To all the jeepers out there, I have a 13 JKU sport with 41k. I am going to be towing a small 4x8 single axel cargo trailer approximately 3500 miles, do I need to have anything special done to my d44? I have 3:73 gears and an auto. Any information would be helpful! Thank you in advance

 

Not really. I would recommend having the fluid changed in front and rear. Not necessary but recommend it. Additionally make sure you have adequate brake power. Good luck with the haul

 

1. What is the loaded weight of the trailer? In CA, if it weighs more that 1,500 lbs, you must have trailer brakes. That also requires a brake controller in your JKU and a 7 pin connector.

2. Does your JKU have the HD tow package? That includes HD shocks, a 4 pin connector and a tranny cooler.

3. Jeep recommends that you change out the rear diff fluid and install Mopar synthetic gear & axle lubricant SAE 75W-140 if you have a D44 axle and intend to tow.

4. Read the towing section in the 2013 Owner's Manual, It's about 600 pages long. The towing section is about 10 pages long. If you are going to tow a trailer 3,500 miles, you really need to get smart before you leave. There's more to it that just hooking up the hitch.

 

all automatic jeeps since 2012 come standard with a trans cooler. I am not aware of an HD tow package that includes HD shocks. There is a Max tow package, which I have in my JKU. Same shocks as any other non-rubi JKU. I have successfully towed 5000 pounds with my 2012 JKU manual trans with 3.73 rear. Trailer brakes Are needed for a long tow with a heavy trailer. You should put synthetic gear oil as recommended. It is simple to do - takes less than 10 minutes.
I do not know what the law states, but my practical experience tells me that up to 2000 pounds you should be fine without trailer brakes. Above that, brakes are highly recommended. I just towed my landscape trailer from NJ to Virginia last week loaded with two full size motorcycles. Trailer has no brakes and I still feel 100% in control. Once I towed about 3000 pounds of stone a couple if miles without brakes. I could definitely feel the trailer pushing the jeep upon stopping.

 

I have the towing pkg on my JKU and the trailer might weigh 1000lbs loaded, I did read about having the rearend serviced. I am towing up to Anchorage, Alaska

 

For 1000 pounds, it should be a very easy tow. You may not even feel like you are towing anything. No trailer brakes needed. Should also be ok without changing differential fluid. However, changing the diff fluid is actually easier than changing the motor oil, so I would do it anyway, even if you weren't needing to tow. My JKU has 76,000 miles as I've changed my diff fluids 4 times already. It really is simple to do since they have drain plugs.
Make sure to load up the front end of the trailer with your weight. If you have too much weight behind the trailer axle, you can develop dangerous trailer away oscillations.