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R-POD TOWING/OFF ROAD QUESTIONS

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david950 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote david950 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Aug 2010 at 8:48pm
Originally posted by medimike medimike wrote:

Hi David, I just purchased a 2010 171 and went from Colorado to SE Oklahoma to pick it up. I am pulling it with 2010 4d Rubicon, 4:10's, and stock BFG's.
 
The jeep worked pretty hard in 104 Deg. weather(as anything would). The max I was traveling was 50mph. The engine light came on once and I backed off and it reset after several cycles of the ignition. I thought the jeep would do much better than it did. How is yours pulling? I thought there may be something wrong with my jeep.
 
When we reached the Colorado boarder (82 Deg.) and a little rain it pulled much better. I could travel 60 to 65mph. but gas milage was 8.5mpg. The Jeep looks good hooked to the rpod but I am not to sure about towing it with it. Any ideas?Ouch Mike
 


Mike,

A couple of questions...

Do you have an automatic tranny, or a manual?  If auto, are you switching the "O/D" off?  I only ever towed with O/D off, *no* cruise control, and I was shooting for an indicated 58-62 when conditions allowed.  Conditions, you say?  Headwinds (and some crosswinds) will knock your cruising speed down, as will inclines.  Both together (as I had climbing out of the TX panhandle) and lots of patience is required.

As I've always heard that it's best not to let an auto "hunt" for gears, I would do whatever necessary to not shift until needed.  Then, I'd punch it to get back my speed, then settle back in my chosen gear.

The Jeep is pretty happy when turning about 2500 rpms, but you may have to work to keep it there - there seems to be a little half gear that bumps up about 500 rpms, but when you get into this gear is when it seems to hunt between the two.  The "big" shift is next, which is to 2nd, I think.  I had to use 2nd for some climbs, and was in 1st for Raton Pass.  When I would get the shift into 2nd or 1st, I would use the shifter to "lock" myself in these, as by default the RPMs you were at tend to accellerate the Jeep, then it wants to shift down again, and you have a cycle.  If I lock the gear with the shifter, I can back off the throttle to climb at the speed/rpms of my choosing, whic seemed to work better.

It took me a day or so to get good at this, and every other day brought a new challenge.  By the end of our 4200 mile trip I could keep the speed/gear I wanted without thinking about it - almost not missing cruise control.

Do I wish it towed better?  Sure I do.  Am I ready to give my Wrangler up for a stouter tow vehicle?  Nope.  I've been looking at some potential mods - I've seen dyno charts from guys on some of the Jeep forums getting some noticeable gains out of exhaust/intake/ecu mods - on the order of maybe 40 rwhp for < $500.  I may do something like this - I think that kind of power would have a nice effect on our towing performance.  Not transformative, mind you, but maybe make the going a little easier when faced with those troublesome highway overpasses ;)  We didn't hit your temperatures, but I do recall 97-99 going through TX.

Another question - have you had the 'hotoil' service done yet?  We got a "recall" to come in and have an ECU flash to give a warning when the tranny overheated - we did it, and also confirmed that no "hot" conditions had been encountered so far - so we managed 4200 miles without a tranny overheat (or any other lights or drama).  I have a B&M tranny cooler that the Jeep guys seem to favor - a cheap mod from Amazon, just haven't gotten around to installing it yet.

I may not respond too quickly the next few days - I'm having some craziness going on at work this week.
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medimike View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote medimike Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Aug 2010 at 5:48pm

Thanks David for all the information! Wow! Mine is an auto trans and yes I do shut the O/D off when towing. i just called the dealer and there is a recall on the hot oil sensor/ ECU. I am scheduling to have it worked on. I will check into an auxillery oil cooler, great idea! I have been careful not to let it search for gears as it is very hard on parts.

I have a F350 duel wheel and have pulled a 37' horse trailer w/living qtrs. all over rodeoing with the kids. So, pretty use to towing. I am just use to having lots-O-power when towing. We sold the big horse trailer and all horses when the kids went to college. We have scaled way back, now things are much more simple. We have a F150 V8 and can use it but I love my jeep and want to use it. We usually go to the mountains and drop the trailer then explore with the jeep. I plan to take the r-pod/jeep rig bow hunting in August but, waiting for the lift kit for the r-pod. I hope 3" is enough?? I thought about swaping the axle and putting a 3500lb. on with the same 5 on 5 bolt pattern as the jeep. I would run the same tires and wheels as the jeep. Have you the tear drop trailers from adventuretrailers.com ?

Thanks again for your time and information!! Mike
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