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JLU pulling a travel trailer? No problem!

Goheels050917

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We bought and pulled a new Forest River R-POD 179 this weekend. I wanted to share this for those on the fence about buying or towing anything with alot of weight with a JLU. A few notables here:

1. The Wrangler tow capacity with 3500lbs.

2. The R-Pod is 2600lbs (dry weight).

3. I have a class 3 Curt hitch. (You can use class 2 but your square receiver will only be about 1 1/4 compared to the 2 inch that the class 3 is, but I got a good deal on a price match for a class 3)

4. We installed a weight distribution hitch for 2 reasons.
A. The Jeep doesn't 'sag' or go into a "V" when hooking up the RV. It stays pretty much even with the trailer.
B. The trailer stays in ONE place directly behind the Jeep without going all over the road.

5. I installed the "autowbrake" (spelled just like if you want to Google it) its wireless and installed on the trailer and NOT inside you jeep cab. This thing is awesome! Took about 20 min to install and calibrate.

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I will admit, driving in the Smoky Mountains (there are some STEEP grades) I had my doubts for sure. The jeep never ever complained and the 8 speed auto trans was an absolute beast. It shifted when it was supposed to (no high revving for a long time) and the temperature stayed the same through out.

My gas mileage was about 20 MPG unhitched to 13.5 MPG hitched.

The jeep and its capabilities have totally won me over this weekend and for those wondering to get an RV, do it! (I was almost about to get a truck just for pulling because of the worries)



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Here you can see that the weight distro hitch keeping things even (and again, no swaying on the roads)

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Snayte

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Nice looking set up and great mileage. My 30' TT is far too heavy for the Jeep to pull so I am stuck with the RAM when we use it. I average about 9 MPG.
 
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Goheels050917

Goheels050917

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Nice looking set up and great mileage. My 30' TT is far too heavy for the Jeep to pull so I am stuck with the RAM when we use it. I average about 9 MPG.
Thanks man! This one is a tad over 20 feet.
 
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Goheels050917

Goheels050917

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Goheels050917

Goheels050917

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I will say with my lift kit, I couldn't tow this because jeep sits up way to high and severely "V" in the back since the trailer is kinda low. The hitch made a huge difference!
 

Snayte

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I will say with my lift kit, I couldn't tow this because jeep sits up way to high and severely "V" in the back since the trailer is kinda low. The hitch made a huge difference!
The Equalizer hitch is great, I have been using them for years. They make a pad for the L-brackets that I highly recommend. The metal will wear over time but that high density plastic protects the L-bracket and bars and makes for quieter turns. I bought mine like 9 years ago at that time they were about $20.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessorie...meYrqgXDPBTLOpcEoH0uxA0wqkBuQ14gaAgnuEALw_wcB

Actually cheaper
 
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Goheels050917

Goheels050917

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Haha I got em...I made sure of that!!
 

Fatman

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I have been back and forth on the whole camper towing issue for the past two weeks, even considered me pulling a camper with the truck and have the wife drive the jeep... That just doesnt make any sense.
I like the size of that Rpod, I had no idea they where so light, guess I'll be writing another check soon.
 

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8flat

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That is very cool, they are making campers so light now! Makes me want to go shopping for one.......
 
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Goheels050917

Goheels050917

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danotje

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I can sort of second this. We have an Rpod 182G, and I was able to tow it a short distance just fine without a WDH or brake controller using the factory tow package on our JLUR. I didnā€™t go far and wasnā€™t on any major roads, but Iā€™d be willing to give it a real go with the hitch and controller. For reference, we have a ā€˜15 GC with the 3.6 and 8sp AT that towed this trailer 3,600 miles with no issues. The tow rating for that Jeep is 6,200 lbs though. Mileage was similar to what the OP got.


89A2C7CB-4C97-4E9C-8814-F283ED946F30.jpeg
 
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D60

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"Steep grades" are far from the whole story.

Altitude is far, far more significant, at least w the 3.6. The turbo would obviously be much less affected - true of any forced induction.

Anyway have fun but think about where you'll be towing. In Colorado it's not uncommon to start at 6k and go over a couple passes 10 to 12k.

And yeah, please have a brake controller. Compression braking on the 3.6 and 8sp is not great, even unloaded. A WD hitch is a great idea!
 

Jondrew

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Not sure if I missed anyone pulling this trailer, but has anyone tried out or looked at the Flagstaff 21 FBRS? It really looks like a nice functional design. Seems perfect for pulling with a Jeep Wrangler except the empty weight is almost 4200 pounds. Hitch weight is 410. Iā€™ll bet if they made it without the slide out (which I would love) it would be right in the ballpark.

http://www.forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/flagstaff-micro-lite/21FBRS/894

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