Towing 775 mile round trip Need Help

TSF

TSF

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Joined
Jan 18, 2010
Location
charlotte
Ok so I am going to attempt towing with my 04 grand cherokee.
Specs on it: Inline 6, Auto Trans, Select trac 4wd, Tow package, 3.73 stock gears, 33" tires.

Maximum towing capacity says 5000 lbs

I have a hudson bros trailer i believe weighs 1950 lbs.

& my toy truggy, weighs possibly around 2500lb - 2800lb.

386 miles to Big Dogs in VA

My problem is i have a busted rear axle shock mount on passenger side, only 1 part of bracket is holding it on now.
& one tire probably 10% or less tread.

My option is to take a spare & give it a shot & just get my shock mount welded when I get up there.

Just want opinons on what others would do, also if my inline 6 can handle doing this tow. Only has 83k original miles.
 
If I can find someone before thursday then ill get the shock mount fix. All I have is a spare that isnt much better than the one on it, but it will get me off the highway or possibly home.
 
Those 33's are really what is going to kill you... I'd plan on leaving the AC off the whole way as that is going to suck more power that you don't have. Shock mount is least of your worries at this point, that's an awful lot of weight to run through the mountains. I'd make sure your truggy is EMPTY of gas, and you pack light. Anything you can do to get weight into the truck and off of the trailer will help, and if you have weight distribution that will possibly save you. Weight distribution would make this whole ordeal a lot easier and safer. Your drivetrain is capable of pulling that much though. I would seafoam it before you go if you don't do that regularly and make sure that it doesn't have to work any harder than it has to.
 
Well I looked into the uhaul option. $40 + 59 cents per mile. That plus gas is looking atleast $700 easy. If I tow I'm looking at $200-250 in gas.
 
I'd consider driving at night for sure!
 
So let me get this straight... Your asking about something you probably know isn't safe..

Not even a red star member and pimping a 4x4 parts site in your sig..


Fuck I say go for it... and take lots of pictures...

seriously if you have to ask..... what do i know... I've seen worse go longer with similes on everyone face having a grand ol time... so ya never know...
 
I don't know if 4 Wheel Parts, does welding, but Tarheel 4 wh dr. does, as well as many shops. Does your towing pkg. include aux. trans. cooler? It certainly needs one, + I strongly recommend synthetic fluid. It wont boil, or break down, on you.
Not familiar with your trans, but most likely, need to tow in 3rd, not overdrive. Don't let tranny keep hunting gears; everytime it has to change, it builds more heat. Overheat it & your done!
Good Luck!
 
I have personally seen a 4cyl 2wd 80's s10 tow a trailer & buggy. But I'm alittle more worried than that guy & I have a 6cyl. Just wondering what fellow wheelers would do. The idea is still up in debate.
 
Definately going to have the shock mount fixed before I go. As for the tire, I have a spare to go with me.

& as far as the motor. It says towing capacity is 5000lbs, but that probably changed when I put 33's on it. So I dunno. =/
 
I would make sure your trail rig is full of gas and driveable. That way when the trans in Grand Cherokee blows up you have a way to the nearest town.

The Grands are know for crappy transmissions. They blow up pulling there own weight. Now you want to put 5k behind it on oversized tires with other already known problems....... I hope you have AAA.
 
Now one thing I could do, even though the jeep would look retarded. I can downsize to my old tires that are about 28-30 inch & have half tread.
 
Rent a uhaul, or borrow a towrig from a friend. Your Welcome.
 
,I think u should get your truggy weighed because I bet it is around 3 t0 5 k pounds
 
backntac said:
,I think u should get your truggy weighed because I bet it is around 3 t0 5 k pounds
Click to expand...

My toy truggy weighs 3100 and I would bet that it is one of the lightest toy truggies out there. Definitely use the smaller tires and aux trans cooler if you do it. I hope your trailer has good brakes as well. Go slow. If you can, borrow a truck from someone!
 
Also, that $200 number on gas seems a bit low. Between weight and aerodynamics, you'll probably get 8mpg, which is 96, call it 100, gallons. $3.50/gallon, $350 bucks.
 
Very true on all comments. Decided the smartest thing to do is to just take the TJ.
Not in the mood to risk having to buy a new trans or engine at the moment.

Thanks for all of the useful info guys!
 
My 2 cents...

1 - I'm also going to Big Dogs, looks out for a black 4Runner w/ hybrid exo cage & black FJ Cruiser. Nice to see another Carolina boy there.
2 - We have a similar problem, but not as bad. Using the '11 FJC to tow my 4Runner. Also a 5k weight limit, but drivetrain is alot stronger IMO.
I'm not a big fan of it, but we'll use a tow dolly to reduce the weight load, that drops a lot. The FJC also will have 33s but we may also swap back to the OEs. Downside to this is, still have to carry the tires so thats 300lb+ extra weight carried. Total distance about 1/2 me too ;-)
 
eastco17 said:
Definately going to have the shock mount fixed before I go. As for the tire, I have a spare to go with me
Click to expand...
and when your bald ass tire causes you to lose control and you kill someone how much fawning good will that spare do ya?

Get a damn clue.

Sorry but you needed to hear that, glad you decidedvagainst this stupid ass idea. Never leave home with a tow rig that isn't 100% I don't give a rats ass about you potentially walking but when you endanger others it pusses me off.
 
Ron said:
and when your bald ass tire causes you to lose control and you kill someone how much fawning good will that spare do ya?
Get a damn clue.
Sorry but you needed to hear that, glad you decidedvagainst this stupid ass idea. Never leave home with a tow rig that isn't 100% I don't give a rats ass about you potentially walking but when you endanger others it pusses me off.
Click to expand...
^^^^^^^^^^
This. And i'm sure he means pisses me off.
 
redneckcj5guy said:
^^^^^^^^^^
This. And i'm sure he means pisses me off.
Click to expand...

Looks like Ron has some sort of autocorrect on swear words.

Back when I used to work for Cummins they used to have the same thing, but it wouldn't let me write Cummins in my emails because it had "cum" in it. :lol:
 
Typing on the kids iPad..fawking becomes fawning and pisses becomes pusses.

Never seen the cummins filter.
 
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