New Jeep

[mjdfarm]

Is anyone towing their popup with the new 4dr (or 2dr) Jeep JK??? If so how does it pull?

[fritz_monroe]

Is that the Wrangler?  If so, there are a couple folks towing with a 2 door Wrangler.  I've only see where 1 person is towing with the new 4 door Wrangler.  If I was to get a new vehicle today, I'd get that 4 door Wrangler Rubicon.

[mjdfarm]

Yes the JK is the new wrangler.  I am considering the new 4dr.  I looked at one today.  With 3 kids I think its just what Ive been waiting for...I just wanted to hear from someone who is using a jeep to pull a popup.  The Z71 pulls great but she is getting some age on her.

[Billy Bob]

I had one one order but canceled as soon as I hear there was a towing problem with them. Consumer Reports revealed dangerous towing problem with some rolling over because of instability while towing :yikes:

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just kidding  :p

[Beerlifter]

I pull my Dutchmen 1002xs with my 96 Grand Cherokee that has almost 200,000 miles on her (only 1,000 miles to go!!!). No major problems so far. It has the 4.0 litre 6 cyl. She's a little weak on some grades but she gets me where I'm going.

[my95yj]

The new JK comes with the V-6 from the Caravan, rotated to work in a RWD platform for the first time. Most of the Jeep mags say it is underpowered and lacks the torque of the now deceased I-6. I would stick with that Z-71 any day over a Wrangler to tow something with. My .02 and I'm a Jeep luvr.

[tlhdoc]

Welcome to PUT my95yj.

[wynot]

The new JK comes with the V-6 from the Caravan, rotated to work in a RWD platform for the first time. Most of the Jeep mags say it is underpowered and lacks the torque of the now deceased I-6. I would stick with that Z-71 any day over a Wrangler to tow something with. My .02 and I'm a Jeep luvr.

Well, V-6s just don't have the torque of an inline.  I didn't realize they had dropped the 4.0.
 
I'm a Jeep lover too, but they have to have AMC on them...as well as Wagoneer, a 360 V-8, and power drum brakes!!!
 
From a family with Wagoneers, J-10s, and Commandos.  Back when Jeeps were jeeps and Mopar was a good thing and no one had ever heard of a K-Car!!

[my95yj]

Thanks TLHDOC, couldn't pass on the opportunity of camping CA while we are stationed out here. Heading back east soon, so we are making the most of our time.
Yep, the 4.0L is gone, couldnt' pass upcoming CA emissions and DCX can't lose that market.
I tried towing stuff with my YJ (wrangler) just too underpowered, the WJ (Grand Cherokee) with the H.O. V-8 has performed nicely.

[wavery]

Well, V-6s just don't have the torque of an inline.  

I've never heard that one before :confused:

My understanding that the reason that the "V" cylinder design was for the express purpose of increasing torque at higher RPMs.

The old straight eights had a lot of HP but they were sadly lacking in torque, thus Ford introduced the V8 in '54 and GM in '55. Later the straight 6's fell to the "V" configuration as well.

The in-line design has higher torque at the lower RPMs but fall far short in the mid-to-high RPM range. Some of the big diesels still use the in-line configuration because of the higher torque at very low RPM. I just don't see where that would really apply in todays passenger vehicles, even in the towing arena.

[ScoobyDoo]

Straight 8s where too heavy if they where stiff enough for higher preformance. Ford had a v-8 in '32, Chevy in '55 but I think other GM had them before Chevy.
   The truck engine makers have tryed v-6 and v-8s but the inline 6 what they have settled on for standard. I ran a V-12 for 500,000 miles, from '74 to 79. Could run well over 100, pull anything I hooked onto, but she was hard to feed.

[wavery]

Straight 8s where too heavy if they where stiff enough for higher preformance. Ford had a v-8 in '32, Chevy in '55 but I think other GM had them before Chevy.
   The truck engine makers have tryed v-6 and v-8s but the inline 6 what they have settled on for standard. I ran a V-12 for 500,000 miles, from '74 to 79. Could run well over 100, pull anything I hooked onto, but she was hard to feed.

Yer right.....I was thinking of overhead-valve V8s.

I used to race flatheads, for years.

[wynot]

Yer right.....I was thinking of overhead-valve V8s.
 
I used to race flatheads, for years.

Straight eights also had several manufacturing and real-world problems.  It was hard to machine and keep a true straight eight head level and warp free.  They were extremely long and heavy, forcing extremely long engine compartment, because of locating the engine far enough back relative to the axles for weight balance.  They also required a very high hood line (same as an inline anything).  Thus the development of argumentively the best gas inline of all time, the slant six.
 
As noted, the truckers like the inline 6 for the torque, realizing that most commercial diesels develop max torque at really low RPM compared to either gasoline or passenger car diesels (my diesel cars rev out to 5,400 rpm, compared to 1800-2200 rpm for commercial).  On the other hand, that 24 valve DOHC inline six diesel I have stinks on low RPM torque, compared to the older 10 valve SOHC inline fives. So valvetrain must make a difference as well.
 
I never raced, but that 49 Ford flathead I used to putter with did OK...

[mrsafety]

Is anyone towing their popup with the new 4dr (or 2dr) Jeep JK??? If so how does it pull?

I have a 2000 Jeep Wrangler 4 cyclinder which I use to two my pop up.  I have been very impressed with it so far.  I keep the speed at 60-65 mph and no faster.  The weight of the trailer is about 1700 lbs or so.  I also use a Jeep Liberty as well.  This one has been very good with no problems.

[Amazing Bass]

Hello!
We did our maiden PUP season last year in our Jeep Liberty (V6); about 1,500 towing miles for the summer.  It towed fine and carried all our gear too!  You really don't need the 4WD on the highway, but it's good on those gravel campground roads  I like the liberty's head room inside (for us tall people!).

Good Luck!
Bob