Towing a 3400lb boat with a TJ ??

[tnjeep]

I just picked up a 3400lb (boat with trailer single axle) 17.5ft Four Winns with surge brakes. I live 2.5 miles from the lake (Backroads and a couple of very small hills, a few curves) and my only vehicle is a Jeep TJ. I don't plan to take it over 35 mph (probably 10 to 15mph down the hills 1st or 2nd gear). Do you think it is possible for the boat to overtake the Jeep if I drive slow (wag the tale or jackknife). The jeep is a 4.0, stock wheel base, with 36 TSLs, Dana 60 rear w/ detroitand 11" drums,4.88 gears,4 inch longarm lift and sway bars, heavy bumpers front and rear, class III hitch, and 9500lb warn up front. All this together should have added about 600 or 700 lbs to Jeep. Also, do you think it would do better if I stretched the front and rear 4 inches to 101 wheel base.

[piratebuggy]

You have to ask your self this-if you doubled the weight of the Jeep-would it still stop and turn safely. I don't think anybody will recommend this, I could be wrong. Most accidents occur within a couple of miles of home. Just my .02........

[JeepDaddy]

Bad idea. I tried towing a 1700 lb tent trailer behind my CJ7. When you get on the brakes, the trailer will lift up the rear end and try to pass the front end. Not good.

[wiggamoe]

x2 on the bad idea. The boat weighs as much as your TJ. Driving in a straight wouldn't be your biggest problem, stopping would. Those Jeep brakes were never designed to stop an extra 3400lbs (actually a lot more when you consider the forward momentum of the boat and the trailer). Please don't risk your life and others around you.

[mysunnshine]

Any trailer brakes on the trailer? I'd imagine that it does...

[tnjeep]

The trailer has surge breaks

[wiggamoe]

Alright, having brakes on the trailer helps, but you are still pulling something that is equal to the weight of your vehicle. It's just a bad idea.

[sand dune coon]

a 17.5 foot four winds wieghs 3400 lbs? seems like a lot.

[JeepDaddy]

Boat trailer surge brakes = wet brakes = no brakes until they dry out. It only takes one time...........

[bowtied_micky]

this is seriously one of the dumber ideas i have read. the frame on a tj is short which will make it very squirly, plus the vehicle is under powered for the task, so all the trailer brakes in the world will not do you one damn bit of good.

STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM THIS IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mysunnshine]

I'd actually worry more about the hitch being so far from the centerline of the axle. The boat would push the Jeep off of the road once the suspension flexes....

[tnjeep]

I think I might have a buddy pull my boat to a big empty parking lot and I can test the jeep. I just can not see how the boat can push the rear end around if I am only going 10 MPH down a small hill (maybe a 10 deg grade) and I will have the jeep in low gear. I know that it would be a major concern if I were going highway speeds but the lake is less than three miles a way and 90 percent of it is flat and straight.

[2manyprojects]

Try it, see how it feels. A weight distrubuting hitch can go a long way. I've towed a 3600lb camper trailer with my 3800lb 79 toyota. Way underpowered but it towed fine. That was on 37's. Being a short distance, I wouldn't worry about it. Longer wheel base always helps when towing.

[piratebuggy]

I hauled my fiberglass bodied Jeep on a trailer before, maybe a little heavier than your boat. I was driving my buddies truck, it was a full sized 1 ton Dodge turbo Cummins diesel 4 wheel drive crew cab late model with a weight distributing hitch. There were times on relatively flat low speeds roads where it was tough keeping the truck in the lane. There were other times where it wasn't hard to drive at highway speeds. I guess my point is: If this excellent towing rig has a hard time, a small, less than optimal tow rig,will have a rough time with this. I can tell your mind is made up already,but I'm thinking the best advice will be-sell the Jeep and get a capable tow rig if you want to be boating boy. If you want to be Jeep guy also you have conflicting vehicle needs.

[piratebuggy]

what's the manufacturers tow rating for a TJ?

[Warlock]

what's the manufacturers tow rating for a TJ?

2000 lbs IIRC

[piratebuggy]

2000 lbs? I wouldn't even consider tearing up the Jeep or risking your ass to tow this-I think it's nuts.

[tigerxj]

are you sure that 17.5' Four Winn weights 3400lbs? our 2004 correct craft ski nautique is something like 20'6", and it weighs around 3000lbs. I towed it when my cherokee was stock 70 miles from lake keowee to asheville, nc. it sucked up mountains, and probably wasnt a good idea. I think if you stretched the wheelbase a bit, and kept it slow, you'd be alright. Also, make sure you break a lot earlier than you think you need too, because the boat will just push you around. I think driving 2.5 miles you would be fine.

