How much can I tow?

[dmurray14]

Hey guys,

I have a 98 Grand 4.0. Just wondering how much I am able to safely pull with a Class III. Looking to tow a 20ft bayliner. Also, how tough is it to hook up the wiring for the trailer? I am assuming it's just a harness I get from the dealer?

Thanks,
Dan

[Bobelmore]

Specs say up to 5000lbs. however this assumes: Aux Tranny Cooler, Heavy Duty Power Steering; 100% synthetic oil in Diffs. Better if you have 3.73 gearing. Hopefully it's for short trips only.
Suggest to get a high flow air filter: Wix or K&N.

Remember to add all trailer weight: gear, gas, boat, trailer.

Harness: dealer or any parts store.

[dmurray14]

With trailer I'm looking at 3700 so + gas and goodies probably about 4000. Think I can safely do it stock?

[donkie]

I had no problems towing small baja's and bayliners with my 4.0L ZJ, even with 31's. I was often the last truck at the shop (installed marine and automotive electronics during college) and would have to tow whatever was there to our storage facility 10 miles away or deliver to customers. Still amazed at what that ZJ moved...even young and stupid I never once had a problem towing anything up to ~35 feet. Make sure your Jeep is in tip top shape, turn off OD and give it a shot. If it's not safe enough for you, pull the trigger on that F-250...chances are you won't need to just towing the boat to the lake on weekends

[dmurray14]

I had no problems towing small baja's and bayliners with my 4.0L ZJ, even with 31's. I was often the last truck at the shop (installed marine and automotive electronics during college) and would have to tow whatever was there to our storage facility 10 miles away or deliver to customers. Still amazed at what that ZJ moved...even young and stupid I never once had a problem towing anything up to ~35 feet. Make sure your Jeep is in tip top shape, turn off OD and give it a shot. If it's not safe enough for you, pull the trigger on that F-250...chances are you won't need to just towing the boat to the lake on weekends

Thanks...like I said just a 20 footer. Not doing any major travelling but it's fun to take it out of the river and to the beach a couple of times each summer. If I can do it and it can handle it no problem then I'd like to give it a try, but I just put a new trans in and I'm not trying to beat it up if it can't take it.

Dan

[Bobelmore]

B4 I installed the MSD coil, I used to use 92 octane to tow for any distance, since it would spark-knock badly. Mine's only 18.5ft, I estimate 3,500# net -it adds up quick.

The water temp only reached the half mark once when I was doing 70 into a 20mph headwind, otherwise it's never hotter than without the boat.

I turn off O/D unless on highway, but have to engage kick-down cable just prior to any hills otherwise will lose speed. It's definitely a struggle to keep it over 60.

Your 98 likely did not come with an auxiliary tranny cooler, which may have contributed to your early rebuild. Consider adding one.

[louc]

4000 should be well in the ability of the 4.0 ZJ to pull, I pull close to that with mine ('88 Four Winns 20', V-6 I/O) and it is not a power house at highway speeds but the Jeep pulls the boat out of the water with no problem at all and pulls up hills at lower speeds fine. You will need trailer brakes, for sure. The little bitty ZJ brakes are not going to want to stop close to 8000 lbs! I have the 10" surge drum brakes on my single axle trailer and it made a huge difference. Also, the soft rear suspension will sag under a normal tongue weight (250-300 for that weight boat for safe trailer stability) and I put in the Air Lift airbags in the rear coils which helped a lot. Bilstein shocks and one size oversize tires (235-75-XL) also help. Believe it or not, the 98s even with the tow package, did not have an aux cooler added, I saw it on the lot when mine was new. The story I heard was that they made the rad and the internal cooler bigger for 98 and it was not needed. Of course you can still add it yourself. I put in the Mopar trailer wiring and it was all plug n play.

