Launching/Retrieving with a Jeep?

[Coop]

I store our RZ2 in Havasu -- about a 4 hour drive. Instead of driving the big tow vehicle out every time, I was thinking of getting an older, inexpensive Jeep Wrangler to leave out there and use to launch and retrieve the boat (and maybe do a little off-roading in the off-season). I don't need to tow it for any distance on the streets or highway -- just up/down a hill and across the road to the storage unit.

I see the towing capacities on the Wranglers max out at 3,500 lbs. I was wondering if that was more a function of the wheelbase and controllability rather than power and torque.

Any thoughts on whether the Wrangler could handle launching and retrieving? Thanks.

[robert theisen]

Should do fine as long as the ramp isn't too steep.Also a big drop off at the end of the ramp could present a problem.A average ramp should be fine with the jeep.

[Kimber]

I would think that in 4wd there wouldn't be an issue. I think braking would be the issue while towing.

[youatigenow]

When I first got my boat I was towing and launching with a 2wd Ranger. It was hairy a few times but always had the power to pull the boat out. If it was 4wd or had a low range it would have done a great job. You won't want to tow far or fast with the Jeep but it should get the job done.

[dom w. forte]

Ive been towing with a 1999 Cherokee 4.0l 4x4 150,000 miles , since 2004 with no problems, I only use it for short hauls have pulled RZ4S , its done fine , its a little scary with the big boats, you have to drive a little more carefull .

[Joeprunc]

At the marina here they have two wranglers which pull out all the boats for their dry dock service. I think a Wrangler will work perfectly for you. Get the inline 6 or v8 and you will be more than fine.

[Coop]

Thanks for all the feedback.

[Timmy!]

I have wondered about this too. My wife wants a 4 door Wrangler so bad but it's kind of useless for towing. We store our boat at the lake and I thought maybe it would be ok for launching in 4wd and then if it was sketchy that 4Lo would probably work pretty good.

[IDBoating]

My concern would be if you're pulling a load beyond the rated tow rating and you get into an accident. An attorney would have a holiday claiming you were at fault, no matter what happened, and your insurance company could use it as an excuse to deny your claim. For a marina, always on their property, sure. On a public road for any distance, well....

I hate having to think of these things, but we live in a very litigious society these days. Don't make it easier for them.

[raythompson]

My concern would be if you're pulling a load beyond the rated tow rating and you get into an accident. An attorney would have a holiday claiming you were at fault, no matter what happened, and your insurance company could use it as an excuse to deny your claim.

The insurance company will not deny the claim just because you were stupid. Just as they cannot deny a claim if you get in an accident because you were searching for navel lint in you belly button. Exceeding the towing capacity on a vehicle is not reason to deny the claim. The insurance may drop as they don't want to insure people with Darwin Syndrome.

[IDBoating]

The insurance company will not deny the claim just because you were stupid.

I believe it's illegal to tow above the vehicle's weight rating. I'm pretty sure an insurance company can deny a claim if you were breaking the law, but maybe I'm wrong.

[Paublo]

Yes, and you can be cited for having a tail light out too. They are called accidents because someone makes a mistake and breaks the law. If coverage was denied for every error that was made, they would never pay a claim. We carry insurance to protect us from our stupidity.

[Iwndr]

I'd say it’s no different than someone over weighting their boat with ballast...

[Timmy!]

I loosely researched this issue when I was looking at fifth wheels and double towing and found that they have indeed denied claims for towing more than the vehicle was rated for. There was enough evidence for me to dump the idea. Most of the cases that I found involved a death or personal injury though so take it fwiw and I don't have the links that I found anymore.

[AdaminMN]

If you get a Jeep with the 4.0, you'll be fine for towing.

When going down the road, I'd just be concerned about the short wheelbase of the Jeep. Think...Tail wagging the dog.

The short wheelbase would be outstanding when backing up, talk about manuverable!