Towing any more than 2500lbs with an XJ is not going to be a pleasant experience.

I set up my XJ for occasionally towing a small-ish popup camper. About 2200lbs when loaded for camping. My XJ is in great condition (engine and transmission) the brakes are always in good repair, and adjusted. I have air shocks in the back and electric brakes with a brake controller for the trailer. Even so, pulling the popup around is not much fun at all. Add a few family members in the vehicle, and it gets even more challenging. Even moderate hills can be a real pain (depends on whether you get a chance to build up some speed before starting the hill).

Towing another vehicle and a heavy vehicle trailer is going to be miserable (at best) and dangerous (at worst). Just eyeballing the suspension/uniframe on an XJ should bring up serious questions about towing more than 3000lbs.

Can it do it? Yes probably. Should it do it? Probably not.

OD should not be used when towing in your XJ.

 

All my XJ factory tow packages have a plate indicating max weight, which is 2250kg

That is ~ 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle. That is the legal limit for towing in Australia.

at 800kg + 1545kg = 2345kg, you will be over that

@ the OP, I personally would not consider doing what you do, as I nearly had bad experiences towing heavy in the past

If you do not have good experience of towing, the weather or traffic is adverse, it is downright dangerous

my mate, who has over 50yrs experience as a truck driver and vehicle recovery specialist advises that anything over the weight of the vehicle is unsafe, unless you are experienced

 

Make absolutely sure that your jeeps frame is solid. I have seen nightmarish pictures of rust damage hidden underneath trailer hitches

 

I tow a boat with a tandem trailer, weight ~3800 pounds (depending on how much gas is in the tank). I keep it in 3rd, heater running, but it struggles on hills with the temp about 5-8 degrees above normal. Only do it in cool weather though, but still, really bordering on overheating so I have to choose the roads carefully when possible. Keep extra antifreeze handy.

 

Also, check the tire pressure on the trailer and make sure that's maxed out.

 

Thanks for the comments. To address the concerns of experience, I won't be driving but someone who drives Arctics for a living and has towed for 30 odd years will be.

My dad used to tow an even heavier boat with this XJ but that was 10+ years ago before it started to need any welding. I shall take a look underneath and be sure that the frame is solid, if not he has a Mercedes Sprinter van however his towing plate is on the limit where mine is above hence why we were going to use the XJ.

Thanks

 

Look of surprise. What gears do you have in that?

 

3.55 Dana 35 rear so whatever else pairs with that stock. Stock tyre sizes.

 

Me too (but Chrysler 8.25)(also I severely underestimated the weight of my trailer, and didn't count the hardtop, so I'm thinking I'm towing ~4500 pounds).

Anyway, instead of a car trailer, have you considered a dolly:



I've used one to tow across half the country, through the Appalachians w/o too much problem (but with a 4.0 Nissan Frontier). That could save you a ton (literally)(give or take).

 

I hadn't but the hire place doesn't have them anyway. Originally I wanted to have it recovered but the cost was more than the Jeep and it wouldn't have been worth it.

If it makes any difference it is a twin axle trailer so takes a bit more of the weight on itself than a single. Obviously the concern is pulling the weight. I shall be having a good inspection underneath today.

 

actually, the concern isn't pulling the weight, the 4.0L should have the power to do that, it's the braking, cornering mostly. you don't want the weight of the loaded trailer to push the tow vehicle out of track while turning a corner, say going down a slight hill with a tight turn.

or even going uphill with the weight of the trailer pulling back and possibly lifting the rear of the tow vehicle in order to lose traction. only thing that may help there is 4wd and low range, if it's a steep enough incline. but that's just my mind wondering off track.

good luck, it's not the best setup, and any u-haul place here wouldn't let that combination go off the lot.

 

Let's say at a minimum the trailer and vehicle are at least 5000lbs combined. That would mean to be safe and avoid the trailer swaying you right off the road (or flipping you over) that 500-600lbs would have to be supported directly on the hitch (tongue weight). That is going to squat your rear end almost completely. It will also make your front end feel like it is floating the entire time (trust me, this will truly suck), and when you have to brake hard (and you will, because of all the weight) don't be shocked when your front wheels immediately start to skid/screech because they do not have the weight pressing down on them and keeping them in contact with the road that they normally would have. By comparison, even at only about 200lbs tongue weight, I can feel it on the front end.

If you have any other options (like a friend with a full sized truck, or a rental) I would encourage you to take one of those options.

 

See if you can rent a pickup truck from a rental place. It may run you a little bit of money, but will do quite a bit better at towing.

Also, I see you are in England, so I am not familiar with the rules and regulations of towing on the highways there.

I personally wouldn't pull too much with a cherokee, unless it is a shorter distance with slower speeds (no highways).

 

The options available are the XJ or a Mercedes Sprinter which will be very close to it's plated limit. If I had to hire another vehicle on top of all of this it'd cost to much to be worth buying. The choice of vehicle at this point is up to my friend driving.

Our towing rules are basically speed restrictions and licenced weight and size restrictions. Then everything being in a road worthy condition.

I have to apologies too as I feel this thread has got a bit of a "can I have some advice" to a "I don't like this advice" feeling. I'll be honest, you're nearly killing my hopes of this donor here - even if you are trying to stop this ending in disaster.

 

We are not trying to kill your hopes of a donor, we just want to make sure you don't get hurt in the process of getting it.

If possible, try to pick a time to move it when the highways and roads are not busy. I know in my area, 5 or 6 am, the roads are empty on a weekend. Hopefully less idiots on the road to cut you off.