So, I am aware of the stated towing weights. But was curious as to what some of you are towing? I will be getting a bass boat and eventually a camper. So how big of a camper or boat are you guys towing and what size hitch/receiver?

 

An XJ isn't the best thing to tow a camper with unless it is a pop up. I have towed my 16 ft aluminum bass boat with mine and it did fine. I also towed a car on a trailer to the scrap yard, it did OK but I only had to go a few miles and not above 55 mph, I wouldn't want to tow that weight any distance.

 

"and not above 55 mph, I wouldn't want to tow that weight any distance."

Yep. I towed a 6x12 enclosed U-Haul trailer filled with furniture just over 100 miles. Most of the time it was fine. Where it got to be a handful was at 60-70mph. Especially off of the three steep descents. Luckily that was only a 20min stretch of highway and the surge brake helped make it manageable (barely). No more.

 

I tow my Bug around with no trailer brakes. Its probably around 4000 lbs with the trailer. Does not stop the best but I feel comfortable with a nice gap between me and the next car. Going to wire up trailer brakes soon. Does just fine on the highway and can cruise down the road at 70 mph in 5th gear.

 

As big as i will go, and only on backroads. 4k With a full load of water and both waste tanks full.

 

I pull an approx 2000lb pop-up camper. I installed a brake controller, and the popup has electric brakes. Even with the relatively light tongue weight of the trailer, I added air shocks in the back to help keep everything level.


It tows nicely, 60mph is pretty comfortable (though braking distances have to be watched carefully). It handles rolling hills and average topography with no problem.


However, when we hit long steep grades, 2000lbs (perhaps just slightly more when loaded) is about all the XJ has in it. I have hit 1st gear a few times trying to make it to the top. With a little speed built-up before the climb starts it does much better, but that isn't always possible.


So, for me...2,500lbs would be the max practical towing. Perhaps slightly more if the XJ was empty (I have 2 adults, 2 small kids on board) and about 200lbs of gear (a kayak, and personal items).

 

Everyone should be aware that personal injury attorneys live for this kind of stuff. If you are found to be negligent after an accident and your insurance policy is cancelled, just consider how many decades you'll be working to fully satisfy the judgement. Pickup trucks are designed for towing.

 

That's pretty much what I figured. Looks like I'll be buying a full size pick-up ! I want another one anyway !!!😎

 

I know there's some people on the forum who could also tell how the WJ does with towing. I'm curious myself to find out how a 4.7 '04 would do. Would it be worth getting a WJ instead of a truck? Because for me a truck would need to be a 4 door. And I hate short beds so I would need a long bed 4 door. That would just be one long a** truck. 15 years ago I would have driven the heck out of one but not today.

 

Ditto ! I had a Chevy Silverado, 2500HD w/ long bed. I GAVE it to my fiances's son !!! Was great for hauling wood though !

 

That is why I try to stay under the most conservative tow rating (2000lb) for the XJ. I can't believe anybody would ever think it is a good idea to tow 5000lbs with an XJ (its max tow rating with all of the goodies). The vehicle only weighs 3k, so that is a recipe for disaster. My camper is listed at 1850 dry. It only has a 10gal water tank, that I usually keep empty for travel. I probably add about 100lbs of food and sleeping gear. Then perhaps about 200lbs of gear to the XJ itself.


I don't think I would fall into the negligent category. But I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it from time to time.

 

Well i mean, the diesel long beds are pretty long trucks..half tons? Nah they are perfect imo

 

With towing, it's not the going that matters, it's the stopping. Some of the comments above are the, "Well, nothing bad has happened, so it's fine." type of irresponsible and unintelligent.

I've towed 4,000 pounds with mine with good trailer brakes. It's questionable, at best. Towing that much without trailer brakes will find you on the "settle now you can't possibly win" side of a lawsuit, and possibly on the "guilty as charged" side of a criminal case, if anyone else on the road ever does something unexpected.

Of course, THAT never happens, right?

 

Couple takes. Towed a '75 beetle, 60mph not a single issue. Towed a jeep grand Cherokee with a Cherokee, many issues. Transmission overheating, unable to go above 45, worst handling possible. Extremely unsafe.

Last one with my current xj, 23' Aquarius 23 sailboat. Pretty heavy but handles pretty well. Limited to 55mph, stay in slow lane. As long as you are expecting it, braking is pretty decent, however I want to get a brake assist trailer.

I think the biggest take is how long the tongue is, and weight. The problem with the jeep pulling jeep scenario was how much downforce was exerted on the ball. Front end was squirrelly, like crazy so.

Highway speeds without brake assist on a jeep Cherokee is not recommended, IMHO. If making a towing jeep, make sure your brakes are in good condition, if possible for a boat have a dual axle, and get brake assist. It's really not safe without any one of those wickets missing.

 

I occasionally tow a small utility trailer with my tiny 4 cylinder. Including one time where I towed it with a motorcycle on it for six hours at 65 to 70 mph. Everything went smoothly, including when I had to panic brake going down hill. Keep in mind I was only towing roughly ~1200 lbs. I also have rear discs and a WJ brake booster. I think towing up to 2,000 lbs with good brakes is safe.

There was one time I towed about 7,000 lbs... For maybe ten feet lol. I needed to move a trailer just a few feet and my truck wasn't available. I wasn't on the road at all; this was just in a long flat driveway. So I can technically say I've towed 7,000 lbs with my 4 cylinder lol... But it doesn't really count.

Again, I feel up to 2,000 lbs with a properly maintained brake system is perfectly fine. Anything beyond that... Get a truck.