dry. Got about 11mpg Chicago to Nashvile and back a couple weeks ago. Set the cruise on 65, usually got to 70 when passing slower semis, gladiator handled the whole trip very well.
Nice camper you got! I like that rear storage fold up bunk. Had a similar thing on the driver's side in our old camper, but it didn't open to the whole camper like that. Pretty slick. New one is very similar layout to yours, but a murphy bed in front and dinette is on a slide. The curved front is noticeably better from the wind resistance aspect. Our old camper was 1000lbs lighter but very upright in front. The 4200 might actually tow better with that more aerodynamic frontal area.
Happy camping, enjoy!

 

[Lunentucker]

As long as everyone's sharing their favorites

 

[Punkn Expo]

Also, mirrors, I bought the extension ones for the JK on Amazon then bought the adapters from a guy on here, Thorne Engineering (look up the thread in this forum), and they work awesome!!!

Good luck and enjoy

I agree with you on the JK Extension Mirror with those Thorne laser printed adapters - I use then on my 2018 JLU and they are awesome!

 

[Labswine]

I have a Sport S 3.6 automatic with the regular tow package and it's rated to tow 4,500 lbs.
Tongue weight 450lbs.

Your Sport S with the regular tow package and the Automatic is actually rated to tow 6,000 lbs. Tongue weight should be around 600 lbs...opinions on that will vary here.

My trailer has a stated tongue weight of 425 lbs. My WDH alone is around 45 lbs then toss in what ever I have in the front pass through (around 150 lbs) then, I'm looking at around a total of 620 lbs but, with the WDH doing it's job, I'm sure it's less than that.

When I hooked up my trailer (27', 5,100 lbs with all we want or need) I measured how far my rear dropped with the trailer alone and it was around 1 1/2". I then hooked up the WDH and remeasured and my rear drop was only 3/4".

 

[Gene26]

I think you'll be just fine. I have similar setup, 4200 dry. Got about 11mpg Chicago to Nashvile and back a couple weeks ago. Set the cruise on 65, usually got to 70 when passing slower semis, gladiator handled the whole trip very well.
Nice camper you got! I like that rear storage fold up bunk. Had a similar thing on the driver's side in our old camper, but it didn't open to the whole camper like that. Pretty slick. New one is very similar layout to yours, but a murphy bed in front and dinette is on a slide. The curved front is noticeably better from the wind resistance aspect. Our old camper was 1000lbs lighter but very upright in front. The 4200 might actually tow better with that more aerodynamic frontal area.
Happy camping, enjoy!

I have that same trailer! Just a a different color pattern.

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