Jeep Tow Vehicle

[foggy1111]

Congrats! Did you get that Quadra-Lift adjustable suspension or Selec-Terrain transfer case?

Obviously, these people don't realize the very stringent testing and regulations these trucks and suv's go through before receiving these ratings. The rated tow capacity of these vehicles is just a fraction of what they can safely tow. There is no doubt in my mind that this Jeep GC can handle 7,200 lbs safely and even in an emergency situation, WHEN PROPERLY SETUP and with all the vehicles systems (brakes, suspension, transmission, etc...) PROPERLY WORKING. Those are the major concerns, the vehicle itself is more than capable.

You Betcha! The "Overland" model comes with the air lift suspension and select terain. I also got the Trail Rated version....which gives me 18" wheels and tires (in lieu of the 20" on the Overland models...better ride to my way of thinking...and able to cushion obstacles better when off-road) and the skid plates, etc. Also all the blind spot detectors and even crash warning devices....and adjusts your cruise when your gaining on a vehicle in front of you. (What will they think of next?)

These new vehicles are remarkable!!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Congrats! Did you get that Quadra-Lift adjustable suspension or Selec-Terrain transfer case?

I love reading the comments about how an SUV or 1/2 ton truck should be limited to 5,000 lbs. :laughing:
A 3/4 ton truck for anything over 5,000 lbs? Give me a break...
I've put a pallet of wood pellets (2,000 lbs) in the BED of my 1/2 ton truck with no problem and I trailer 8-9k lbs behind it with ease as well. That's a 7 year old truck, these new trucks are even more capable.

There is no doubt in my mind that this Jeep GC can handle 7,200 lbs safely and even in an emergency situation, WHEN PROPERLY SETUP and with all the vehicles systems (brakes, suspension, transmission, etc...) PROPERLY WORKING. Those are the major concerns, the vehicle itself is more than capable.

I agree with 100%. Man, that must be a first.:laughing::laughing::laughing:

No, really any of the modern 1/2 tons from about 99 on were good for a about 8,000# no matter what brand even if its not my or your favorite. I would not hesitate a 9,000# load in any of the newer 1/2 tons, say 06 and later, if the trailer was maintained properly and loaded the same and the truck had the trailer tow package and good gear ratio and again in good mechanical shape.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

You Betcha! The "Overland" model comes with the air lift suspension and select terain. I also got the Trail Rated version....which gives me 18" wheels and tires (in lieu of the 20" on the Overland models...better ride to my way of thinking...and able to cushion obstacles better when off-road) and the skid plates, etc. Also all the blind spot detectors and even crash warning devices....and adjusts your cruise when your gaining on a vehicle in front of you. (What will they think of next?)

These new vehicles are remarkable!!

Can not wait to see pictures.

Chris

 

[buck12]

I couldn't agree more. I have pulled heavy loads with a half ton before and lighter SUV's but there is no replacement for a proper tow vehicle. IMHO, anything over about 5000 lbs is in 3/4 ton range - regardless of what they say in there. Something as simple as getting proper tongue weight on a trailer is much more difficult with that much weight. Can a grand cherokee handle 800-1000 lbs tongue weight? If not - it has no business advertising that kind of towing capacity. Too little tongue weight results in a violent side to side sway that is terrifying in a properly sized tow vehicle.

I respectively disagree as to your blanket statement about 1/2 tons trucks. My 1/2 ton F150 is setting in the driveway loaded with 6,000 to 6,500 lbs (rated to tow 9,600 lbs) ready to take the tractor to the hunting camp tomorrow. It's a 35 - 40 mile one way trip with lots of hills (MS hills) and curves. The 09 F150 tugs it just fine. Now I have a 93 F150 that I would not consider using to pull such a load. You must have used a Government Motors 1/2 ton

 

[Bikewanderer]

I respectively disagree as to your blanket statement about 1/2 tons trucks. My 1/2 ton F150 is setting in the driveway loaded with 6,000 to 6,500 lbs (rated to tow 9,600 lbs) ready to take the tractor to the hunting camp tomorrow. It's a 35 - 40 mile one way trip with lots of hills (MS hills) and curves. The 09 F150 tugs it just fine. Now I have a 93 F150 that I would not consider using to pull such a load. You must have used a Government Motors 1/2 ton

I wasn't talking about pulling power at all. I know the new ones have lots of pulling power...much more than my one ton or our C6500 at work. All I mean is that I've had loads shift on me before, tires blow out, brakes fail, trailer sway from wind gusts and from improper loading - and there is no substitute for a heavy vehicle with stiff suspension meant for hauling trailers. Most half tons have very light suspensions for good rides and give up towing ability because of it.

Maybe there are exceptions out there and maybe I need more experience towing with the newer vehicles - but that's what my experiences have been.

One of the most terrifying experiences for me was pulling a gooseneck equipment trailer with a hammermill shaft weighing about 5000 lbs on it. I didn't strap it down well enough. It rolled off my blocks and hit the fender of the trailer. The truck instantly changed lanes - so fast I couldn't react. I was towing about 8000 lbs with a crew cab dually capable of handling twice that weight.

last week I was hauling water on my flatbed truck and while going downhill (offroad to get to the well) the load shifted. I wasn't overloaded but it was top heavy and I was scared to death I was going to flip the whole truck. One wheel was off the ground and I couldn't move the truck until I emptied the tank.

