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Post by YJ Ken on Jan 24, 2006 18:22:48 GMT -5
What is the most you would tow with a stock XJ with the 4.0? IIRC, it has a 5500lb towing capacity. How would it tow my trail jeep?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2006 19:36:35 GMT -5
I tried this with the '96 I once owned. I tried a tow dolly and it was scary. It had enough motor to move it, but could never stop all that weight. I didn't even attempt to flat tow. When you use a trailer with brakes, the weight of both well excedes the safety margin of any XJ. My 2 cents...
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Post by jeeepxj on Jan 24, 2006 22:36:03 GMT -5
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Post by BIG J on Jan 25, 2006 10:39:19 GMT -5
i towed my heep on a dolly with a 91 with a 5 speed. couldn't use overdirve, and the jeep wagged a lot. it was a little scary. never did it again.
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Donny
Trail Guide
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Post by Donny on Jan 25, 2006 13:24:46 GMT -5
I bought a tow dolly with surge brakes to tow my Wrangler with my 97 XJ to Michigan when I moved. It was an all around bad experience. Over 55mph would cause nearly fatal trailer wag. It stopped ok, but the wag was very dangerous. I promptly sold the tow dolly after arriving in MI. Donny
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Post by YJ Ken on Jan 25, 2006 14:30:04 GMT -5
I guess I should have mentioned that I have a dual axle 20' trailer with electric brakes. I believe the weight of my trailer is 1600lbs. Guessing the jeep weighs 4000. That would put me right at the limit for an XJ. I would have to do some mods to keep cool and better braking. I was worried about power and handling.
I have been tossing around the idea of getting a truck, but I like my DD XJ.
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Post by Lyle on Jan 25, 2006 20:20:29 GMT -5
i towed my heep on a dolly with a 91 with a 5 speed. couldn't use overdirve, and the jeep wagged a lot. it was a little scary. never did it again. J - Was it more scary than that rig you pulled behind the F-250 up to Paragon and back? I had to clean MY seats, and I was way behind you just watching! Ken - I think you'd be a lot safer with a truck where you'd have a more comfortable margin. Guess it depends on how much towing you'd be doing, how far, and if it would be at highway speeds. I can tell you that pulling the Haulmark with the Grand provided some moments of excitement. I arrive MUCH more relaxed pulling with the 2500HD.
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Donny
Trail Guide
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Post by Donny on Jan 25, 2006 23:12:23 GMT -5
If you're pulling down the highway, the XJ will probably have enough power and with the trailer brakes it should stop ok. The problem you're gonna have is that if you have to make any emergeny lane changes the XJ doesn't weigh enough to keep the trailer from trying to take the lead.
Why can't you just drive your TJ? I've got one of those cool military trailers that I tow behind my TJ with all the camping gear and spare parts. It's got enough clearance to take off road to whereever you're gonna camp.
Donny
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Post by jeeepxj on Jan 26, 2006 5:40:54 GMT -5
I think Ken is like the rest of us. He enjoys driving his YJ but he doesn't wanna hold back sometimes. He's worried about getting home with a broken Heep. I'm assuming that he wants to play on some rough stuff on the upcoming Crozet trip.
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Post by YJ Ken on Jan 26, 2006 6:38:51 GMT -5
I have the RV to tow with. but, breaking it out of storage and getting it ready isn't convenient all the time. I was thinking of alternatives. I know a truck would be best. I hadn't heard any towing stories for the XJ. Just seeing how well it did. I do have a military trailer. But there are some runs (like Crozet) where there is a higher potential of breakage. I would hate to burden someone to tow my jeep and my trailer home. OH, I have a YJ, not a TJ
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2006 7:04:16 GMT -5
If you want an interesting towing story about XJ's, talk with Vince Morolla. If memory services me, he towed his car trailer with a vehicle on it around town. It got swaying and lifted the rear of the XJ off the ground, in a fun circular fashion. Another 2 cents...I'm done.
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Post by toynrnd on Jan 26, 2006 7:29:33 GMT -5
I think Ken is like the rest of us... ...he is getting old and wants a cushy, quiet ride on the way to a wheelin' spot. Don't be afraid to admit it Ken. ;D
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Donny
Trail Guide
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Post by Donny on Jan 26, 2006 9:02:52 GMT -5
Some of you will remember my experience on Dictum's Ridge about 6 years ago where I broke both rear axle shafts at the same time. I have a membership with AAA and they towed my TJ all the way to Charlottesville free of charge. I drove up the next weekend with parts and drove it home.
AAA will tow 250 miles free, up to 4 times a year all for less than $100. It's also good piece of mind for me knowing my wife will never have to change a tire or ask for a jump start from a stranger.
Donny
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Post by YJ Ken on Jan 26, 2006 22:54:53 GMT -5
Ok, I'll admit it. I want a comfy ride. But, more important to me is being self-reliant. Being able to get myself and family home after my ego busts something in the jeep.
I have AAA. I thought it was only 100 miles. Did they raise it?
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Post by rickyb12 on Jan 30, 2006 6:51:50 GMT -5
I thought It was only a hundred miles also. I have AAA plus RV. That way they will tow the truck and trailer.
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