Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

[l008com]

When my ****ty S10 finally dies (which will probably happen when the transmission ****s the bed and my truck rolls back to a watery grave), I've been thinking about getting a used Jeep instead.

Here's the two most important points:
1) My boat is only a 15' with a 90HP outboard, i've never weighed it, but it's gotta be well below the 2000lb towing limit
2) 99% of my towing is going from my house to the local ramp, via 6 or so miles of backroads. Going on the highway will be a very rare event, special trips only. Like maybe a once a year trip to the cape, or something like that.

So that said, I'm really liking the idea of a Jeep.

For one thing, I can fit four people in it. My S10 cannot. Many boat ramps only have parking for tow vehicles, but if I'm bringing 4 or 5 people on my boat, they need to come on down in their own vehicle and park it somewhere.

Jeeps seem to last forever. They seem to be very durable. I'll be putting very very low miles on it, maybe 1,000 a year, if that. If I could get a decade out of a used Jeep, that would be fantastic.

My S10 is an extended cab, full bed. Its VERY long. It makes it much more difficult maneuvering my trailer. It should be much easier moving around with a short wheelbase jeep. (when they built my local boat ramp, they forgot that you need to TURN AROUND in order to back your trailer into the water. When they designed it, I guess they thought people would just "beam down" to the ramp, then drive away).

The roof comes off, you can't beat that (unless you're in an accident, then a non-removable roof does beat that)

What it really comes down to, to me is these key points:
Short wheel base would make my life so much easier.
How often do I really use the bed of my pickup vs how often do I really want to transport more than 2 people.
A jeep wins both of these.

The downside... Apparently Jeeps really are dependable, used Wranglers sell for a LOT of money. The only cheap ones are 12+ years old. Yikes. Oh well, I plan on driving the S10 until it cannot drive any longer, so hopefully I have at least a year or two left.

But what do you think?

Any Jeep Wrangler tow-ers out there???

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Simple answer to towing with a wrangler? NOT A CHANCE, but I am not in your situation I have a 25' boat weighing in at nearly 6000Lbs, I have owned Jeeps before and while I loved to wheel in them they were never my choice to tow with, I mean lets face it just driving them for a distance was not what I would consider "Fun" but keep in mind Detroit Lockers and 38" tires on a wheelbase that rivals a Roller Skate will do that to you.

I think that for you if that's what you want then go for it, if I were to suggest anything it would be to make sure you get the 4.0L motor far and away the best Jeep Motor EVER, other then that just don't go crazy with the wheeling mods, they are great off road but they make driving the Jeep on road no fun.

 

[l008com]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Yeah I'd definitely go with the 6 (4.0 or 3.8), automatic (I don't need two manual vehicles).
I'd probably upgrade to 31x10.5's but no bigger. I won't be going hillbilly crazy, I live in the suburbs and I know it. The one I linked to in this thread looked really good, I think it was 31x10.5r17, but now I have to go find a different image because they don't like hot linking.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

first off, do a search. This one has been hashed out several times..... I LOVE my jeeps and for your 6 mile trip the wrangler if very close to stock height could be OK but not great... watch your speed and be CAUTIOUS! as for highway... They are downright dangerous towing at speed in traffic.

Now if you are talking about a newer 4 door this possibly goes out the window but for the standard 2 door jeep, they are poor at best for towing.

Also FWIW, they aren't expensive because they are reliable, but rather, because they are basically fun and stylish but practically useless novelties to most people who buy them new and never take em off of a paved road.... Then as they age they have a whole new group of owners like me who slap on a lift, lockers and some aggressive tires and beat the snot out of em........ as such, they are relatively rare for the number of people who want them and unlike an S-10 command a high price even when 30 years old if in good shape.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Then as they age they have a whole new group of owners like me who slap on a lift, lockers and some aggressive tires and beat the snot out of em........

You could certainly put me in this group too, don't forget what Jeep stands for Just Empty Every Pocket, and that's the truth, my wife is all over me to build my third Jeep, Probably going to be a 4 door Rubicon with 35's and air lockers, just thinking about it is making me broke....

Gonna have to change my Screen Name too...

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

... I'm really liking the idea of a Jeep.

For one thing, I can fit four people in it....
but if I'm bringing 4 or 5 people on my boat...

You, Plus 4 or 5 people, plus gear, and pulling boat with the Wrangler??? .... :facepalm:

Now, I really like the Idea of a Jeep also!!
Have you considered the Liberty or the Grand Cherokee?

