Those that tow heavier trailers.

[Jtaugner]

As the title states, looking at buying a travel trailer to tow with the Jeep. Dry weight is about 2900, I plan on removing a few things to get it a little lighter and things we don't need.

Those of you that tow on the heavier side, are there any upgrades you suggest? I've ordered the Redarc Brake Controller and have been toying with the idea of upgrading to Wilwood brakes in the front.

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[JPXR]

Redarc break controller is a must. Then get a weight distribution hitch setup. Someone on here suggest fastway e2 wdh which is what I have. Easy setup and really helps with rear end sag, adding weight back to the front, and sway. I feel my jeep drives better towing with this setup that without.

my setup is a ‘22 jlu 2.0T XR. 35’s and I pull a Viking 2108 popup weight about 2100.

Fastway e2 92-00-0450 2-Point Sway Control Hitch

 

[JPXR]

What trailer is it?

 

[OrneryBear]

As the title states, looking at buying a travel trailer to tow with the Jeep. Dry weight is about 2900, I plan on removing a few things to get it a little lighter and things we don't need.

Those of you that tow on the heavier side, are there any upgrades you suggest? I've ordered the Redarc Brake Controller and have been toying with the idea of upgrading to Wilwood brakes in the front.

we tow a 2800lb small jayco x17z with our 3.6l rubicon. brakes are plenty especially with the brake controller. you shouldn't need upgraded brakes. With the diesel you'll especially have a pretty easy time, I wouldn't worry about it. I would suggest a sway control hitch, we went with an andersen, but didn't get a chance to test it before I put the camper up for the winter.

 

[Jtaugner]

What trailer is it?

Encore ROG 16RB

we tow a 2800lb small jayco x17z with our 3.6l rubicon. brakes are plenty especially with the brake controller. you shouldn't need upgraded brakes. With the diesel you'll especially have a pretty easy time, I wouldn't worry about it. I would suggest a sway control hitch, we went with an andersen, but didn't get a chance to test it before I put the camper up for the winter.

The main reason I was thinking the brakes as I live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Smokey Mountains are a short trip for us. Most of our camping will be in the national forests littered around the area so a lot of mountain driving.

 

[Willys41]

I think you also need to look into upgrading the cooling system if you are going to be pulling heavy loads
The engineers struggled to keep the Gladiator running cool under heavy loads

https://jalopnik.com/the-engineering-behind-the-jeep-gladiators-tow-rating-1833657453

The thermostat opens at 190 degrees and is fully open about 212
The cooling fans comes on at 1/4 speed at 221 and will only go 75% speed at 231 degrees
There are 3 size radiator fan that have been used on the Wrangler and Gladiator
600watt small blades 850watt and 940watt large blades combined with the 240amp alternator and larger Z fuse
By installing the larger fans will help but it is to little to late
You may think that driving down the road you are getting sufficient air passing throw the radiator. BUT YOU ARE NOT
You are only getting air passing throw the radiator when the fan kicks on witch is to little to late
After many mods 37in. tires 4.88 gears 1200lb gear and mods I was seeing high coolant and oil temps
235 degrees on long hill climes with 80 degrees out side temps
After a long search I found Jon Schaefer at RpmExtreme
He programs a JEEP JL PWM FAN CONTROLLER MODULE
After I install the module same hill that I saw 235 degrees coolant temp. I now saw a top temp of 212

Here is how it works

Operation:

When the engine is running the PWM fan will run at a low Idle speed (15%).
When the module reads the engine temp it will command the fan to the desired %.

Fahrenheit

199 degrees = 30%

205 degrees = 50%

212 degrees = 75%

218+ degrees = 100%

Override inputs: These are optional inputs depending on if you ordered them.

These inputs will run the fan as long as the unit is powered up, the engine does not have to be running for these to work. You can use these in various ways.

Example:
When the ( VIOLET ) wire has 12 volts applied the fan will run at MAX speed.

info
Jon Schaefer RpmExtreme
205-631-8225 6774 Old Hwy 31N
Rpmextreme.com Gardendale, AL 35071

 

[CRZYCDN]

How does Redarc compare to the mopar break controller? As I just purchased 2024 JLURX and I wanted to upgrade from a bigger/External one like the Reese to the smaller one like Redarc.

