Lift + towing?

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:16 pm

I have been considering a lift but wanted to know if getting one will effect my ability to tow a small pop-up camper. I have not read anything about how a lift might change towing.

ltwgs · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:16 pm

Issue with the lift: you may want to consider a lower ball hitch to keep the camper or trailer level, depending on how it is made. It all depends on how much you lift the vehicle, and on the trailer design. Mine is only 2.5-3" higher, and I've been towing just fine with a variety of trailers.

Issue with the tires: if you include larger tires (say 245/75/16) with the same factory gears that accompany the V6, your "pull" isn't as strong. You'll first notice it in your slightly decreased acceleration ability. This is why several people with lift kits and 31" tires are looking for 4.10 gears for the front differential (currently a rare thing, even though they are readily available for the rear diff).

hankwood · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:30 pm

i lifted my pop up camper 8" just so it would sit level behind my lifted kj. since the amount of lift available for the kj's is not very much, you probably will not be able to tell a difference. it's the other mods that will affect it, like tire size and removing the rear sway bar.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:23 pm

2.5" Daystar lift with Ranchos and a 2k trailer. No problems and mine are actually level. Just get used to that overdrive button. I've had no issues. (my swaybars are still on)

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:29 pm

Does towing anyway factor into my decsion to get a spacer (Daystar) vs a suspension (Rusty's) kit?

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2006 10:08 pm

I wouldn't worry about it, I run a spacer lift and you generally just need a hitch bar with an inch or two more drop. Remember-you want the rear to squat a little so that weight is applied to the hitch. But not too much as it wont ride right. If you didn't need a drop hitch get a 2-3 inch drop hitch.

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:04 pm

I am running a 2.5" Rusty's suspension lift and have 245/75R16 BFG AT tires. I pull a rather large popup camper and a 20" pontoon boat. The KJ does quite well. It does struggle a bit with the pontoon boat, but that is over 4000lbs.

You will need to use the right hitch raise or lower to accompidate the camper and keep it level. You may need a sway control arm for the hitch. I needed one for my camper to keep it from swaying above 50 MPH.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2006 5:49 pm

Do you tow that pontoon on hills? I cant believe you can tow that thing with those big tires. How long is the beast?

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

I've towed a 2k pop-up all over the place without a problem. The lift actually made the trailer sit level with just the standard drop reciever. Also, towed a 3k u-haul accross the country without any problems

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:19 pm

I think my towing a car dolley with my buddy's 3/4 6.5 Tubrodiesel Suburban wins the heaviest load contest...That was 7k...

bighause · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:37 pm

I tow a 03 21' Super Air nautique (4000lbs) about every other week in the summer with my lift and tires with no problems at all. Unless you plan to tow for long distances in hilly areas you should be fine lifted. The lift actually helped me with the hitch height, it is perfectly level with the trailer now. I have plenty of power towing the boat but gas mileage is a whole other story.

huntin12ga · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:33 pm

I just towed a 14' enclosed trailer from IL to CO loaded down and I have a lift. It was interesting. The wind is what caused the most problem, OD was a thing of the past. It would hold OD without the wind. The "hills" in CO proved to be fun. I got what I expected though. We were able to keep it between 60-75mph most of the trip. Only got about 10mpg though.

I had originally bought a 2" larger drop hitch than I had before but the trailer was higher than the boat trailer I used to haul so I ended up using the original hitch size.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2006 11:11 pm

huntin12ga wrote:

I just towed a 14' enclosed trailer from IL to CO loaded down and I have a lift. It was interesting. The wind is what caused the most problem, OD was a thing of the past. It would hold OD without the wind. The "hills" in CO proved to be fun. I got what I expected though. We were able to keep it between 60-75mph most of the trip. Only got about 10mpg though.

I had originally bought a 2" larger drop hitch than I had before but the trailer was higher than the boat trailer I used to haul so I ended up using the original hitch size.

What tires do you have? How slow did it get on the hills?

huntin12ga · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 3:44 pm

I have the stock Goodyear SRA's. They are 235x70x16. I think it was the winds and the hills in combination that caused the slow down. At times we would have it almost to the floor in third year and be going about 55mph. I don't know how slow it would have been without the K&N, Flowmaster, synthetic oil, and of course the LOST sticker.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:28 pm

hmm, wonder why it didnt downshift into 2nd? I guess ill have to get me one of those stickers.

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Sat Jan 14, 2006 10:16 pm

My pontoon is 20' so when its trailered, its about 24'. It is a bit hard to accelerate, but just be careful when pulling out into traffic. With a real heavy load, it will be a tough, but the KJ can do it.

huntin12ga · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:57 pm

It would try to downshift but it took a fancy foot to keep it from taching out. If you put it into cruise it would downshift for no apparent reason sometimes pulling a load. It is kind of funny when it happens though.

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2006 10:35 pm

When towing, turn off the over drive. That will help out with the frequent down shifting.

huntin12ga · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:55 pm

Doesn't help when you are allready in 3rd and it wants to downshift to second at 60+mph. I wish I knew why it did it more with cruise control on as well.

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:54 pm

How heavy is the load that your pulling? What kind of terrain?

Lift + towing?

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