Would you tow this with this?

mddubya

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
150
Re: Would you tow this with this?

Would I do it, given the circumstances you stated, less than 3 miles at under 30mph, yeah, I probably would. Is it safe, uhh, no.

But take that I'd do it with a grain of salt. I towed a 19ft 1982 ski boat, (heavy), with a 1982 Dodge P/U, 225 slant 6, 4 spd transmission. :D

Granted, I only did it twice, that was enough for me.
 

109jb

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 15, 2008
Messages
1,590
Re: Would you tow this with this?

... I don't think anything can position a boat like a jeep.

If talking about road vehicles maybe, but your Jeep can't hold a candle to what I use to maneuver trailers around my property. :D:D:D
 

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jkust

Rear Admiral
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Aug 2, 2008
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Re: Would you tow this with this?

Nice boat, don't like Jeeps but I would tow as you described with it.
 

geeco1

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jul 16, 2009
Messages
373
Re: Would you tow this with this?

My uncle used to own a small resort at the Lake of the Ozarks. I remember that he had 2 of "what I call" -- mail jeeps. No doors, short wheelbase, 4wd, etc. Now we are talking mid 1970's so those jeeps were probably 1960'ish. He had the hitch mounted on the front to give better maneuverablilty. He used those jeeps to launch/retrieve customers boats, put them in storage etc. As a kid, it seemed like he was really flying when driving with a boat attached. Now granted, he was on his own property, but those Missouri gravel roads can be rough. Plus by having the hitch on the front, he didn't have to look over his shoulder, he just always pushed the trailer backwards. Worked great for him.

Long story short... Take it slow and easy and you shouldn't have any worries. I pull my boat around my yard all the time with my yard tractor... but I go slow and I anticipate stops.

Geeco
 

xxturbowesxx

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 20, 2008
Messages
491
Re: Would you tow this with this?

You will be fine just don't get comfortable and always be aware of what your doing(overtowing). Most situations i would say no due to drivetrain strain but your jeep's drivetrain is plenty strong(even stock).
 

windsors03cobra

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Feb 22, 2009
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1,191
Re: Would you tow this with this?

My uncle used to own a small resort at the Lake of the Ozarks. I remember that he had 2 of "what I call" -- mail jeeps. No doors, short wheelbase, 4wd, etc. Now we are talking mid 1970's so those jeeps were probably 1960'ish. He had the hitch mounted on the front to give better maneuverablilty. He used those jeeps to launch/retrieve customers boats, put them in storage etc. As a kid, it seemed like he was really flying when driving with a boat attached. Now granted, he was on his own property, but those Missouri gravel roads can be rough. Plus by having the hitch on the front, he didn't have to look over his shoulder, he just always pushed the trailer backwards. Worked great for him.
Geeco

I use a 1977 AM General DJ5 mail Jeep to move boats at my Grandparents boat storage business, store about 100 boats and move all but the biggest with that little Jeep.
The front mounted hitch is so nice for moving boats and you can get pretty good with it but you must always be careful.
2 wheel drive only here sadly, old straight six just keeps on going. Oh and sliding doors. :redface:
 

HappierWet

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 11, 2008
Messages
839
Re: Would you tow this with this?

I?m just joking about the recovery vehicle comment

Most accidents happen near home because.........that is where you are the majority of the time.:rolleyes:

.

Of course he's kidding about the recovery vehicle comment......EVERYONE knows that would be an INTERNATIONAL SCOUT:D

Yeah, most accidents happen near home.......you should MOVE:D

Seriously, I don't like towing with LIFTED short wheel base jeeps, it always feels like I'm floating side to side (sway) or riding a buckboard (front to back) depending on tongue weight. And, Yes PANIC stops are NO FUN:(
 

PolishPrince

Seaman
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
68
Re: Would you tow this with this?

One reason I do it is I don't have a truck plus the road I live on is secluded. I may pass one vehicle and normally pass no one going to the highway. A gas station is directly across from my road so I go straight across. Then I travel about 100 yards down the highway and turn into the park. I have gone through a roadblock check and nothing was mentioned by the police. Oh yeah my wife really want's me to trade the jeep for a truck. She says the jeep is just a big toy. Maybe I will but I hate to.

Boy, I hate to say this..........it's gonna hurt like hell.........but your wife is right.
 

