Towing an 18' travel trailer
 

Hello,
Im new to the forum but have had my 2000 XJ for about 6 years.
It's stock with the 4.0, auto and a class 3 hitch.
Im thinking of getting a travel trailer in the 18-20 ft range with a GVW of around 5-6k lbs to use locally within approx 20-30 miles of where I would keep it stored. I could pretty much keep it off the freeway and take side streets.
I have a large 1 ton truck if I need to tow it farther, but the Jeep is much nicer to get around with at the campsite.
I know it's rated to tow 5k lbs but towing a trailer with around 4k lbs of firewood gives it a workout.
I feel it would do ok as I won't be in a hurry and am towing a short distance.
What are your thoughts and experiences?
I plan to add a brake controller and I'm not sure if it has an aux trans cooler, but I'm near the beach so the temps will be cool.
Thanks

Personally, I wouldn't. Maybe someone will chime in who has more experience towing w/ a Cherokee.

I wouldn't do it, you will have the power but not the weight. I have spent a ton of time with trailers behind my vehicles and the best piece of advice I can give you is go with a larger vehicle. Even though your xj might be able to pull it it will be difficult to control the weight or stop even with trailer breaks whatever your hauling is going to push you around

Does the trailer have brakes? Do the brakes work properly with the Cherokee, ie. if electric does your Cherokee have a controller installed?
The Cherokee is rated for 5000 lbs if you are using a weight distributing hitch, less if not BUT the Cherokee cannot stop that much weight without help.
Your distance isn't that far and I have no doubt that the Cherokee can haul that much weight if it is in good shape BUT plan ahead for any braking and don't try it on a wet day!

You should be fine towing short distances like that. They only thing that kills you pulling weight are the hills. Just take it out of OD and you will be fine.

As for the transmission cooler, just look in front of your radiator :D

I have towed all kinds of stuff with mine and it has never been too much of a problem. I did pull a 25 foot pontoon boat and it pulled it fine but something that large (surface area) should not be pulled by an XJ. It was taller and wider than my jeep and I could not see anything.

Just be safe and you will be fine.

Thanks for the quick replys.
Yes I will have a brake controller and the trailer will have trailer brakes, not sure if only one axel or both.

Forgot, I would also be using a W/D hitch.

Apparently the UK XJs are approved for something like 7000 pounds so it would seem the structural integrity isn't a big issue. If you're just taking side streets then I'd eventually be comfortable towing something that large on an XJ at slow speeds if it had good brakes. If I planned doing that on a regular basis I'd upgrade to 4 wheel discs and see about an HD clutch or aux tranny cooler.

Though with something that, er, aerodynamic, you'll probably have to take it easy anyway. Back in August I pulled the 6'x12' UHaul on the freeway, total weight of the trailer say 3000 lbs ish. Some hills on the freeway I could previously leave the transmission in 5th for I had to take it down to 3rd to make it up and maintain 60 MPH

Thanks for the replies.
I bought a travel trailer yesterday with a GVW of 5600 lbs.
The XJ would probably tow it for what I need, but I decided to buy a Toyota Tundra with the V-8 and tow rating of 7500 lbs to be on the safe side.
Plus, it's always nice to have a pickup.