Is anyone towing the Elite II with the new Jeep Wrangler 3.0 EcoDiesel engine

[Trainman]

I'm going to order a new 2022 Jeep Wrangler and looking at the new EcoDiesel 3.0 and just wondering if anyone out there has one, or giving it some thought on purchasing one. I'm not going to replace it for my 2019 Ram 1500, but would be buying it as a TOY and if it could handle the Elite II might use it on shorter camping outings where some Jeep off roading could come into play. The diesel engine cranks out a lot of torque and has decent HP, is it too small for a tow vehicle for the Elite II, or not and what do you think about it. 

trainman

[ScubaRx]

That new engine has a towing capacity of 3500 pounds. It would not even tow the Elite.

[Ghostriderc227]

In my limited opinion, that is not near enough engine, transmission, or final drive for pulling an Oliver.  There is a huge difference between a Diesel engine built for fuel economy, and one built for heavy towing and rugged use.  Buyers many times believe that simply because it is a diesel, that it is capable of heavy loads.  There are light duty Diesel engines designed and built for economy....and this is one of them.

Also, consider what is between the end of the crankshaft and the tires on the ground.  Drivetrain and suspension are just as critical.

 

Steve R.

[Trainman]

I see in the Jeep Wrangler the towing capacity is only 3500 lbs,, but in the Jeep Gladiator it is 6000 lbs. The diesel engine puts out 260hp and 442 foot lbs. of torque, hardly on the low side for a diesel engine. I think this setup would have very little problem handling an Elite II. Maybe some of the road test on YouTube might give a little thought to this 3.0 EcoDiesel.  

 

trainman

[John E Davies]

It would be the height of folly to pull even a lightly loaded LE2 with a TV rated for just “up to 3500 pounds”. Legally speaking. Is there any reason not to buy the Gladiator?

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Trainman]

John, people don't buy Jeeps to pull trailers of any size larger them say the smaller utility size trailers, or like a Casita, Popup, or something in that size group.   No, I'm not going to buy a Jeep to pull the Elite II, but Yes I'm going to buy another Jeep Wrangler for my TOY. 

trainman

[ScubaRx]

On 6/1/2021 at 12:14 AM, Trainman said:

John, people don't buy Jeeps to pull trailers of any size larger them say the smaller utility size trailers, or like a Casita, Popup, or something in that size group.   No, I'm not going to buy a Jeep to pull the Elite II, but Yes I'm going to buy another Jeep Wrangler for my TOY. 

trainman

Yet, in a previous post you stated, “I think this setup would have very little problem handling an Elite II.”

[John E Davies]

When you start a thread about buying a Wrangler diesel “if it could handle the Elite II might use it on shorter camping outings”, then expect some major flak in the responses. You seem to have changed course in the middle of a thread. I think the Wrangler would be fine for moving the Ollie out of storage to wash it, and then back in, but no further. Think “tug” rather than “tow vehicle”. IMHO even the Gladiator diesel is a marginal TV.

The big problem IMHO with using a Wrangler for a TV is if you break down in the boonies, you are doubly in trouble. Now you have to figure out how to get both the Jeep and the trailer home. The most sensible setup for a Wrangler heading for the trails is a truck camper pulling the Jeep on a flatbed trailer. Once you have been towed out of the boonies by a buddy, you can easily use the disabled Jeep’s winch to pull it up onto the trailer. That is what you most often see near trailheads.

Can you please clarify exactly what you are talking about?

I think Wranglers are very cool, but they are relatively fragile. A stock Land Cruiser 200 with LT All Terrain tires will tow your Ollie fairly well, and also go into some mind boggling offroad situations with very minimal risk of busting something expensive. Just say no to Jeeps: 😉

John Davies

Spokane WA

 

[SeaDawg]

So, @Trainman, did you get the jeep?

Are you enjoying it, not as a tow vehicle?

I see lots of them every day, in my county driving. I really like the light grey. 

Every vehicle we own (except the 58 tr3) can tow our Ollie. We just choose not to, with some.

Enjoy the ride!

[GAP]

On 6/1/2021 at 12:33 AM, John E Davies said:

It would be the height of folly to pull even a lightly loaded LE2 with a TV rated for just “up to 3500 pounds”. Legally speaking. Is there any reason not to buy the Gladiator?

John Davies

Spokane WA

I used a Chevy Colorado to tow my E2 for thousands of miles.  Eventually switched up to a Ford F150.  the Chevy was rated to 7000lbs towing and the Ford is 11,500.  While the Chevy got the job done, it felt very much on the edge.  Transmission ran hot, was super slow to get up to speed and, biggest concern, the brake, suspension and tranny systems were not designed to be able to pull that weight with any safety margin.  t's likely that the Jeeps are in the same boat.  If you can tow something with a vehicle that is barely rated for it does not necessarily mean you should.  

[ScubaRx]

2 minutes ago, GAP said:

I used a Chevy Colorado to tow my E2 for thousands of miles.  Eventually switched up to a Ford F150.  the Chevy was rated to 7000lbs towing and the Ford is 11,500.  While the Chevy got the job done, it felt very much on the edge.  Transmission ran hot, was super slow to get up to speed and, biggest concern, the brake, suspension and tranny systems were not designed to be able to pull that weight with any safety margin.  t's likely that the Jeeps are in the same boat.  If you can tow something with a vehicle that is barely rated for it does not necessarily mean you should.  

Seems like I hear an echo in here.