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Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?

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JJCruiser

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Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« on: June 17, 2016, 06:00:51 pm »
I am considering buying a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad.  I am interested in any feedback I can get related to how well the Phoenix Cruiser does pulling the Wrangler.   I currently have a Honda CRV and I am a bit concerned about the extra weight of the Wrangler.  Based on my research the Wrangler is 4294 lbs vs. the CRV at 3358 lbs.   That is nearly a 1000 lbs more for the Wrangler or 28% more weight.  Do you think I will notice much difference?  I have a 2350.

Thank you,

JJ
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JoeyD

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Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2016, 06:50:36 pm »
I shared your concern moving from a 2,700 pound Jeep Wrangler Sport to a 4,300 Jeep Trailhawk... I posted my concerns and the folks on this site kept telling me not to worry.  They were 100% correct, My E450 pulls that Jeep like it's not even there. So, now it's my turn... Don't woory
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2016, 09:07:36 pm »
Hi JJ,

We own a 2007 PC-2350 built on a 2007 E350 chassis with V10 engine and Torqshift transmission.  We tow a 4300 pound Jeep Liberty just fine.  The issue at hand is all about braking, not accelerating because the E350 engine and transmission does fine powering up mountains and such.  I installed a Unified Tow Brake By US Gear in 2009 and really like it.  But there are many different good tow braking systems out there.  Do your homework on the right tow braking system for you and your vehicle of choice.
« Last Edit: June 18, 2016, 11:46:18 pm by ron.dittmer »
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TomHanlon

Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #3 on: June 18, 2016, 06:52:30 am »
I just towed our Jeep Cherokee trailhawk for two days, about 1100 miles. No problems. I keep checking the rear camera to make sure it is still back there. It does take about one mpg from me. The east coast mountains did slow me down a little but not much. I have the SMI plug n play braking system and very happy with it. I have been towing it for now.  Towed a Jeep Liberty before that.
« Last Edit: June 18, 2016, 06:54:07 am by TomHanlon »
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Doneworking

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Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #4 on: June 18, 2016, 08:45:32 am »
We just got back from almost three weeks in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico and pulled several passes in our 2350 towing a Jeep Trailhawk.   Yes, you do slow down going over 10,000 foot plus passes....really slow down sometimes.  But, the rest of the time and the majority of the time, no worries.   I have the same towing system that Tom mentioned. 

Paul
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #5 on: June 18, 2016, 08:49:20 am »
Quote from: TomHanlon on June 18, 2016, 06:52:30 am
It does take about one mpg from me.
I have tracked fuel economy closely for many years and have the same experience as Tom.  Towing our 2006 Jeep Liberty versus not towing anything is a 1 mpg sacrifice.  It's okay because our two-vehicle combined fuel economy trip average is better.  Our Liberty gets better economy driving around on day trips at our destinations and easier to park in national parks where parking is very limited.

We went on one long trip out west without our Liberty and dearly missed not having it, especially the 10 nights spent in Glacier National Park.
« Last Edit: June 18, 2016, 08:51:59 am by ron.dittmer »
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ron-n-toni

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Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #6 on: June 18, 2016, 04:52:44 pm »
I have a 2016 2351 on a 450 chassis with the new 6 speed transmission. I tow a 2014 Trailhawk. What they all said is what I get. ButI can tow with the cruise on in all but the steepest mountains as it shifts down twice and still doesn't scream up the hill. The Trailhawks brake switch is hidden up under the dash so I use a wireless lightbar for lights and brake lights  Works well.
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JJCruiser

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Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #7 on: June 18, 2016, 08:42:36 pm »
Thanks everyone for sharing your experience.  I ended up purchasing a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 75th anniversary edition.  It is silver and I think it will look great going down the road behind the PC.  It will be a while before I have the base plate and wiring installed for the lights, I plan on doing it myself when I have some free time.  I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks again,

JJ
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TomHanlon

Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #8 on: June 19, 2016, 08:49:16 am »
Just a quick follow up, yesterday I saw a Wrangler being towed by a sprinter, doing 75 mph across  I90 in South Dakota. We played leap frog for an hour. Ended up in same camp ground in Wall, SD. Will see if I can talk to him this morning.
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ron-n-toni

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Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #9 on: June 19, 2016, 03:41:08 pm »
Are you not going to have to change your handle now that you bought the Jeep ?????  :'(
« Last Edit: June 19, 2016, 03:43:27 pm by ron-n-toni »
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JJCruiser

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Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #10 on: June 19, 2016, 07:12:42 pm »
Quote from: TomHanlon on June 19, 2016, 08:49:16 am
Just a quick follow up, yesterday I saw a Wrangler being towed by a sprinter, doing 75 mph across  I90 in South Dakota. We played leap frog for an hour. Ended up in same camp ground in Wall, SD. Will see if I can talk to him this morning.

Wow . . .  I am totally amazed a Sprinter has enough under the hood to tow a Wrangler.  I would have liked to have seen that.  I sure hope you get a chance to talk to him as I am really curious how it does on acceleration, braking, handling, and mountains.   
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TomHanlon

Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #11 on: June 19, 2016, 08:45:35 pm »
Sorry, it turns out it was a different sprinter. This one is towing a little car.
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Doneworking

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Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #12 on: June 19, 2016, 09:12:02 pm »
You see some crazy things in campgrounds.  I have seen trailers that were way to heavy being towed by midsized SUVs.  Sprinter based motorhomes pulling some really heavy toads beyond even their hitch rating clearly marked on the things.

Some folks pay little or no attention to such things as towing capacity, brakes, hitch gear.  One guy told me once his trailer was about to run over his SUV going down hills.  I asked him what kind of brake controller he was using and he had not a clue as to what a brake controller was or its function.  Take a look at the trailer folks sometime.  Many do no have sway bars and just hook that puppy up and go.

Most Sprinters have a somewhat limited tow capacity regarding weight as compared to gassers for the same or similar chassis.  

I say this not to criticize anyone but golly it is dangerous to tow a toad or a trailer and not have some basic and rudimentary knowledge of the limits  Sometimes, I confess, I envy those people.   I tend to over study and over engineer.  

Motorhomes are a bit more tolerant towing as compared to trailers it seems to me.  Very different and better physics than trailers such as the distance from the MH's rear axle to the front wheels of the toad.  And overall length of what is being towed is obviously very different. 

Paul

« Last Edit: June 19, 2016, 09:17:15 pm by Doneworking »
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #13 on: June 19, 2016, 11:48:57 pm »
Someone either from this forum or RV.net connected with me a few years ago.  They stopped by the house to say hello.  They owned a PC-2350 Sprinter and towed a late 4 door Wrangler.  They said the Sprinter handled it fine, just going slower in a lower gear up steeper grades.

Strange they had a very unique problem towing the Wrangler.  The design/style of the front fenders and tires of the Wrangler would on occasion shoot a rock forward at the back of their PC.  Their rear PC window was shattered.  They said it will be the second rear window they will be replacing.
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ragoodsp

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Re: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as a toad?
« Reply #14 on: June 20, 2016, 09:50:59 am »
Having once had (very short time) a Monica Covina (Sprinter based) I never even considered for a moment towing my Jeep Liberty CRD, 4500 lbs.  While that 3.0L is a work horse the Sprinter chassis IMO is close to it max. when fully loaded.  I would never pull a toad weighing over 2800 lbs behind a Sprinter, just not safe. 
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