I know im new, but I looked through tons of post on towing and could not find exactly what I was looking for.

I installed a Curt Class III hitch the other day, it is a 99 Cherokee in New England so there is a little bit of rust but not too much. I installed it exactly how Curt directs. I was just wondering what the maximum I should tow is?

Anyone have past experiences?

4.0 Liter automatic transmission good tires and no mods.

 

the 2000 model is listed with a towing capacity of 5k pounds.

what gearing do you have? do you have a transmission cooler?

 

It will have 3.55 gears and handle 5,000 pounds fine. I would suggest you add a tranny cooler.

 

X2 tranny cooler. How about a 7 pin connector so you can run a trailer with electric brakes. I find when towing with mine that it will handle a few thousand pounds but it's the breaking that gets you. My trailer has electric brakes and it helps immensly. You will have your foot to the floor trying to stop fast with a load like the one in my picture.
Obviously I could have centered the load over the axels in the one picture better for less tongue weight.
I towed the same trailer with my 1998 Cherokee that I upgraded to rear Grand Cherokee disk brakes. Huge difference! With the front end light because of the tongue weight you still have the disks out back to help stop.
I would recommend the rear disk setup if you don't have a trailer with good surge or electric brakes.
Mike
By the way the trailer weighs 1800# and the Green Jeep has no motor, tranny, or interior in it. Not sure of the tongue weight.

 

I towed a 20 foot four winns yesterday, about 4000lbs. And it did fine, it was about an hour drive, rather hilly, and about 80 degrees out. Jeep stayed at 210 degrees. When I pulled into a rest area, it was idling kind or high. Went in and grabed some mcdonalds came out started and idled fine.

Breaking was certainly an issue. But I keep my speed at around 50, and kept my distance.

 

Ooo ya and the back was sagging really bad.