Classic AquaSport
Aquasport Mechanicals - things that need a wrench, screwdriver or multimeter => Trailers => Topic started by: MarshMarlowe196 on February 05, 2012, 11:26:01 AM
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I would have posted this in the "What do you tow yor AS with" thread, but I haven't towed anything with it yet so I'm not sure it qualifies.
Here's my brand new 11 year old tow vehicle:
(http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss320/MarshMallowe196/0128021729.jpg)
2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4.7V8, Legendary Jeep 2 wheel drive, 55k miles. Yes... the family wagon. :? :wink:
The truck? came with a factory hitch. Rated capacity is 6500lbs without any springs or magic levelers.
Anyone tow with this vehicle before? How was it? I'm a little wary of the short wheel base.
Thanks guys! :thumleft:
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Nice Jeep! And you have the V-8! That should pull your boat just fine. Yes a longer wheelbase is more stable. But a shorter one gives you better maneuvering. For instance my super duty and my 245 is 54' long and it takes two counties to turn it around! The Jeeps have a soft suspension so you don't want a heavy tongue weight. But if your trailer is set up right you shouldn't have a problem.
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I followed your odyssey thread. That's an impressive, daunting rig. :shock: I used to deliver 30'+ boats up and down I95 (they all went to FL :scratch: ) with a Chevy 3500. Seemed like it was actually easier to tow a longer boat... until you tried to get a pump at the gas station.
Seems like the suspension on the Jeep is a little soft. I test drove a 4x4 version, and it was just too rugged for me, even with me sporting my full grown beard. BUT- the suspension is a lot tighter on this Jeep than my old F150.
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One of our VP's had a '99 4X4 that he would tow his big 24' SeaRay cabin, 454 Bravo Mercruiser from Daytona to New Hampshire every summer for vacation. I could not believe it would pull that boat up north and back without frying a transmission or breaking something. He never had one issue with that truck; quite amazing.
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63', front bumper to swim platform...
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh301/seabob4/Pursuit%2028/Pursuitgoinghome003.jpg)
Down Florida Ave. to Hillsborough Ave. in N Tampa.
That Jeep is an excellent truck for your 19-6, Jess. If it doesn't have a tow package with tranny and oil cooler, I'd suggest installing them. Easy, relatively cheap, and great for the longevity...
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One of our VP's had a '99 4X4 that he would tow his big 24' SeaRay cabin, 454 Bravo Mercruiser from Daytona to New Hampshire every summer for vacation. I could not believe it would pull that boat up north and back without frying a transmission or breaking something. He never had one issue with that truck; quite amazing.
Thanks Fitz, that's very comforting. I always have buyers remorse after making a substantial purchase and hearing that makes me feel better. It is a Jeep after all, and I had a bad experience with a Jeep in the past, but then again it was a Frankenstein AMC product. :cyclops: Seems most of feedback I'm getting on this circa Grand Cherokee is positive.
That Jeep is an excellent truck for your 19-6, Jess. If it doesn't have a tow package with tranny and oil cooler, I'd suggest installing them. Easy, relatively cheap, and great for the longevity...
I hope it's good for boats other than the 19-6 too.. :wink: It came with a factory hitch, along with tranny and oil coolers. I just hope this Jeep doesn't get stuck in wet grass... that would be embarassing.
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I hope it's good for boats other than the 19-6 too.. :wink: It came with a factory hitch, along with tranny and oil coolers. I just hope this Jeep doesn't get stuck in wet grass... that would be embarassing.
Jess,
When you said in your first post..."legendary Jeep 2-wheel drive"...did you mean 4WD?
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Oh yeah longer wheel base to rigs and trailers tow great, but you have to plan your turns! I had to keep checking to see if my 245 was still behind me it tows that well. I'm guessing part of that is the torsion suspension.
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Jess,
When you said in your first post..."legendary Jeep 2-wheel drive"...did you mean 4WD?
No, I meant 2-wheel-drive. The "legendary" comment was a bit of a joke... :)
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Mr. Marlowe,
My previous tow vehicle was an 06 Nissan X-terra, which I reckon is a similar wheelbase to your nice new Jeep.
I towed the 215 Explorer with it and it towed "OK". It felt very slightly 'squirrely' compared to my previous boat. I had been
wanting to get a pick'em-up truck anyway, so I went ahead and replaced the X-terra with the F-150 I have now. The longer
wheelbase made all the difference in the world.
I guess for your new Jeep, you'll just have to try it out. My instincts tell me it will be just fine. My buddy had one just like it and I
drove it around for a weekend... I can definitely see why you liked it and went ahead and got it. Nice indeed. :salut: