Travel trailer for the KJ?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:14 am

FYI retmil46 installed the factory wiring harness - but decided to use the factory fused wiring

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=378430#378430

moose · **Posted:** Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:43 pm

OK, sorry to come late to this. I'm glad to see the Equal-I-Zer hitch. Those are the best thing sence sliced bread.

I tow a J-Feather 19H with the Wrangler Unlimited. Yes, it's 8 feet wide and 9+ up top with the A/C. I had a custom reciever made to handle weight distributing hitches (the Equal-i-zer). It catches the frame 14" in from the back and allows the hitch to leaver on the frame rather than put too much torque on the rear bolts. Also, an electric break controller is manditory (IMHO).

Now the LJ has the 4.0L and is an auto, but I averaged 45 up-hill through the interstates of WV, and 65 down hill (could have went more, but it wouldn't have been safe). Mileage was 10 mpg; 17-19 when I'm just going down the highway empty). When I hit a real mountain at the Blue Ridge, she was in 1st the whole way up. Also, these were the stock 30" wheels. I switch the 32's on when I get to the wheel'n...

I'll try to get some photo's posted. I never twed it with the KJ, but, as long as you SLOW DOWN and drive like a granny, you will be fine. If you doubt you're ability to tow something - don't do it.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:22 am

Here's the location on the RL bumper that I will mount the RV 7-way round connector. I'm looking at putting a backup light on the other side of the bumper.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:34 pm

I ordered the mechanical fan today

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2008 12:14 am

Well, we finally got the heavy duty mechanical/electric fan installed. I had TJKJ2002 help me install it, I think he had the stock fan out and the new fan(s) installed in less than 10 minutes. :shock:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:38 pm

What kit did you get and how much was it? Always wanted to get one but idk what all the kit came with. Did the e-fan that came with the Jeep work with the mechanical fan? Some people say youve got to get a different e-fan too. Tell me all!

After towing a 3,000lb+ pop-up and a ~2,500-3,000lb box trailer Ive got to say its a good idea getting all the extra cooling you can. Even more so with the tranny. It will be downshifting into 2nd on bigger hills, just make sure you dont let it hunt for gears. If it downshifts into 2nd, go ahead and put the gear shift into 2nd so it stays in 2nd till you think it can hold 3rd again, then let it go back into 3rd at the top.

And I find it odd that KeswickDave said using cruise works better to keep the tranny from gear hunting, mine is the complete opposite but thats me.

And yes, a good brake controller is a must!! Make sure you know how to use it, have it adjusted properly, and can get to it in a hurry if you need to add more brake to the trailer or take it away..

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:29 pm

Jeepjeepster, I bought the Mopar heavy duty cooling fan, Part # 82206937 for $249.00 dollars. I think there might be a different part # for your KJ but I’m not sure. We took out the factory electric fan and replaced it with a new electric fan, mechanical clutch fan, and a new fan shroud. You can see the kit in the above post. From my understanding, all 2007 KJ models came factory with a transmission cooler unlike some of the earlier KJ models in which you would have to have the towing package to get the transmission cooler. According to the dealer information, the 2007 models only needed the heavy duty cooling fan to complete the off-road and towing package.

KeswickDave · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:54 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

If it downshifts into 2nd, go ahead and put the gear shift into 2nd so it stays in 2nd till you think it can hold 3rd again, then let it go back into 3rd at the top.

And I find it odd that KeswickDave said using cruise works better to keep the tranny from gear hunting, mine is the complete opposite but thats me.

Yep, - depending on the hill, it drops 4-6 mph then if necessary it drops to 2nd, then shifts back up to 3rd when you're over the hump - no hunting!

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:26 pm

http://www.scamptrailers.com/

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:20 am

I like those Scamps, used to have a little Scotty trailer about that size, not very big but OK for two people, light enough to pull easy, easy to store etc

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:34 pm

dieselenthusiast wrote:

Here's the location on the RL bumper that I will mount the RV 7-way round connector. I'm looking at putting a backup light on the other side of the bumper.

