07UnlimitedMD

Right now I'm stock engine and exhaust.
2.5" lift and 35" Kumho MTRs.

I need to improve my towing capabilities. What steps would you take to squeeze out alittle more towing strength out of this beast?

I'm going to get either 33" or 34" All Terrains...that is my first step.

What else would you recommend doing?

We have a pop up camper, weighs in at 2500 plus whatever we add to it. And it struggles on the mountains.

afish

What gears do you have? I would think going to a higher gear would make the best improvement plus u could keep the 35's

07UnlimitedMD

Whatever a stock Sahara comes with.

Croce

Superchip and possibly gears depending on what you have now (you probally have 3.21 or 3.73)
Im sure you know this but make sure ODs off when towing or climbing alot

Smitty12JKU

GEARS! With 35's AND towing 4.56, 4.88 or 5.13's. 2,500 lbs is well within the JKU abilities. Get some opinions but I personally would go 4.88 because I think 35's and 4.56 would be approximately the Rubicon ratio 4.88's would give a little more grunt. Very few bolt on additions will help with cruising/towing. Maybe a programmer but I have never used one. Bone stock motor when I swapped the gears on my TJU and it made a world of difference towing my 3,400 lb boat.

afish

Yea I agree 4.88 sound good as long as you don't have any plans of going to 37's or 40's there are some charts floating around if you do a search about gears ratios. I think the window sticker usually lists the gear ratio.

afish

Correct me if Im wrong but when they say 3500# they mean everything gear,passengers, and trailer so that adds up fast. However I agree the jk should be able to handle it without trouble if geared correctly

Croce

I think the combined weight including passengers, jeep and towing is 8127lbs, but i could be wrong about what GCWR really means

07UnlimitedMD

I just found out that i have 4.10 gears. I got my build sheet from Chrysler.

CerOf

Short of swapping a V8 or a super charger, gears are your only salvation.

If you tow enough to warrant it, go with 4.88 gears with 33" tires is my take. If you run a 34" tire I'd go wtih 5.13. (This is for an auto, not manual)


Otherwise, just remember you have a Jeep with a V6 with SIGNIFICANT drivetrain loss. Smile, put in some good tunes, and remember the fun is once you get there, not driving there.


Had same miserable experience when we went to Colorado this past summer. Pulled an 8x10 flat trailer with a Kawasaki Mule on it weighing around 3,00lbs. It is just slow going.