Jeep Tow

[blaneyfan]

If you have a DP Tag Axle and flat tow a Jeep Wrangler JL with a factory 2 in. lift plus an added 2.5 lift do you have any swaying of the jeep above 50 mph?
TIA.

[burgmark]

Why do you think you would have swaying? You should have a riser off of your motorhome 2" mount to level up your tow bar.

[Rob_M]

Shouldn’t sway, but you need to level the towbar with a proper hitch riser anyway.

[TonyDi]

What they said ^^^^

[Winger2]

The swaying is possible if there is an alignment problem due to the lift. I had a 16 that had a raised suspension with larger tires and had no issues. Just make sure your alignment is within spec.

[Elwood58]

Good alignment and a level tow bar are the keys.

[zmotorsports]

As others have said, make sure your towbar is level and you really shouldn't experience any swaying while being towed. Not sure why you would assume that you would.

I am towing a JKUR with 4.5" of lift on 37's behind our 40' tag axle DP and it tows smooth and straight as can be and have been since 2011.

[Rob_M]

Originally Posted by Winger2

The swaying is possible if there is an alignment problem due to the lift. I had a 16 that had a raised suspension with larger tires and had no issues. Just make sure your alignment is within spec.

Yes it will sway if the caster angle isn’t correct. Especially if the hitch connectors are sloppy.

[blaneyfan]

Originally Posted by burgmark

Why do you think you would have swaying? You should have a riser off of your motorhome 2" mount to level up your tow bar.

Thank you,
Jeep Dealer Tech. told us it would sway with a lift.

[blaneyfan]

Thank you

[blaneyfan]

Originally Posted by blaneyfan

Thank you,
Jeep Dealer Tech. told us it would sway with a lift.

Wanted more opinions before lifting.

[Rob_M]

Originally Posted by blaneyfan

Wanted more opinions before lifting.

If it’s lifted properly and the jeep’s front end alignment angles are within spec it will not sway. So take it to an alignment shop after the lift and tell them to do whatever needs to be done to keep the caster angle correct. A little extra caster is better than less.

[zmotorsports]

Originally Posted by Rob_M

If it’s lifted properly and the jeep’s front end alignment angles are within spec it will not sway. So take it to an alignment shop after the lift and tell them to do whatever needs to be done to keep the caster angle correct. A little extra caster is better than less.

Agree with Rob_M with one addition. Take it to a shop that specializes or at least is very familiar with lifted/modified suspensions as most shops will use OEM specs. OEM caster specs on a late teens Wrangler are 4.2* +/-.5*. Those specs works great on a stock Jeep Wrangler but as we run larger than stock diameter tires (generally why we lift our Jeeps), this moves the axle centerline further away from the road surface and with those larger diameter tires more caster must be added to avoid the "twitchiness" that can accompany too little caster. I have found around 5.5-6 degrees of caster works great for 35" tires and 6.5-7 works great for 37's. Handles great going down the highway at speed but doesn't give too heavy of a feeling when turning and has good return-to-center characteristics.

The balancing act comes when trying to keep the pinion angle in proper alignment with the driveshaft as too much induces a vibration. I have found when you start getting around 4+ inches of lift that more pinion to caster inclination angle is required. Unfortunately that is not an adjustment and must be accomplished by re-clocking the knuckles OR purchasing an aftermarket axle such as a Dynatrac ProRock Unlimited or Currie which have more separation angle built into them.

Also a bit of toe-in aids with a larger sidewall tire, closer to 1/8" works fantastic.