Travel trailer for the KJ?

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:45 pm

I’m trading my 30 foot travel trailer for a smaller one that can be towed behind the KJ and my truck. Here’s what I’m looking at. What do you think? Is it doable?

Unloaded vehicle weight (lbs.) 3,550
Hitch weight (lbs.) 285
Gross vehicle weight (lbs.) 4,750
Cargo carrying capacity (lbs.) 1,200

Exterior length 20' 7"
Exterior height w/AC 117"
Interior headroom 78"
Exterior Height 108"

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:53 pm

Will you be towing up some big hills a lot? What size tires do you have?

I personally wouldnt want to tow something that big with my KJ but there are a lot of hills around here. Its do-able but its going to work that engine pretty hard. The engine driven fan and a bigger tranny cooler would be a great idea.

Make sure you get anti sway and a good WD setup.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:04 pm

I would not be afraid to tow that with my CRD. I towed a trailer about that length but heavier (about 6k lbs) when I moved from UT to FL. There are these bitty hills between here and there known as The Rockies. There was a snow storm at the time of passing as well. This was also before the 4.10 re-gear.

I will be doing the trip again spring or summer 2009 because the snow storm suct!

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:31 pm

check with Moose he has a similar sized one that I think he puuled with the Libby a bit before he traded for the LJ, and he tows it all over the place with it so you should be good! :wink:

It may be about the same model , can't remember now for sure

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:15 pm

Danoid runs CRD - but he's also pulled his trailer with a Hemi Durango and gas Liberty - downside was the gas Liberty was getting about 9 mpg
(and I'd bet your Cummins wouldn't even notice it was there)

scroll up & down the thread.
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=349045#349045

KeswickDave · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:02 pm

Dieselenthusiast,

Is your KJ a gasser?

I tow this, which is just a bit smaller/lighter than the one you posted:

19.5', 2750 lbs unloaded.

My only complaints with the gas KJ pulling this trailer is that it struggles on steeper hills, and as has been mentioned, mileage - I saw a high of about 13 mpg on a tank, and low of around 9, averaging around 11.

I highly recommend weight distribution and anti-sway - I use a Reese system. Made a night and day difference in stability down the road.

Any other questions feel free to ask!

Dave

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:36 pm

According to my owners manual, the 4X4, 3.7L Automatic transmission with cooler has a Maximum Gross Trailer Weight of 5,000 lbs with a Gross Combined Weight Rating of 10,100 lbs. The owners manual doesn’t specify trailer length or height, but it does address 60 Square feet of trailer frontal area. I’m sure this model of trailer surpasses the 60 square feet of trailer frontage, but I’m not sure by how much. I’ll have to take measurements once I look at the trailer.

JPaul · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:49 pm

A frontal area of 60 square feet would be a face 6 foot by 10 foot. The interior height on that trailer is 6.5', so say it's 7 feet outside. Odds are it is not 10 feet wide, or even 9 feet wide. It's probably about 6 or 7 foot wide at the most. So say it's about 7' x 7' frontal area. that is only 47 square feet, well within the maximum for the KJ. It'll probably be just fine, though you sure as heck will see low gas mileage, especially if there are any hills and if you wind up with a head wind.

The 5k trailer rating thoguh is for a KJ equiped with the tow package I believe, otherwise I think it is limited to 3500 lbs. If you don't have the tow package you may want to consider retrofitting it.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:49 pm

KeswickDave wrote:

Dieselenthusiast,

Is your KJ a gasser?

I tow this, which is just a bit smaller/lighter than the one you posted:

19.5', 2750 lbs unloaded.

My only complaints with the gas KJ pulling this trailer is that it struggles on steeper hills, and as has been mentioned, mileage - I saw a high of about 13 mpg on a tank, and low of around 9, averaging around 11.

I highly recommend weight distribution and anti-sway - I use a Reese system. Made a night and day difference in stability down the road.

Any other questions feel free to ask!

Dave

I’m glad to hear that you’re pretty happy with the trailer towing. I will use my Cummins to pull the trailer most of the time, however, I want to be able to pull the camper with my KJ or JK when the itinerary calls for a more adventurous backcountry trip. How much does your Reese distribution hitch weigh? My Dodge has the 4 point equalizer hitch rated for 1,000 pounds tongue weight, although it would be overkill for the KJ and way too heavy. I’m hoping to use the RL bumper with the built-in hitch receiver. I’ll be giving him a call to find out his opinion.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:00 pm

JPaul wrote:

A frontal area of 60 square feet would be a face 6 foot by 10 foot. The interior height on that trailer is 6.5', so say it's 7 feet outside. Odds are it is not 10 feet wide, or even 9 feet wide. It's probably about 6 or 7 foot wide at the most. So say it's about 7' x 7' frontal area. that is only 47 square feet, well within the maximum for the KJ. It'll probably be just fine, though you sure as heck will see low gas mileage, especially if there are any hills and if you wind up with a head wind.