So according to this picture did you just buy an aftermarket 7 way plug or use the OEM one? and how big was the hole you had to drill? was it a PITA to drill it?

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 3:36 pm

Tuesday I'm going to look at this camper:

They had it listed for $11,900. It's a 2006 18' Fun Finder. They dropped it to $9,900, then I got them down to $9,300. I found another one just like it that was listed for $8,495. on their web site but although it was still on the web site it was sold. So, I called my guy and told him the price and dealer name and asked if he could match it. He made a "call" and called me back with an offer of $8,600. This one has a couple of more options on it that I didn't mention. :lol:

So, tomorrow will tell!

Terry

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:26 pm

Fulltimer wrote:

Tuesday I'm going to look at this camper:

Terry

Very nice.

What's the weight of that trailer? Length?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:38 pm

The wind resistance of that will really hurt. I towed a box trailer about that size and while it didnt weigh as much as that trailer, I was in the gas the entire time to hold speed(O/D off). Ended up getting 11mpg our a 2 hour trip, half 55mph and half 70mph.

HoosierJeeper · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 am **Posts:** 1218

That seems like a good load!!! If you don't already, I'd reccomend a set of rear air bags. I think the JKs are rated at 3500lbs, so I don't know if the trailer is too heavy. If I had to guess, it probably would be ok. That looks like a really nice layout in your camper, on of the nicest I've ever seen.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:00 pm

HoosierJeeper wrote:

That seems like a good load!!! If you don't already, I'd reccomend a set of rear air bags. I think the JKs are rated at 3500lbs, so I don't know if the trailer is too heavy. If I had to guess, it probably would be ok. That looks like a really nice layout in your camper, on of the nicest I've ever seen.

What type(s) of air bags are you referring to? Do you have any web links?

daspes · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:02 pm

HoosierJeeper wrote:

That seems like a good load!!! If you don't already, I'd reccomend a set of rear air bags. I think the JKs are rated at 3500lbs, so I don't know if the trailer is too heavy. If I had to guess, it probably would be ok. That looks like a really nice layout in your camper, on of the nicest I've ever seen.

Unlimiteds are rated at 3,500 lbs. The two door JK's are only 2,000 lbs.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:07 pm

dieselenthusiast wrote:

HoosierJeeper wrote:

That seems like a good load!!! If you don't already, I'd reccomend a set of rear air bags. I think the JKs are rated at 3500lbs, so I don't know if the trailer is too heavy. If I had to guess, it probably would be ok. That looks like a really nice layout in your camper, on of the nicest I've ever seen.

What type(s) of air bags are you referring to? Do you have any web links?

Air Lift air bags are well known, I have some on my KJ and I like them. I used some for a Toyota bc they were longer than the ones for a KJ since I have a lift.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:26 pm

jsc7002 wrote:

dieselenthusiast wrote:

HoosierJeeper wrote:

That seems like a good load!!! If you don't already, I'd reccomend a set of rear air bags. I think the JKs are rated at 3500lbs, so I don't know if the trailer is too heavy. If I had to guess, it probably would be ok. That looks like a really nice layout in your camper, on of the nicest I've ever seen.

What type(s) of air bags are you referring to? Do you have any web links?

Air Lift air bags are well known, I have some on my KJ and I like them. I used some for a Toyota bc they were longer than the ones for a KJ since I have a lift.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

Cool.......... Thanks for the post. Do you have any pictures of them in your springs?
In the RV circle of users, I’ve always heard that the Firestone air bags are the best, but their application is for axle or leaf mounts only, Or at least I don’t think they make them for inside the springs.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:36 pm

HoosierJeeper wrote:

I think the JKs are rated at 3500lbs, so I don't know if the trailer is too heavy.

I probably wont be using the JK to tow. According to the wife, I now have the green light to buy a Commander. She wants a family sized vehicle for traveling. The Commander has the Hemi and is pretty nice for towing. The 4 door Wrangler will be our commuting to work vehicle and a future trail rig. My Jeep collection is stating to spin out of control. :oops:

Travel trailer for the KJ?

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