I know that my scrambler build will never match my JKU before or after it’s current upgrades. It really is Apples to oranges. I’m sure you could build a CJ crawler that could easily run with built JKs but it wouldn’t be comfortable or in many ways capable of on road travel. CJs are beautiful for what they are, but if you want an all around rig, there’s nothing better than a JK or JL.
As far as trailering goes, I need to have the ability to get back home on schedule regardless of what if anything happens to the Jeep. For that reason I’ve been building my way into that truck and trailer. But that’s been years in the making. I truly love the fact I can drive my JK 10 hours, wheel it for a weekend and then it gets me back home. I just know that those days are numbered for me and someday I would have been stranded.
If it were me, I’d buy a good JKU, build it as you want it to be, pay it off, then get a 1 ton and a trailer. Just my thoughts, and as you know my CJ is still and always will be my favorite Jeep! Just not practical for both roles.
2015 JKUR AEV JK350
1985 CJ8 Scrambler