[Pietro]

I would try it in low range so you can use the gears for slowing down. If your only 2.5 miles away, give it a shot. I wouldn't think twice about taking this on a major road or highway. If your staying under 30 and in LO, you can downshift to slow down if your "dana 60 that originally was in a 1 ton truck" can't stop you. Just do it when there isn't a lot of traffic and maybe have someone in front and behind you with hazards on to keep distance from other traffic.

You could probably rent a uhaul or truck from Home Depot and move your boat for one day. It may be safer.

[codyboy]

I am nervious pulling a snowmobile trailer which is only around 1700lbs :confused: I am just thinking that is also gonna be pretty hard on your rig also.

[89breaker]

:smokin: Dude, I have a 1989 Wrangler 4.2 (Carb), 35", hardtop, & doors.

I have made 8 cross-country trips from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic.
Loads ranged from a 2005 Accord to a 10ft UHaul loaded down.

Max total load was approx. 8000lbs. Jeep alone weighs 4400 +/- lbs.
Roads ranged from urban stop-n-go to 70-75mph highway speeds up and down the mountains.

Here's the key:
1st: Know how your vehicle handles empty in panic stops, off-road, etc. (All scenarios)
2nd: Know how your vehicle dynamics change as the towed load weight increases.
3rd: Have a solid maintenance plan for on the road repairs.
4th: Have a solid survival plan including food, clothes, 1st aid, etc.
5th: Know how much fuel your vehicle will consume to prevent going dry in the middle of nowhere because your expensive cell phone can't get a signal.
6th: Ensure your vehicle maintenance is up to date and your drivetrain is rock solid.
7th: Ensure the hitch is rated for the load & be comfortable in its mounting.
8th: Ensure the trailer has a 60/40 front to back weight distribution.
9th: Keep in mind that it is a Jeep and not a Freightliner. So drive with your head and not your dick or you'll show your ass......none of which anyone....esp parents on the road w/ little kids........wants to see.
10th: Ensure your family knows your route of travel.

[supergildo]

i dont know why you even ask. obviously you dont give a shit about the opinions you are getting anyway.

[wiggamoe]

I second the UHAUL or Home Depot truck rental. You can rent those trucks from Home Depot for under 60 bucks for 4 hours. Do that and eliminate risking your life and the lives of others.

[Tjeepfreak]

I got a truck to tow my Boat to the lake with and most of the time the Jeep to the Trail, But once I get My Jeep done I'll try Tj to haul my 19 ft jet boat to the lake, dunno if it'll pull the boat and push the big ass tires and axles, but I'd give it a shot :smokin:, I'd test everything first too just to see if it's feasable. But I do know you can tow a couple jet skis behind a yj with a junk motor, I'd say if you do take it just don't act stupid while pulling it and you'll be fine. :laughing:It's not that bad ya shoulda seen my dad Tow the our ocean boat with the 80's 4 door subaru back when I was a kid

[Jerry Blair]

For such a short trip, I'd use the TJ.

Confession time:
I used to haul a 21.5" boat on a single axle trailer with surge brakes all over Ohio, KY & TN, with my 95 YJ. 8.8 rear, 4.10 gears, 4.0, 5-speed, SOA and 35s.

Did I ever have any problems? You bet I did.

Once had to panic stop because some bozo pulled out in front of me from the right, then slammed on his brakes to make a left hand turn. I COULD NOT STOP. Luckily there was room between the bozo and the guardrail and I barely squeezed by.

Down at Norris Lake, TN, the roads are so steep that had to use low range.

Highway hills meant 3rd gear wide open to maintain any kind of speed. Revving about 4500rpm. Poor 4.0 finally blew with only 128K.

Launching the boat into the lake at Brookville, IN, I forgot to put it in 4wd low range. Wide ramp and very busy. Being very confident with my backing skill I swung around, backed quickly down the ramp and hit my brakes about 20ft from the water....and just kept going. The boat trailers surge brakes don't work in reverse and the boat dragged me into the water. Luckily (again, notice a trend?) I had untied the boat and as soon as it began to float, the Jeep stopped. Rear tires were under water.


So, if it were me, I'd tow it with the TJ.

[piratebuggy]

and the pirate sarcasm of the year award goes to........(drum roll)--haha

[Jerry Blair]

t:D
Seriously, I'd use the TJ...
:evil:

[awauld]

I pull all kinds of stuff with my TJ, just be careful with it,