 

[timfives]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

The big thing to consider is obvious, be sure your within the towing specs of the jeep, not because of the strength of the engine or brakes, but because it is a short wheelbase vehicle. That is going to be the biggest issue, if you have a f150 and your slightly over the towing rating your probably fine, because that is a substantial long wheel based vehicle. (not advocating doing that) But with short wheel based vehicles you just have to be careful. i haven't' towed with a jeep, but have towed with an older bronco II with a similar boat. I towed it, but was a tad squarely

T

 

[alandchris]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

for what it's worth, i had a new 4 door automatic wrangler - had a 3500 pound tow capacity - it was fine for towing my bass boat / trailer around - maybe 1800 lbs total - but then I bought a 3800 pound boat/trailer combo - but once you put gear in that boat, the gas (7 or 8lbs per gallon in a 30 gallon tank) - and then put some family in it - I didn't want to take any chances - traded it for a ram 1500 hemi - i couldn't even imagine the jeep trying to stop a boat a 'little' outside the towing range in an emergency stop situation.

 

[yabuoy]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Wranglers are a one trick pony. As the poster above said, I would seriously consider getting the Liberty or the Grand Cherokee; at least you have something that gives you a decent amount of both

 

[aquarices]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

This is my same position. Im looking at a 1960 Dorsett Belmont to tow with my 2008 Jeep Wrangler SWB. Dry weight is 480 lbs so I think im good with gear, fuel, motor, trailer, and one additional passenger. I only have experience towing a 10'x12' utility trailer full of camping gear and it went just fine. You might think having a short wheel base is sweet, but i find it only makes jack knifing the trailer that much easier.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

The short wheel base makes the Wrangler a suboptimal tow vehicle, but it should be able to handle the OP's needs.

 

[l008com]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

The short wheel base is one if the biggest pros for me. I'm always backing my boat into my driveway, or doing awkward U turns. I don't know about your states, but in Massachusetts, they love to build boat ramps with no place to turn around. You should see what the people with the big boats have to do, it's crazy.

 

[l008com]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Here's my regular boat ramp:
http://g.co/maps/bcazc
Note that the yellow lines are behind an always closed fence, you can't pull up there to back in.

Here's another great one that I may be using this year:
http://g.co/maps/b9ptn

Good thing I only have a 15-footer.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

The first one is pretty easy I think but the second one certainly proves your point, I would have to back all the way down uncle freemans road to drop my boat!!

 

[l008com]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

I think the first one is a little tighter than it looks. And it also has a walking path that cuts right across the main backing lane. So you pull forward, then go to back up, and there are people trying to walk behind your boat. And it can be hard to see them because, you know, I'm 25 feet away from them, with a boat between us! And some people launch some pretty big boats here. Worst designed boat launch ever!

 

[timfives]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

The short wheel base is one if the biggest pros for me. I'm always backing my boat into my driveway, or doing awkward U turns. I don't know about your states, but in Massachusetts, they love to build boat ramps with no place to turn around. You should see what the people with the big boats have to do, it's crazy.

Great for turning and backing, crappy for handling and stopping. Personally i'll take a longer wheel base vehicle for towing any day of the week.

T

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

Since you are asking for opinions, I'll give mine...DON'T DO IT!

Short wheel base vehicles and trailering do not mix. Doesn't matter that it's within weight range. Think of the geometry please! And if I might whine further...they ride like a log wagon and you will tire of it quickly using it as a grocery getter/daily driver. If you really like the Chrysler brand...get a Dakota or Durango. They are plentiful and much more practical. And oh, once last thing. If...no, WHEN you move up to a larger/heavier vessel, (and you will,) a Wrangler will no longer suffice, and you will be searching for yet another tow vehicle.

 

[l008com]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

For what it's worth, this new vehicle would not be a daily driver. Strictly tow vehicle/spare vehicle duty. It would be an automatic, so if I injure myself biking, I can still get around (my daily driver is a stick). But this thing would do little more than tow my boat to the next town over.

With all of this negative feeling about towing with a jeep, it really makes me want to borrow one and do some test towing to see what its like. I don't know anyone that has one though. Oh well.

Also, it's VERY unlikely that I would ever move past a 17' vessel. It's what I've had all my life, and I don't want a boat that's not easy to launch by myself. Plus, boating is NOT my most expensive hobby

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

I tow this with my 2008 Wrangler Unlimited 4 dr. and do just fine with it. And I load my toon down with a bunch of stuff during the winter months fishing...generator, 2 extra 6 gallon tanks of fuel, gangbox, floodlights on a stand, tools, 2 anchors, lounge chair, sleeping bag, gill nets, cast nets, 2 batteries, I know I'm pushing close to 2500 lbs or so and my custom made trailer is "C" channel with extra cross braces so it's got to be over 1000 lb by itself. Never had a problem pulling it up a ramp.

 

[l008com]

Re: Jeep Wrangler as a Tow Vehicle

I don't thin I specified, but I'm specifically asking about the 2 door wrangler.