Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Jeep wrangler as a towd
| Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275270] |
Tue, 07 April 2015 11:30  |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Kenny Rogers taught me that Sometimes you just have to know when to fold them.
I will not go into too much details, but per the wife's wishes, my new towd looks like it will be a 98 jeep wrangler, that should be in my driveway sometime in the next couple weeks.
Anybody else towing one? and what are your thoughts? keep in mind I live in MN, and will not be trying to pull it up any mountain passes. I figure I am going to end up using a cheaper tow bar, and invest some money in a braking system. This jeep has a little lift in it, so I will be seeing what I need to do to make it all work in the upcoming month.
on another note, if anybody wants to buy a 85 Grand Wagoneer, send me a message!
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275274 is a reply to message #275270] |
Tue, 07 April 2015 11:59  |
bwevers
Messages: 597
Registered: October 2010
Location: San Jose
Karma: 5
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Is the Grand Wagoner too heavy for the GMC to tow?
Bill Wevers GMC49ers, GMC Western States
1975 Glenbrook - Manny Powerdrive, OneTon
455 F Block, G heads
San Jose
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275275 is a reply to message #275270] |
Tue, 07 April 2015 12:00 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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lqqkatjon wrote on Tue, 07 April 2015 11:30Kenny Rogers taught me that Sometimes you just have to know when to fold them.
I will not go into too much details, but per the wife's wishes, my new towd looks like it will be a 98 jeep wrangler, that should be in my driveway sometime in the next couple weeks.
Anybody else towing one? and what are your thoughts? keep in mind I live in MN, and will not be trying to pull it up any mountain passes. I figure I am going to end up using a cheaper tow bar, and invest some money in a braking system. This jeep has a little lift in it, so I will be seeing what I need to do to make it all work in the upcoming month.
on another note, if anybody wants to buy a 85 Grand Wagoneer, send me a message! How many miles are on the Wagoneer, and how much do you need to get for it? There might be people out there looking for a towed.
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275279 is a reply to message #275275] |
Tue, 07 April 2015 12:34 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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A Hamilto wrote on Tue, 07 April 2015 13:00lqqkatjon wrote on Tue, 07 April 2015 11:30Kenny Rogers taught me that Sometimes you just have to know when to fold them.
I will not go into too much details, but per the wife's wishes, my new towd looks like it will be a 98 jeep wrangler, that should be in my driveway sometime in the next couple weeks.
Anybody else towing one? and what are your thoughts? keep in mind I live in MN, and will not be trying to pull it up any mountain passes. I figure I am going to end up using a cheaper tow bar, and invest some money in a braking system. This jeep has a little lift in it, so I will be seeing what I need to do to make it all work in the upcoming month.
on another note, if anybody wants to buy a 85 Grand Wagoneer, send me a message! How many miles are on the Wagoneer, and how much do you need to get for it? There might be people out there looking for a towed.
A Jeep Grand Wagoneer would be one heck of a heavy towd. I drove an '87 in h.s. and college (my dad bought it new and handed it over when he got tired of paying for gas). I sure loved that thing. It was built like a tank, drove like a tank, and would go anywhere but past a gas station. Stupid little gas tank (20 gallons) and 12 mpg when lucky! But a great vehicle for keeping a kid safe and poor, and busy rebuilding the carb constantly. I believe it was the last American production car with a carb from the big 3.
Still, at a gross vehicle weight north of 6200 lbs, I don't think I'd want to tow one. As a tow vehicle it hauled one big old trailer up and down the east coast, but it'd be a boat anchor out the other end!
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275280 is a reply to message #275270] |
Tue, 07 April 2015 12:49 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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I think the Grand Wagoneer is a bit more then i want to tow behind my GMC. any diesel pusher, or larger RV, no issues. I think it weights in at 5500 pounds. Lot of steel in it.
Just like our GMC's trying to find a value, is really tricky. I want to get the most out of it to fund my new jeep. so I need to do some more homework. I will say, that I would take $5000 and be plenty happy. I have gotten my use out of it. I do have an appraisal for $10,500 from last year. and that was prior to it being T-boned in an accident. I was paid $9500 from progressive at that time on a totaled out. I did repair the damage, and also the rust that was on the lower rear rockers at that time. so there are some small issues left over from that.
