yagsiFC

anybody have any idea on how much weight my jeep is able to tow. I have a 2001 limited and it doesnt have the factory tow package, but it does have an aftermarket steel bumper that bolts to everything.

LimitedXJAddict

you can safely tow up to your gross vehicle weight without trailer brakes, etc. the tag on your door lists the factory weight. You can pull just about anything with a 4.0L jeep given an appropriate mounting solution (class 3+ hitch, etc), but stopping it and how long you tow it are determining factors in whats safe for other drivers and your jeep. If you are gunna be hauling heavy loads (anything over 2k lbs gross weight) for long distances or up and down any hills spend the money on a transmission cooler (assuming auto), and think about maybe adding an oil cooler. I towed around 4,000 lbs in a 1990 limited (had factory tow package) from Washington State to Tennesse with no real problems.

tkdtim

Do manual trannys not need a cooler, or are they just gonna burn up?

LimitedXJAddict

Auto's need a cooler because their cooling fluid (ATF) is also used to operate the transmission. So as the fluid gets hotter it thins out (which is why the level rises as it warms up), and that will effect how the transmission operates and reduce the effectives of lubrication, etc. Where as Manual transmissions use gear oil to cool and lubricate everything. Which is also why Manual transmissions typically last longer (not counting clutch changes cause thats a few hours and 200 bucks vs 2000 for a auto rebuild) because there are fewer moving parts, and less things to go wrong.

robertj

Since you don't have the factory tow package, I'd recommend an aux cooler for your tranny too. Especially if you're going to be towing north of 3,000 pounds or so. Factory tow limits for the 4.0 liter with an AT is set at 5,000 pounds. Keep in mind what LimitedXJ says about GVW as well though. It gets kind of complicated but cargo can play a role in how much you can tow as well.

yagsiFC

well here is whats going on. My dads camper is stuck on are property in thick clay, i tried to pull it out with my suburban but had no luck because it is wet clay and the suburban has street tires on it. I need to get it out buy tomorrow becuase the forecast is snow and lots of it. So i figured i would give it a try with my cherokee. My cherokee has good mud tires on it and an 8000lbs winch. I only need to get this thing out of the field which is like a block. The camper weighs 4000lbs and my vehicles gvw is 4900lbs. Do you think i should be alright

SCjeep

you will be fine i had to pull a trailer with my xj the trailer its self weight 2500 pounds and i had another xj on the trailer which weighed 4900 then the extra motor and tranny i would say another 600 pounds thats 8000 pounds and my xj handled it well just had to be gentle with the brakes and but i hauled it from MD to SC but i have a engine cooler and a tranny cooler and 4.10 gears i would stay you should be fine

yagsiFC

alright thanks ill let you kno how the jeep does

93XJLI

if youre just ripping it out of the stuckness, yea sure. throw a strap on that bad boy and give 'er a good yank.

yagsiFC

i cant just strap it i actually am going to have to hook up to it because the truck my dad uses to tow this thing is only 2wd and wont make it even close to it so i have to tow it a block out of this field so he can tow it home

95XJ

thats fine, I tow cars on tow dollys with my XJ all the time. It does great for a small suv

ltlgreenXJ

so not to repeat everything, but if i were to tow a 16 foot open car trailer and my 1991 sentra (curb weight 2200-2300 lbs.) without a tow package, i think i'd be ok, right?

Uncletruck

Last year my borther in law had a camper stuck in his back yard with the tires buried in the ground. He tried to pull it out with his Blazer, no go it would not budge, the 4x4 Blazer just spun its wheels.

I had the Cherokee down there, which has the factory towing package. (Esentially just a class 3 hitch, and a larger radiator/tranny oil cooler.)

All I did was hitch up to the camper, put it in 4 low, and the Cherokee pulled out the camper with the engine just in idle- didn't even need to hit the gas. My BIL was stunned!

I've used the hitch to tow quite a few small trailers, up to about 3k lbs, no problems, biggest thing needed is just common sense knowing it won't accelerate or stop as fast.

-UT-

ltlgreenXJ

thanks. i've towed before (i work in construction) but i just didnt know what the limits of my jeep were. thanks for the advice.