A few years ago i was hauling a skid steer on a little skid steer trailer and didn't know that it had to be backed on to get proper tongue weight. At 55 mph it began to shake violently. I was again driving a crew cab dually and nowhere near the towing capacity of the truck. It was all I could do to get slowed down and under control and stay even halfway in my lane.

I only bring up these stories to illustrate that there's a lot more to it than tow ratings, HP and disc brakes. There's a huge difference between half ton and three quarter ton and one ton equipment.

 

[Renze]

I had some close encounters too:

Once wrapped a borrowed trailer with a flat tire and malfunctioning brakes around a tree when it swayed out of control, with just a 500kg load of wooden floor planks on it, the front bulkhead fell off during the ride and took the load of planks to the back as well. (car was a Volvo 440 1.9TD, 1050kg empty weight, i was within the tow rating of the car, and at 1/2 the rating of the trailer)

Another thing is tongues: I have a brand manufacture trailer with a V drawbar built from 2x4" C channel. It doesnt pull half as good as the trailer i rebuilt for my brother, where i supported the single pipe towbar by two 2x3" tubes in V shape. tubes give less vibrations and also dampen sway.
With the above mentioned trailer that i folded around an oak, (also a single pipe towbar) i knew i was going to loose it when i saw the drawbar flex in relation to the trailer sides: i'm pretty sure that with a good V towbar, i would have been able to slow down and stop before i ran out of control.

Even though its not allowed because its build is registered, i plan to change to a square tubing drawbar anyways because it rides so much better, transfers less vibrations and resonances to the tow vehicle and doesnt tordate and flex as much as 3mm C-channel.

 

[Ken45101]

Just a story of why I believe a heavy, long wheel base tow vehicle is important.

A few years ago, we were exploring in WVa for places to take the horses camping. We DID NOT have a trailer with us at the time.

We were coming down a long 6% downhill grade on I-64 east of Beckley. We came around a curve and suddenly there there was a semi with the tractor pulled off the road but the trailer still blocking the right lane. We were in the midst of other semi trucks jockeying to change lanes! Being in the pickup alone, it was no problem, BUT IF WE HAD BEEN TOWING WITH A MAXED OUT VEHICLE, WE MAY HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE INTERSTATE, PERHAPS SIDEWAYS OR FLIPPED OVER.

It's not what a vehicle can tow, it's what it can safely handle in an emergency! Just my two cents worth. YMMV.

 

[Dmace]

BUT IF WE HAD BEEN TOWING WITH A MAXED OUT VEHICLE, WE MAY HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE INTERSTATE, PERHAPS SIDEWAYS OR FLIPPED OVER.

It's not what a vehicle can tow, it's what it can safely handle in an emergency! Just my two cents worth. YMMV.

So you don't know how the vehicle would have handled the emergency maneuver, you are assuming it would be bad.

Also, when a vehicle is at it's MAX TOW CAPACITY it is NOT "maxed out". Any vehicle can easily tow more than it's rated for but that tow capacity is what it's rated to pull,stop,turn, and handle SAFELY. Why do people think the max tow capacity is the absolute limit a vehicle can handle. Like 1 lb over that magic number is going to break the vehicle in half...:mur:
I've had many vehicles at or just above their limit and they could still handle more. You know it's back there and need to adjust your driving habits.
99% of accidents involving a vehicle towing something are at fault of the DRIVER that couldn't handle the load, not the TRUCK.

 

[foggy1111]

So you don't know how the vehicle would have handled the emergency maneuver, you are assuming it would be bad.

99% of accidents involving a vehicle towing something are at fault of the DRIVER that couldn't handle the load, not the TRUCK.

EXACTLY! :thumbsup:

Plus....some of the above nay-sayers (and safety police "cadets") have not experienced some of the fantastic "new tech" that's found in these new vehicles. Some of the anti-sway, traction-control, anti-lock-brakes, 4WD systems, and more are pretty slick. Of course they are not a substitute for driving skills....but they sure help!

In my youth I hauled tractors, heavy equipment and steel for quite a few years with a wide variety of trucks and trailers. (You havnt lived till you hauled fabricated steel products.) Throughout my life I have towed stuff (even participated in the design of quite a number of OTR and rental trailers when I worked for a major aluminum company). Yep...bad things can happen. HOWEVER...MOST of the towing problems dont come from properly equipped vehicles with the right tow ratings - Instead its typically operator error, poor judgment, or failing to secure your load.

Go ahead....buy twice the vehicle you need to haul stuff.....I don't mind.

Go rain on somebody else s parade. :laughing: I'm just planning to safely haul my needs with my new Jeep. :thumbsup: .....and have a reasonably fuel-efficient, every-day smooth riding vehicle (with great styling) when I am not towing stuff.

 

[Diamondpilot]

So you don't know how the vehicle would have handled the emergency maneuver, you are assuming it would be bad.

Also, when a vehicle is at it's MAX TOW CAPACITY it is NOT "maxed out". Any vehicle can easily tow more than it's rated for but that tow capacity is what it's rated to pull,stop,turn, and handle SAFELY. Why do people think the max tow capacity is the absolute limit a vehicle can handle. Like 1 lb over that magic number is going to break the vehicle in half...:mur:
I've had many vehicles at or just above their limit and they could still handle more. You know it's back there and need to adjust your driving habits.
99% of accidents involving a vehicle towing something are at fault of the DRIVER that couldn't handle the load, not the TRUCK.

Again I agree with you. This must be a record. The manufactures set the numbers they are comfortable with when it comes to liability. If they could not hand the weight listed they would never ever approve them for that.

Chris