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Pulling RV with 98 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0

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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 07:37 PM
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Default Pulling RV with 98 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0

Not sure where this belongs but I have a basic question of those out there who pull an rv/TT with a jeep. What size is the max you pull with no problems?
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 07:51 PM
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Towing is discussed in the owners manual along with towing do's/don'ts. U need to know exactly how much your towed rig weighs.....don't guess or go by brochures. The XJ is capable of light duty towing, when properly equipped, at best and I would strongly recommend trailer brakes if towing above 1500lbs. There will be other posts saying I towed this, I towed that with no problems at all. Just remember....it's your XJ, not others. Advice is usually worth what u paid for it. U can definitely tell 1500lbs is back behind the XJ....use caution.
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by djb383
Towing is discussed in the owners manual along with towing do's/don'ts. U need to know exactly how much your towed rig weighs.....don't guess or go by brochures. The XJ is capable of light duty towing, when properly equipped, at best and I would strongly recommend trailer brakes if towing above 1500lbs. There will be other posts saying I towed this, I towed that with no problems at all. Just remember....it's your XJ, not others. Advice is usually worth what u paid for it. U can definitely tell 1500lbs is back behind the XJ....use caution.
Thanks for the input. I have read it is rated at 5000 lbs but wanted input from people who have actually towed. I am skeptical of the 5000 lbs number.
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 08:12 PM
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Up to 5K lbs IF properly equipped....2K if not. I've towed a known 1500lb trailer/load (no trailer brakes) and can definitely tell it's back there, especially when stopping. Can't remember if it was this forum or one of the others but someone post that they towed their 28' triple motor offshore boat with the XJ........I'm just thinking, whatever.

Last edited by djb383; Jul 9, 2012 at 08:17 PM.
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 08:42 PM
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In Denmark (where I'm from) you see tons of little cars with 1.2 liter engines pulling decent sized campers.
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 09:01 PM
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Didn't take long. LOL
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 09:12 PM
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This might be the dude that pulls his offshore boat with the XJ. LOL

http://velopalooza.ca/wp-content/upl...d9d1b2a836.jpg
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by djb383
This might be the dude that pulls his offshore boat with the XJ. LOL

http://velopalooza.ca/wp-content/upl...d9d1b2a836.jpg

Not the conditions I am looking to put my family in.
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 10:45 PM
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ive pulled 2000ish lbs with my xj. it was on the freeway, no hills and you defiantly know its there. just with towing with any vehicle make sure you have an appropriate hitch, keep plenty of room to stop, and keep it in 3rd or lower.
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 11:19 PM
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Search....

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/xj-...pacity-116701/
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Old Jul 10, 2012 | 12:20 AM
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I do it the other way....pull the XJ behind the RV.
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Old Jul 10, 2012 | 12:18 PM
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I have pulled up to about 4,500 lbs. behind an XJ. 20' fiberglass boat, loaded /w 80 gallons of gas and a bunch of fishing gear all sitting on a single axle galvanized steel trailer. Stopping was the most questionable aspect and I had working brakes on the trailer. No problems with power and/or road manners. Got about 11 mph doing so if I recall. This was with a bone stock '00 with relatively low miles and on pretty flat ground.
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Old Jul 10, 2012 | 12:32 PM
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Without going into details, I figured out how to finish off old rear springs with a trailer. It was just a short trip, but with the stoppes missing I bent them.
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Old Jul 10, 2012 | 02:03 PM
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depends on how far you're going. First off, never EVER trust a mfg'r suggested tow ratings. I'd agree with 1500 lbs being max for an XJ. 5000Lbs??? what were they smoking?

If you're launching and retrieving a boat and not going far, then it makes sense. pop her in 4h/4l and get after it.

an RV/TT of any size would make me nervous as hell.
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Old Jul 16, 2012 | 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by CETME
In Denmark (where I'm from) you see tons of little cars with 1.2 liter engines pulling decent sized campers.
I also saw a You Tube video of just the situation you mentioned and when it came to a hill (not terribly steep) the whole kitten caboodle came to a screeching halt with tires smoking and then the trailer pulled the car back down the hill and wrecked. Not a good idea to exceed the towing specs on many levels, in fact down right stupid. On another note with regards to tow ratings, they are reported assuming a 150 lb. driver, no passengers and no gear or luggage. So the Cherokee's 5000 lb tow rating can quickly and easily become 4500. From there it is wise to leave a margin of safey. I have always used a 90% of tow rating maximum for travelling in relatively flat terrain, say the mid west or east coast and 75-80% max of indicated tow capicity minus passengers and gear in mountaninous terrain. By exceeding limits, you not only put yourself and passengers at risk but others sharing the road with you.

Last edited by Gizmo; Jul 16, 2012 at 10:29 AM. Reason: Content.
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