towing question?

[gsjeepxr]

i just gotta 21' bayliner trophy, cuddy cabin with a 130hp yamaha 2 stroke. its on a single axle load rite with rollers. im not sure the weight of this rig. my question is i have a 2000 jeep grand cherokee with a v8 and towing package. i also have 20" rims with a 275-45-20 tire. will i have any problems pulling this boat out of the ramp? it does have the quadra-trak but im still curious biengs this boat is quite a bit larger than my old 19' alum, deep-v. and with or with out O/D?
open for all thoughts
thanks
andy

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: towing question?

i do not tow in overdrive at all. you will have no problems.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: towing question?

That 275-45 low profile tire can be a little hairy launcing and loading on a steep ramp. I guess the 4wd can help, but seem to see lots of suv's spin the heck out of them at the ramps.....also I agree on not using the overdrive.

 

[KM2]

Re: towing question?

Put it in full time 4WD and you should be fine. If it's really a bad ramp use 4low. I pulled a 3500 pound boat/trailer up basically a sand/beach type ramp a few times. I was pushing the limits but it did it.

FYI: Don't turn your vehicle when in part time 4wd or 4wd low on a high traction surface like the parking area near the ramp. It could cause a driveline failure.



I believe you have a 5speed auto in the JC, check your owners manual on the rec's for towing. I had the inline 6, 4 speed in my JC and it didn't tow in Overdrive.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: towing question?

As stated above. I do not tow in overdrive either. You should be fine with that set up.

 

[INJUN]

Re: towing question?

If need be and if convienient to you; go to the scales at your land fill to get an accurate weight. Then compare to your JC manual. I'd be concerned too, with the size of that boat (they look massive out of the water). I had the same vehicle but was pulling a smaller boat with no problems.

 

[gsjeepxr]

Re: towing question?

thanks for all the comments. i just tried load it and it musta been really tongue heavy, the truck dropped quite a bit. i pushed the boat back as far as the winch support would let me. it helped alot but still seems a little heavy. is it safe to move the axle forward? im going to a bayliner dealership to have the weight ratio messured. so hopefully thatl tell me something.
thanks again

 

[Shizzy]

Re: towing question?

I would also check the load rating on those tires. Many of the larger sizes are just for lookin good and not for hauling a load.

 

[gsjeepxr]

Re: towing question?

yea im sure they dont help. now that a moved the boat back abount 8-10" its made a huge difference. but im sure putting the factory wheels/tires back on would be better also due to all the extra sidewall. the tires will give a little, hopefully taking some of the distribution off the suspension. i would assume the 20" tires dont give much.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: towing question?

Be careful not to get the tongue weight too light.It will cause a bad sway situation at higher speeds.Especially with the short wheelbase of the Jeep.
A little sagging in the tow vehicles rear suspension is not a bad thing.

 

[gsjeepxr]

Re: towing question?

yea i know a little isnt bad but before i moved the boat further back i couldnt even get the jack folded up. the jeep was squating that bad. hopefully its ok now i took it down the road but never got above 50mph. im curious what my boat weighs. havent made it to the scale yet. what do you guys think? 1984 21' bayliner trophy cuddy cabin. strictly fishing boat so no fancy interior. all fiberglass.
thanks
andy

 

[Firemedic09]

Re: towing question?

i don't think you will have problems, for one, your could probably pick the thing up and move it around yourself so i don't think they are that heavy, as i have a boat similar to yours. i think your jeep will do just fine