Towing Question

benmar2000 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 20, 2005 6:18 pm

I am not sure if this is the correct area to post this question but here it goes.. I have a tow package on my 2006 KJ Sport 4x4 that is rated for 5000lbs.. I was wondering if it could tow my 95 YJ if I tow it flat with no trailer...

Thanks for any help..

BenMar

KJ79 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 22, 2005 12:19 am

I think you can pull it easily, but I think braking is going to be an issue. When I pull my tent trailer which is loaded about 3200 lbs I really need my electric brakes. When the electric trailer brakes are turned off it is a lot harder to slow down. If you just drive low speed and on flat land it would not be too much of an issue. Interstate speeds are out of the question IMHO.
Hope this helps.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Tue Nov 22, 2005 1:18 am

As long as she is less than the KJ is weight wise, and the tow bar is near level with the hitch ball, you should be fine, just watch your speed. I towed my '79 SJ with a tow bar on I 70 loaded with a lot of stuff... the 2 jeeps weighed about the same, above 40mph, the SJ was actually pushing my KJ around the corners.

Guest · **Posted:** Tue Nov 22, 2005 1:53 am

ben, you also have to find out whether or not the YJ is safe to be flat towed...some transfer cases (IIRC my Dana 300 couldn't) won't allow a vehicle to be flat-towed

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:24 am

just take it easy and you will be fine. The kj can tow 5k easily, but you wont have brakes on the yj. Just give plenty of room to stop and be prepared to replace your rotors.

tskalil · **Posted:** Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:56 pm

I've flat towed my 87 YJ A LOT (Colorado, Utah, etc.). Not with my Liberty, though, but with other vehicles. It has an NP 237 transfer case (I had an NP 207 previously), and the YJ's manual says it can be towed. With the engine off so that 4 wheel drive doesn't engage, put the transmission in Neutral, shift the transfer case to Neutral between low and high range, then put the transmission in Park. It's important that you do this last step to keep the transmission from turning even a little. Plus, you know for sure that the transfer case is in Neutral or the car won't tow. As others have pointed out, though, you will feel the additional weight and need to anticipate stops much more. I've also towed the YJ with my GMC Safari, which weighs about the same, but found it had a tendency to wander. Tail wagging dog.

I've also towed my Liberty to Moab and other places, but now have a tow brake system that I'll install. It's US Gear and applies fully assisted braking on the towed vehicle by use of a vacuum pump. There are only wires to connect between the two vehicles with a regular type tow plug. Nothing to remove or install for each trip. Not cheap: $1,000.00 but I tow a lot and expect it will reduce the fear of sudden stops..

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:45 am

Sure the KJ can tow 5000 pounds and I have the class 3 hitch and tow package. I would avoid towing with a KJ because the wheelbase is TOO SHORT. I love my short wheel base off road but towing my dad's boat (4600 pounds) is a bit hairy. If you do two anything over 3000 pounds avoid wind at all cost and quick stops. The KJ's brakes are not designed to stop two vehicles. Good Luck

benmar2000 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2005 9:59 pm

Sorry for the delay and thanks for the reply.. Been busy with moving in to our new house... 2 car garage with HVAC

.. Yeah.. When I parked the KJ beside the YJ.. I noticed that they are about the same in length... I guess my next purchese is going to be a tow rig.. Probably an old pickup or something... But is it ok to tow a small trailer? Like a single axle 2000lbs limit kind.. Like a utility trailer...

Thanks again,

Ben

Libby4Wheeler · **Posted:** Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:34 pm

Try a 16' car trailer with a 96 Dodge neon packed full of crap, pulled from Great Falls Mt. to Spokane no major problems except for people flashing me all the time at night and the snow that was fun....

valoflyby · **Posted:** Wed Nov 30, 2005 1:03 pm

ManicMechanicJoe wrote:

Sure the KJ can tow 5000 pounds and I have the class 3 hitch and tow package. I would avoid towing with a KJ because the wheelbase is TOO SHORT. I love my short wheel base off road but towing my dad's boat (4600 pounds) is a bit hairy. If you do two anything over 3000 pounds avoid wind at all cost and quick stops. The KJ's brakes are not designed to stop two vehicles. Good Luck

No vehicle's brakes are designed to stop two vehicles. This is why most states require that the trailer that you are towing be equiped with WORKING brakes if the GVWR of the trailer (not loaded weight) exceeds 3-3.5k. If the trailer's brakes are adjusted properly (surge brakes adjusted mechanically, electric brakes control unit adjusted) you should feel little difference between braking w/ just your jeep or jeep w/ load.

Speaking specifically about handling and braking... I notice my small utility trailer (4x8 1500lb GVWR) much more than I notice my 18' flatbed car hauler (18x8 7000lb GVWR). Now acceleration is a different story alltogether...

Libby4Wheeler... why were the oncoming cars flashing @ you? Was it one of those rental trailers where you have to pull the car ALL THE WAY forward (not allowing adjustment of load to alter toungeweight, etc.)?

MrCRD · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2005 1:07 am

I have a CRD but the gas KJ tows the same amount. You will have no problem with the weight. As everyone has stated breaking will be the issue. I built a custom trailer to haul my Jeep around in. I put trailer breaks on it and had no problems going through Kansas and all the way to Ouray Colorado. Here is a pic of us at the KOA in Ouray.

Libby4Wheeler · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2005 1:31 am

yah thats where the tire straps were at was way forward kinda makes me mad it would have been a lot nicer to get it more over the tires but they gave no hooks on the side for extra straps

OKJeep · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2005 1:48 am

I let a friend borrow my Liberty to tow a Miata on a featherlite trailer to Mid-Ohio and back. He loved it and wanted to buy the Liberty from me when he got back. Serious. We installed and tested the trailer brake 2 days before and everything was flawles.

Libby4Wheeler · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2005 11:20 pm

ok your in oklahoma? thats weird... if you are where at? just got back tulsa...

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