Rev. Beebe

Hi All,

I know there have been several discussions as to how best to tow a JGC but as I am so new to this, I want to go there - again.

I have a 1996 JGC Laredo I would like to tow mostly short distances but the occasional long trip (300-1000 miles) behind my 1990 Fleetwood Jamboree. I have been told that my extended cassis RV with the 3500 lb. rated Reese Hitch currently on it can handle the 6500 lb. Jeep using a tow dolly (with surge brakes). Really?

As I am an automatic transmission on a two-wheel drive would I really need to disconnect the drive shaft (scary for me as I have sunk a lot of $ into the Jeep & don't want to damage it in any way). How about the transfer case (and what/where is that)?

Your help and experience are greatly appreciated.

Rev. S. Beebe

P.S. My family and I live in the RV so don't want to damage it either!!!

dave1123

If your jeep is 2WD, you don't have a transfer case. That's only there on 4WD vehicles to "transfer" power to the front wheels.

The best way to tow a 2WD vehicle is to put the driven axle on the dolly, which is backwards in your case. Just make sure the steering is locked straight. In my opinion, you should use a trailer for long trips. And electric brakes, not this surge crap. In an emergency braking situation, things can get out of hand fast. Be extra careful.

JBimmolate

You could always get something like this to replace your existing drive shaft.
http://www.remcodsc.com/driveShaft.php

Miles

Kingfisher

The safest way is on a trailer with good brakes!

dave1123

My thought exactly! I've heard about those Remco driveshafts before and My opinion is they're just something else to go wrong.

Just think for one minute about the mass involved at 70 mph with your RV and the jeep together. If something happens in front of you on the highway, there is no way to go around it. You just have to stop!

Nick-B

Hi Rev.
You really need to consider other options. Your Jamboree is a class C motorhome and will be struggling to pull the weight of a JGC itself let alone adding the weight of a trailer. With your frame rating of 3500 lbs you should try to stick close to that number and no, putting on a 10k hitch won't magically make the engine, trans, brakes and frame stronger.
Towing a vehicle backwards on a dolly is scary. Some vehicles can do it but some sway back and forth because the steering and suspension are not designed to travel backwards at highway speed.
Best of luck.

Rev. Beebe

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your input. My RV shop has recommended trusting Remco but my Jeep shop is super wary. I don't like the idea of towing backward as, even if I can get a good lock on the steering, I feel it is too iffy. Sounds like my best bet is to look for a trailer and plan to annoy everyone else on the road by driving REALLY slowly. Until then, I guess I play vehicle tag for short distances.

Thanks, again!
Rev. Beebe

Firestorm500

Your Grand weighs 3,785 lbs. You have already exceeded your tow rating. Even an aluminum trailer with brakes probably weighs another 1500 lbs.

This is a dangerous situation. Life and property threatening. Yours and every one else on the road with you. Quote: "P.S. My family and I live in the RV so don't want to damage it either!!!" You and your family can die in the RV. Others too. Driving slowly won't help. You can't change the laws of physics.

Forget about this combination. You might want to get either (A) A much bigger motorhome or (B) A 4x4 XJ Cherokee or Wrangler with the two-speed transfer case and a true neutral. You can tow 4 wheels down with the proper set-up. The XJ weighs about 3,100 lbs solo.

Kingfisher

X2

Or even a (gag) civic or something that weighs a lot less than a Jeep.