Tow vehicles???

[Prime Time]

I want to get some opinions on a tow vehicle. I am looking at Jeep Cherokees and Grand Cherokees. Either vehicle would come with a 6 cylinder. Which do you think would be better? I would be towing a TS 172 with Yamaha F115.
Thanks all!

[Bob G2]

I really can't voice an opinion on Jeeps, as I don't own one. However, here is what I would consider looking at a tow vehicle:

1)Obviously, check out tow weight ratings for the vehicles. The higher the better, as alot of folks forget to consider themselves, baggage, equipment, etc, when assessing for how much weight they have when they tow. It all counts.

2)Wheelbase. The longer, the more stable.

3)Braking ability. May need to check the car rags for comparative data. Obviously, the shorter, the better.

4) Engine. More cylinders, the better. On this, you may have the option of getting a V8 with the Grand Cherokee. Horsepower is important, but torque I believe is a more important figure when looking to tow. Also, those numbers will mean more if the peak HP and peak torque are developed in the lower RPM range that would be more consistent with everyday driving situations.

5) Check out what they give you with the optional tow packages.
A checklist of wants would be better cooling system, transmission cooler, heavy duty battery and wiring, a hitch, trailer wiring.
If it is not included, these are all items that you may need to
have installed aftermarket. Another nice option is automatic load levelers for the rear end, especially with the smaller vehicles you are considering.

Note- with a smaller tow vehicle, it is HIGHLY recommended to get
trailer brakes for your boat trailer.

This is just a list of things that came to mind with regards to your question. But I'm just a mechanically disinclined fisherman. Hopefully a few of the other guys who are much better qualified to speak to this will chime in.

A few will tell you just to get a Suburban.

They're not entirely wrong.

Just get them to help you pay for it (LOL).

[Iceman]

They are the same basic vehicle, one is a higher trim level. Therefore, the 6 cylinder in one is the same as the other. It has a good amount of torque for towing, as long as you don't over do it. If you tow anything over about an 18' tin boat, go for a V-8. Make sure either one has a tranny cooler & put brakes on your boat trailer !!
Tightlines, Tim

[Frank from TBay]

A lot depends on how often you are towing, how far and where. If you are going only on short trips in a flat grade area you can get away with something way different than what you would need for a cross country mountain climbing trip. If you equip a vehicle for towing in the way of different gearing you still have to run the vehicle when you are not towing. There are a lot of parameters. Bob has them all pretty much covered. Talk to your dealership as well as your boat dealer. Between the two of them you should be able to make an informed decision.

Good luck: Frank

[Phil T.]

Neither is an ideal tow vehicle. Jeeps don't have ladder frames to which you bolt a strong receiver hitch. They are of unibody construction, like a passenger car. Great off-road vehicles, not so great for towing.
Almost any SUV of that size except the Nissan Pathfinder has a frame. To find one, look under and inboard of the rocker panel. There should be a length of channel iron there.

[cisco]

I give a strong 2nd to Phil. Go with an SUV designed to pull a decent load -- for that you need a frame, not unibody.

As for price, the Grand Cherokee is about as pricey as they come. Fine for trips to the mall and around town and to look at, but not a tow vehicle. Be safe -- put a more substantial vehicle under you.

[Chad]

The Grand Cherokee will work great for medium to small boats. Anything over 17' you will want something more on the line of a Tahoe or Suburban. The 6 cyl will be a dog. Look for an 8cyl. You will be much better off and it will last longer. Little diff in gas milage.

[Chad]

Just a follow up. I had a Jeep Gr Cherokee w/ an 8cyl. Pulled my buddies 1890 Pro V. It was alright for short trips but there waqs always the danger of the boat taking over. The rig just is not heavy enough to handle the bigger boats safely.

