Sponsored

One-Time Long Trailer Haul

First Name
Dan
Joined
Jan 20, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
San Juan Capistrano, cA
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU Sahara
We're about to move from southern California to Washington state and we'd like to use our 2018 hardtop Sahara Unlimited to pull a small U-Haul cargo trailer. I'm trying to figure out if there's anything I need to do to make sure it's up to the task.

It has the 3.6L and the factory towing package, so I know that it can pull say a 5'x8' cargo trailer; also, we're not planning to load it heavily, we just need to bring some delicate / expensive stuff with us that we don't want to trust to the movers.

But since this is my wife's Jeep, I really, really want to make sure I don't do anything dumb that hurts the vehicle in the long term. I've read advice in various forums about sway bars, suspension airbags, or transmission coolers; however, those forum posts were all about regular towing use. Do I need to worry about any of that for a single, but quite long, highway drive?

TIA,
Dan
Sponsored

 

BWWJL

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2018
Threads
23
Messages
808
Reaction score
609
Location
Chicago Area
Vehicle(s)
18 JLU Sport S
Vehicle Showcase
1
We're about to move from southern California to Washington state and we'd like to use our 2018 hardtop Sahara Unlimited to pull a small U-Haul cargo trailer. I'm trying to figure out if there's anything I need to do to make sure it's up to the task.

It has the 3.6L and the factory towing package, so I know that it can pull say a 5'x8' cargo trailer; also, we're not planning to load it heavily, we just need to bring some delicate / expensive stuff with us that we don't want to trust to the movers.

But since this is my wife's Jeep, I really, really want to make sure I don't do anything dumb that hurts the vehicle in the long term. I've read advice in various forums about sway bars, suspension airbags, or transmission coolers; however, those forum posts were all about regular towing use. Do I need to worry about any of that for a single, but quite long, highway drive?

TIA,
Dan
How much weight will you be carrying? Uhaul 4x8 enclosed trailer is 850# empty.
 

BWWJL

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2018
Threads
23
Messages
808
Reaction score
609
Location
Chicago Area
Vehicle(s)
18 JLU Sport S
Vehicle Showcase
1

digitalbliss

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 26, 2017
Threads
21
Messages
2,084
Reaction score
1,933
Location
North Alabama
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR, 1979 CJ7
We're about to move from southern California to Washington state and we'd like to use our 2018 hardtop Sahara Unlimited to pull a small U-Haul cargo trailer. I'm trying to figure out if there's anything I need to do to make sure it's up to the task.

It has the 3.6L and the factory towing package, so I know that it can pull say a 5'x8' cargo trailer; also, we're not planning to load it heavily, we just need to bring some delicate / expensive stuff with us that we don't want to trust to the movers.

But since this is my wife's Jeep, I really, really want to make sure I don't do anything dumb that hurts the vehicle in the long term. I've read advice in various forums about sway bars, suspension airbags, or transmission coolers; however, those forum posts were all about regular towing use. Do I need to worry about any of that for a single, but quite long, highway drive?

TIA,
Dan
Based on what you wrote above, I dont see any issues what so ever.
 

CoolTech

Well-Known Member
Rock Sponsor (Level 1)
First Name
Kendall
Joined
Feb 5, 2018
Threads
8
Messages
337
Reaction score
526
Location
Santa Clarita, CA
Vehicle(s)
2018 Rubicon
Error on the side of loading more weight toward the front of the trailer. Ideally, around 10-12% of the overall weight should be on the ball. You can get into trouble (swaying) if you are too much under this figure. Take your time going up the Grapevine. Go at a speed where rpms are not more than 4000 - and just be patient. After the Grapevine, pretty much clear sailing and the Jeep should do fine.
 

Sponsored

OP
OP
First Name
Dan
Joined
Jan 20, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
San Juan Capistrano, cA
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU Sahara
Thanks all for the informative replies. I would be very surprised if the trailer's contents exceeded 300 pounds, so I'll take the advice to load heavier items towards the front, keep my eye on the RPMs, and trust the Jeep to do its job.
 

Gregj

Well-Known Member
First Name
Greg
Joined
Dec 15, 2018
Threads
19
Messages
2,280
Reaction score
5,093
Location
West Texas
Vehicle(s)
JLU Rubicon, JLU Sport, JTuRD
We used the JLUR to pull a 5x8 uhaul from West Texas to Denver for my son which includes Raton pass and Trinadad both over 7000 feet high with zero problems. Trailer was definitely loaded with more than 300#

HTH
Gregj
 

Rhinebeck01

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 9, 2018
Threads
155
Messages
11,872
Reaction score
17,112
Location
Multiple places..
Vehicle(s)
'18 JL Rubi, '22 Prevost M H3-45,'01 Harley FatBoy
@MarriedAnUnlimitedGirl

Load a trailer as in the pic below or expect problems, especially, on the interstates.
60-40 trailer.png
 

JoeBelt

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Threads
12
Messages
98
Reaction score
120
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
2018 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara
You’re fine don’t overthink it. I just pulled a 5X10 Uhaul from Texas to Florida with my recently departed 2017 JKU. It was loaded with furniture and tools. I didn’t even notice it behind me other than seeing 15 MPG.
Sponsored

 
 



Top