[mnypitjeep]

I tow a 20 ft Chapparral with a 5.7 in my 97 GC with a 5.2. With this experiance, I would tell you to try it out first. I personally think my setup is a bit small and underpowered for my boat, especially in stock form. I have a dual axle trailer without surge brakes and it used to bounce all over the place, a single axle would be a nightmare. It is much better now with the lift and bigger tires, but stock was bad. It also has a tough time getting in and out of some ramps, even with the V8 and 4wd. Is yours 4wd? If not I would not try it. Brakes are a bit small, I6 is underpowered and without 4wd you could be in trouble. I am hoping that with the exhaust and intake mine is better. I am still a little nervous when I pull out of steep ramps

I tow it regularly on 60 mile round trips though. Not sure if an I6 is your best choice, but if you must, be careful what ramps you use.

I had a Suburban 2500 4x4 with a 454 in it before, so I was spoiled. If it is any consulation, I was going to try to tow it with a 6 cylinder Wrangler, til I was tought the error of my ways.

[dmurray14]

Thanks for the replies guys. Its got 30's and a 2" lift. 4wd. I'm beginning to feel like i'm in a gray area, which doesn't make me feel too comfortable. I can always use the regular tow vehicle (a gmc yukon) to do it but I thought it would be nice if the jeep could do it as well. I don't want to risk anything...

Thanks,
Dan

[mnypitjeep]

If you have another tow vehicle and allready have the boat, I would probably give it a try on some less traveled roads before you plan a trip. I would probably also try the ramp you normally use on an off day, that way if you have an issue you arent in anyone elses way while you work it out. With 4x4 you will probably be ok, but choose your ramp well.

[CerOf]

Take a recovery strap with you to the ramp. Make sure you have front tow hooks. Can put it in 4-lo and have someone pull with the strap on the tow hook to get you and the boat up the ramp if you have an issue.

I watched boats in Hawaii MUCH bigger than yours being pulled up a STEEP ramp with a chevy 2500 short bed 2WD truck. (it was NOT a dualie) and it had zero problems.

The weight difference isn't *that* much between your ZJ and the chevy. Besides, you have 4-LO.

I'd recommend you go to the ramp when you know for sure someone else will be there, that way you DO have help if you need it.

You should be fine, trailer brakes and smart driving is your friend.

[mnypitjeep]

Take a recovery strap with you to the ramp. Make sure you have front tow hooks. Can put it in 4-lo and have someone pull with the strap on the tow hook to get you and the boat up the ramp if you have an issue.

I watched boats in Hawaii MUCH bigger than yours being pulled up a STEEP ramp with a chevy 2500 short bed 2WD truck. (it was NOT a dualie) and it had zero problems.

The weight difference isn't *that* much between your ZJ and the chevy. Besides, you have 4-LO.

I'd recommend you go to the ramp when you know for sure someone else will be there, that way you DO have help if you need it.


You should be fine, trailer brakes and smart driving is your friend.

Yeah, but the 2500 has a lot more power. I have towed many large boats with 1500 2wd GM trucks. Have someone follow you in the Yukon, like he says here, to pull you out in case of an emergancy. I was at the ramp a couple weeks ago and watched a Toyota 4runner pull about a 30 footer out without help, in low 4 and a lot of struggling, but did it. Then I watched a 1500 Dodge 4x4 need help. Go figure.

Really the only reason 4x4 helps over 2wd is when you have a slick ramp, which happens a lot here. I have slipped down the ramps and busted my a$$ many times. I always know when I bust my a$$ like that I will probably need 4wd to get out. With the ZJ it is always there, so no biggy. The problem comes when I am to drunk to drive and the wife has to do it. It scares her, so we have issues. Sometimes I think it might be safer for me to drive drunk than let her drive sober(((((JK, Im not serious here))))).

I think the only problem you will have is power. I dont know how much your boat weighs, buy mine is a very heavy 20ftr. I know Bayliner is considerably lighter, so you will probably be ok. Mine is stable on most chop and some light ocean, whereas my buddy's Bayliner 24 will knock your teeth out. My father's Tahoe is the same way and his is 23ft. So it must be the weight differance. My father tows his 23footer with a Chevy S10 4x4 without much problems. He lives on the lake though, so he doesnt have to tow it far.

