proper towing questions

[brianis]

so I have never really towed a bigger trailer mostly motorcycle trailers small utility. so I have a grand Cherokee with a 4 litre I just got a 18 ft glastron so im guessing maybe 2500 lbs so when im towing do I not use od can I use it on the highway or not at all

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: proper towing questions

The Grand Cherokee with a V6 is good for 5000lbs.

Your Glastron is near 2500 dry, Boat only.
Including the trailer, gas, and stuff; You are closer to 3500. Over 3000 for sure.

If it keeps downshift on the uphills; Pick a lower gear.
Keep the speed under 70 and you will be fine!

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: proper towing questions

First of all guessing about the weight isn't the best approach. I would actually weigh the boat and trailer loaded with fuel and gear for an outing. Then you will know what it weighs for sure. Quarries, landfills, feed mills, and truck stops usually have scales. Sometimes they will let you use them for free.
Read your owners manual. It should have instructions on towing.
The important thing is to not have the trans. hunting. That is, shifting back and forth between 2 gears because neither one is optimum. If it's hunting between 3rd and OD then take it out of OD for sure. Going downhill and on flat land, if you can maintain speed in OD it's probably fine to use it.

 

[brianis]

Re: proper towing questions

k guys thanks for the info

 

[H20Rat]

Re: proper towing questions

I honestly wouldn't bother weighing it... I know iboats likes to go a little crazy on towing, but seriously... Its an 18 foot glass boat, and the vehicle is rated for 5k. If that boat is over 5k, you have FAR more serious issues to worry about, like trying to figure out how to pick the frame off the pavement, because the trailer is going to be laying flat on it.

The OP didn't list year/model, but there are current model 18 foot glastrons that are under 2k WITH the engine. Older ones with a 2 stroke could even get you down to the 1500# range. 3500# is a high estimate but safe estimate of the total weight down the road. 5k is insane.

 

[sean.deangelis]

Re: proper towing questions

I have an 02 Grand Cherokee with the same 4.0 straight 6 engine. It's rated to I believe 5800lbs and yes your boat and trailer are probably around 4K. I will say that OEM these Jeeps are not great towing, every gear after 1st is really tall. I have the factory trans cooler which is a must and towing a 21 foot Maxum O/D is pretty much senseless. Overdrive off and after the converter locks it has a sweet spot around 65. Overdrive on? all bets are off even with the trans cooler, I overheated a 700R4 in a station wagon that way and in my opinion the 700 is a far better trans than the one in my Jeep (42RE).
Short answer: make sure you have a trans cooler installed and spend the extra $ on gas rather than tow in O/D.

 

[bigdee]

Re: proper towing questions

I have an 02 Grand Cherokee with the same 4.0 straight 6 engine. It's rated to I believe 5800lbs and yes your boat and trailer are probably around 4K. I will say that OEM these Jeeps are not great towing, every gear after 1st is really tall. I have the factory trans cooler which is a must and towing a 21 foot Maxum O/D is pretty much senseless. Overdrive off and after the converter locks it has a sweet spot around 65. Overdrive on? all bets are off even with the trans cooler, I overheated a 700R4 in a station wagon that way and in my opinion the 700 is a far better trans than the one in my Jeep (42RE).
Short answer: make sure you have a trans cooler installed and spend the extra $ on gas rather than tow in O/D.

++1 I have an '04 GC with the 4.0. Tow with OD off is what the owners manual says. The 4.0 is a torquey engine,while not fast it will get the job done. My GC is definitely a better tow vehicle than the 4.6 Blazer I had previously.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: proper towing questions

Tranny cooler and stay out of O/D is the best advice I can give you.

4.6 Blazer ????? Didn't know there was one. Had a 4.3 Jimmy.

 

[I_5320]

Re: proper towing questions

Being a Jeep (V6 Straight 6) owner since 88 and use to also towing lighter rigs, I would often forget the reset OD to off after stopping for gas/food etc. With this weight, I'd put a note on my dash to remind me to switch off again.

 

[D1vemaster]

Re: proper towing questions

No problem , just don't use overdrive. Add a tranny cooler for sure. Might need air shocks if your going to load up the car with people too. My 20 foot glastron is 2770 trailer 800 gas 200 skis wakeboards tubes etc puts me at 4000 lbs . Your Cherokee would handle it easy. So yours is 3500 lbs max. , don't bother with the scale . Make sure the trailer surge brakes are working.

 

[jkust]

Re: proper towing questions

Think you'll be fine..my 18 footer is 4000lbs on the trailer plus any gear I have inside of it (like my golf clubs). 5000lbs rating sounds about right.

 

[Jake007]

Re: proper towing questions

+1 on the trany cooler, +1 on checking that your brakes are working properly, +1 on OD off except on highway as long as she is not hunting two gears.

 

[bigdee]

Re: proper towing questions

+1 on the trany cooler, +1 on checking that your brakes are working properly, +1 on OD off except on highway as long as she is not hunting two gears.

All good advice. You can get by without the cooler though if you understand whats going on inside the tranny and drive easy. I accelerate gradually and have never had the transmission over-temp light & chime come on. After you get rolling and as long as you keep the OD off and are not climbing steep hills or alot of stop & go traffic you may be ok....if your light comes on, stop and let things cool and go and get a tranny cooler.