[Randy G.]

I'm buying a 24' enclosed car trailer that weighs about 4,000 pounds and the car in it will be around 3,000 pounds. I have a 2WD ecodiesel and the tow rating is 7,400 pounds so I'm close at my 7,000 pound load. My question is, to go north out of Los Angeles I have to take Interstate 5 over the Ridge Route which has a 6 mile stretch that is a constant 6% grade with no level areas to cool the brakes as you head toward Bakersfield. I'm also thinking about the decline on the 5 from California toward Medford, Oregon, and Interstate 15 from the top of the hill heading into State Line, Nevada, as you head in to Las Vegas.

Anyone have anything to share on how well the engine, which lacks any kind of Jake Brake or exhaust brake capabilities, does in holding back the load? Just wondering if the brakes will be junk at the bottom of the hills.

 

[Danncsu]

I have not towed 7,000 lbs with my Jeep, but I would suspect you will alright since the vehicle was designed to tow a loan up to 7,400 lbs. I presume your Jeep brakes and trailer brakes are good working order, I would not worry about it.

While there is no Jake Brake, you can downshift manually which would provide some assistance.

 

[bigmaho]

I tow a lot, but usually around 4000. On steep grades I downshift to 3rd or even 2nd so I don't have to ride the brakes. That's mostly on smaller / twisty roads with a lot of hairpin turns. Don't think you'll have any problem on the interstate with that load.

 

[Randy G.]

Thanks.

 

[VernDiesel]

I don't have the jeep but have the RAM. I use it commercially to deliver TT from manufacturer to dealerships around the country. I have the GDE tune with the optional turbo brake. Mine will control or hold the speed up to a 6,000 pound trailer down a 6 percent grade without assistance from your trailer or truck brakes. In fact with 257,000 on the truck I still have the original brakes.

The tune will also bump your HP & TQ or mileage and largely defeat EGR so your engine isn't reingesting unburnt soot minimizing emissions problems & other maintenance. Been over the 3 grades you mention with TTs. Also get a no sway WDH it will be a safer better driving handling combination. Last don't know about the jeep but air bags also help make a better safer tow & ride. IMO All 3 are worth the money if you plan to rack up some miles with that loaded trailer.

Oh yeah the ED only has an electrical radiator fan which is not as strong as a mechanical fan combined with a relatively small engine bay. Towing that at WOT on one of those grades will lead to the computer pulling fuel limiting power & slowing the jeep to protect itself from an overheat. To avoid that in the RAM I limit my steady climb rpm to 3,000 & let the truck drop to the gear & speed that it needs to. Problem averted.

With the tune the computer will start to pull fuel after reaching 244 coolant temp or 266 oil temp. Factory settings is similar.