I've read a ton of forum threads about towing and threads about superchargers, but not many on towing with superchargers and little about towing in places like the Rockies. Mostly I've read they 'struggle' with just the NA 3.8 in hills and I can agree with struggling with hills here in Missouri, but I'm more interest in mountains.

I have an X with auto, just regeared with 4.88 (which have helped with normal driving), added a trans cooler and I'm still running the stock 32" tires.
The travel trailer dry weight is 2700ish with electronic brakes.

I'd like to hear from anyone NA or supercharged who have towed a trailer up mountain passes (especially with the RIPP kits), just from the support I've seen them give on the various forums. I think my regearing has put my RPM's in a better place for a centrifuge type blower. Side note, I've read of some folks with RIPP having issues at higher altitudes?

Also I'm interested in braking going down the mountain passes, I don't think I've read about that at all. If anyone has had issues with overheating brakes. I've seen a new 3 piston upgrade kit around, but I doubt that would help with overheating.

Thank you,

 

Given all the additions I have put onto my jeep, normal driving is like towing. I have added massive weight with armor bumpers and tires. The Ripp has a ton of power. Driving in the mountains is possible now. I dont tow with my rig so I cant help there. but I can say that they have worked many of the altitude bugs that were present before. I think combing the headers they are about to release and the SC you would be very happy crusing through the hills.
-Ram

 

Can't comment on the supercharger for towing....getting a Hemi to fix that but as far as braking goes...DONT DO IT!! I travel over the passes between Denver and Breckenridge fairly often and I use my GEARS ONLY to control my speed, braking on a long down hill is for emergency only.
I have Chaser trailer that I pull over the pass a lot. My 5.13 gears made a HUGE difference in being able to pull it up the mountain and if I need to I can tap the electronic brakes on the trailer on the way down but very rarely will I hit the jeep brakes. I have seen multiple Tractor trailers on fire on the side of these same mountains because of the brakes overheating.

 

Would you say the RIPP SC justifies it's cost as far as additional power gains. I rellize that it's not a Hemi, but it's also a third of the cost (give or take). Since my gear swap I run OD at ~2500 at 70MPH and over 3000 RPM with OD off at 60MPH. From what I've read the main power band begins at 2800+. I'm also waiting to see what they do with the headers. Long tubes are normally pretty good at creating more torque.

 

I'm guessing you have a manual? If not does your auto do ok with engine breaking?

 

Yeah, I have a 6 speed so I guess that is cheating....

 

It may not help you yet. But I had the same question. In the end I decided to regear the Jeep with 5:13's. Camping season is still a month or two away though so I can not let you know how much of an improvement it is until then.

Biggest reasons I decided to regear instead of SC is one of the posts from the Ripp Mods guys; he clearly said that the SC will not compensate for an improperly set up drivetrain. Meaning if it needs to be regeared, it needs it, SC or not.

Besides that after reading all of the SC threads there are mixed feelings on the value versus money spent. There are also several people who have sold them which I can not fathom if they easily produced the hp claimed, likely no hp until too high up the RPM to make a lot of difference. Almost every SC thread has more chatter from people without them than with them.

PM me if you want; the first mountian camping trailer pull is at the end of June.

 

Just got back from camping trip/Superlift ORV park in Hot Springs AR. Had to pull the trailer through the Ozark 'mountains' . Roughly 10 hours from our home in Mid-MO.

I maintained 60MPH (little of 3000RPM OD off) with no problems unless we hit a really steep hill. It pulled like a champ though and that was after doing some wheeling. Steep hills just drained it and it would have to down shift at about 45MPH into second and the real screaming starts .

Took the advice from above and used 2nd down hill (7% grade) stayed at roughly 45MPH and didn't have to get on the brakes. The key is to be in second at 45 at the top of the hill .

Wheeling I had power, that wasn't an issue. It was our first time at an ORV or taking the JK 'offroad'. Ground clearance is a different story (no lift and stock Goodyear tires), I could run on 3 (diamonds?) but had to be pulled out twice due to clearance. But it was a blast.

I spoke with a bunch of guys there, most of them said the same thing. The real issue with the 3.8 is fuel, or lack of it. Superchargers can only do so much with the small injectors and the way the computer in the JK is setup.

 

I just finished pulling my little utility trailer which is a converted s10 pickup box with a set of 37" tires in it only and it was the worst driving experience of my life.... through the mountains was horrible constant down shifting from 3rd to 2nd and very high rpms and poor gas milage.. I had stock rims with 32" wrangler st's on for the trip and I have 4:10 gears and the tow package. It was undesirable even when the trailer was empty I cannot imagine pulling anything close to the 2500-3500lb range it would be such a nucense. My trailer with the tires maybe weighs 1500lbs

I will never tow my trailer with my jk again I will only tow it with my 2000 cherokee with the I6 engine

 

Hansolos, i bought a s/c primarily for the added power when driving on long highway trips & have not been very happy with it. The mileage is not good, considerably less than stock (while just normal driving) & it still downshifts about the same at grades as before. After it downshifts & the motor revs up enough to make some boost than it does run better but in my opinion not $5000 better. Around town it is peppier so it depends on what you want out of it. I have 5.13s, auto & 35s. I wish i would have just installed a hemi as the mileage would be the same & it would run much better. Hope this helps