Re: tow vehicle suggestions
 

For towing a TJ to the trail, I would be looking to the SUV derivitive of
the F250, or equivelent.



"E.L. Lambert" <lambeth65@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:76b045c1.0309271425.6f88a7c9@posting.google.c om...
> i am in the market for a vehicle that will see dual use as a daily
> driver (40 freeway miles per day) and also for towing my jeep to the
> trail.
>
> i am trying to decide what kind of vehicle to get and i would like to
> hear what others have to say on this. i need more a people hauler and
> not a work vehicle so i have ruled out large pickups such as the
> f-250. i also don't want to break the bank so i have ruled out high
> end SUVs such as the hummer and escalade.
>
> that leaves two options: 1. midsize SUVs such as the GMC Jimmy (sorry
> cherokee fans - DCs website says you can only tow 2000 pounds, and i
> figure a loaded trail jeep + full trailer is at least 5 or 6 thousand
> pounds, which the jimmy can manage, just barely) or 2. heavy sedans
> such as the cadillac seville, lincoln towncar, or mercedes e500.
>
> anyone want to share their experiences with tow vehicles?

Re: tow vehicle suggestions
 

<i am in the market for a vehicle that will see dual use as a daily driver (40
freeway miles per day) and also for towing my jeep to the trail. anyone want
to share their experiences with tow vehicles?>

Do you plan to flat tow or use a car hauler trailer?

Your jeep, loaded for the trail, will probably weigh 4,000 lbs or more. A key
issue for flat towing will be the braking capacity of your tow rig since it
must stop two vehicles. (If you use a car hauler trailer, you will probably
already have brakes on one axle, but should have them on both.)

A trailer will weigh at least 1,600 lbs, therefore you should figure on a total
towed weight of 6,500-7,000 lbs for purposes of determining what capacity tow
rig you need, regardless of whether you intend to flat tow or trailer your
jeep. (Why buy a tow rig marginally capable of flat towing a jeep, leaving you
without options in the future?)

Another factor is the wheelbase of the tow rig. The longer the better. (I
know people who flat towed jeeps with Grand Cherokees who have reported that
combination to be dangerously unstable.)

The third factor is the engine in the tow rig. IMO, a 350 V8 is marginal at
best. You want a big block, or even better - a diesel.

I know your preference is something other than a pickup, but anything less than
the equivalent of a 3/4 ton truck is asking for trouble. (Sorry Bill, but I
think your son's F150 isn't enough vehicle for the job.) My recommendation
would be to look at "super cabs" or crew cab trucks if you need to carry
passengers, or if you really prefer a "car," then full size Suburbans or Tahoes
or an Expedition. Even better would be an Excursion.

(PS - I currently flat tow my jeep behind a Ford F250 4x4 diesel.)


Robert Bills
KG6LMV
Orange County CA

http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/jeep/...p-l/billsr.htm
http://www.RobertBills.com

Re: tow vehicle suggestions
 

<i am in the market for a vehicle that will see dual use as a daily driver (40
freeway miles per day) and also for towing my jeep to the trail. anyone want
to share their experiences with tow vehicles?>

Do you plan to flat tow or use a car hauler trailer?

Your jeep, loaded for the trail, will probably weigh 4,000 lbs or more. A key
issue for flat towing will be the braking capacity of your tow rig since it
must stop two vehicles. (If you use a car hauler trailer, you will probably
already have brakes on one axle, but should have them on both.)

A trailer will weigh at least 1,600 lbs, therefore you should figure on a total
towed weight of 6,500-7,000 lbs for purposes of determining what capacity tow
rig you need, regardless of whether you intend to flat tow or trailer your
jeep. (Why buy a tow rig marginally capable of flat towing a jeep, leaving you
without options in the future?)

Another factor is the wheelbase of the tow rig. The longer the better. (I
know people who flat towed jeeps with Grand Cherokees who have reported that
combination to be dangerously unstable.)

