Jeep huals like a champ!

[grant]

Wow the new Jeep huals like a champ. In many ways its better than the 09 Chevy Crewcab with a V8. Brakes are better and the self leveling suspension is awesome! Motor is so torquey it huals up hills with similar power that smal V8 did but due to better gearing it is much easier. I averaged 16.3 MPG on first tow from Santa Cruz to San Jose and back again. On flats the MPG was well over 20 MPG so I cant wait to see how Jeep does on longer trips. Its tranny runs much cooler over mountains as well. Never got about 185 over HWY 17. The truck used to go up to 215 degrees on same route with same load.

[grant]

Second tow job. Got 17.6 MPG on same route over 17! I think this rig will do 20 MPG on long flat huals. Motor just purrs at 1800 to 2000 RPM on flats at highway speeds. Gearing for climbing hills is awesome.

I just put synthetic in for first oil change and I have seen noticable bump in mpg!

I think couple things contribute to great mileage, Ligherweight than most trucks, more slippery areodynamically, excellent gearing for towing and a tranny that really shifts at perfect shift points to maximise both power and fuel economy.

Clearly it would get trounced by HD truck pulling heavy load like enclosed trailer but for open trailer with sub 3000 lb car its awesome!

[mikey]

My Tacoma would fall apart if I had to tow my trailer over HWY 17.

[grant]

My Tacoma would fall apart if I had to tow my trailer over HWY 17.

17 is piece of cake! Especially now that it has been repaved. Its the 3 miles of 5% to 6% grade from coast to my house is the killer! Fortunately very little traffic on that road as I crawl up the mountain.

[grant]

Report after hauling 5000 lb trailer with fully loaded Jeep. All I can say is this vehicle is amazing! I had plenty of power and easily pulled over hills at 60 MPH plus. I got 17.5 MPG up and back total. I was surpassing 23 MPG on flats! Platform handled the weight with ease. Braking was easy and the antisway technology and auto leveling suspension is just awesome! I was really worried that the car would be overwhelmed with 5000 lb car and trailer. Thats max. The tranny stayed at 170 degrees the entire trip in 90 degree weather. Never saw more than 213 degree water temps - it usually was around 206. And oil stayed between 195 to 210.

[dant]