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Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck? http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=87813 |
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Author: | jdr [ Sun Feb 18, 2018 11:40 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Advice Needed - Maximum Travel Trailer Weight |
I towed a 3200lb travel trailer for two summers without any real problems. That included multiple trips over Snoqualmie and Blewett Passes and in/out of the Columbia Gorge. I switch to a pickup because i wanted to carry recumbent trikes and kayaks, and there just wasnt enough room for all gear on the CRD. It has 201,000 miles on it now and doesn't seem to have sufferec from all that towing. The only real concern i ever had was in the high winds in the gorge - I wish it had more wheelbase at those times. Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk |
Author: | TKB4 [ Mon Feb 19, 2018 3:47 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Advice Needed - Maximum Travel Trailer Weight |
I just towed a 6x12 u-haul trailer listed as 1920 lbs empty that had two axels and the automatic tongue braking system even though i have brake controller for my personal trailers. We packed at least 1500 lbs in it moving my daughter from Knoxville tn to atlanta Saturday so thats at least 3500 lbs and probably 4000 would be closer. I had no problem with pulling power even up and down mountains but tongue weight seems fairly critical and this trailer only about 6 and !/2 feet tall . I also noticed essentially no difference braking with this trailer or the ones i have electric brakes on. What i didn't like was the tendency of the combination being affected more than i am used to when passing tractor trailer rigs etc. I tow ski boats and occasionally an 18 foot car hauler with about 4000 lbs that i haven't noticed this very much with. So, I assume its the surface area of solid sides etc that made the difference. I also did not feel comfortable going over 65 MPH though i did drive 75 mph part of the time My advice would be to pull one at least unloaded and with similar weight as you will have at least a few miles before committing to buying. I don't think the weight would be as much of a problem as stability and aerodynamics even strong crosswinds may cause some instability . You could compensate for cooling issues and tranny etc but not so much this factors. Also agree with tranny cooler. The torque converter however may not be as much problem as you might think since you can take overdrive off and the resulting higher rpm is more likely to keep converter happy. Personally though I would upgrade the converter regardless with those demands. BTW I got about 23 MPG over about 225 miles pulling the trailer at mostly 65mph. Lowest I have ever gotten was pulling about 3000 lb 18 foot boat with aluminum duck blind on it against a 45 mph headwind at about 60 mph with overdrive off and it was 18.5 mpg or so |
Author: | WWDiesel [ Sat Jun 16, 2018 11:47 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Advice Needed - Maximum Travel Trailer Weight |
Keep us posted as to how everything works out towing. Have you added any additional transmission cooling, i.e. coolers etc...? Been toying with the idea of adding one of the Derale heat sink coolers underneath on the frame rail since there is no more room in front of the AC condenser. Locating it underneath will also help by not adding more heat to the stack which is already overloaded.... Anyone used one of these coolers on their JK? |
Author: | Squeeto [ Sat Jun 16, 2018 12:02 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Advice Needed - Maximum Travel Trailer Weight |
Going to watch temperatures first. If there looks to be a need I will mount an extra cooler at the front in series with the cooler/condenser radiator. |
Author: | Squeeto [ Sat Jun 16, 2018 9:11 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Advice Needed - Maximum Travel Trailer Weight |
WolverineFW wrote: Don't forget mirror extensions. Good point. I bought these: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B001AJH1HK/ref ... 00_TE_dp_1 They are exactly like K-Source #KS3891. They each have four hooks and two locking ratcheting straps. They really hold on tight without damaging your Jeep mirrors. I recommend these. |
Author: | WolverineFW [ Sat Jun 16, 2018 10:24 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Advice Needed - Maximum Travel Trailer Weight |
Those are pretty identical to the ones I bought. Squeeto wrote: WolverineFW wrote: Don't forget mirror extensions. Good point. I bought these: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B001AJH1HK/ref ... 00_TE_dp_1 They are exactly like K-Source #KS3891. They each have four hooks and two locking ratcheting straps. They really hold on tight without damaging your Jeep mirrors. I recommend these. Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk |
Author: | Squeeto [ Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:31 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck? |
We test drove the 2018 F-150 2.7L EcoBoost, 2018 Jeep GC 6 cylinder gasser and a 2015 VW Touareg TDI. The Ford is nice but it is big and the wife is not. Maybe consider a used 3.0 diesel GC instead of gasser. The VW is nice. I still wonder how much more I really need. Would a Euro TC, fresh pump, Transgo shift kit and hot tune be enough? What is the typical life expectancy of the clutch plates/seals/etc of our 545RFE? I don't remember too many issues reported here yet. |
Author: | Mountainman [ Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:04 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck? |
Squeeto wrote: We test drove the 2018 F-150 2.7L EcoBoost, 2018 Jeep GC 6 cylinder gasser and a 2015 VW Touareg TDI. The Ford is nice but it is big and the wife is not. Maybe consider a used 3.0 diesel GC instead of gasser. The VW is nice. I still wonder how much more I really need. Would a Euro TC, fresh pump, Transgo shift kit and hot tune be enough? What is the typical life expectancy of the clutch plates/seals/etc of our 545RFE? I don't remember too many issues reported here yet. Add a sonax valve upgrade to the front pump, and that GM fan mod that WW figured out (or fixed fan) and you'll be fine. Why buy another vehicle for 1% ? I tow 5000+ lbs in the Rockies with an electric fan, a lift and big tires. I'm not winning any races, but I'm not living where Masshole is, as he drives long grades all of the time, but neither are you. Oh, add new rockers and arp head studs to the list also if you haven't already |