[louc]

I don't think the Grand will have any trouble pulling the boat out as long as you start out in 4x4 and have good tires. I have a trailer with a short tongue and I have to get the rear tires of the Jeep in the water to get the trailer in deep enough and still I have never had any trouble pulling the boat out in 4x4 full time. The advantage that Jeeps with selectrac have is, unlike new fangled electronic 4x4 systems, is that you put it in 4x4, it's really in 4x4, no guessing. Don't forget trailer brakes!

[wjs81866]

weight distributing hitch helps keep it all level, B&M trans cooler is a must. Cheap and fairly easy to install. Without it you run the risk of overheating the trans and that shows up down road at some point.

[fasttommyv]

I don't know how you guys are having problems getting your boats out of the water. I tow a 24' cabin cruiser - 7000 pounds, and in 4-lo my 5.9 pratically idles it out. Ive gone up some pretty steep/slick ramps too and never got more then an occasional slip from the tires.

To the OP, go for it. You are 1000 pounds under the tow rating - which can be pushed anyways. You wont be a powerhouse with the 4.0 and hills at freeway speeds will probably suck, but you will make it. Make sure the boat trailer has good brakes, and take it very slow and cautious untill you become very used to and confident with the feel of towing.

[lars11]

If you don't plan on long trips at higher speeds in no problem at all to move even much larger boats. You won't hurt the jeep, no way. It's more about traffic risks like wobbling at high speeds and downhill braking if the trailer has bad brakes.
In europe GCs are certified to pull up to 7000 lbs if you have small truck drivers license.
Just keep an eye on the temp and make sure the tounge weight is within reason and the trailer brakes are ok. Avoid dramatic manouvers, as any trucker would...
Ive pulled our chris craft (3000lbs total) out of the water and trailered it with a BMW 316i, no probs at all. I didn't even notice it behind the Grand...:rockz:

[dmurray14]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the help. Maybe I'll give it a try this summer. Like I said I can always use the Yukon to tow it but in some cases it would be easier to use the jeep. No problem if it can't - I'll just use the other truck. But I guess it's worth a shot.

I don't know how you guys are having problems getting your boats out of the water. I tow a 24' cabin cruiser - 7000 pounds, and in 4-lo my 5.9 pratically idles it out. Ive gone up some pretty steep/slick ramps too and never got more then an occasional slip from the tires.

To the OP, go for it. You are 1000 pounds under the tow rating - which can be pushed anyways. You wont be a powerhouse with the 4.0 and hills at freeway speeds will probably suck, but you will make it. Make sure the boat trailer has good brakes, and take it very slow and cautious untill you become very used to and confident with the feel of towing.

I see your sig - oh man! My boat pales in comparison - its about half the height, no cabin. That gives me some confidence in it! They are listing it as 3800lbs with trailer.

If you don't plan on long trips at higher speeds in no problem at all to move even much larger boats. You won't hurt the jeep, no way. It's more about traffic risks like wobbling at high speeds and downhill braking if the trailer has bad brakes.
In europe GCs are certified to pull up to 7000 lbs if you have small truck drivers license.
Just keep an eye on the temp and make sure the tounge weight is within reason and the trailer brakes are ok. Avoid dramatic manouvers, as any trucker would...
Ive pulled our chris craft (3000lbs total) out of the water and trailered it with a BMW 316i, no probs at all. I didn't even notice it behind the Grand...:rockz:

I also have a BMW 325 as the fun car - and I know that the 316s are the even less powerful versions of the us 318 four banger. I can't believe you towed a boat with that! That's crazy. I can't even imagine doing it with my 2.5.

weight distributing hitch helps keep it all level, B&M trans cooler is a must. Cheap and fairly easy to install. Without it you run the risk of overheating the trans and that shows up down road at some point.

What is B&M? Is that a brand? I do have a weight distributing hitch laying around too.

[mnypitjeep]

We dont have problems, but on occasion it struggles on steep graded ramps, namely the private ramp where I have the boat stored. It never slips or spins, but it sounds like its working hard to get it out. Not like the guy with the 4runner pulling the 30footer, but it struggles. Thats why I mentioned that a I6 might have problems. With 4x4 it should be ok. Like I said, I have a heavy boat compared to other 20 footers.

Oh and B&M is a brand of performance tranny parts. You can find them everywhere. Most performance shops have them.