Towing Experiences?

[jschenck]

I'm gonna eventually be getting a camper and have an idea of what length I'd like. But, before I make any decisions I want to get some input from experienced towers that have used or are using the KJ's to tow. What length/weight campers have you guys towed with a KJ that didn't make the Libby drive like it was overwhelmed? I'm wanting input about everything from how hard the powertrain has to work for certain length/weight trailers, to how the suspension handles those length/weights, the brakes, everything. I don't want to get too much camper (or travel trailer as they call 'em) for the KJ, but I don't wanna give up too many amenities (for the lady's sake) when I could've had a little more and still been safe. I know what the tow ratings are for the KJ, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything in the real world, especially when it comes to hills/mountains and highways. Sure, the KJ can move 5,000 on flat ground, but what can it realistically and feasibly handle (equipped with a brake controller and a weight distribution setup) for highway driving, mountain driving, trips of 100 miles and more?

Thanks for your wisdom and info!

 

[LaneKJ]

This is off topic but I happened to realize, you're only and hour and a half northwest of me...

 

[jschenck]

This is off topic but I happened to realize, you're only and hour and a half northwest of me...

Haha! Yeah? What city you in, ATL? ATL surrounding?

 

[LaneKJ]

Haha! Yeah? What city you in, ATL? ATL surrounding?

I'm in Cartersville.

 

[LaneKJ]

my bad, thats Northeast....

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Much of the answers will depend on how your KJ is equipped. Do you have the factory tow package? If not, have you added additional cooling, aftermarket or factory 7-pin harness so you can add a brake controller?

Add some of these details and that will help others with camper experiences help you.

I tow a boat all summer & fall plus a utility trailer and the KJ is very capable when properly equipped. (I sound like a car company announcer...! :smokin: )

Bob

 

[jschenck]

Much of the answers will depend on how your KJ is equipped. Do you have the factory tow package? If not, have you added additional cooling, aftermarket or factory 7-pin harness so you can add a brake controller?

Add some of these details and that will help others with camper experiences help you.

I tow a boat all summer & fall plus a utility trailer and the KJ is very capable when properly equipped. (I sound like a car company announcer...! :smokin: )

Bob

My KJ is an 04 Limited with the 3.7L. I have added an aftermarket class 3 hitch and the factory 7-pin wiring harness. It doesn't have the "factory tow package" but it does have the ****** cooler. Just not the plastic shroud that (from my understanding) is the only real add on with the tow package. I'm running stock springs but am going to be adding air springs in the rear very soon. Hope that helps!

 

[sota]

I tow a 20' trailer with car on it to and from the track. 5300# on the hitch. electric over hydraulic brake controller (MaxBrake). and I'm a 6spd manual transmission. these little jeeps can tow quite a nice sum IF you don't drive like a tard while doing it. I had no problems with hill starts either. granted I wasn't trying to take off from a dead stop while in the Appalachians, but the few times I did wind up having to take off with my nose pointed skyward it wan't a big deal.

the trans cooler is a good step, but the "towing package" also included a mechanical fan and shroud to help keep the motor happy.

if you take your time and balance your load correctly you won't need helper springs or air bags in the rear... unless your springs are already pretty weak. at which point i'd say solve the actual problem

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Good advise here. I towed about 3500 pounds from FL to WI, no issues, and no sagging. However, I do have upgraded springs and shocks.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

My KJ is an 04 Limited with the 3.7L. I have added an aftermarket class 3 hitch and the factory 7-pin wiring harness. It doesn't have the "factory tow package" but it does have the ****** cooler. Just not the plastic shroud that (from my understanding) is the only real add on with the tow package. I'm running stock springs but am going to be adding air springs in the rear very soon. Hope that helps!

Good info. The 7-pin is great and will be needed to add brake control to the trailer. You'll still need to tie into the infamous "blue wire" under the dash near the wire loom next to the brake pedal. Read the How-To on trailer towing and adding the brake controller. ("When towing it's the slowing not the going...")

