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Towing
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
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Originally Posted by Jeepinjim
(Post 4231151)
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
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There's more to towing than a hitch
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. |
Originally Posted by Desert Fox
(Post 4231180)
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.
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
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Originally Posted by Jeepinjim
(Post 4231294)
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
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. |
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