Towing Question
 

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.

Re: Towing Question
 

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.

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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.

Re: Towing Question
 

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.

Re: Towing Question
 

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.

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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.

Re: Towing Question
 

I agree i had a buddy towing with a jeep and wrecked his wole rig and he was towing a open trailer. A very dumb move. If you are going to race get the right equipment to do it with!!!!!

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Rick it all depends on how far your towing. If your just going to run @ the local track & a Div. race once or twice a year buy the Jeep. But if your going to travel alot you need @ least a 1/2 ton truck . When (& i said when as if you race much you'll have one) you step up to an enclosed you need a 3/4 ton truck!

Re: Towing Question
 

An open trailer with a 3800 lb race car will push a 1/2 ton pickup out of shape going down a hill. Definetly do not try it behind a GC. I still have the stained shorts from a wild ride down the grapevine going to Bakersfield. The next Monday I bought a 2500 HD.

Re: Towing Question
 

I don't care how far he is towing the answer is still NO. Let's not forget about the public on the roads around him either. NO , NO , NO

Re: Towing Question
 

3/4 ton truck is the minimum in my opinion. The brakes and stability are key issues that can prevent a nasty and dangerous experience. There are some pretty good deals on used. Maybe even cheap enough to only use it for towing and still have the GC for a daily driver.

As far as using it occassionaly, in my opinion, that is like saying you are only going to play russian roulette a couple of times so it is ok. I think if you do some research and perhaps drive or ride in a couple of your friend's tow rigs, you will better understand what experienced racers are advising here. Do some homework and never ever listen to a salesman. I have seen more idiots towing small horse trailers with smaller SUVs because they want to dual utilize the equipment. They just don't understand the risks until it is too late. My wife towed her first small horse trailer with a 1/2 ton and once I got her into a 3/4 ton, that was it. She laughs at anyone that drives less and then gets far away from them. Be careful!

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listen up here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT a good idea. You only have one neck. I have only one neck too. Please let me know the exact route and times you will be traveling so that I & my friends can be off the highways when you are towing--Thank you Comp 387

Re: Towing Question
 

Well, Dick, the good thing( for you) is he down this way.

Rick that Jeep doesnt wiegh as much as what you wold be towing. Rob, Doug ,a nd Floyd are right. You will need more vehicle to safely tow what you have been working so hard on. Not to mention, you would be seriously endangering others.

I know that times are tougher now, but spend it once, and you will be money ahead later and a damn site safer.

Re: Towing Question
 

remember the towing laws in your region as well. myself i pull my h/sa chevelle on an open trailer, with a one ton 4x4 gmc. my dad pulls his s/st vega in an enclosed, with a 1/2 ton xcab long box chevy. he had to do air bags, wider wheels 10 ply tires, etc before his rig towed decently. all it takes is the car to not be centered properly on the trailer and it will wag on you, its hard enough to save that with a proper truck let alone a jeep. potentially dangerous and from expierence not fun. there is a post about dangerous expierence with a race car there should be one about towing. my .02 cents, Dion

Re: Towing Question
 

If all these response don't change your mind I can send you a picture of my shorts.

Re: Towing Question
 

1664 SS/JA You took all of my thoughts away with the trailer hitch comments. The only vehicle's that i own that don't have equalizer hitches are my race cars! The only way to tow is with these hitches, and a sway control, and a tow vehicle capable of pulling and stopping the load.Then you will feel in full control and travel safely.. I forgot, always keep an eye out for all of the other idiots out there shareing the road or should be shareing the road! Tow & Race Safe, Happy Holidays, John & Ginny Lang

Re: Towing Question
 

First off, thanks to everyone that gave there comments. With that said, only one person mentioned that I stated I would prefer at least 3/4 ton. After posting question my other half said she would prefer at least a 3/4 ton pick-up so that is the route I will be taking. I should of mentioned first off in post I will be buying an aluminum open trailer to tow with, AND adding any and all trailer towing assesories to tow safely and correctly. I still feel a G.C. can tow safely but with my situation that point is mot. If anybody wants to argue that point with me you can email me at racerrick2881@yahoo.com and let the mud fly:P. STOCKERS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick.

Re: Towing Question
 

Rick
I have an inexpensive 1 ton duelly that might be perfect for you. Call me on my cell 813-363-5388
thanks
Scott

Re: Towing Question
 

Rick,

Now your next question should be brand of truck regular versus extended cab, rear gear selection, auto versus stick for MPG and diesel versus gas...And for florida, best AC!....I agree with you on the GC safely towing a 1500 lb aluminum trailer along as you have a good brake controller, sway and equalize. Heck some of the miata guys tow with their gelding mobiles........Minivans.....

Eric Merryfield
Stk 1883

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knew a stock car guy that towed his open trailer with a mini van. he was killed a few years ago when his jack stands crumbled and the car pinned him. they were cement blocks. true story...buy a dually

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FWIW,..I tow with a 2002 Dodge 1500 quad cab truck.I have a open steel trailer and with my car on it and gear,I'm towing right at 53-5400#'s.I used to own a Ramcharger before the 1500 and didn't like it at all,wheelbase was too short.Also I use the Reese equalizer hitch setup (with square bars) along with a Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller.My set up tows great.

Re: Towing Question
 

I'll tow whatever you need. i have a C4500 chevy. Went form a Toyota to 1 ton DRW Chevy to my current C4500, would never go back to a small truck. Oh yea, a 1 ton is a small truck, LOL.

Re: Towing Question
 

Scott, I'll call you soon about that dually. I live just outside Dade City in Trilby, so your only abot 40 minutes away. Dana loves duallies, something about bigger is better;) STOCKER RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rick.