2019 JL unlimited Towing a Camper question

[SecondTJ]

Here is my example of how off the factory specs can be.

My camper specs were listed at 4800 lbs dry with 580 lbs tongue weight...actual turned out to be

5200 lbs and 750 lbs...

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[Oldbear]

Keep in mind when the trailer does start swaying (and it will) don’t use the Jeep’s brakes, only the trailer brake to stop the sway. Also, don’t over tighten the WD bars, you want enough tongue weight for the trailer to tow properly. You can almost lift the rear wheels of the Jeep off the ground with the WD bars if you try. It’s ok to have some sag once the WD bars are set.

With your setup I would definitely stay at 55mph and keep lots of room between you and the next vehicle and try to anticipate the air coming off of big rigs as they pass you or vice versa.

Not to beat a dead horse but I’m surprised your dealer sold you the trailer knowing your tow vehicle or make you sign a waiver acknowledging the lack of tow capacity. I’m in the RV industry and the dealers I’ve worked with over the years wouldn’t let you hook up the rig on their lot but would deliver it to your house if you insisted on the purchase and sign a waiver.

I would also look at the You Tube towing videos for the Gladiator….towing a similar trailer the reviews were average at best for the towing experience.

Stay safe and happy camping.

Dealers frankly don’t care. Years ago we were at the Atlanta RV show and I saw a dealer pushing an elderly couple toward a huge fifth wheel. I’d just bought a new F350 dually with a tow rating of 14,500. This 5’er weighed 21,400 and I heard the salesman tell the folks that “any 3/4 or 1 ton pickup will pull it”. At that time NO one ton was rated above 15k...dealer wants to sell trailers, period.

 

[Yogi1956]

Dealers frankly don’t care. Years ago we were at the Atlanta RV show and I saw a dealer pushing an elderly couple toward a huge fifth wheel. I’d just bought a new F350 dually with a tow rating of 14,500. This 5’er weighed 21,400 and I heard the salesman tell the folks that “any 3/4 or 1 ton pickup will pull it”. At that time NO one ton was rated above 15k...dealer wants to sell trailers, period.

Guess I meant reputable dealers. We had to look up the tow rating of their vehicle, make sure it was there vehicle and if it didn’t meet the criteria the waiver and home delivery ensued.

Some dealers actually care if someone dies

 

[Goingforit]

So I got my Prodigy p3 break controller installed Tomorrow I'm installing the Airlift 1000s in the springs and compressor unit.
I have also bought a Mishamoto trans cooler the install looks fairly easy my question is how should I go about adding half a quart of transmission fluid for the new cooler? I'll post updated pictures tomorrow after and hopefully have the camper hooked up and test it out an see what I think I appreciate everyone's help

 

[Adventure.AS]

So I got my Prodigy p3 break controller installed Tomorrow I'm installing the Airlift 1000s in the springs and compressor unit.
I have also bought a Mishamoto trans cooler the install looks fairly easy my question is how should I go about adding half a quart of transmission fluid for the new cooler? I'll post updated pictures tomorrow after and hopefully have the camper hooked up and test it out an see what I think I appreciate everyone's help

Your Jeep already has a transmission cooler.

 

[Goingforit]

Your Jeep already has a transmission cooler.

Correct I bought an after market Mishimoto cooler that will keep it cooler under load than the stock one, but how should I go about adding half a quart to the transmission?

 

[JeepinPete]

Fill the cooler before installing the last hose.

 

[SecondTJ]

Your Jeep already has a transmission cooler.

^^ this. The stock transmission cooler is fine. The engine and brakes will be your weak point here.

I’d be focused on

1) bigger brakes
2) increasing the engine cooling with a bigger radiator
3) additional engine oil cooler

 

[Goingforit]

Air bags with compressor Installed took 5 hours but was fairly simple hardest part is mounting location your basically stuck with the frame luckily I got right the 1st time now tomorrow ill be setting up the WD Hitch an figuring out the p3 break controller.. I still need to install the aftermarket trans cooler.
So hopefully tomorrow I can show you all pictures of the camper hooked to the jeep and my opinion on how it handled again thanks for the help and feedback thus far

 

[Goingforit]

Mounted

 

[Goingforit]

Mounted

I added the Schrader valve just incase the compressor would go out I can manually fill

 

[Robbyreneeward]

I added the Schrader valve just incase the compressor would go out I can manually fill

How bad was install on air bags? I have a set coming as well. Going to make sure they are going to help the sag I have when towing camper with dogs in the back of the jeep before I purchase an on board compressor. Don’t want to spend $300 if I don’t have to. How is your setup coming? Any pics?

 

[Goingforit]

How bad was install on air bags? I have a set coming as well. Going to make sure they are going to help the sag I have when towing camper with dogs in the back of the jeep before I purchase an on board compressor. Don’t want to spend $300 if I don’t have to. How is your setup coming? Any pics?

It was super easy just jack up the rear of the jeep till the tires are about off the ground and the bags will slide in easily I would suggest connecting the air line to the bag 1st as it can be a pain to do once it's in the spring I would say u can have it installed in an hour tops its that easy especially if not putting on board compressor. But I will say the compressor is pretty freaking cool lol

 

[Goingforit]

So I just enjoyed a week at the lake and I must say she pulled very well the trans temp high was 217'F never once did I feel unsafe or did she sway at all plenty of stopping power also only downfall was some of the hills I encountered that caused me to bog down to 4th gear other than that I'm awaiting the next trip and I'm glad I wasn't scared off buying a travel trailer that was right at the weight rating any questions please don't hesitate to ask thanks

 

[MtCamper]

Glad it's working out for you. You did go about it the right way and the pics look as if you have set up your rig correctly. I think you will be disappointed if you head to any of the mountain states and I'm pretty sure the folks behind you will have their own opinions. I still think you have a mis-match between tow vehicle and camper, but as long as you are happy and feel safe, enjoy.

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