The third factor is the engine in the tow rig. IMO, a 350 V8 is marginal at
best. You want a big block, or even better - a diesel.

I know your preference is something other than a pickup, but anything less than
the equivalent of a 3/4 ton truck is asking for trouble. (Sorry Bill, but I
think your son's F150 isn't enough vehicle for the job.) My recommendation
would be to look at "super cabs" or crew cab trucks if you need to carry
passengers, or if you really prefer a "car," then full size Suburbans or Tahoes
or an Expedition. Even better would be an Excursion.

(PS - I currently flat tow my jeep behind a Ford F250 4x4 diesel.)


Robert Bills
KG6LMV
Orange County CA

http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/jeep/...p-l/billsr.htm
http://www.RobertBills.com

Re: tow vehicle suggestions
 

You need a jeep grand cherokee 5.9, 98, that 360 will do the trick, slight
mods for towing get the rating right up there

"Dean" <do.not.email.me@post.it.to.the.group.com> wrote in message
news:l38cnvsv4mb4hk5ialj4hsopqlh6kj143h@4ax.com...
> I use a Ford Expedition for my tow vehicle. It is rated to tow 7,000
pounds, so
> the jeep is not a problem. I REALLY wanted a Grand Cherokee as my tow
vehicle,
> but it is only rated at 5,000 pounds and I thought that was just too close
to
> what the TJ and trailer would weigh. (I ended up pulling the TJ four
down, so I
> probably could have gotten away with the Grand Cherokee.)
>
> Towing 4 down with the Expedition you know the jeep is back there.
Stopping
> distance is increased, and twisting mountain roads are no fun, as the jeep
wants
> to go one way and I want to go another. I highly recommend Not getting
the
> smallest vehicle that might do the job. It will always be at the edge of
its
> performance envelope and you will never be happy with it. (I've also
towed my
> TJ with a 40 foot motor home. I couldn't even tell it was back there.
Couldn't
> see it in the mirrors. Couldn't feel it try and push the back around.)
>
> I used to drive in the TJ to the trail, talk about stuffed to the gills
<lol>
> First thing I would have to do is unload the luggage at the hotel, before
we go
> and have fun. Now Expedition has plenty of room for luggage and people
and the
> TJ travels ready for the trail.
>
> Good Luck,
> Dean
>
>
> On 27 Sep 2003 15:25:25 -0700, lambeth65@earthlink.net (E.L. Lambert)
wrote:
>
> >i am in the market for a vehicle that will see dual use as a daily
> >driver (40 freeway miles per day) and also for towing my jeep to the
> >trail.
> >
> >i am trying to decide what kind of vehicle to get and i would like to
> >hear what others have to say on this. i need more a people hauler and
> >not a work vehicle so i have ruled out large pickups such as the
> >f-250. i also don't want to break the bank so i have ruled out high
> >end SUVs such as the hummer and escalade.
> >
> >that leaves two options: 1. midsize SUVs such as the GMC Jimmy (sorry
> >cherokee fans - DCs website says you can only tow 2000 pounds, and i
> >figure a loaded trail jeep + full trailer is at least 5 or 6 thousand
> >pounds, which the jimmy can manage, just barely) or 2. heavy sedans
> >such as the cadillac seville, lincoln towncar, or mercedes e500.
> >
> >anyone want to share their experiences with tow vehicles?
>

Re: tow vehicle suggestions
 

You need a jeep grand cherokee 5.9, 98, that 360 will do the trick, slight
mods for towing get the rating right up there

