I am about to tow my 2003 Sportster which weighs in about 550 Lbs. on a single axle trailer 6ft by 10ft. I am going to be going about 350 miles one way. Its not real hilly. Is this a bad idea. I have read a few threads about leaving it in 3 the whole time but that has to kill MPG. Just need some input. I am going to put 30x9.50's on it for the trip to help on the tow.

if you hear it shifting a lot i would put it in 3 but otherwise just take it easy off the line and be ready for idiots to cut you off or tail you because it never fails that when you have a trailer, people get even more stupid driving around you.

people do that with cars. i say, no issue at all.
Air up those trailer tires good, allow yourself more braking distance.

the cherokee will be more than able to handle that load! obv 2x on the braking distance and 'other people' comments above. i don't think u should drive in 3. if u have the option to turn off your overdrive do it and stay in D. that would actually help through all the gears cause it would change the shift points. if u are going up a light grade and u notice it shifting alot go ahead and drop it a gear but u really shouldn't have to do anything other than that. have fun!!

I'll be using mine to tow my GSXR 750 AND my husband's Hayabusa on a 2 bike trailer.

what's the heaviest that anybody has ever hauled with their XJ? I've seen a camper on the back of an XJ on the road once.

Tandem axle utility flat bed with a full weight 3300 pound car tied down. A buddy's rig broke and good ol girl hauled the load to the destination.

It was something like this.



That is about pushing the limits of the poor XJ though... I really had to be careful coming to a stop.

You will be just fine. If you are doing highway flat and level or down grades leave it in (D). If you start up a hill or get under 55mph then pop it in (3) and ride it out. When you tow good gas mileage should be low on the list of things to worry about.

The main thing you DON'T want to have happen is the trans "hunting" for a gear... meaning up shift, down shift, up shift, down shift.... etc. etc. This can turn your trans into toast.

You should be fine. I've done moutain driveing with a load like this. truck totally packed and 3 people includeing myself and 3 bikes with 3.55 gearing on 32's. My jeep wasnt in love with me but it took it. Even did some wheeling.

Thanks everyone for all the help. I just have to wire in the trailer lights on the jeep now.

I've repeatedly towed a 18' Pontoon boat, With mine. I don't know the weight of it. But it was more of a wind issue, then weight. You could tell it was behind me!