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Anyone towing with their Diesel?

Dasher320

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Well my Jeep did great on the east coast coming over the Smokies, but over the Rockies it is getting hot. I was watching transmission temp and not seeing any issues. The coolant temp was the problem. The engine could have easily pulled my trailer over the passes at 65 mph, but the coolant temp would start creeping up. I backed off when it hit 237 degrees. After that I turned off the AC and kept the rpm's in the 2000-2500 range and let the Jeep pick the speed. For the steepest parts I was doing 35 mph and coolant temp was fine. Most of the passes I could do between 40-50 mph without getting hot. I'm disappointed that the Jeep could do 65 mph no problem if the coolant system could handle it.
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Plongson

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The analog gauge is no indication of engine temp, it's no better than an idiot light. Ya gott'a watch the digital gauge (and I'm somewhat skeptical about that one...). Once the digital hits mid 230Ā°f's the analog needle takes off like a rocket.

Bottom line, our diesel versions when pulling a heavy trailer have a heating problem...and FCA and the mothership really turned their back on the issue, for whatever reason.

One thing that would help is if there was more air flow through the radiator and engine compartment. This can be achieved if the frigg'n fan would switch to HIGH when the temps creep up.

Tazer JL has the ability to run the fan on HIGH but only when stopped and in PARK. I've contacted TAZER about the issue and it fell on deaf ears.

I think if all JLD owners with a TAZER JL started a letter writing campaign to add this feature we just might get FAN HIGH IN DRIVE added as a feature. You'd thank yourself next time your diesel starts to overheat...
 
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Capricorn

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They could have increased the airflow for 3.0L Wrangler like it was done for the Gladiator.
 

JLDIESEL

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I wonā€™t tow with mine... these things run hot and I hate that.
 

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DaltonGang

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Do the Trucks, with the 3.0L Diesels in them overheat, or show high temps on the Coolant and Oil Gauges?? Can a lower thermostat be ordered, like most diesel trucks??
I do know the EPA likes the higher temps, because it burns more fuel off. But, I also know my 2006 Dodge 2500 Cummins, likes the temp around 190-195.
Remember, heat is your enemy, in a diesel.
 

rickinAZ

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Just curious: how many of you with overheating issues have winches and bull bars? Could partially blocked air flow to the radiator be a contributing factor?
 

Plongson

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Mine is entirely stock...100% and it loves to get hot pulling a grade with a trailer. Not too bad going solo, but pull a load, watch it close.

I really think if we could get Tazer to add fan control while pulling it may help.
 

DaltonGang

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Are there different thermostats??
 

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I know it sounds intuitive, but in summer, running A/C actually keeps the coolant temp lower. I guess A/C triggers the fans.
 

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Z06

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I have a 2021 JL Sport Unlimited 3.0 with Rubicon takeoffs (285/70x17 KO2s. Towed a 2200 lb trailer from Mesa AZ to Great Falls MT (1300 miles) last week. Ran 65-70 mph most of the way averaging 16 mpg and the engine temp never rose above 205. Mostly just below 200. Spent a lot of time just above 2000 rpm, not in high gear. Pretty pleased with the torque. I had the ability to accelerate on any hill and there were some long ones at least 7% grade.
 

00 Trans Ram

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Throwing my $0.02 in here.

Brand new 2020 JLUD with tow package, less than 600 miles. Towed a 22' Coach tri-toon (pontoon) boat 80 miles, at 60-70mph, and launched it. Boat is 3080lbs, and trailer is 1000lbs.

Monitored oil, coolant, and trans temps the whole way. Only ran around 10*F above normal. Temps were just past the halfway mark in the digital display, so I think ~175*F trans and ~220*F oil (don't remember coolant temp).

Never had a problem. Unlike my normal tow vehicle (1984 Chevy C20), you DEFINITELY know the trailer is there. But, it didn't have a problem accelerating or tracking straight.
 

UrbanCowboyAZ

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I have a 2021 JL Sport Unlimited 3.0 with Rubicon takeoffs (285/70x17 KO2s. Towed a 2200 lb trailer from Mesa AZ to Great Falls MT (1300 miles) last week. Ran 65-70 mph most of the way averaging 16 mpg and the engine temp never rose above 205. Mostly just below 200. Spent a lot of time just above 2000 rpm, not in high gear. Pretty pleased with the torque. I had the ability to accelerate on any hill and there were some long ones at least 7% grade.
How is that drive? I live in Scottsdale and have been taking a hard look at moving to or trying to split time in Whitefish/Kalispell.

To keep it on topic, Iā€™ve had temp issues in summer on the big, steady grade on 17 just south of Mundā€™s Park. You had no issues there towing a trailer? What was the temperature? When I had angry gauges, it was probably 85 degrees and I was trying to maintain 78ish.
 

Z06

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How is that drive? I live in Scottsdale and have been taking a hard look at moving to or trying to split time in Whitefish/Kalispell.

To keep it on topic, Iā€™ve had temp issues in summer on the big, steady grade on 17 just south of Mundā€™s Park. You had no issues there towing a trailer? What was the temperature? When I had angry gauges, it was probably 85 degrees and I was trying to maintain 78ish.
I just did the drive a couple weeks ago so air temperatures were in the 40s most of the trip. Maybe 60 degrees heading out of Mesa. I drove 220 to 17 to 89 to 20 in Utah then 15 on up to MT. 1245 miles. I like this route much better than via Vegas. More scenic very light traffic. But I did run through some snow on the road from Flagstaff to Cameron. Saw three or more vehicles off the road. I just plugged along 55-60 mph and never felt a slip. Been through Kalispell area many times.
 

troubledog

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Iā€™ve got an 800 mile drive tomorrow pulling a small camp trailer on my JLRUD. All freeway driving. I imagine it will be fine but weā€™ll see. Probably the biggest effect will be on gas mileage. The vehicle is 100% stock.
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