"Dean" <do.not.email.me@post.it.to.the.group.com> wrote in message
news:l38cnvsv4mb4hk5ialj4hsopqlh6kj143h@4ax.com...
> I use a Ford Expedition for my tow vehicle. It is rated to tow 7,000
pounds, so
> the jeep is not a problem. I REALLY wanted a Grand Cherokee as my tow
vehicle,
> but it is only rated at 5,000 pounds and I thought that was just too close
to
> what the TJ and trailer would weigh. (I ended up pulling the TJ four
down, so I
> probably could have gotten away with the Grand Cherokee.)
>
> Towing 4 down with the Expedition you know the jeep is back there.
Stopping
> distance is increased, and twisting mountain roads are no fun, as the jeep
wants
> to go one way and I want to go another. I highly recommend Not getting
the
> smallest vehicle that might do the job. It will always be at the edge of
its
> performance envelope and you will never be happy with it. (I've also
towed my
> TJ with a 40 foot motor home. I couldn't even tell it was back there.
Couldn't
> see it in the mirrors. Couldn't feel it try and push the back around.)
>
> I used to drive in the TJ to the trail, talk about stuffed to the gills
<lol>
> First thing I would have to do is unload the luggage at the hotel, before
we go
> and have fun. Now Expedition has plenty of room for luggage and people
and the
> TJ travels ready for the trail.
>
> Good Luck,
> Dean
>
>
> On 27 Sep 2003 15:25:25 -0700, lambeth65@earthlink.net (E.L. Lambert)
wrote:
>
> >i am in the market for a vehicle that will see dual use as a daily
> >driver (40 freeway miles per day) and also for towing my jeep to the
> >trail.
> >
> >i am trying to decide what kind of vehicle to get and i would like to
> >hear what others have to say on this. i need more a people hauler and
> >not a work vehicle so i have ruled out large pickups such as the
> >f-250. i also don't want to break the bank so i have ruled out high
> >end SUVs such as the hummer and escalade.
> >
> >that leaves two options: 1. midsize SUVs such as the GMC Jimmy (sorry
> >cherokee fans - DCs website says you can only tow 2000 pounds, and i
> >figure a loaded trail jeep + full trailer is at least 5 or 6 thousand
> >pounds, which the jimmy can manage, just barely) or 2. heavy sedans
> >such as the cadillac seville, lincoln towncar, or mercedes e500.
> >
> >anyone want to share their experiences with tow vehicles?
>

Re: tow vehicle suggestions
 

Just a thought.

The Cherokee automatic is rated for 5000 lb towing, the 5 speed is only
rated for the 2000 lb according to my Cherokee owners manual.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

"E.L. Lambert" wrote:
>
> i am in the market for a vehicle that will see dual use as a daily
> driver (40 freeway miles per day) and also for towing my jeep to the
> trail.
>
> i am trying to decide what kind of vehicle to get and i would like to
> hear what others have to say on this. i need more a people hauler and
> not a work vehicle so i have ruled out large pickups such as the
> f-250. i also don't want to break the bank so i have ruled out high
> end SUVs such as the hummer and escalade.
>
> that leaves two options: 1. midsize SUVs such as the GMC Jimmy (sorry
> cherokee fans - DCs website says you can only tow 2000 pounds, and i
> figure a loaded trail jeep + full trailer is at least 5 or 6 thousand
> pounds, which the jimmy can manage, just barely) or 2. heavy sedans
> such as the cadillac seville, lincoln towncar, or mercedes e500.
>
> anyone want to share their experiences with tow vehicles?

Re: tow vehicle suggestions
 

Just a thought.

The Cherokee automatic is rated for 5000 lb towing, the 5 speed is only
rated for the 2000 lb according to my Cherokee owners manual.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

"E.L. Lambert" wrote:
>
> i am in the market for a vehicle that will see dual use as a daily
> driver (40 freeway miles per day) and also for towing my jeep to the
> trail.
>
> i am trying to decide what kind of vehicle to get and i would like to
> hear what others have to say on this. i need more a people hauler and
> not a work vehicle so i have ruled out large pickups such as the
> f-250. i also don't want to break the bank so i have ruled out high
> end SUVs such as the hummer and escalade.
>
> that leaves two options: 1. midsize SUVs such as the GMC Jimmy (sorry
> cherokee fans - DCs website says you can only tow 2000 pounds, and i
> figure a loaded trail jeep + full trailer is at least 5 or 6 thousand
> pounds, which the jimmy can manage, just barely) or 2. heavy sedans
> such as the cadillac seville, lincoln towncar, or mercedes e500.
>
> anyone want to share their experiences with tow vehicles?

