Another Towing Dilemma

[jacques2727]

Recently bought a 2000 21i. Right now I am towing with a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee ltd, but looking for something a little more willing to pull this kind of weight. Has anyone towed significant weight with a cherokee of this stature?(318, 4X4) Between consulting owners manuals, dealers, hitch shops, and various other sources, I can't seem to get a straight answer to whether it is even safe to be pulling with this vehicle for the time being. So far as I can tell, I am rated to pull 5000lbs dead weight, with a max of 500lbs on the ball. I am close to these numbers with the boat all loaded up, and it pulls fine on the flats, but will pulling out of the launch rip my jeep apart? My dilemma about a new vehicle is to go truck or SUV? I am not looking to spend a ton of cash. Maybe a 1999ish chevy truck or tahoe? Any advice for a concerned tow-er?

[Original Wing Nut]

My concern has never been towing, it's controlling or stopping a trailer when things get hecktic. I think if something goes wrong your chances are better with a bigger heavier rig. As far as new/used rig I was in the market a few months ago and the old body style Tahoe/Yukons seem to be priced great and have towed with a 2000 Yukon and it did great. I now have an 07 tahoe and it tows respectably, this considering I went from a deisel to gas. The family loves it and so that's good with me.

[typerider]

to fix the towing weight rating if that concerns you just get an airlift airbag setup to add extra towing capacity to your ride. you can find them online i'm sure or in a summit racing parts catalog probably. as for the controlability of your rig just be careful stopping and steering or upgrade the brakes(trailer and truck). thats about all i can help with hope everything works out for you.

[TeamAllen]

How far do you normally tow the boat?

How many axles on the trailer?

Disk or drum brakes on the trailer?

[jacques2727]

Our home lake is about 40km (25miles) that we visit 2 or 3 times a week. But about 4 times a year, I pull it to the cabin which is about 200km (125 miles). A little bit hilly of a trip.
The trailer is a dual axle, wich discs serving one axle only. It has hydraulic surge brakes which seem to work somewhat, but still smell burning brakes on my jeep pretty much every time I pull with it. This raises another question I have, is there any way to test the operation of surge brakes?

[chpthril]

According to TrailerBoats.com tow rating data base, the 5.2L V8 has a tow rating of 6500 lbs. But does not say whether this is for 2 or 4 wheel drive? I would say drop 300 to 500 for the 4x4. Also says "Requires weight-distributing hitch." Don't know if your Jeep has this, if not, I don't know how much you should deduct for that

I'd say that your rig is close to 4500# but best to weigh at public scale to be exact. If 5k is correct, than you are very close to a safe limit. With out knowing the "non-weight-distributing hitch" tow rating, which may be the 5k rating you found, It's a hard call on whether you need a new tow vehicle or not.

1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2 V-8 6500 *
*Requires automatic transmission.
*Requires Trailer Tow Package.
*Requires weight-distributing hitch.

1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 I-6 5000 *
*Requires frame-mounted Class III hitch.
*Requires automatic transmission.
*Requires Trailer Tow Package.
*Requires weight-distributing hitch.