I have not found any 84 or 85 Grand wagoneers that have sold to make any comparison on price. only one's I find listed are junk, and they are asking 1-2k for rusted out parts.
I will be spending alot of time the next few weeks trying to figure out what to ask for the wagoneer. My wagoneer would make a great wagoneer for someone to use. not let sit. It would also make a great towd for something with more horsepower and brakes then our GMC's.
It has been my normal driver for quite a few years. I don't put alot of miles on it, becausue I do have a work truck, and my wifes honda is our primary vehicle. But it is ready to jump in and drive anywhere at 11-12mpg. oh... and it does have 230,000 miles on it. but it runs and drives out perfect. just drips a slight bit of oil, not enough to ever drop the dipstick down between oil changes, but I park it on cardboard in my garage to protect the concrete. it also has a factory second tank option, so it holds 50 gallons of gas.
Picture:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QY33IeCYSCY/T7knuacj9WI/AAAAAAAAQHk/QxbqTmfUAaw/s1600/IMG_1531.JPG
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
[Updated on: Tue, 07 April 2015 12:52] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275291 is a reply to message #275280] |
Tue, 07 April 2015 14:30 |
powwerjon
Messages: 849
Registered: March 2013
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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John,
You need to tell us a little more info on the Jeep GW. Auto or manual, Transfer Case, yes no, two wheel or all wheel drive. I check the towing guides at the FMCA and they only go back to 1999 and the Jeep vehicles are not listed as towable. I would check with Remco to see if it can be towed, they would know for sure.
As for the weight of the unit at 5500+ lbs it is a little heavy to tow with a stock gearing and no additional cooling for transmission. Your fuel milage will be 2 to 4 less MPG than not towing. Most of the cars that I have towed have been 3200# or less. I towed a Honda FIT and at 2400# it cost about 1MPG. What model is your wife Honda? The Honda CR-V is now the most popular car for towing in the US and that is what we tow now. I would suggest a min of a 3.55 gear or even the 3.70 gear from Jim K. They will really wake the coach up and make your trips more enjoyable. Doesn’t matter if your in the flat lands or hills and higher. As for a Cheap tow bar on a heavy unit, BEWARE! When the towbar in installed it should be level between the coach and towed. If not it will raise or dive under breaking. Again the choice is yours so think it out carefully.
J.R. Wright
30' Buskirk Stretch
Michigan
On Location in Tucson
> On Apr 7, 2015, at 10:49 AM, Jon Roche wrote:
>
> I think the Grand Wagoneer is a bit more then i want to tow behind my GMC. any diesel pusher, or larger RV, no issues. I think it weights in at
> 5500 pounds. Lot of steel in it.
>
> Just like our GMC's trying to find a value, is really tricky. I want to get the most out of it to fund my new jeep. so I need to do some more
> homework. I will say, that I would take $5000 and be plenty happy. I have gotten my use out of it. I do have an appraisal for $10,500 from last
> year. and that was prior to it being T-boned in an accident. I was paid $9500 from progressive at that time on a totaled out. I did repair the
> damage, and also the rust that was on the lower rear rockers at that time. so there are some small issues left over from that.
>
> I have not found any 84 or 85 Grand wagoneers that have sold to make any comparison on price. only one's I find listed are junk, and they are asking
> 1-2k for rusted out parts.
>
> I will be spending alot of time the next few weeks trying to figure out what to ask for the wagoneer. My wagoneer would make a great wagoneer for
> someone to use. not let sit. It would also make a great towd for something with more horsepower and brakes then our GMC's.
>
> It has been my normal driver for quite a few years. I don't put alot of miles on it, becausue I do have a work truck, and my wifes honda is our
> primary vehicle. But it is ready to jump in and drive anywhere at 11-12mpg.
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275296 is a reply to message #275270] |
Tue, 07 April 2015 15:22 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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CJ-5 with the ~~350CID and 4WD. A toad that really WILL go anywhere you point it. With roll bar, add one if there isn't one in it.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275299 is a reply to message #275270] |
Tue, 07 April 2015 15:45 |
LNelson
Messages: 335
Registered: December 2008
Location: Springfield, MO
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I have towed Wranglers behind my previous Palm Beach and also this current E-II. Also towed them behind my GM Bus when I went off the rails during my "bus" years. You can tell they are back there. However, if something happens, you can drive them all the way home. I still have my Wrangler, but when I bought the E-II, I also bought a Sammy. I do NOT know that is there, and really don't even use a brake system. I use a brake buddy on the Wrangler. My Wrangler is manual transmission. I have many see it in my hangar and want to buy it.
Not gonna happen.
I know there are GMC'ers that tow the 10,000# trailers and good for them. I have seen GMC's going down the interstate with 3" of clearance at the hitch due to hitch weight. None of this can be good for handling and/or longevity.
Oh, and the Sammy's job as a rescue vehicle is to get me as far as the nearest Enterprise Rental Car place. That is clearly not a "highway vehicle".
I think you will like the Wrangler. The newer ones, in my view, are too heavy. I am talking about he ones that look almost like a Hummer (4 doors). Just my opinion.
Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275303 is a reply to message #275270] |
Tue, 07 April 2015 16:24 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Mr, Wright.. maybe need to clarify.
I am buying the wrangler because I think the Grand wagoneer is too big and heavy to make a good towd for the GMC.. But If you own a
the Grand wagoneer, I am certain can be towed 4 flat, with a heavy tow bar. transfer case in neutral, it would be fine, it is old school.
I wanted a CR-V, but my wife said No, and I had to buy the Wrangler. I have towed my buddies 94 YJ wrangler with a 5.7 v-8 in it, with no issues.
I am looking at a stowmaster tow bar, on craigslist for $100. it looks new. seen pictures of the Base plates for that, and I think I can easily fabricate those. I like the idea of keeping the tow bar with the vehicle. It might not always be towed by the GMC.
going to be on the hunt for some sort of braking system.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275306 is a reply to message #275303] |
Tue, 07 April 2015 17:06 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Jon, The TJ Wrangler is about the same size and weight as the YJ Wrangler, maybe a little bit heavier. If it is not a fully optioned model, it could weigh as little as 3,500 lbs but is probably more like 3,900 lbs. It shouldn't be much of a problem in the upper Midwest where you are not crossing mountains constantly. I have towed my '87 Cherokee at a certified weight of 3,840 lbs. Once you get it moving, it will tow just fine. I would recommend a heavy duty auxiliary transmission cooler at the very least, and an eventual change to a 3.70 final drive. I use a Brake Buddy that I found on Craigslist for $350.00. Works great.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275329 is a reply to message #275270] |
Tue, 07 April 2015 20:13 |
rvanwin
Messages: 325
Registered: April 2007
Location: Battlefield, MO
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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lqqkatjon wrote on Tue, 07 April 2015 11:30Kenny Rogers taught me that Sometimes you just have to know when to fold them.
I will not go into too much details, but per the wife's wishes, my new towd looks like it will be a 98 jeep wrangler, that should be in my driveway sometime in the next couple weeks.
Anybody else towing one? and what are your thoughts? keep in mind I live in MN, and will not be trying to pull it up any mountain passes. I figure I am going to end up using a cheaper tow bar, and invest some money in a braking system. This jeep has a little lift in it, so I will be seeing what I need to do to make it all work in the upcoming month.
on another note, if anybody wants to buy a 85 Grand Wagoneer, send me a message!
I towed a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara for 3 or 4 years. The Wrangler is fairly heavy. My Sahara was around 3800 and we always carried stuff in it so I'm guessing we were pulling over 4000 lbs. I never thought about Wrangler's being so heavy. Of course a non Sahara would be several hundred lbs lighter. I liked the way the Wrangler pulled, other than weight. It tracked behind very well. I opted to get a Sidekick. At about 2400 lbs, it is much easier to pull. However, I don't think it tracks quite as well. The narrower width of the track tends to cause it to jump around some especially on rutted highway (which most are these days). Now that I have pulled both, I would be hard pressed not to choose the Wrangler although I would try to get one lighter than the Sahara I had.
