Hi
New to the forum and new to Cherokees.

My 2000 Cherokee Sport has been outfitted with trans cooler, hvy duty hitch, has new tires, brakes and has about 80000 miles. I have a 19' travel trailer with dry weight of 3700. I use a load leveling hitch w sway bars and elec brakes

I have pulled it with Jeep but have a nagging feeling maybe the Jeep is not up to the task. (more likely the driver is too much of a newbie) It might be that the sight of a trailer filling the back window view is causing the OMG feeling but ......?

. What do you think? Am I safe and sane? Is the Jeep a proper tow vehicle? Would like to hear from those who are in the know.

BTW, living in the NW this rig does have hills and mountains to climb and descend.

Thanks
Mike

 

This a stock Jeep or lifted/big tires?. What is condition of rear springs?

3700lb 19 foot trailer is a bit on the big side, but not too much for the XJ. Not going to pull like a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, but it will pull with most any medium sized SUV out there.

 

My Jeep is standard in every way from tires/springs/etc.

 

Hope the trailer has brakes!

Welcome!

 

Do a rear disc brake swap, it's a world of difference and probably my favorite mod.

 

The trailer and jeep has brakes. What is a rear disc brake swap?

I guess I am just jumpy because I see few Jeeps pulling a mid size trailer but lots of 3/4 ton + pickups.

 

In short, you're putting in the rear disc brakes from a zj(grand Cherokee) there are many threads about this and a few members selling the parts if you don't want to get dirty at the junk yard.

 

I towed a 3600lb 94 4wd cherokee with my 2wd stock 99. Braking sucked and it is hard on the transmission. I would not do that to often but I am not worried about it messing up my jeep. With your trailer itself having brakes, don't worry about it. Keep the speeds down and the transmission in 3 if it starts shifting a lot (which it will on the slightest upslope with that weight), my cherokee gets a little bit of the sways at 65 with heavy loads like that.

How far and often are you going to be towing it?

 

Thanks for the advice. Looks like it is do-able but maybe not an easy piece of cake. I fish and hunt in a 50-200 mile radius and get out 10-15 times a year.

Will play a little more with Brake Master and make sure I have it tuned into the Jeep.
Thanks again
Mike

 

It's definitely doable if you have decent mechanical skill and basic tools. The only "specially" tool you need is a Dremel to hone the backing plates if you have the C8.25 rear. It took me about four hours from start to finish...that seems about the average time. With a good new set of rotors and pads you will notice your braking is much much better.

 

I think you'll be fine. Just take it easy and have plenty of room for braking. From what i read, stock XJ's with tow package can tow up to 5k lbs. If you got an auto, keep it in 3rd gear and that'll help the tranny. Good Luck!

 

Get some weight distribution bars and you won't even know it's back there. They take the tongue weight off and distribute it across the uniframe.

 

If you're towing that dry you'll do fine. I wouldn't think about putting more than an ATV on there without additional upgrades.

3700 lbs is no problem with trailer brakes and a HD transmission cooler. Make sure your XJ brakes are up to snuff and enjoy.

 

Thanks again everyone.
M