This is a question about towing and load weight. I haven't googled it yet. So I don't know the weight of towing with a XJ. But my question is. What determines this weight rating?
I'm assuming power supplied by motor, gearing, drive train. If that holds truth. What if all that were upgraded, as many of us have done. Would this then mean we can load/tow more weight?
My reason for asking is that I'm doing alot of urban farming kinda stuff on my property. I've had soil tested for toxins. Which came back not so good. So I'm removing alot of soil, grass, trees etc. To condition the soil to make it healthy again. Which requires alot of hauling soil away and bringing new soil in.
Not that I have done a copious amount of over hauling on my jeep. 8.25 rear D30 front. Stock 3.55 gears. Basic power bolt on upgrades.
However I will be regearing to 4.56's. beefing up the axles with alloy. frame stiffiners. All in the very near future since I've already ordered them.
Any and all info is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-p...owing-capacity

 

This is all from the owners manual for my '98:
-Automatic trans w/ auxiliary cooler req, 4.0l, heavy duty cooling, synthetic axle lube, class III hitch are rated at 5,000 lbs towing cap.
-2.5l w/ 5 spd & 4.0l w/ any trans, Class I hitch, are rated at 2,000 lbs.

With the mods you are going to do, I would go with the 5,000 lbs.

 

5,000 pounds is the max towing capacity of an XJ regardless of what you do to it. Towing capacities are only as good as the weakest link. You can upgrade axles, power, cooling capacity, etc and still be limited to 5,000 mainly due to the relatively short wheel base of the XJ.

 

And the ability to stop the weight you are pulling.

 

We all know how spectacular the breaking system is on a XJ.

 

how about this, a few years ago with my 2000, it had an 8.8 w/3.55's with no rear breaks or shocks and 35's pulled it fine wouldnt stop it tho, towed it prob 30mi there and back not one of my best ideas

 

^How fast could you go? I can't get much over 70 with about 1200 pounds of trailer on 31s.

 

I've done 3500.. Probably the max I would go.. Not becuase I can't pull more but because It's a pita to stop and like said before the brakes on a XJ leave alot to be desired

 

This has to be sarcasm? I hope anyway. I hauled a tandem enclosed uhaul with all my daughters furniture and household items from northern MN to IN on 33's and 5.5 lift, but i was careful and went about 60mph. Not gonna bs, it was definitely a strain on the jeep.

 

Sarcasm? Why? I will be towing probably 2000 pounds in a couple weeks cross-country, on interstates where the speed limit is 75 and 80.

Most I was able to muster was 70ish and that's on flat lands and less load so I was wondering what he could do hauling a big *** Chevrolet.

 

i didnt go over 40, it was backroads it didnt get up to speed fast but it pulled it, when you hit the breaks it would get bouncing and lift all the waight off the front so not much stopping going on, it was bassicaly a last min decision my friend just got the truck together and wanted to take it to a mud bog and its all we had to tow it with, i wouldnt do it again tho

 

thats crazy...i wouldn't tow that with my pickup more power and 4.88s

 

I use to tow my 95 with a cage with my stock 99 and a 1500lb trailer. Had to be at least 5000lb it not more. Getting to speed was a long time but did 65 without a problem. The trailer had a hydro brake set up in the tong and I wouldn't say it stopped on a dime but it was safe.

 

that's a heavy trailer too full steel deck, my friend used to tow it with his wragler with a 302 on 38's also never pulled anything more than a cherokee tho