The 5k trailer rating thoguh is for a KJ equiped with the tow package I believe, otherwise I think it is limited to 3500 lbs. If you don't have the tow package you may want to consider retrofitting it.

Excellent math………………………………...I'm embarrassed to say that I’m a school teacher. :oops:

Maybe that’s why I’m certified to teach P.E. and Special Education. :shock:

Anyway, I’m glad to know that I’m staying well within the frontal area. I don’t think Jeep was being extra conservative in their tow ratings, but I‘m not complaining. However, I DO NOT have the tow package, but I will be upgrading to a trany cooler, possibly a 2002 radiator (as recommended by TJKJ2002), and changing from 3.73’s to 4:10’s. I tried talking PML into making a aluminum trany pan that would fit with the skid plate, but they didn’t think they would have a market since they couldn’t make it deep panned. :roll:

KeswickDave · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:04 pm

You're probably pretty close...

Mine is 7'6 wide and 7' high from the bottom of the frame rails up. I'm assuming the space under the trailer is not counted towards frontal area.

That makes the frontal area 52.5 sq ft.

Mine is a Sun Valley RoadRunner 180. Sun Valley markets themselves as a lightweight trailer manufacturer.

One thing to keep in mind is that the advertised weight is often before options etc are installed (fridge, furnace etc). This one is advertised with an "axle weight" of 2275 and a "hitch weight" of 225... add them together you get 2500.

The "unloaded vehicle weight" posted on a sticker on a cupboard door, says 2694 lbs.

Gotta love marketing

Dave

scrambledKJ · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:12 pm

I pull a 20' that weighs in at 3600# empty. The CRD pulls it fine. I can do 70+ in the straights and pass big trucks on the uphills. I am running the daystar lift with 245/75 BFG ATs

Travis

KeswickDave · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:15 pm

The Reese system I have is as follows:

Part Number: 66540
Description: 600# Adj. High-Performance Trunnion Style Weight distribution system w/#54970 Hitch Bar
Weight: 64 lbs

Part Number: 26002
Description: Dual Cam HP Sway Control
Weight: 28.3 lbs

So... 92.3 lbs total between the trailer and the receiver.

I've been impressed with the sway control system.

KeswickDave · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:17 pm

scrambledKJ wrote:

I pull a 20' that weighs in at 3600# empty. The CRD pulls it fine. I can do 70+ in the straights and pass big trucks on the uphills. I am running the daystar lift with 245/75 BFG ATs

Travis

Yeah, I'm wishing I bought a CRD at this point, for the power and the mileage!

Dave

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:35 pm

KeswickDave wrote:

You're probably pretty close...

Mine is 7'6 wide and 7' high from the bottom of the frame rails up. I'm assuming the space under the trailer is not counted towards frontal area.

That makes the frontal area 52.5 sq ft.

Mine is a Sun Valley RoadRunner 180. Sun Valley markets themselves as a lightweight trailer manufacturer.

One thing to keep in mind is that the advertised weight is often before options etc are installed (fridge, furnace etc). This one is advertised with an "axle weight" of 2275 and a "hitch weight" of 225... add them together you get 2500.

The "unloaded vehicle weight" posted on a sticker on a cupboard door, says 2694 lbs.

Gotta love marketing

Dave

You have a good point. I asked about the weight in relation to the added options/accessories. Everything listed below comes with the RV as standard equipment. As you can see, that’s a lot of “stuff” that comes standard with the trailer. We’ll probably customize our RV and remove a few items to help save weight. For example, we will rarely use a microwave or the sofa/bed.

Standard Interior Equipment

Overhead cabinetry
Cable TV hookup with RG6 coax
Residential furniture
Crank-up digital antenna with signal booster
Pleated night shades
Vinyl flooring
Manchester Oak doors and drawers

Standard Kitchen Equipment

3-burner range with 9000-BTU SuperBurner™ and piezo igniter
5-cu.-ft. flush-mount refrigerator
Cover for sink/cutting board
High-rise mixing faucet
Microwave oven with carousel
Range hood with light and exhaust fan
Oversized oven

Standard Bedroom Equipment

Quilted bed mat
Shirt wardrobe

Standard Bathroom Equipment

Bathroom exhaust vent
Towel holder
Marine toilet w/foot flush
Medicine cabinet with mirror
ABS tub surround
Residential 3-panel passage door
Shower curtain with curved shower track

Standard Safety Equipment

Breakaway switch
Dual hitch safety chains
Fire extinguisher
Lock and dead bolt on entrance door
Propane alarm
Multiple egress windows
Smoke alarm
Tinted safety glass windows
Carbon monoxide alarm

