Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

[BarryBob]

I'm considering a 1996 Ford Explorer or 1996 Grand Cherokee to tow my 19' Glastron bowrider w/120 hp Merc.<br /><br />Both these vehicles that year were available in 6 cyl. and 8 cyl. and I'm wondering if a 6 cyl. will do. Plkease don't ask how much my boat weighs - it is under a tarp on my lawn (I'm in VT).<br /><br />My budget is about $4,500 and I will tow my boat about 8-10 times a year, typically on some hills and generally 1/2 hour to one hour each way. Getting the 6 instead of the 8 will save some money, but I know the towing package with tranny cooler is a must for the 6 in either case.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />BarryBob

 

[k5ranger]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

i've got a 1993 jeep grand cherokee laredo with the in-line 6 with 189k. i pull a 18'6" c/c. no problems but you must tow with the overdrive off. i just took a trip to s.c, 5 hours one way and had no problems. no, i do not have trans. cooler on mine but will be getting one soon...and i would recommend them. i regularly pull my boat 30 to 40 miles one way to nearby lakes and only dislike the gas mileage i get when not using my o/d.<br />my boat with trailer and all gear weighs between 2700 to 3000 lbs. i scaled it at the trucking company i work for.<br />have fun.

 

[bolted4]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

Drove a 96 jeep grand and a 99 jeep, both 6 bangers, with a 19 ft bowrider ~2000lb-2300lbs with no real problems, Gas miledge was bad, and worse with the 1999 jeep. about 10-11mpg, I think the 1996 was about 12-13mpg towing<br /> My little S-10 pickup with 6 cylinder got an easy 13mpg without trying to get good milage. and I think it drove better with exception at higher speeds 65+, little bit of sway but also had smaller cheap tires and no stablization.<br /> Not that it would help but I probably would get a Chevy sport-U before the Jeep from towing experience.<br /><br />Hope it helps

 

[BarryBob]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

BTW my trailer does NOT have brakes.

 

[DJ]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

Without knowing you rigs weight you're kidding yourself.<br /><br />Does it weigh 2,000 pounds or 7,000? Big difference. Knowinng may save your life, along with someone elses's.<br /><br />Don't guess at these things.

 

[Link]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

Kinda wanted to to add to what DJ said.<br />If you dont know the weight of the boat and trailer, go to a truck scale after 6pm (in our state) Pull just far enough forward to get your back tires off the scale. Walk around and look at the weight (they leave them on so truckers can use them when they are closed) then un-hook the boat and read again (the difference will give you the tounge weight) Then use that (total weight to pick your new tow vehicle.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

I would echo what DJ said. For all the reasons but in addition you can't make an educated decision without the weight.<br /><br />In addition, I know that the explorer comes with a variety of gear ratio's. The engine is only half the equasion. FYI, The marine travel-lift that we used at the marina lifted and moved boats up to 60ft had a ford 6 cylinder engine. Gearing is the key.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

The Grand Cherokee will tow up to 5500lbs.I tow a 21ft cruisers inc with a 95 grand and it surely weighs more than yours.I dont know of any 19ft boat that weighs anywhere near 5500lbs.As stated before,you must have the overdrive OFF when towing.Charlie

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

I pulled my 19 ft fish & ski with 125 mariner with a cherokee w/the 4.0 inline 6 and it had no problems. You should be able to find the weight of your rig by asking around this site. I agree with Charlie, I doubt it weighs close to the 5000 lb rating of the jeep. The only weak link will be your lack of trailer brakes as Jeeps have rotors that are notorious for over heating & warping without towing anything at all.

 

[BarryBob]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

So am I crazy to tow the 19' boat with these vehicles without trailer brakes?

 

[DJ]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

Your rig is easily over 3000 pounds. Brakes are MANDATORY.

 

[Lark40]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

I've towed both a 2500 lb rig and a 3500 lb rig with my old 96 Grand 4.0.<br /><br />Yeah, it would pull them, but you have awful accleration which was dangerous when pulling off ramps. Also, you had to run premium gas, otherwise the engine would ping like crazy.<br /><br />Now a have a 2004 Grand with the HO V-8. What a difference! Would not recommend the Jeep 4.0 engine for a rig your size.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

I tow a 19.5 ft Wellcraft Eclipse on a tandem axle custom trailer with BRAKES with my 1998 Explorer 4.0 sohc v6 with 5 speed auto trans,towed load is about 4800-5000 lbs depends how much fuel is in boat, my Explorer has the factory 6000# tow package which includes oil/tranny cooler 3.73 axle ratio, It tows well but I do not use overdrive and keep her at about 60-65 mph I tow about 2000 miles each season without any problems my trips are about 250 miles round with long hills and all.

 

[scvan66]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

Barrybob, I own a 1996 Grand Cherokee with the 5.2l v-8. it also has the all wheel drive. I tow my 1990 19' Stingray cuddy which ways about 2750 lbs. I've never had a problem with the handling even on the hills. It's the gas mileage that eats me up but thats the breaks right? good luck in your search and Happy Boating!

 

[BarryBob]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

My trailer is probably only worth about $800-$1,000. Is it worth installing brakes or should I just look for another trailer?

 

[DJ]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

BarryBob,<br /><br />If it is in good shapoe and fits the boat well, I would say yes.<br /><br />BTW, I have towed with V-8 and V-6 Explorers/Mountaineers. After about 4000 pounds the V-8 shines. However, I preferred the SOHC V-6 for anything under 4K because of the 5-speed automatic.

 

[Eubie]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

I've been looking to buy a Glastron and just came from their site. The 19' is Approx:<br /><br />Weight 2450 lbs (1111 kg) <br />w/4.3 GL Volvo Penta®<br /><br />The fish and ski 19 footer is 2410 lbs.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

I tow a 23' Wellcraft CC with twin OB on a tandem axle trailer with disk brakes. My tow is a 1993 4.0 Explorer Sport (2dr) rated to tow 5,500 lbs. I have had no problems at the ramp or on the road. My longest tow is 40 miles to Key Largo Fl and I have had this rig for 10 yrs. with no problem.<br /><br />Disk brakes are a must for me. If I were to tow in hilly country I would want something with more beef. I did have to have the tranny rebuilt at 72,000 miles - now 130,000.

 

[doman]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

I tow my 19.6" Sea Ray Seville with 89 Aerostar 3.0 no problems at all ..Brought it from Georgia to Florida 600 miles distance ..Sure could use more power and better brakes but now i only have about 3 miles to the ramp .. Make sure the boat and the trailer does not outweights the truck<br /><br />Dom

 

[2637042]

Re: Who Tows 19' Boat w/6 Cylinder '96 Explorer or '96 Grand Cherokee?

i have a 96 grand cherokee with the 4.0 and tow about a 1000lb al fishing boat. Even with the light load i wish i had more breaking power, and power on the highway is poor. i turn off o/d on the highway, which kills my gas mileage. If i could go back i would have gotten the v8, and if i were you, i would look into trailer brakes.