Biggsly

Okay. I have always trailered my rigs, but I am thinking about using a tow bar. I will be towing the XJ about 500 miles.
1st. Is it okay to pull it that far with a tow bar and what precautions should I take?

2nd. What is a good tow bar set for the XJ?
I will probably have more questions as this goes, but I appreciate any help.
Thank you.

Tbone289

Is this just a one-time trip to tow the XJ? If it is, if I were you I would consider renting a tow dolly. Flat towing can get a little squirrelly. What vehicle will you use as a tow rig?

Biggsly

This would be about 500 miles there and 500 back. We are going to take the XJ to New Mexico to do some wheeling. I have always used a trailer in the past. I have never used a tow bar. I have just been looking at them and thought it might use less fuel and pull easier then a trailer. I have never tried it, so I figured I would ask.
We would be using my son's z71 crew cab to tow it.

robertj

I've never had this problem, but I've always flat towed XJs that were stock behind a motorhome. I barely know they are back there, and it's nice not to have to deal with a trailer or dolly when you get to where you're going. I can see how a lifted XJ could be problematic if things aren't squared away properly though.

I use a Blue Ox tow bar/blaseplate combination. The baseplate that works for the pre '97 XJs is this one: (You didn't mention the year of your XJ)

http://www.blueox.com/products/basep...jeep-cherokee/

They make several different tow bars with varying features.

Biggsly

Thanks for the info. My XJ is a 94 with a 3" lift and 31" tires.

Tbone289

That's why I asked what he would be towing with. The lighter the tow rig is, the more a dolly becomes important for stability.

robertj

I agree, I flat towed an XJ behind a '94 Grand one time, and around tight corners such as on/off ramps you had to take it pretty easy. The motorhome is a different story though.

cruiser54

Dollying can trash trannies and transfer cases.

The XJs were designed to be flat towed and the instructions are in the owner's manual.

Tbone289

Please explain. A tow dolly with the transfer case in neutral, trans in park is worse on the drivetrain than flat towing? I know people who have done this with an XJ for thousands of miles with no issues. I know that in itself doesn't make it right, and I'm aware of what my manual says, but what is it about the XJ design that necessitates flat towing? My understanding is that later-model NP231's (somewhere after '93 or '94?) have a "true" neutral that allows dollying. Of course, if you disconnect the rear drive shaft and strap it up out of the way, the type of neutral shouldn't matter anyway.

Ozalid

Hey bud, did you see the tow bar brackets I have listed in classified/ under accesories ?? It free if you can use em..just pay shipping..

cruiser54

Hmmm...I owned a towing business for 12 years.

Tbone289

My manual doesn't state that nor does it have any similar warnings, and note that I mentioned tying up the prop shaft disconnected at the rear. The transfer case wouldn't leak in that case. Regardless, if there is no interaction front to rear of a transfer case in neutral, ("true" neutral as I stated above) as is the case with my NP231, I fail to see how the transfer case or transmission can be damaged even if you don't disconnect the driveshaft.

Any chance that you can answer my question, rather than just taking a "because I know" approach? What I'm looking for is an explanation or theory, not just "the manual says don't do it so don't do it". I appreciate your knowledge, but I prefer to understand the "why" of things rather than simply going on an opinion, professional or not.

cruiser54

I'm saying that you can't take a blanket approach to using a tow dolly. The transfer cases changed through the years. Best to consult the owners manual for your year and transfer case.
That said, they ALL can be flat towed without issues. Providing of course the proper procedures are employed.

Tbone289

OK, understood. I was aware of a change of the transfer case, but wasn't sure when the changeover happened. At the time I suggested the dolly we didn't know what model year the OP had, and I should have asked that first.

Thanks for taking the time to humor me!

cruiser54

Oh, I am a humoring SOB.

I've never found a comprehensive list of what can and cannot be towed with one axle on the ground. Being in the business, I erred on the side of caution so I didn't have to buy trannies and/or transfer cases.