Curiosity tow question

[LarryH88bt]

My 88 MJ is a metric ton, 2200lbs haul capacity and 5000lbs tow capacity. I flat towed a suzuki samurai which weighs in at just under 2100lbs unloaded but mine had 5, 31 inch tires and a bunch of trail gear. So maybe add another 150lbs? Guestimate I flat towed 2250, and had no trouble what so ever. I think the problem I would run into is if pulling a trailer. A 2200lbs trailer with brakes plus a 2300lbs load would be 4500lbs. MJ curb weight 3500lbs with a long bed and a dana 44. This a bad idea? I would love to try it but Uhaul would not give me a trailer because the load is heavier than 80% of the tow vehicle. 4500x.8=3600. Or, if I owned a trailer, I've done some research, they only weight about 1800 unloaded; be more comfortable with only 4100lbs behind the MJ. (I do take into consideration the 20 year old booster and master cylinder and use the tranny alot, can do 65 in 2nd).

 

Anyway, I saw a 60's CJ5 with a plow (gosh it might be closer to 2500lbs with the plow) for sale, dreamed I'd bring it home but only if I could rent a trailer. Now I'm thinking flat tow since the suzuki was cake. But, can I pull a 1960 drivetrain at 60mph?

 

I'm a safety conscious person, I'd probably just drive the cj home on backroads and 'bond' with it.

[gl1200aman]

You are always safer to have the towing vehicle heavier than what is being towed when using a rear hitch. If you are using a gooseneck/fifth wheel type trailer it can be a little heavier. This is because with a rear hitch the tongue weight is at the back end and lifts the front of the vehicle giving you less steering control. Another option might be using a tow dolly for the cj and remove the plow during transport.

[akamcbird]

You are always safer to have the towing vehicle heavier than what is being towed when using a rear hitch. If you are using a gooseneck/fifth wheel type trailer it can be a little heavier. This is because with a rear hitch the tongue weight is at the back end and lifts the front of the vehicle giving you less steering control. Another option might be using a tow dolly for the cj and remove the plow during transport.

 

assuming your trailer has breaks...

 

op,

imho (not an expert) if the trailer had breaks yould be in the safe zone.

remove the drives hafts for flat tow.

[JACKED88]

I agree with gl1200aman. Rent/barrow a tow dolly, remove tha plow, remove tha rear drive shaft, make sure tha rear tires are good enough to make tha trip and git on down tha road.

 

I've used a dolly several times and was amazed at how well they work and how easily they pull.

[mvusse]

With a dolly, two wheels wil be on the ground. That means you need valid plates on the vehicle being towed.

[LarryH88bt]

Dolly may do it then, even better if they come with brakes, and the plow in the bed will be good for some pressure on that rear height valve. I haven't physically seen the CJ so I don't even know if it has the right brackets for a flat tow. I would prefer flat tow if the dolly does not have brakes since then the dolly would just add dead weight... As for the valid plates, that's the least of my worries. I can take the plates off my XJ.

[dasbulliwagen]

Ive never seen a tow dolly with brakes... not even sure if they make them that way. Ive dolly'd several times, never had an issue. I agree too about adding some weight to the MJ bed. That can only help with stability if youre worried about that. The dollies don't weigh enough to worry about needing brakes... same as a flat tow in my opinion.

[LarryH88bt]

Ive never seen a tow dolly with brakes... not even sure if they make them that way. Ive dolly'd several times, never had an issue. I agree too about adding some weight to the MJ bed. That can only help with stability if youre worried about that. The dollies don't weigh enough to worry about needing brakes... same as a flat tow in my opinion.

 

Ok cool. That's sort of what I did with the suzuki. I took the spare tire and most of my kit and stuck it in the bed.

[comanche09]

I've seen tow dollies equiped with electric brakes and hydraulic surge brakes. They do exist and they are equipped so with the intent of helping stop the dolly with a load.

 

If you are concerned with towing 1960 drivetrain on the ground, check the diff fluid levels, then disconnect the driveshafts to be absolutely sure. :cheers:

[mkbruin]

I used my 1988 MJ 4.0 BA 10/5 longbed (non-metric ton) to tow a 1972 Dodge Demon (approx 3,200lbs for the car alone) from denver to Phoenix on a 16ft tandem axle flatbed trailer (off a class III hitch).

 

Towed like a dream. It wasn't twitchy, and I didn't get tossed around at all... was 100% stable. I had trailer brakes, and just kept good distance from vehicles in front of me.

[HellCreek]

I had trailer brakes, and just kept good distance from vehicles in front of me.

 

That's the key. I used to haul 5000 lbs. of springs, plus the heavy 16 ft. trailer behind my '86 Bronco from New Albany, MS to Dyersburg, TN, (about 3 hrs. one way) every week. I can tell you from that experience that it's not the towing that is the problem - it is the stopping, and my trailer is equipped with electric brakes. Just make sure you keep a lot of distance between you and the vehicles in front, and be extra careful of the idiots that pull out in front of you.

[JACKED88]

With a dolly, two wheels wil be on the ground. That means you need valid plates on the vehicle being towed.

Is that law nation wide or just in OH? I've towed numerous vehicles that didnt have any tags at all. Never been ticketed for. (don't know anybody who has) I've always thought since tha dolly itself has lic tags you were good to go. :thumbsup:

[kyleag89]

I towed my XJ with a Dodge Caravan and had no problems. I used a dolly with no brakes, and just made sure I gave myself enough room to stop. :thumbsup:

 

Caravan= 3800lbs

XJ=3300lbs

Dolly= 500lbs

[mvusse]

With a dolly, two wheels wil be on the ground. That means you need valid plates on the vehicle being towed.

Is that law nation wide or just in OH? I've towed numerous vehicles that didnt have any tags at all. Never been ticketed for. (don't know anybody who has) I've always thought since tha dolly itself has lic tags you were good to go. :thumbsup:

 

At least Ohio, probably some other states as well. To be sure, check your state's code.

[kyleag89]

I would say in CT you prolly need a plate on the CJ. I would just throw your XJ plates on it and go to be safe..

[johnj92131]

A weight distributing hitch will let you move the weight to all 4 wheels.

 

Brakes are the single most important thing when towing. Then keep your distance so you have lots of room to stop.

 

Your truck can tow the 5000 lbs per the factory when properly equipped.