Towing Question

[rick lester]

I finally got Dana talked into giving me her S-10, but the deal is a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I will be towing an open trailer. If I do buy a Jeep G.C., it will be a four door. I understand that almost anything can be used to tow with, brakes are one of the most important things to worry about. I'm thinking a 5.2 motor, but would a 4.0 be just as good? With advancments in trailer brake technology, I would be comfrotable towing with Jeep G.C., more wondering about if anybody tows with or did in the past with one of these. I did see a Chrysler Aspen (Dodge Dakota) towing an enclosed trailer to Gainsville last weekend and it looked quite stable, unlike the 1/2 ton Chevy towing an enclosed trailer on same weekend. I would prefer an at least a 3/4 ton long wheelbase, full frame chassis compared to unibody construction of the G.C. Any help would be apreciaitted. STOCKERS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick.

[Doug Blackley]

The 5.2 motor would be better if you are going to get the earlier Grand. I towed mine on an open trailer with my 94 un til 3 years ago when we bought the Suburban. The 5.2 has plenty of pulling power just remember to shut off the overdrive when you're going up big hills. If you are going to be stuffing evertything you can in the rear as well, swap out the rear springs for a set if o.e. ones for the up country package. Those are heavy and will allow you to not need a set of air bags in the standard springs.

[rick lester]

Thanks Doug, this makes it alot easier to get now. I'm going to start out racing with the SSSSA hopefully by early summer. About the only things I will be toting extra is chairs, a small table and a couple of coolers with food and drinks, and a few extra buts to bug me at the track.lol. STOCKERS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick.

[Philip Saran]

The 4.0 in the GC has a towing rate of 4K or less, the 5.2 is good, I don't
know if they offered the 4.7 in the GC or only the Dakota/Darango, I had
a 2000 Dakota 4x4 with 4.7/auto and it towed great, very stable.

That said, I now tow both my travel trailer and my open car trailer with a
Ford F350/4 door/4X4/8 ft bed/diesel. Is it overkill for what I tow? YES!!
But it was a very good deal when I bought the truck and it was cheaper
than much lesser trucks I looked at.

[Doug Domm]

A Jeep as a tow vehicle, look out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is the wheel base of the jeep? What is the length of the trailer? What is the weight of the Jeep? What is the weight of the loaded trailer? I don't care how much power this thing has it is an accident looking for a place to happen. I have a friend who thought just like you and used his Jeep Grand Cherokee as a tow vehicle even after a stern scolding from me not to and lost everything going down a steep hill that had a little rise in it about 3/4 ways down. It was enough to unsettle the whole outfit and cause a total loss of everything. Remember here the trailer is bigger and heavier than the Jeep so you know who's boss now! He was not driving that fast when it happened and he had a few towing miles under his belt before this so yes you could say he had some previous towing experiance. He was very very fortunate no one was injured. It was real ugly and tore up some pretty nice stuff beyond repair. But that's just my opinion and you what they say about opinions.

[Rob Petrie E395]

Originally Posted by Doug Domm

A Jeep as a tow vehicle, look out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is the wheel base of the jeep? What is the length of the trailer? What is the weight of the Jeep? What is the weight of the loaded trailer? I don't care how much power this thing has it is an accident looking for a place to happen..

I could not agree with this post more. I am not saying that everybody needs a crew cab dually to tow a race car on a open trailer because we dont. BUT the bigger the pulling vehicle the more stable it is especially in a emergency situation. I like the jeep GC my wife drove one until we got her a new trailblazer one of the best vehicles I have owned in my life but I would not even think about putting my car on a open trailer behind it.