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How much SHOULD I tow?

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Old 05-09-2011, 12:07 PM
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Default How much SHOULD I tow?

My 2000 did not come with a tow package so I put a hitch on from a wrecked 2000. I used all the best bolts and washers I could get my hands on. so I just want to know what the most I should carry on the hitch. Its a 2000 jeep cherokee with the aw4 and the 4.0.

And would someone please explain to me 2 things. 1 why did my jeep not come with a hitch, and 2 What the difference is between the SE sport and the sport (other than the sport is more expencive).
I have compaired my SE sport to an idenical sport and they are the same.
Old 05-09-2011, 12:11 PM
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Not sure about the towing but the difference in se sport and sport is pretty much trim packages like my 99 is a classic which came with factory over head console power driver seat painted door trim and bumper caps
Old 05-09-2011, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 99 Purple XJ
Not sure about the towing but the difference in se sport and sport is pretty much trim packages like my 99 is a classic which came with factory over head console power driver seat painted door trim and bumper caps

But thats my question what was the difference. They both had the same options. like you said the clasics came with loads of options like power seats and so forth. the sports came with the same things as standard and optional.
Old 05-09-2011, 12:37 PM
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yea SE and Sport are just trim/interior/paint packages, nothing mechanically different about them.

The stock hitch should be a class III hitch, which is well fitted for the amount of weight you should be towing.

The engine has more than enough power to pull most anything, however the cherokee is a very light truck, with poor brakes. The issue is CONTROLLING what you are pulling.

GVWR is the max amount of weight (including the truck itself and any cargo or hitch weight) your truck can haul on the two axles and stock-size tires without being overloaded. In your case, assuming your cherokee is 4 door and 4wd your GVWR is 4900 pounds. (It's on the vehicle certification sticker on the lower doorpost behind the driver's door.) Your jeep weighs 3350lb, so that leaves 1550lb left over for gear and trailer tongue weight in the rear of the jeep.

I never recommend you pull anything heavier than 0.75 X pulling vehicle weight = ~2500lb for a Cherokee. Any more than that and you will have serious issues stopping and controlling the weight behind you. And never ever pull anything heavier than your jeep, that's a recipe for disaster.

Additionally, make sure your jeep is in tip-top mechanical condition, especially the cooling system. And don't use overdrive.
Old 05-09-2011, 12:38 PM
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One of the sport packages are basic windows mirrors and locks
Old 05-09-2011, 01:19 PM
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you can tow a little bit more if you wire in a brake controller and have eletric brakes on the trailer, but i wouldnt tow anymore than a small boat, jetski, or anything more than that, definately wouldnt use it for a tow rig, and x2 on the od....i've seen transmissions destroyed when using od
Old 05-09-2011, 01:23 PM
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Did factory tow package come with different diff gears?
Old 05-09-2011, 01:57 PM
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From what I've read some did. I have a 99 with a factory tow package and it has 3.55s. Ive read that SOME may have come with 3.73s? I pull a 2500-3000 lbs pop-up. Trailer brakes are a must IMO.
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