Author: | Mountainman [ Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:08 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck? |
If you do decide to upgrade, I've been seeing the GC 3.0's for not much over $10k now, so that's not much cost difference and a better engine. Found a nice one for $11k with only 131k miles. FWIW |
Author: | Grotsoldaat [ Thu Aug 02, 2018 4:05 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck? |
One of the big mistakes while hauling a trailer is to drive and try to keep up same speeds than without it. Especially when going up or down at hills. When climbing, one has to keep engine running rather high rpms with relatively low gear to let engine and tranny cool. That's bit a problelm with KJ A/T, as it cannot be locked to 3rd or 4th gear. Going down use engine braking as much as possible by starting with lower gear, rpms low, let the speed go up until rpms are close to red. Then drop the speed with brakes until rpms are low again and repeat. That way brakes have time to cool while they are not applied and don't burn out. I spent twelve years hauling heavy ones, 38-60 metric tons, up and down many mountains and never burnt any brakes, trannies or brakes using these methods. They work as well with lighter ones. Steeper the hill, lower the gear, up and down. Just relax and forget "that just overtook me with his wimpy "-attitude and concentrate in your own drive. That way you enjoy it much more. |
Author: | Squeeto [ Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:26 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck? |
Mountainman wrote: Add a sonax valve upgrade to the front pump This one- TC Limit Valve Kit 44912-03K ? Or one of the others? Grotsoldaat wrote: That's bit a problelm with KJ A/T, as it cannot be locked to 3rd or 4th gear. I couldn't get it to lock in fourth but didn't realize this is by design. |
Author: | TKB4 [ Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:36 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck? |
I feel the 545 RFE is a decent transmission I would estimate with regular ATF4 fluid and filter changes it should average about 250,000 miles. I have several with about 200,000 miles. I would consider the transmission tune from GDE. The upgrades will give you more power and reliability but they won't change the other factors such as the drivability with crosswinds etc. Personally , I love the little jeeps, but they are not the best for this type of towing even with all the improvements. If I was taking a few trips a year I would put up with the constraints plus you would have a vehicle worth more and get better mileage etc when not towing. If I were wanting to take off and stay on the road weeks or months at a time especially including mountainous areas I would probably tow with a different vehicle. Of course if you were going to do that you could get a much bigger and heavier trailer. |
Author: | Squeeto [ Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:32 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck? |
TKB4 wrote: If I were wanting to take off and stay on the road weeks or months at a time especially including mountainous areas I would probably tow with a different vehicle. Of course if you were going to do that you could get a much bigger and heavier trailer. I would love to take off a couple winter months to visit Arizona weather. Actually this trailer size is pretty livable, especially with the slide out. My wife and I love having just enough to fit our needs. When we bought it, we had to go to the mainland and of course Ikea. I followed the over height parking sign to around back and found out that there is no exit. I had to use the stalls to do the 180 and if there hadn't been a gap lined up on both sides, I would be having Swedish meatballs for breakfast. In this case, a 22' trailer was enough. |
Author: | k9adv [ Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:56 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck? |
Squeeto wrote: Mountainman wrote: Add a sonax valve upgrade to the front pump This one- TC Limit Valve Kit 44912-03K ? Or one of the others? Grotsoldaat wrote: That's bit a problelm with KJ A/T, as it cannot be locked to 3rd or 4th gear. I couldn't get it to lock in fourth but didn't realize this is by design. Looks like that kit is available for under $50, but the reaming tool kit that is required to install it is over $350 here: https://www.ebay.com/p/Sonnax-45rfe-545 ... /739211587 |
Author: | flash7210 [ Thu Aug 02, 2018 8:02 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck? |
Squeeto wrote: Mountainman wrote: Add a sonax valve upgrade to the front pump This one- TC Limit Valve Kit 44912-03K ? Or one of the others? Grotsoldaat wrote: That's bit a problelm with KJ A/T, as it cannot be locked to 3rd or 4th gear. I couldn't get it to lock in fourth but didn't realize this is by design. If you are considering the sonnax pump upgrade, might be better to just replace the whole pump. Contact cascadetransmissionparts.com And no, the 545rfe cannot be locked in 4th. But it can be locked in 3rd with OD-off. |
Author: | Grotsoldaat [ Fri Aug 03, 2018 4:15 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Max Travel Trailer Weight - Is it time for a new truck? |
flash7210 wrote: And no, the 545rfe cannot be locked in 4th. But it can be locked in 3rd with OD-off. How do you do that? OD goes on in 4th & 5th and can of course be deactivated by knob. According to factory service manual, there are two different 2nd gear ratios, which are chosen by the transmission, but no mention how to lock it in 3rd: "The three planetary gear sets also make available a unique alternate second gear ratio. The primary 2nd gear ratio fits between 1st and 3rd gears for normal through-gear accelerations. The alternate second gear ratio (2prime) allows smoother 4-2 kickdowns at high speeds to provide 2nd gear passing performance over a wider highway cruising range. An additional overdrive ratio (0.67:1) is also provided for greater fuel economy and less NVH at highway speeds." TCM section of the manual tells how to teach the tranny correct shifts after repairs but no mention about 3rd gear lock there either. |
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