199675hpforce

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 27, 2004
Messages
299
I used to tow with my wranglers

I used to tow with my wranglers

Your going to need a beefy hitch not a simple smittybuilt weld job. I did have an issue one day didnt see the traffic lights where out and was raining. I hit the brakes and kept on going through the light. Kinda jackknifed but remmember your jeep can accelerate faster than it can stop. 4.0 is a work horse engine. If your truck has brakes you will be better off. Ive seen 250 fords i wound'nt tow (uhaul trailer) with bald tires and shot shocks. You will be fine but make sure brakes work extra good, keep the speeds looow. Jeeps have capabilty frames, solid axles help out. I found running rancho 9000s on the stiff setting work well. I always run bfg all terrains they have never let me down. A blow out with a trailer would suck bad. Maybe keep the jeep get a different boat? Im running crestliner superhawk 17footer. Even that would be tough in jeep. Wait i had an idea pickup a jeep liberty CRD diesel lol i pulled over 5000 pounds with that sucker.
 

special_kaye

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Apr 5, 2009
Messages
170
Re: Would you tow this with this?

Been a Jeep driver for more years than I care to count and I've towed things with Cherokees most people wouldn't tow with full size trucks. Your main problem is stopping. Most Jeeps have notoriously small brakes for the vehicle weight. Throw a trailer on top and you could have a pretty tough situation, quick. Though you might have taken care of that with the disks and trailer brakes. For that distance/speed, I'd never hesitate and let's get to the water. But, if you're going to go any further/faster, you might want to look into something that has better stopping power. Yes, everyone says short wheel base is horrible to tow with. But, that short wheel base is what makes it so you can put that boat in the garage with 3 inches to spare. There's a LOT to be said for the shorter wheel base of a Jeep when you need it. Also, most Jeeps have a very tight turning radius. That helps a lot.

I tow a 21' Answer on a dual axle trailer with a 92 Cherokee. Check my signature and you'll see, it's NOT a small boat. My trailer doesn't have brakes yet. Just anticipate your stops and drive for the other guys.

Just yesterday, I put a hitch on my Hyundai Sante Fe, another short wheel base vehicle. We'll see how that one works next weekend.

Yes, eventually there will be brakes on the trailer or a new trailer with brakes.

And, knock on wood, I've NEVER had a Jeep stuck but I sure have pulled out a bunch of other vehicles. Including Broncos. And Chevies. And Dodges. And Toyotas. I keep telling my kids, both of which have Wranglers, that I'm going to put little Chevy/Toy/Ford stickers on the side windows, just like the old fighter pilots did when they shot someone down, when I pull someone out.
BTW, Jeeps are the official recovery vehicle for EVERYONE.
 

skargo

Banned
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Sep 14, 2008
Messages
4,640
Re: Would you tow this with this?

When you kill someone, you'll go to jail.
 

special_kaye

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 5, 2009
Messages
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Re: Would you tow this with this?

When you kill someone, you'll go to jail.

Puh-lease. Anyone who kills anyone will go to jail. Be real. Everything is well within the law, completely legal, and within the manufacturer's approved towing capacities. I'm more afraid of the guys on the road hauling stuff with NO tiedowns. Boats included.
 

marine4003

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Feb 3, 2008
Messages
1,119
Re: Would you tow this with this?

Puh-lease. Anyone who kills anyone will go to jail. Be real. Everything is well within the law, completely legal, and within the manufacturer's approved towing capacities. I'm more afraid of the guys on the road hauling stuff with NO tiedowns. Boats included.

Yea, because the law always follows common sense.If everything is up to spec..try going faster than 30.. try 60..see if everything is preforming safely, see if she doesnt start to fishtail..then try stopping,as in an emergency situation...towing that load with a jeep.....smart.
 

skargo

Banned
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Sep 14, 2008
Messages
4,640
Re: Would you tow this with this?

Puh-lease. Anyone who kills anyone will go to jail. Be real. Everything is well within the law, completely legal, and within the manufacturer's approved towing capacities. I'm more afraid of the guys on the road hauling stuff with NO tiedowns. Boats included.

I bet it is NOT within the law. I for one am for safety, and being within the law. I tow a LOT, not just my boat and I see many clueless people on the road towing loads they shouldn't be.

Puh-lease indeed. :rolleyes:

p.s. you've never had a Jeep stuck, then you obviously haven't done the kind of wheeling I do BWAHAHAHAHA.
 

chambers1517

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 14, 2009
Messages
205
Re: Would you tow this with this?

