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 Post subject: Towing while lifted
PostPosted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 6:59 pm 
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This is a question that can apply to a KK or a KJ, so I posted it here in the General section.

I have a 4 inch lift and am running 30.5 inch tires, so my hitch is somewhere around 23-24 inches off the ground. I'm looking at towing a 5x8 (single axle) or 5x10 (double axle) U-Haul trailer soon, about 600 miles.

I'm thinking I might need a drop hitch. How far down should it go for a Jeep my height? Looking to get the best trailer angle to avoid sway on the highway.

Is it worth getting an aux transmission cooler? I have the HD cooling fan already.

Do you have any towing tips that apply to a lifted vehicle specifically? Of course I will use tow/haul mode, leave lots of space, keep the speed down, and plan on braking early. I've towed a trailer before, just not with a lifted Jeep.

Thanks all!
LFH

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 Post subject: Re: Towing while lifted
PostPosted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 7:21 pm 
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I tow all the time, 6X10 enclosed and 5X9 open, run a 6 inch drop hitch. You'll need to see how high the hitch is on the trailer you are going to pull when its level, then measure where you are on yours
Just got back with another load , tows at 70 just fine with tghe OD off and sitting at 3000 RPM :wink:

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 Post subject: Re: Towing while lifted
PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 8:46 am 
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I have a 4 cyl YJ with a 4" lift on it and I've towed a single axle utility trailer hundreds a miles before.
Of course I did need a drop hitch. You could always buy an adjustable height hitch.

I was going to suggest you wire up an electric brake for your trailer but most U-Haul trailers use hydraulic brakes built into the hitch.

While towing with a KJ use the cruise control and turn off the OD.

This is what I routinely towImage


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 Post subject: Re: Towing while lifted
PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 3:05 pm 
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I towed a 6x12 Uhaul from FL to WI, I used a 3" drop. But then the KJ hitch sits lower and my hitch is 17", so the 3" drop would mean 14". So going with the 6" would be good I think.

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 Post subject: Re: Towing while lifted
PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:27 am 
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LibertyFever wrote:
I have a 4 cyl YJ with a 4" lift on it and I've towed a single axle utility trailer hundreds a miles before.
Of course I did need a drop hitch. You could always buy an adjustable height hitch.

I was going to suggest you wire up an electric brake for your trailer but most U-Haul trailers use hydraulic brakes built into the hitch.

While towing with a KJ use the cruise control and turn off the OD.

This is what I routinely towImage


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I've done the same towing my LJ a few times. With my hitch I have to do some awkward stuff holding the tailgate open just right to get the trailer onto the ball, once it's on there's no problems. The spare is in the way, but any more drop on my receiver hitch will cause the trailer to ride nose down. Are u guys using an extension or something?

OP, my tip is to stop and let your rig cool if you feel it has been worked pretty hard, act like your stopping distance has tripled, and don't exceed rated capacity. Just because your rig can tow it, doesn't mean it's safe.


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 Post subject: Re: Towing while lifted
PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:18 am 
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For better ball clearance simply take your spare tire off; unbolt the tire mount; rotate the mount 180 degrees; put mount back on; put spare back on. Doing this tucks the bottom of the spare in closer to the bumper (if you use a tire cover you may need to shim the bottom 2 mount bolts a tad to get enough clearance from the bumper to fit a tire cover) and still leaves enough clearance for the rear window to open.

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