Standard Exterior Equipment

Automotive styling rear caps
2" hitch coupler
13" D-range tires
110V G.F.C.I. protected exterior receptacle
Fiberglass, radius cornered entrance door and screen door
HDPE wheel wells
Baggage doors, lockable, insulated and radius-cornered w/heavy-duty grab handles
Molded rain guttering with drip spouts
Amber patio lights w/inside switch
Prep for outside grill
Sewer hose storage compartment
Stabilizer jacks (2 pair) with sand pads
TorFlex® independent torsion-axle rubber ride suspension system
White spoked wheels
E-Z Lube® axles
Heavy-duty and retractable entrance step
Aerodynamic front profile
Front window with flush-mounted stone guard (select models)
ABS fender skirt
Pass-through storage compartment

Standard Construction Features

5/8" seamless Structurwood® main floor decking with PolyFlex™ underbelly
78" ceiling height
Bead-foam insulation (R-7 in sidewalls, R-9 in roof)
FRP smooth fiberglass sidewall exteriors
One-piece, seamless, rubber roof material
Welded tubular aluminum sidewall and roof framework
TuffShell™ vacuum-bonded laminated roof and sidewalls
Cabinetry crafted with screwed stile construction
E-Coat™ protected frame
Electric-powered slideout (199)

Standard Heat, Power and Water Equipment

Auto-ignition furnace with wall thermostat
12V demand water pump
12V electrical system with deluxe 110V 45-amp power converter
20-lb. propane gas bottle
30-amp. power cord
18,000-BTU furnace with auto-ignition
Gravity fill for water
Hookup for city water
Rotocast fresh water holding tanks
Water heater bypass system
Winterization kit
Outside shower
Systems monitor panel
6 gal. gas water heater

Customer Value Package

13,500-BTU A/C
Mult-Media Sound System™ AM/FM/CD stereo and 2 speakers
Carefree® patio awning
Spare tire with carrier and cover

hooperswish · **Posted:** Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:49 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

JPaul wrote:

A frontal area of 60 square feet would be a face 6 foot by 10 foot. The interior height on that trailer is 6.5', so say it's 7 feet outside. Odds are it is not 10 feet wide, or even 9 feet wide. It's probably about 6 or 7 foot wide at the most. So say it's about 7' x 7' frontal area. that is only 47 square feet, well within the maximum for the KJ. It'll probably be just fine, though you sure as heck will see low gas mileage, especially if there are any hills and if you wind up with a head wind.

The 5k trailer rating thoguh is for a KJ equiped with the tow package I believe, otherwise I think it is limited to 3500 lbs. If you don't have the tow package you may want to consider retrofitting it.

Excellent math………………………………...I'm embarrassed to say that I’m a school teacher. :oops:

Maybe that’s why I’m certified to teach P.E. and Special Education. :shock:

Anyway, I’m glad to know that I’m staying well within the frontal area. I don’t think Jeep was being extra conservative in their tow ratings, but I‘m not complaining. However, I DO NOT have the tow package, but I will be upgrading to a trany cooler, possibly a 2002 radiator (as recommended by TJKJ2002), and changing from 3.73’s to 4:10’s. I tried talking PML into making a aluminum trany pan that would fit with the skid plate, but they didn’t think they would have a market since they couldn’t make it deep panned. :roll:

In good fun I was going to raz you about the math, but you caught it first! I have been a p.e. teacher for 26 years....
I drive the manual, and it is rated even less than the auto for towing. The radiator is much smaller than the autos due to the lack of tranny cooler in the radiator which makes it easier to work in the engine bay area with more room. No good for towing though. And as I am writing this I realize that I am contributing absolutely zero to this thread, so I will slowly back away....carry on...

QuestMan · **Posted:** Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:46 pm

If you haven't thought of this, yet, take 'er OUT of o/d. You MAY get better mileage, and you WILL have better torque - especially if you have to do a lot of hill driving. :win

p.s. I have a pop-up. It weighed about 2800, unloaded. It now weighs about 3300. When I go from Southwestern Michigan to the U.P., I usually take it out of o/d - it helps - once I get north of Grand Rapids.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:45 pm

Does anyone know the actual weight of the Komodo Dragon rear bumper (without the tire and jerry can carrier)?
Does anyone know the actual weight of the stock rear bumper?
Does anyone know the actual weight of the stock rear hitch receiver?

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:52 pm

Stock rear bumper can't be much; it's all plastic. The hitch probably weighs less than 40 lbs. Couldn't tell ya what a Komodo weighs.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:44 pm

Equal-i-zer 4-point sway control

Maximum Tongue Weight 1,000 lbs.
Maximum Trailer Weight 10,000 lbs.
Spring Arm Size 1 3/8" square x 36" long
Hitch Box Size & Weight 10” x 12” x 9” (H x W x D) 62 lbs.
Spring Arm Box Size & Weight 2” x 36” x 4” (H x W x D) 38 lbs.

Total Weight 100lbs.

100 lbs Equal-i-zer
+110 lbs Komodo Dragon rear bumper
220 lbs Total

10 lbs Stock bumper
40 lbs Stock hitch
+100 lbs Equal-i-zer
150 lbs Total

The difference between the aftermarket and stock weight: 70 lbs

Here's my plan....................................

Travel trailer for the KJ?

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