I've had the Jeep stuck, That is why I have ARB's front and rear and a winch. Broke axles, that is why I have better axles front and rear. Brakes were weak with big tires, That is why I have 4 wheel disc and upgraded booster and master cylinder. I can't say my jeep is better than any other similarily equipped vehicle but I can say it is more capable than most so called 4x4's. That being said, I see people pulling things that have no idea what they are doing. The chance of me hitting you while pulling my boat are far less than some guy who just bought a 30' camper and has no idea how to properly adjust his trailer brakes, but I might be the one in trouble if this were to happen. My wife had a 3/4 ton Yukon XL. I use to tow with it. She trader and got a VW jetta TDI. 11mpg compared to 53. I have had the Jeep since 94 and cant justify keeping it and getting a truck. My problem is when not pulling, a truck is just a truck but my jeep is a JEEP. Oh yeah I live next to Tellico OHV and Windrock, My Jeep has many miles at both. I would say my four wheeling at least matches yours.
 

skargo

Banned
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Sep 14, 2008
Messages
4,640
Re: Would you tow this with this?

I've had the Jeep stuck, That is why I have ARB's front and rear and a winch. Broke axles, that is why I have better axles front and rear. Brakes were weak with big tires, That is why I have 4 wheel disc and upgraded booster and master cylinder. I can't say my jeep is better than any other similarily equipped vehicle but I can say it is more capable than most so called 4x4's. That being said, I see people pulling things that have no idea what they are doing. The chance of me hitting you while pulling my boat are far less than some guy who just bought a 30' camper and has no idea how to properly adjust his trailer brakes, but I might be the one in trouble if this were to happen. My wife had a 3/4 ton Yukon XL. I use to tow with it. She trader and got a VW jetta TDI. 11mpg compared to 53. I have had the Jeep since 94 and cant justify keeping it and getting a truck. My problem is when not pulling, a truck is just a truck but my jeep is a JEEP. Oh yeah I live next to Tellico OHV and Windrock, My Jeep has many miles at both. I would say my four wheeling at least matches yours.

I was responding to someone else when I mentioned not getting the Jeep stuck ;)

Here's my Toyota, I bet it would pull that other guys jeep all over the place :D
P7080300.JPG


n554955651_5828679_3517.jpg


Still, your Jeep is overlaoded and even though the chances of you hitting me are slim, the chance is still there, get a proper tow rig. You being a real wheeler, you know this ;)
 

wwcj101

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 20, 2009
Messages
44
Re: Would you tow this with this?

when it comes to putting the boat in the water i will use the lawn mower if i have to. besides that jeep looks like it could pull a mountain.
 

skargo

Banned
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
4,640
Re: Would you tow this with this?

You can tell towing capacity by looks?

Meh, whatever works for you.
 

special_kaye

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
170
Re: Would you tow this with this?

I bet it is NOT within the law. I for one am for safety, and being within the law. I tow a LOT, not just my boat and I see many clueless people on the road towing loads they shouldn't be.

p.s. you've never had a Jeep stuck, then you obviously haven't done the kind of wheeling I do BWAHAHAHAHA.

Probably not but I spent a few minutes looking for some pictures from our last four-wheel outing. Think my older son took the disk. Yes, we've had all kinds of Jeeps stuck. Usually Wranglers, just because there's more of them in the mud hole. And it's usually when we're trying to get someone else out.

http://www.dennyswebsiteservices.com/Lady%20Lea/images/IMG00209.jpg

The two Wranglers in the background belong to my sons. The Bronco to the right was just pulled out. The truck on the left was working on getting stuck. And I'm sitting on my Cherokee that you'll see in the next two pictures.

I was really looking for the picture of my younger son sitting in his Wrangler. The water is up to his chin and all you can see is his face. Yes, he got stuck just like that. The girl that was riding with him swam to the "shore" and my boy had to hold his breath and dive down trying to get a strap on. Took a couple tries but he got it hooked up and my older boy's Wrangler pulled it right out. When I find THAT picture(s) I'll post them.

And I'm pretty sure I'd still tow that boat that distance with that Jeep but would want to check weights and balance, etc. I'm all for safety too. And usually stay within the law. And that's a modified Jeep.

IMG00469.jpg


IMG02106.jpg
 
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