as many yall seen, i have just got a 89 XJ 4.0l AUTO 4WD limited, with class III tow pack.

I also own a [ VERY TRAIL WORTHY] 1985 Ford Ranger, weighs 3100Lbs (according to the scales).

I was wondering what yall thought about if i trailored this?

Flatbed or Dolly, or that front tow bar stuff...

I have decided to keep the ranger to beat awn, and keep the XJ to drive in.

WHAT DO YOU THINK???

Sounds pretty scary to me. With a tow bar the Ranger will want to push the Jeep around corners. With a tow dolly it's about the same and neither situation gives you any brakes. Your tow hitch may be a Class III, but the hitch will have a higher tow rating than the Cherokee does.

What do you think about a flat bed trailor? maybe with onboard assist brakes?

Originally posted by cmegoup
Sounds pretty scary to me. With a tow bar the Ranger will want to push the Jeep around corners. With a tow dolly it's about the same and neither situation gives you any brakes. Your tow hitch may be a Class III, but the hitch will have a higher tow rating than the Cherokee does.

Look, I've said this many times, but I will say it again.

The XJ with an Auto has a manufactures tow rating of 5,000lbs. That means it can tow 5,000lbs. Safely. It can probally tow much more, but there are safety factors built in to take into consideration lots of variables.

I flat tow my SOA CJ5 with my 01 XJ. It works fine. If you really want to read about me going off on the subject, you can find it here:
http://www.northeastonlinewheelers.org/cgi-bin/YaBB/YaBB.cgi?board=tech_board;action=display;num=10118 09744

Other than that, if you think that your ranger and a trailer will be less than 5,000lbs, then that would be your best option. I would invest in trailer brakes (may be required in your state, might want to check it out)

Generally the longer the WB the better the tow rig........generally.
By that I'm talking full size with X-cab.

what about flat towing a yj SOA on full width (69in, and 65in) axles with a XJ with 6 inches of lift and 4.56 gears, running some maybe 31 inch AT's for the towing. Everyone i talk to says i am nut for even thinking it but i really don't want to get rid of it for a truck

Thats perty close to my setup, the Ranger will have full width, and i really want to lift the XJ enough for 31's


Originally posted by RockReadyXJ
what about flat towing a yj SOA on full width (69in, and 65in) axles with a XJ with 6 inches of lift and 4.56 gears, running some maybe 31 inch AT's for the towing. Everyone i talk to says i am nut for even thinking it but i really don't want to get rid of it for a truck

Trailer, Trailer, Trailer!!!

Save up and buy the right equipment... Buy an aluminum trailer that weighs about 1-1.2k Much safer and you can get your ranger back if (when? don't they all) breaks.

FLAT TOWING IS NOT AN OPTION. There is no way your xj will stop the ranger. Just ask the guy who rear ended my Excursion while flat towing a CJ-5 with a pickup. Pickups don't have enough weight in the rear and neither does your xj. Most states require brakes on anything towed over 2,500 lbs

People have done worse, and usually get away with it. Here in Colorado is where the bright bulbs are seperated from the dimmer ones. The mountain passes stress tow set-ups more than you can imagine. I wouldn't tow my TJ on a trailer with brakes on BOTH axles with anything less than 3/4 ton.

You be much happier using the right tool for the job (socket verses vice-grip analogy). Don't do anything marginal while I am on the road please.

Originally posted by RockReadyXJ
what about flat towing a yj SOA on full width (69in, and 65in) axles with a XJ with 6 inches of lift and 4.56 gears, running some maybe 31 inch AT's for the towing. Everyone i talk to says i am nut for even thinking it but i really don't want to get rid of it for a truck

:smokin:
No you would be crazy to think you could flat tow with your XJ and 6 inches of lift. You converted to discs? I have 6.5 inches of lift and I would hate to see how well I would stop with another 2k of jeep behind me.

:cool: hey thanx for the prespective :)


Originally posted by mountain bronco
Trailer, Trailer, Trailer!!!

Save up and buy the right equipment... Buy an aluminum trailer that weighs about 1-1.2k Much safer and you can get your ranger back if (when? don't they all) breaks.

FLAT TOWING IS NOT AN OPTION. There is no way your xj will stop the ranger. Just ask the guy who rear ended my Excursion while flat towing a CJ-5 with a pickup. Pickups don't have enough weight in the rear and neither does your xj. Most states require brakes on anything towed over 2,500 lbs

People have done worse, and usually get away with it. Here in Colorado is where the bright bulbs are seperated from the dimmer ones. The mountain passes stress tow set-ups more than you can imagine. I wouldn't tow my TJ on a trailer with brakes on BOTH axles with anything less than 3/4 ton.

You be much happier using the right tool for the job (socket verses vice-grip analogy). Don't do anything marginal while I am on the road please.

Trailer -w/ breaks!

I have a 92 2500 HD 4x4 dodge w/ the diesel. Heavy as crap, but flat towing a yj downhill around a washboard corner .... thought I was about to fill my shorts.

well between what yall have said and what Everyone i know says i have decided i will have to get a truck and then a trailer, and theres no way i can afford insurance on 2 vehicles so the cherokee will be parted out to pay for the truck. boo hoo oh well it served its purpose for a while
thanks