Virginia Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 I have a 91 6cyl, 4.0 4wd with only the bumper hitch. What's my towing capacity? And what would it be if I added a different hitch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 The bumper is rated up to a 2000 pound trailer and 200 pound tongue weight. That information is stamped in the bumper. Furthermore (from my 87 manual): Class I hitch: 2000 pound trailer weight, 300 pound tongue weight. For any engine or transmission. Class III hitch 5000 pound trailer weight, 350 pounds tongue weight weight carrying or 750 pounds tongue weight weight distributing. Needs 4.0 engine, automatic transmission with transmission cooler, power steering, heavy duty battery, cooling system and axle (Dana 44) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 And if the bumper is rusty at all, I wouldn't use it. It's mostly just sheetmetal and can rust from the inside-out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Especially if you live in a state with an "I" as the last letter in the abbreviation. Even HI! :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildman Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 The OEM bumper is rated to tow a wheel barrow......empty of course :roll: It's really not a very heavy duty bumper, and if it's 20 years old.......no way. This is what is looks like with the center support section off- And yes, that's all sheet metal, no real structural steel there. If you going to do amount of towing, either find a OEM trailer hitch or you cam buy new ones on e-bay, with the 2" receiver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Posted November 8, 2008 Author Share Posted November 8, 2008 THanks for the responses. I probably knew that. So, this leads me to another question. We're looking at getting a travel trailer which means a new pull vehicle because there will be at least 4 people traveling. What would you recommend? I'm looking at a trailer 3500lbs and under. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Diesel Suburban. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Posted November 8, 2008 Author Share Posted November 8, 2008 Diesel Suburban. :D I'm not trying to pull my house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deziped Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Depends! If its to flat land/beach/cross country RV spots a 2WD. If its to hilly/mt back country & off-road RV'ing I'd go with 4WD. Any SB extended cab or SUV, since there's 4 of U, would be more comfortable of course. If its one of the lighter camp trailers a 350/360 size engine would do the job and be more efficent in general (when your not towing) than a big ol 454 etc. For down the road tracking you can't be a 5th Wheeler. From experience I'v found the automatics of today, properly equipped with cooler, make it a much more pleasant trip towing anything, than with a stick shift. Some from the old school, & I was one of them, have stick shift inbred, but until you try it------. My fav all time tower was a 76 Jeep Cherokee 360/400 combo. That thing was like a cross bred mule-goat. Lock it up & it pulled trailers into and out of un-imaginable spots, especially in mud & snow situations. Right now I'm looking at buying a 99 Silverado ext cab 350 for towing a 24' camp trailer to Senior citz RV locals. It's an age related thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 If you're looking at 3500 pounds tops, like a pop up camper, any full size extended cab p/u or suv should be able to tow it just fine. My 94 Suburban with a 350 I can't even tell towing 3000 pounds unless I look in the rear view mirror. 4000 pounds gets noticeable, but even 6000 pounds tows fine, if a little slower at steep grades. I'll sell you my Suburban if you want it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 The diesel 'Burbs can get 20 mpg, are 3/4 ton rated, and can be had for under 5 grand. I like having the extra capability-cushion when towing. Safety is important to me. When I can finally afford to buy a hauler, it'll either be a 'Burb or (if I can float $10k) a diesel Excursion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Diesel Suburban. :D 10-4. One of my friends in NAXJA bought a diesel Suburban for that exact purpose. It's a really nice tow vehicle, and it has plenty of room inside for a family of four (or, probably, even a family of six). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 What sort of gas mileage am I looking at? Now we're looking at a trailer around the 5000 lb size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLHTAZ Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 What sort of gas mileage am I looking at? Now we're looking at a trailer around the 5000 lb size.Depends on what you are driving...My 2002 Dodge Ram gets between 9 - 11 MPG pulling a 5000lb trailer depending on the terrain we are on. If you get something with a diesel engine (which I highly recommend) you will get much better. My friends with diesels get 18 - 22 MPG pulling the same weight as me...and...they get 18 - 22 MPG just driving around town empty too ;) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I'd still sell you my Suburban :D But if you are going to tow 5000 pounds regularly, I'd look into a diesel. Either a full size SUV or crew cab pickup truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLHTAZ Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I forgot to mention that my truck has the 4.7L V8... ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Car RamRod Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 where do you live? I've got an f250 sd I'm selling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 I'm in Tennessee but am not ready to buy just yet. We haven't picked out the trailer yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Where's the pic of the MJ with a 5th wheel pulling a semi-trailer on the highway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy in Maine Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Where's the pic of the MJ with a 5th wheel pulling a semi-trailer on the highway? I would like to see it trying to stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Air brakes on the trailer help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLHTAZ Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Where's the pic of the MJ with a 5th wheel pulling a semi-trailer on the highway? Well, it's not a semi trailer, but I got this shot the day I picked up the new bed for JT's truck. They guy that sold him the bed owns this... :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Throttle_Jockey Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Please tell me thats just a parking spot and not his actual tow rig for that trailer?Not saying it could'nt be done but I would'nt want to go up any hill's! :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deziped Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Don't assume what you see is always reality. He carries his extension mirrors in his hip pocket until needed I presume. :rotfl2: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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