2'' drop

[fortyfreak9]

I tow a 18' bass boat with a Jeep Cherokee and it squats the Jeep down pretty good ~2000lbs. I currently have a 2'' drop off the hitch, do you think it would tow better or worse if it has a 2'' rise? Thank you.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: 2'' drop

Whichever keeps the trailer closer to level will probably be better. If your tongue weight is over 200 lbs (10%) you could move the trailer axle forward a bit to lighten the load on the jeep.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: 2'' drop

18' bass boat should not drop your Cherokee noticeably. I would check your tongue weight and your Jeep springs. When all is checked and all is well, and if it is still low, either flip your receiver or use a straight one, whichever will tow level.

 

[Action]

Re: 2'' drop

I agree, I don't think you should be sagging. I have towed my near 2000 pound boat/motor/trailer with my Jeep TJ and it doesn't sag at all, think you may have too much tongue weight.

 

[fortyfreak9]

Re: 2'' drop

It does sag down the rear, it is not to terrible that I cannot drive, but would the Jeep handle any better if it was a 2'' rise?

 

[dlngr]

Re: 2'' drop

a 2" rise is going to do nothing to help,and might cause it to handle worse. Take the advice given and lighten your tongue weight.

 

[Action]

Re: 2'' drop

a 2" rise is going to do nothing to help,and might cause it to handle worse. Take the advice given and lighten your tongue weight.

Exactly....

 

[fortyfreak9]

Re: 2'' drop

Here is my set-up

http://img195.imageshack.us/i/p1010214.jpg/

I don't think I can move the axle at all, but it might be good how it is.. you tell me.

 

[fire831]

Re: 2'' drop

If you have a lot of stuff in the front of the boat, try moving some of it to the rear if possible.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2'' drop

Raising the hitch 2 inches removes zero tongue weight so the Jeep will still squat. You need to remove weight - not raise hitch height. If the boat is not level though, by all means raise the hitch. It just will do nothing for the squat.

 

[marine4003]

Re: 2'' drop

I have a 17' Stratos with a Suzuki 150 on the same trailer..your springs are shot..that boat has no more than75-100 lbs tongue weight.jump up & down on the rear bumper..does the end come up and stay or does it bounce...bouncing means shot shocks and or springs...you can install "helper springs..they bolt on to the existing springs and add 4-500 lbs weight load..or you can install heavy duty shocks..or springs.from first suggestion to last less $$$ to more $$$$

 

[dlngr]

Re: 2'' drop

Raising the hitch 2 inches removes zero tongue weight so the Jeep will still squat. You need to remove weight - not raise hitch height. If the boat is not level though, by all means raise the hitch. It just will do nothing for the squat.

Raising the tongue WILL transfer weight to the rear-so the tongue weight would be less. A 2" rise would add 4" height,thereby possibly giving him a near zero tongue weight.. But looking at the picture,I don't think raising the ball is the solution.
Fotyfreak,remember what ever you do keep an eye on the ground clearance of your drive unit.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 2'' drop

From looking at the pic, the trailer is level and the Jeep doesn't look like its squating, at least enough to creat a problem. Weigh the tongue and see what it actually is.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: 2'' drop

If the tires aren't hitting the wheel well don't worry about it.

-E

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: 2'' drop

If the tires aren't hitting the wheel well don't worry about it.

-E

Headlights are out of aim. Front end handling characteristics are squirrely. etc.

Through all the suggestion, have you checked how much tongue weight you have. Get a bathroom scale, put a spacer on it to have the tongue level, and let us know what it is.

 

[atomb]

Re: 2'' drop

I have a jeep cherokee and tow a 19' bayliner and my rear end on the jeep sags more than the one in the pic so I am curious as to what your next step will be as well. I have brand new "heavy duty springs" and at standing without the boat I have 17" clearance from center wheel to fender which is stock height -I havent checked clearance with the boat on but i know it sags a bit- will do that this weekend- What do guys think about throwing in air shocks for the rear-?

 

[Martian]

Re: 2'' drop

The trailer is being towed level as it should be don't mess with it.

So as others have said:

1st Check the shocks....if they are gone that would explain the bad handling and the sag.
2nd measure the tongue weight anyways and make sure that the jeep can handle it or post back.

martian

 

[marine4003]

Re: 2'' drop

if the handling is squirrley thats indicative of to much weight in the rear of the trailer..( motor) sounds like you have two issues.one bad shocks/springs then your load is past the axle heavy.beef up your suspension then see if you cant increase tongue weight, i tow ALOT of heavy equipment, and your symptoms sound like the suggested.

 

[fortyfreak9]

Re: 2'' drop

I am going to check the tounge weight, I can lift the front of the trailer with the boat on it but I am a stronger then average guy. I will also check the rear shocks and see if they are shot.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: 2'' drop

I am going to check the tounge weight, I can lift the front of the trailer with the boat on it but I am a stronger then average guy. I will also check the rear shocks and see if they are shot.

More likely to be springs than shocks.