Re: tow vehicle suggestions
 

"E.L. Lambert" wrote:

> i am in the market for a vehicle that will see dual use as a daily
> driver (40 freeway miles per day) and also for towing my jeep to the
> trail.
>
> i am trying to decide what kind of vehicle to get and i would like to
> hear what others have to say on this. i need more a people hauler and
> not a work vehicle so i have ruled out large pickups such as the
> f-250. i also don't want to break the bank so i have ruled out high
> end SUVs such as the hummer and escalade.
>
> that leaves two options: 1. midsize SUVs such as the GMC Jimmy (sorry
> cherokee fans - DCs website says you can only tow 2000 pounds, and i
> figure a loaded trail jeep + full trailer is at least 5 or 6 thousand
> pounds, which the jimmy can manage, just barely) or 2. heavy sedans
> such as the cadillac seville, lincoln towncar, or mercedes e500.
>
> anyone want to share their experiences with tow vehicles?

E.L.,

we have been towing our '95 YJ for several years now from the San
Francisco Bay Area (San Jose, to be exact) up to Tahoe for our annual
vacation up there around Labor Day, using our '97 Lincoln Town Car. We
are using a "Break Buddy" suplemental break system in the Jeep while it
is being towed, which is essential, but with that this combination works
quite well, we never had a problem. Of course the gas mileage especially
on the way up to Tahoe is not great (about 12 mpg), but still better than
driving both cars separately. The whole setup for both cars (the Town Car
was not set up for towing before), including the Break Buddy cost us
about $1,400.

Good luck!

Wolfgang.

Re: tow vehicle suggestions
 

"E.L. Lambert" wrote:

> i am in the market for a vehicle that will see dual use as a daily
> driver (40 freeway miles per day) and also for towing my jeep to the
> trail.
>
> i am trying to decide what kind of vehicle to get and i would like to
> hear what others have to say on this. i need more a people hauler and
> not a work vehicle so i have ruled out large pickups such as the
> f-250. i also don't want to break the bank so i have ruled out high
> end SUVs such as the hummer and escalade.
>
> that leaves two options: 1. midsize SUVs such as the GMC Jimmy (sorry
> cherokee fans - DCs website says you can only tow 2000 pounds, and i
> figure a loaded trail jeep + full trailer is at least 5 or 6 thousand
> pounds, which the jimmy can manage, just barely) or 2. heavy sedans
> such as the cadillac seville, lincoln towncar, or mercedes e500.
>
> anyone want to share their experiences with tow vehicles?

E.L.,

we have been towing our '95 YJ for several years now from the San
Francisco Bay Area (San Jose, to be exact) up to Tahoe for our annual
vacation up there around Labor Day, using our '97 Lincoln Town Car. We
are using a "Break Buddy" suplemental break system in the Jeep while it
is being towed, which is essential, but with that this combination works
quite well, we never had a problem. Of course the gas mileage especially
on the way up to Tahoe is not great (about 12 mpg), but still better than
driving both cars separately. The whole setup for both cars (the Town Car
was not set up for towing before), including the Break Buddy cost us
about $1,400.

Good luck!

Wolfgang.

Re: tow vehicle suggestions
 

Take manufacturer recommendations with a grain of salt. Remember they
are writing that owner's manual with a battalion of liability lawyers
looking over their shoulders. If the vehicle can safely tow 6,000
lbs, they probably divide by 3 and put "don't tow more than 2,000 lbs"
in the manual to cover their butts.

There is no way that towing is such a one size fits all business. If
you're towing on flat ground and have an 8-cylinder engine and heavy
duty transmission, and keep it under 55mph, there is no reason a
cherokee can't tow 5,000 pounds or possibly much more. However if you
want to drive at max speed and haul something over the continental
divide that is another matter entirely... so scale your expectations
accordingly.