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My Observations on Towing
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=57253		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  2mopar_diesels [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 6:01 pm ]
Post subject:  My Observations on Towing
Took a fairly decent trip of 600mi.+ round trip with the CRD towing my 2005 LJ Rubicon. And here's my opinion and evaluation:

The trailer/Jeep combo weight was slightly over our max towing at 5500#. Even without trailer brakes, and high crosswinds, the weight wasn't a problem. Only exception was with the short wheelbase of the Liberty, makes for some weird steering if you move the wheel a little too quick at highway speeds. You get just a bit of the "tail wagging dog" syndrome.

The CRD pulls like a champ, and would have no problems or issues pulling this thing cross country. My one caveat (and it's a big one) is with the transmission. It did act up a bit getting some shudder while locked up, but usually only when the rpm's were under 2000rpm. Even then, if i didn't try to accelerate too hard, or simply dropped into a lower gear.......it was fine. Which leads me to my biggest issue. Why can't the tranny hold 4th gear????????? It would be the perfect towing gear, keeping the engine rpm's in the preferred powerband of 2300-2500rpm, but seems utterly useless seeing how it only get used for such a narrow speed/rpm. For instance, at highway speed. 3rd gear locked up at 60mph is still running 2700rpm and 70mph is 3100. 5th is still too low even at 70mph running at 2100. So, towing in 5th you have to increase speed to get the rpms up, or drop the speed back to 60-65 and tow in 3rd gear like i did to keep the transmission from always downshifting on the slightest uphill/load.


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Author:  bebey [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 7:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My Observations on Towing
That is quite awesome, and I enjoy hearing feedback of this type. I think if I was going to tow that much weight and that close (or slightly over) rated capacity, that I would consider a load balancing hitch, and 'definitely' trailer brakes.

As for the transmission, I don't have it done yet, but based on what I've read here, I believe a newer model torque converter and a GDE transmission tune (and maybe a full torque eco-tune on the ECU if you want more power) would resolve your transmission issues.

Good luck!
Author:  CATCRD [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 8:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My Observations on Towing
Unfortunately there's no way to lock out 5th gear with this tranny and software. I agree it's really annoying. GDE could write you a TCM program that shifts into 5th at 70mph or something, but then you would be stuck with it towing or not. Maybe get a spare TCM with a "towing program" in it. :lol:
Author:  LibertyCRD [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My Observations on Towing
Did you actually weigh the trailer with the LJ loaded? Because I pull 4x4s on a trailer similar to that, and the trailer I use weighs 2,200 lbs. alone. Add a 4,000lb.+ vehicle and you're easily into the 6,500lb. range. Last time I did this I also had the cargo area of the Jeep itself loaded. So I was lugging around 7,000 lbs. total weight around. Mine will hold 5th gear at 65 MPH on the interstate like this...even on a slight hill! It's a thing of beauty.

I notice you also have a VERY heavy wheel/tire combo...which makes it even more awesome. I think the GDE transmission tune could possibly be the cure for the horrible shifting pattern and Chrysler's pathetic use of gear ratios.
Author:  2mopar_diesels [ Wed Dec 01, 2010 9:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My Observations on Towing
LibertyCRD wrote:
Did you actually weigh the trailer with the LJ loaded? Because I pull 4x4s on a trailer similar to that, and the trailer I use weighs 2,200 lbs. alone. Add a 4,000lb.+ vehicle and you're easily into the 6,500lb. range. Last time I did this I also had the cargo area of the Jeep itself loaded. So I was lugging around 7,000 lbs. total weight around. Mine will hold 5th gear at 65 MPH on the interstate like this...even on a slight hill! It's a thing of beauty.

I notice you also have a VERY heavy wheel/tire combo...which makes it even more awesome. I think the GDE transmission tune could possibly be the cure for the horrible shifting pattern and Chrysler's pathetic use of gear ratios.


Not really, just guessing.........LJ at 4000# and trailer at 1500#. Cause I had a similiar trailer like it but was 18ft. with a wood floor and it weighed in at about 1350lb and my old XJ was exactly 4020lb. So, with the steel deck, minus 2ft of frame, I added 150lb.
Author:  Joe Romas [ Thu Dec 02, 2010 8:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My Observations on Towing
If you have the f37 engine tune your torque is limited to 260 per GDE's chart in highter gears. It came stock with 301 max. If your torque converter has been replaced by a better one the GDE full torque Echo tune without the striker, gives you at max ft #'s of 335 at 2000-2200 rpms. Plenty to tow your load. Even with the F37 TCM programming towing our 3000-3500# trailer it rarley downshifts going through mountains.

GDE's tcm tune holds 4th in a certain speed range. Like CATCRD said Keith (GDE) will set you up anyway you want and a spare TCM might be the way to go :jester:
What would really be neat is a switch allowing you to switch between two tcm/s :BANANA: :BINGO:
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