Too much boat and too little jeep

[scottgrissom]

I'm curious to know what can be done to a vehicle to help its towing capability (hopefully cheap). I have a 98 Jeep Cherokee 2wd. Its got a little over a 100K miles on it, but still runs good. The boat I'm pulling is an 18ft Wellcraft Fisherman 180 and weight about 2,500 lbs. The last few times I've brought it out, I've had a difficult time pulling it up. I usually have to get friends to jump on the bumper. I when backing up I tend to slip a little bit. The tires are fairly new, but definitely don't have a tread like an all terrain. Any suggestions on what I can do? Thanks for any advise you might have.

Scott

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Too much boat and too little jeep

Well you kinda mentioned a partial improvement in your post.
In order of cost lower first:
1. More weight over the rear axle or at least overall.
2. Traction aids for your tires when pulling up the ramp such as matts or expanded metal strips, etc.
3. Better tires with more aggressive tread.
4. Longer trailer tongue.
5. Lower axle ratio.
6. Detroit locker or a good limited slip in the diff.

If the ramp is concrete go with narrow tires versus wide tires.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Too much boat and too little jeep

The first thing you might want to do is to check the tongue weight on that trailer. You could be light and thus causing the problem...

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Too much boat and too little jeep

#1 Cure not mentioned here. Get a portable air compressor. Lower your tire pressure to 15-20 lbs before backing down to retrieve. After safe retrival re-inflate tires to proper pressure.

Drive safely

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Too much boat and too little jeep

One other suggestion: Change vehicles. Sell the 2wd and buy a 4wd. These days, SUV's are going for a song. You should be able to find an equivalent to your Cherokee that's 4WD for about what you can get for the one you have.

That will solve all your launch problems, once and for all. Shift the thing into 4wd when you get to the launch area and leave it that way until you leave. You'll just ease right in and out of the ramp.

I know...it's tough to change vehicles, but that's the best solution. You could probably get another Cherokee the same color and everything, and with about the same miles with very little money difference.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Too much boat and too little jeep

#1 Cure not mentioned here. Get a portable air compressor. Lower your tire pressure to 15-20 lbs before backing down to retrieve. After safe retrival re-inflate tires to proper pressure.

Drive safely

That will increase contact patch or floatation and help on a soft ramp but will reduce traction on a slippery surface.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Too much boat and too little jeep

That will increase contact patch or floatation and help on a soft ramp but will reduce traction on a slippery surface.

Aha, that explains my experience last year where airing down the tires on a slippery ramp didn't help!

-E