I have a '77 26' with the 403. I have the 370 gears and it pulls the toad without any problems. I echo what others have said in that a lower gear ratio would really help when pulling a toad and probably would help mpg. You will lose anywhere between 1 to 2.5 mpg when towing.
I do like the Sidekick for off-road adventures. It will go anywhere a Jeep Wrangler will and, in some cases, maybe do a little better. We were in CO around Ooray last Fall. We took the Kick on some off-road trails. On a really steep place some of the Jeep Owners were doubting whether I should attempt the climb. I waited at the top. The Jeeps came up with wheels spinning and slipping on the rocky trail. They were surprised that I made it asking if I had any problems. The Kick crawled up the trail with hardly any wheel spin and I don't even have very aggressive off-road tires. It was a fun day out on the trails.
Randy & Margie
'77 Eleganza II '403'
Battlefield, MO
[Updated on: Tue, 07 April 2015 20:16] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275410 is a reply to message #275270] |
Wed, 08 April 2015 12:32 |
Rick Williams
Messages: 256
Registered: July 2004
Karma: 0
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Jon
I have about 50k miles of towing a '93 Wrangler w/automatic transmission. It weighs about 3500 lbs. There is no doubt that it is back there but it tracks well. I have a 403 with 350 power drive. I towed it for a few years with the original 307 gears. The lower gearing does help. I have the Unified Tow Brake and it works well.
Rick
Rick Williams
Bliss, Michigan
1978 Eleganza II
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275416 is a reply to message #275270] |
Wed, 08 April 2015 12:52 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Thanks.
I have towed my friend's 95 YJ behind my coach before, but never more then 100-150 miles at most.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6fu13LCIZ8/Ue_d3nTW-pI/AAAAAAAAQ8k/RYLtOj0Q1GY/s1600/gmc%2Band%2Bwrangler.jpg
I don't remember much of an issue, but like I stated, I did not go far.
I found a like new stowmaster 5000 tow bar, for $100. Looking at the frame plates, I think I can easily fabricate my own.
I do have a cheaper tow bar in my garage, but I like the idea of the easier hook up with the stowmaster.
there are some brake options out there, and I googled and read some issues with the blue ox apollo unit. (there are a couple on craigslist). there is also one "even brake". any thoughts or comparisons on systems?
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275453 is a reply to message #275270] |
Wed, 08 April 2015 19:10 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Ok. Do not even have the jeep home yet. And just bought a used even brake for $250. Pickup a stowmaster 5000 on saturday morning.
I still need to upgrade my hitch on the gmc. So i better quit buying stuff and get to work!
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275461 is a reply to message #275453] |
Wed, 08 April 2015 20:02 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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lqqkatjon wrote on Wed, 08 April 2015 17:10Ok. Do not even have the jeep home yet. And just bought a used even brake for $250. Pickup a stowmaster 5000 on saturday morning.
I still need to upgrade my hitch on the gmc. So i better quit buying stuff and get to work!
Keep in mind if you tow your jeep more then a couple hundred miles you should add another wire from the coach battery to the jeep battery or the jeep battery will not have enough poop to start the motor unless the battery is brand new. The even brake and I suspect most others will drain it down pretty fast.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: [GMCnet] Jeep wrangler as a towd [message #275470 is a reply to message #275463] |
Wed, 08 April 2015 21:28 |
Ed K
Messages: 14
Registered: February 2014
Location: Northern Illinois
Karma: 0
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2015 Jeep Cherokee weighs between 3600 to 4000 lbs.; the Wrangler 3800 to 4900 ... the Jeep Patriot 3100 to 3300. Haven't found any info on weight of the new Jeep Renegade, but it should be the same or less than the Patriot. Reason selected Jeeps that with 4wd you can select a neutral mode of the transfer case that enables flat tow (not sure about the Renegade, though).
76 Palm Beach
74 Corvette
08 Jeep Liberty
02 Honda Silverwing
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