 

[Adv_aw8s]

We tow a 2700lb trailer with our diesel lifted on 37's. I did regear to 4.56's and we live in Colorado. We have the redarc brake controller. The jeep tows it no problem and braking seems fine. We are getting 19-20mpg towing. I have yet to derate towing. Here are the tips I use and have yet to have a problem in 37k miles. When you stop if you have been working the jeep hard let it idle for several minutes before shutting it off to prevent heat soak. When towing big grades keep an eye on your oil temp. If it starts to climb slow down and let the jeep settle in at about 55mph. Mine seems to like that speed and rpm and let the jeep work. If you push the jeep like most diesel it will get hot! Most the time I set the cruise and not worry about it. But if it's hot, and a long steep grade, and high altitude I'd just pay extra attention. I'd say if you have any of those two parameters to keep an eye on it. I wouldn't change this thing for any other set up. It does it all for us.

 

[Willys41]

Rob
I think you may want to look into the RpmExtreme fan controller
I don't know if Jon makes one for the diesel put on my 3.6 I saw coolant and oil temps lowered by 25 to 30 degrees on long up hill pulls

http://www.rpmextreme.com/Product/311/Jeep-JL-PWM-FAN-CONTROLLER.aspx

 

[CRZYCDN]

How does Redarc compare to the mopar break controller? As I just purchased 2024 JLURX and I wanted to upgrade from a bigger/External one like the Reese to the smaller one like Redarc.

Just a bump on my question on the comparison on form, fit and functionality differences.

Thanks!
Matt

 

[RobAmy]

Just a bump on my question on the comparison on form, fit and functionality differences.

Thanks!
Matt

I installed the Mopar one myself and towed a trailer GVW 3500 lbs. The controller performed excellent. The fit and finish is really nice.

 

[Hercules]

We tow a 2700lb trailer with our diesel lifted on 37's. I did regear to 4.56's and we live in Colorado. We have the redarc brake controller. The jeep tows it no problem and braking seems fine. We are getting 19-20mpg towing. I have yet to derate towing. Here are the tips I use and have yet to have a problem in 37k miles. When you stop if you have been working the jeep hard let it idle for several minutes before shutting it off to prevent heat soak. When towing big grades keep an eye on your oil temp. If it starts to climb slow down and let the jeep settle in at about 55mph. Mine seems to like that speed and rpm and let the jeep work. If you push the jeep like most diesel it will get hot! Most the time I set the cruise and not worry about it. But if it's hot, and a long steep grade, and high altitude I'd just pay extra attention. I'd say if you have any of those two parameters to keep an eye on it. I wouldn't change this thing for any other set up. It does it all for us.

I dig your taste in Jeep and trailer. Here’s a pic of mine. It’s a diesel too. Although I’m on 35s, but debating the jump to 37s before Moab this summer. What did you consider “hot oil temp” you watched out for when you back off the speed?

 

[Adv_aw8s]

I dig your taste in Jeep and trailer. Here’s a pic of mine. It’s a diesel too. Although I’m on 35s, but debating the jump to 37s before Moab this summer. What did you consider “hot oil temp” you watched out for when you back off the speed?

Hell yeah your set up looks amazing! Yes, I mainly keep my oil temp gauge up and periodically take a peek at the coolant bar gauge. You'll see as the oil temp goes up the coolant temp will to obviously but it seems to lag behind the oil temp. I did regear to 4.56's. If you don't regear and probably don't really need to being in Florida but you may have to take it a little easier if you hit any big pulls coming west!

 

[catortega3881]

I tow a patriot campers x3 - about 2400 lbs dry and around 3300 when loaded with water, food, gear, bikes, packrafts, etc.

I have a Rubicon Diesel on 37s with mopar brake controller. Never had any issues and it tows great. A few days, I towed at grade in 102 degree weather for 3-4 hours and did not come close to any sort of overheating danger. I probably get around 18-20 mpg on average when towing

I also installed rear air bags inflated to 30 lbs in the Jeep to help with some slight sag, although it wasn’t absolutely necessary.

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