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towing vehicles

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:24 pm
by blackberg
So my current Jeep is on its way out, I was going to install a hitch to tow the 'toon but I think I will buy something else instead of dumping money into it.

thinking of getting another grand cherokee, and was thinking of staying with the 4.0 I6 just because I love that motor. My current 6cyl Jeep is rated for 5000#, and I am assuming the 99+ should be around the same.

I have a 20ft Suntracker so its not that heavy.

opinions?

should I just look for an v8 instead?


thanks
-bb

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:35 pm
by captainjack
I always consider the jeep more of a mid size an have heard either engine is tough on gas an a expedition or tahoe get the same mileage an the extra stability an power is always nice. That's my 2 cents. But I know a lot of people love those an tow with the jeep.

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:01 pm
by PlaynDoc
Can't go wrong with a 5.7 Tundra. >10,000 lb tow capacity. (But, it gets thirsty while towing)

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:51 pm
by Bamaman
The pontoons are not any heavier than a regular fiberglass ski boat, however the length of the boat/trailer, the height of the trailer/pontoon and the lack of aerodynamics make them pull heavier than they actually are.

I started out pulling my pontoon with a 4 cylinder automatic shift Ranger pickup. I really prefer a tow vehicle longer than a jeep to pull such a long trailer with.

There again, how often you pull the trailer makes a difference. If you only pull it to the marina and home once per season, you can get away with a lesser vehicle. If you pull it 100 miles to the lake twice a month--you need a more substantial pull truck.

The Bassmaster Elite fishing series has been in our area twice this year, and they're all using full size 4 wheel drive trucks. A few are using Tahoes and Suburbans. They put 24K miles per year pulling boats. Nuff said.

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:53 pm
by blackberg
well the regular tow vehicle is a Dodge Ram Wagon 2500 with the 8-lugs , and a 5.2L
and the van doesnt even feel the boat in the back.

The van is not fast to begin with because of the axle ratio, and cant travel over 55 towing in california.

This is just for the ocassional tow where Ill be out by myself, and be my daily driver.

-bb

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:56 pm
by blackberg
I checked the specs and a I6 WJ is rated for 5k# and the 4.7v8 is rated for 6700#, and upto 30ft in length.

-bb

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:40 pm
by dockholiday
I would go mid size v8. Been pulling mine with Explorer 302 does okay but like yours it is getting some age. Next one a few more horses and cubic inches.
doc

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:03 pm
by sjc195
I used to tow my 22 footer w/an 02 Isuzu Rodeo V6 and a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8. Even though it was rated to handle it it was pretty wobbly and the boat could really push the car around. Plus it looked ridiculous. I got tired of how poorly the vehicles handled towing this boat so I went and bought a 90 F350 7.3 liter diesel long bed crew cab 4X4 for $2000 off craigslist and it's a dream. You don't know the boat's on back there, there's no wobble, I don't think I'd ever tow something so long again with anything other then a full size truck. I have towed it a few times w/my friends Expedition and that truly wasn't very bad either, so I'd guess full size longer SUV's (Suburbans/Excursions) would also work well. IMHO I would truly reconsider towing w/a Cherokee, especially if you're towing in hills/curves/ or for any amount of distance.

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 7:40 pm
by chill'nthemost
I don't mean to hijack the post but I often wonder why we don't see mid sized suv's and pick ups with turbo 4cyl diesels? Mahindra has been promising a launch for 4 years. The economy and power is a perfect combo. Look at the mileage of the TDI's. I've got an old Isuzu diesel 4x4 pu for a utility ranch rig, but the turbo's those vintage were pretty quick (relatively speaking) with 30 plus mpg.

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 10:00 pm
by kryptonite
I had a Chevy Trailblazer last year when I bought the boat. It pulled it just ok. Not something you wanted to travel very far with. Towards the end of last summer, we upgraded to a Suburban. Much better towing experience.

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 6:33 am
by Ray Jr.
We towed ours with an 06 Explorer 4.0 V6 (5500 lb tow rating) it got 11.5 mpg while towing (17.5 not towing) and pulled it fine EXCEPT in heavy cross winds, it would move the Explorer all over the road.
We picked up a 98 Expedition,(9500 lb tow rating) it tows fine, didn't get blown around but got 8.5 mpg while towing, and 13.5 not towing.
Traded the Explorer for an 09 Expedition 3 months ago (6500 lb tow rating) and so far it has towed great, and gets 19.5 mpg not sure of mpg while towing yet but will be taking the toon for a 400 mile round trip at the beginning Aug and check its towing MPG just like we did with the 98 and the explorer.

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 8:51 am
by Durante
It might be overkill, but I pull with a Ford SVT Raptor w/ 6.2 V8

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 3:40 pm
by nostrildomus
I pull with a 8.1L Yukon XL SLT 3/4 ton. Seems to pull OK:)

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:51 pm
by kryptonite
nostrildomus wrote:I pull with a 8.1L Yukon XL SLT 3/4 ton. Seems to pull OK:)
Bet you pass about everything except gas stations!

Re: towing vehicles

Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 7:03 pm
by chill'nthemost
Best tow vehicles I ever had were my '04 and '06 Dodge Cummings. Loved having to slow down for corners going up hill. Last one I bought was a Hemi since I wasn't towing anything except the toon. It does fine but once you've towed with a diesel everything else is a disappointment. :(