Anybody else here do this?
I have a tandem trailer just big enough to fit my rig on that will pretty much handle all the weight and has brakes.
I've been considering using a 89 XJ with a AW4 to haul it 260 miles or so.
But I just wanna know who else does this and how well it handles a haul like that.

 

Alright Alright if you guys think it's a stupid idea just say so!

 

Go for it.

 

We've towed some big stuff with our XJ over the years...huge diesel woodchipper, our ski boat, 4 snowmobiles, 5 quads, and all that was loaded with 4 people and gear. It did ok, didn't like the mountains in Vermont too much, but it pulled it lol.

 

Just go for it, what's the worst that could happen? you have trailer brakes lol.

 

I don't recommend it. Even with trailer brakes things can get out of hand before the brakes will do any good. The XJ is just too light to do the job safely.

 

Well I searched around after posting this yesterday. And I got a lot of negative results from other forums.
Hills was a major factor.. One guy said he some how jack knifed at 60mph.
I was thinking maybe a stock height xj with stiffer leafs and external tranny cooler and trailer brake set up 'could' work but after all the reading I think I'll just get a truck.

 

Btw not my idea of what I want but I got a bud selling a 98 Ford Expedition with a 5.4L and class 3 hitch. I've already been under it and it's pretty clean.
Think that could handle it. The thing is a tank lol

 

I really cringed when I first read your post on this yesterday. I'm glad to see you are spending the time to think about this idea in depth.

There are more factors at work here than just whether the XJ in question can tow the load, or stop it.

First... the 5k max towing load for an XJ is with a weight-distributing hitch and no more than 500lbs of tongue weight. A weight distributing hitch includes the entire set-up with the torque bars. Do you have this, or just the regular class III hitch? Are you sure your rig and trailer combo weighs less than 5k??

I know that my 18 foot trailer and off-road XJ together tip the scales at just under 5200lbs. Take the time to get your set-up over to a scale and get an accurate picture of where you are at with it.

Stopping the load... well, we all know that XJ brakes are not the best ones ever designed. We see all the products out there to make them better and the threads about it. Trailer brakes help.. but they are supposed to help not stop the entire load. Electric brakes are worlds better than surge brakes for keeping the load under control. Does this trailer have brakes on both axles.. or just one?

Keep the load under control means more than just starting and stopping the load. Wheelbase and weight of the towing vehicle both have a large effect helping keep loads under control and safely moving the intended direction.

With an XJ's short wheelbase(101.4") and relatively light weight(3500~) makes keeping the load under control a dicey proposition.

I've towed with a full size Ford truck (139.5"WB and 6250lbs), my FSJ (107"~WB, 5900lbs~) and my ZJ (104.1"WB, 5500lbs~). The truck and the FSJ both controlled the load worlds better than the ZJ.

 

That is probably the single best thing you can do for yourself. Getting an appropriate tow rig, is always the best option.

119 inch wheelbase. 5800 lbs.
With the factory tow package.. its listed as a tow rating of 8,100lbs

 

Yea this is the one. Got a 183k but I work on 5.4's a lot and they seem pretty dependable except for blowing spark plugs out lol.
It's got some bumps and scrapes but for $800 not bad. Needs tires and battery.. No biggie.

 

Can't really beat that for $800.
I personally HATE newer Ford trucks, that's all we use at work for tow rigs. They are constantly having issues, they're a couple years old and rotting out, nothing in the interiors work, the gas trucks get about 8-9 mpg towing, the brakes and steering are constantly ****ed up, they take up about 2 lanes in a quick stop. The highest mileage one is 130k. We've been through 5 and they all have identical issues. But, how can you go wrong for $800.
Other than power, gas mileage and spark plug issues like you stated the 5.4 isn't THAT bad. Sounds like you know your **** so the spark plug thing wouldn't be much of a big deal. With 183k that thing probably has 8 helicoils in it lol.

If I were you I'd find a high mileage 12v cummins with a 5spd. Same steering and brake issues. But for a few cheap/free mods they will pull a house and get 20mpg and never break. Probably just have to put a clutch in it eventually if you really wail on it.

 

Those 5.4s and the 4.6s will go for ever! I have friends with expeditions nearly tipping 300,000 miles. And if you can work on those modular motors then sounds like a good rig for you. I used to work at a ford dealership and had my share of working on em. Like you said blowing sparkplugs and coil packs going bad pretty often, are just general maintenance with owning a modular engine.

 

With you. Decent engines but they just rot. My buddy had one of the two rear control arms or whatever theyre considered snap in half from rusting.

 

I tried towing heavy loads with my XJ once. Cooked the tranny. Got an excursion and can pull anything short of a tank with appropriate trailer brakes haha.