[Jerry]

Prime Time,
If you tow your boat often or very far, do yourself a favor and get a vehicle that's designed for towing. Better to be safe than sorry. A midsize SUV or pickup will work with your boat. 8 cyl with a tow package is the way to go. I tow a 1850/115 crestliner with a Durango - works great. The larger tires and 4WD are nice to have on rough, slippery ramps. The gas mileage on this type of vehicle will be poor to miserable.

[Box]

Knowing I will be called unsafe by everybody who gets technical, I'll still say that vehicle is fine for your load. Look at the rating. Look at how much you'll be using it to tow, look at your driving habits and then judge. We used my brothers cherokee with v6 4.0 liter for years and it towed 17 foot boat with 90hp great.

As a matter of fact, until the big suv's came out in full force, truck and other mags used to call this a good towing vehicle (can't remember the mags, but I definitely remember seeing it - they also said the v6 was good towing engine). Of course, a mag is a mag... Now everybody wants bigger and better. That is fine, and there ARE better tow vehicles. But this one works fine.

I pulled a 17' boat with a ford ranger for years and never had a prob (yes it had a frame). You have to give yourself stopping distance with lighter vehicles.

Anyway, those are just my two cents... however, I drive a Chevy K1500... :)

Box
MN

[Tim FRick]

Don't be afraid to look at the dakota's 4 door. They have a good amount of room and the 4.7l v-8 engine is hard to beat! I have the two door 2000 model and tow a 19ft. open bow sea ray seville. About 3600 pounds, no problem. I have trailer brakes but they were never used due to I didn't take the time to adjust them properly. Still stop the boat no problem. I got the towing package that came with the hitch, trans. cooler, larger battery and alternator. Gas mileage when not towing is just 1 mpg less than the v6. My brother bought the 99' grand jeep and he as so far took it back 4 times to fix the brakes and he doesn't even tow anything. I was in the same situation as you were a year ago. I don't have a family(yet), so lugging kids around wasn't in the picture. If you plan on towing once a week, just in the summer, then you could get away with the grand jeep. But anymore and I would reconsider vechices.
Good Luck!!
Tim FRick

[Prime Time]

Thanks for the input fellas. It sounds like the Jeeps are out of the picture. Sure, I'd love a Tahoe or Expedition but my budget is only around 10 grand. In my price range, I think maybe a Blazer or Explorer with the V-8 would be my best bet.
What do you think about those vehicles? Also, if anyone has a nice tahoe I could pick up for around 10 g's let me know!!!

[Goldpig]

How about an extended cab pickup in that price range? If so email me!

[Box]

If you want to see towing related info and get tons of opinions, this is a great site:

http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/bassboard/trailers_towing/index.html

Search the archives and you find a lot of posts about your topic. Good site, but like here there are lots of brand loyalties that really show! ha!


Good luck!
Box

[WinnerZ880]

I pull a 17 1/2" Winner Bass Boat with a GMC Jimmy (Like a Blazer) It pulls it quite nicely. It actually pulls it better than my F150 Ford PU with small 8.

[Robertp]

I think you have received alot of useful info on this post. I'm towing a 19 ft. glass boat with an explorer V8 all wheel drive, includes the tow package. I have not been unhappy with the vehicle at all. It has good capacity, achieves and fairly easily maintains speed. I do have brakes on the trailer. Boat weighs in about 3800 lbs. I have no doubts that the Tahoe or larger would give better performance, but I personally like the mid size and have had two Explorers. I also had a Blazer and my best buddy is currently towing with one. I did not like the Blazer and I don't think it has the same torque as the Explorer. If you are going to look at either, wait until near the end of the first quarter.
Both Chevrolet and Ford have announced they are introducing completely redisigned models of Explorer and Blazer. They will be badged as 2002 models. Chev. is updating the Trailblazer model.

[ken]

Bought a Chevy 2500 HD with the 6.6l diesel and 5 speed allison auto. 22+ mpg, it'll pull anything you want anywhere you want, but it isn't 10 grand!!