The enlarged shroud wraps around the mechanical fan, that - along with the electric fan - keeps the transmission cool. The external trans cooler is OK for some off-roading and mild towing but if you're going to be pulling a trailer in areas where your ****** is constantly shifting - or your speed isn't high enough to move a lot of air - a supplemental fan is a great investment. You can even find the tow package shrouds and fans on eBay for $100 to $125. Might save your ******...

Bob

 

[tjkj2002]

The 3.7 auto KJ with tow package(full tow package to include HD cooling) is rated for 5000lbs.The same 3.7 auto KJ without the complete tow package is only rated for 3500lbs.

The 3.7 manual trans no matter if you have HD cooling or not is only rated for 3500lbs due to the clutch.


Those are the legal tow rating for the 3.7 KJ.If you tow anything beyond be prepared for some jail time if cought.

 

[jschenck]

The 3.7 auto KJ with tow package(full tow package to include HD cooling) is rated for 5000lbs.The same 3.7 auto KJ without the complete tow package is only rated for 3500lbs.

The 3.7 manual trans no matter if you have HD cooling or not is only rated for 3500lbs due to the clutch.


Those are the legal tow rating for the 3.7 KJ.If you tow anything beyond be prepared for some jail time if cought.

No offense, but I doubt any local fuzz knows every vehicles tow limits. It'd have to be obviously over a vehicles limits to get attention from the 5-0.

 

[KJDevildog]

I towed about 5000lbs from Southern Oregon to Southern California, about 970 miles. Load consisted of a 2300lb car on a flatbed car hauling trailer. I have the 3.7 with tow package, and the KJ did very well. I did get quite a bit of sag in the rear, but my shocks and springs probably have over 100k on them. I got about 12-14MPG though, which hurt for that many miles.

 

[tjkj2002]

No offense, but I doubt any local fuzz knows every vehicles tow limits. It'd have to be obviously over a vehicles limits to get attention from the 5-0.

Most likely not but the insurance company does when you loose control and kill someone.

 

[jschenck]

Most likely not but the insurance company does when you loose control and kill someone.

I'm not disagreeing about safe towing at all, just making the observation that a local officer wouldn't know if I had a tow package or not if he was questioning the ability of my vehicle to handle a 2 ton load. I completely agree with you, that's why I'm asking questions about towing, cause I can't afford to screw up my vehicle and I definitely don't want to live with killing someone.

Although the KJ without the full tow package is rated for only 3500, it's still capable of handling more, correct? If the only difference is a fan and an enlarged shroud, then for short-distance trips there's no harm in towing close to 5 grand, right?

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

In my opinion adding additional pusher fans in front of the radiator will get close to the capabilities of the mechanical fan & shroud. From all my research the mech fan & shroud is the only difference between my KJ and one equipped with the factory tow package. I've equipped mine with the factory 7-pin harness, factory Class III hitch and upgraded suspension components (OME springs, etc.) so I'm right there with the factory package. If I towed anything approaching 5000lbs - or if it was a 20 or 22 foot camper trailer - I would add weight distributing equipment to balance the KJ front to rear and keep the front tires on the road.

My trailers don't require a brake controller.

Bob

 

[tjkj2002]

If you do plan on going over the correct tow limits you will need at least a AUX trans cooler.For the '02 KJ's it's very easy and cheap,'03+ with the 42RLE trans it's going to be pricey.

The KJ's with the 42RLE only has a stand alone trans cooler which really does not do a good job of controlling temp spikes,which will occur when towing and offroading.The '02 KJ's with the 45RFE have the trans cooler in the radiator which is what you want for the best control of temp spikes,then you cut the return line(after the in-radiator cooler) and splice in a AUX cooler.Just swap a radiator for a '02 KJ and mod the cooler lines to 1st run through the radiator then to the OEM stand alone cooler,then back to the trans.It's been done before and sure those who have done it can chime in on what is all needed as far as fittings for the trans cooler lines.

 

[Sioux_KJ]

i've towed a 22' fiberglass boat around quite a bit in the summer time and didn't have a problem getting it into the water or out of it. trailered straight and true. just make sure the overdrive is off until you get to cruising speed and give yourself plenty of extra braking room and distance.