Pete M Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 said goodbye to my 86 a few weeks ago and now the 90 has moved on to a new owner. miss them already, but they cannot come with me to GA. I still have the 88 and there's a rustfree MJ in ga waiting for me, so all hope is not lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 I hear ya, Pete. There' been a few MJs I've sold over the years that I told myself immediately after it left the driveway, "Hmm... shouldn't have done that..." Even now, I've got MJs around that I honestly don't think I need but I know that I'd have a tough time finding another like it. Sounds hoarderish but it's the truth. I'd even go as far as saying that I sometimes wish I didn't find them! Ah, well... can't save or keep them all... unless you're Jim, anyhow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjrev10 Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 This is why I only sell MJs to one person. (A few times) Then at least I can still see them and know they are in good hands. The others I have 'sold' are now pots and pans in your cupboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyaji Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Just curious - why a trailer instead of a towbar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 This is why I only sell MJs to one person. (A few times) Then at least I can still see them and know they are in good hands. I like to call it a "Comanche exchange program". :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjrev10 Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Just curious - why a trailer instead of a towbar? You don't need insurance on a vehicle that is on a trailer. In MN, you need insurance even if the vehicle is on a tow dolly. If any axle is on the ground, insurance is needed. (This is what I was told by the u-haul place a few years ago. Never researched past that.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyaji Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Just curious - why a trailer instead of a towbar? You don't need insurance on a vehicle that is on a trailer. In MN, you need insurance even if the vehicle is on a tow dolly. If any axle is on the ground, insurance is needed. (This is what I was told by the u-haul place a few years ago. Never researched past that.) Wow - I checked with my insurance company, and they told me I was covered for both the tow vehicle and anything being towed. Now I am a little scared. I understand the reason you gave... but consider that the source in your case is not a disinterested party since they stand to gain by renting you a trailer! :D I guess it is worth double-checking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Never researched it but based on personnel experience, you have better control in case of tire failure or loss of control with a trailer over a tow bar or tow dolly. Did you ever see a jack knifed tow dolly with a MJ on it after a panic stop? Not a pretty site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted December 8, 2013 Author Share Posted December 8, 2013 there's a lot of unknowns when buying an old truck. it's probably best to just focus on getting it home in the safest way possible and not have to trust any bit of the truck (bearings, tires, etc.). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Here in SK it's only illegal to have an unregged/uninsured vehicle towed with axle(s) on the ground if it's got a salvage title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjrev10 Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Just curious - why a trailer instead of a towbar? You don't need insurance on a vehicle that is on a trailer. In MN, you need insurance even if the vehicle is on a tow dolly. If any axle is on the ground, insurance is needed. (This is what I was told by the u-haul place a few years ago. Never researched past that.) Wow - I checked with my insurance company, and they told me I was covered for both the tow vehicle and anything being towed. Now I am a little scared. I understand the reason you gave... but consider that the source in your case is not a disinterested party since they stand to gain by renting you a trailer! :D I guess it is worth double-checking. Yeah I've heard that too about the vehicle being towed is just as insured as the tow rig. But there's alot of technicalities involved. Besides, it's nicer to just tug a trailer. Buddy of mine towed a Jetta 1100 miles with a tow dolly and it screwed up the front end alignment. Flat towing sucks do to what Pete said about the unknown condition of the drivetrain. Then you need to mess with lights, no brakes etc. A tow bar isn't the easiest to hook up on our trucks either....I used a tow bar to pull a '89 70 miles with a lifted XJ. That MJ pretty much told the XJ where it wanted to go. Stupid but I made it. Had to take the front end apart to get the hooks of the tow bar onto the bumper. Trailers are king. Safe and easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyaji Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Good stuff to think about - thanks for the comments, they are thought-provoking. Down here in the winter when all the "snow birds" come driving their motorhomes south fleeing the frozen north, they often have an XJ in tow using a towbar. I never thought of the negatives until you guys brought them up... but I do have one to relate that was not yet mentioned. Funny story (but doubtless not so funny to the owner): I pulled in to a gas station one winter's day and saw a big class A motorhome with an XJ in tow, parked across the lot. Walked over to talk to the driver, who was not happy - no, not one bit! He was trying to source a new tire, fancy aluminum rim, brake disc, and mechanic - all of which he needed, since when his tire blew sometime in the previous 500 miles, he never noticed until the rim and brake disc wore down to the point that the lower ball joint was dragging on the pavement! Best wishes for a safe and uneventful trip, Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjrev10 Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 WOW. I can see that happening behind a diesel pusher. Specially if its just a light weight vehicle like a XJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Another example. Back in 1969 I was using a towbar to tow a '53 Jeep station wagon behind a '65 Dodge 1 ton. I felt the Dodge had enough weight to handle things. Left front tire on the Jeep blew. Both vehicles ended up upside down in the median. Speed was a contributing factor here. Every time the Jeep swerved it pulled the Dodge a little farther sideways until just lost it and we rolled. Totaled both vehicles. Did receive partial reimbursement from the insurance co of the tire shop. After showing proof of purchase from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyaji Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Yeeeeee-ow! Had you added any damping to the steering to help prevent the towed vehicle from whipping? In years past I used a doubled bungee cord looped around the bottom spoke of the steering wheel and hooked it under the driver's seat, limiting the travel to about 3/16ths turn each left and right... then made sure to never make any but wide turns. Never went over 55, and never had the slightest tendency to whip at all.. except once when an idiot merging onto the Interstate an hour outside Louisville, Kentucky jumped 2 lanes into mine from an on-ramp and forced me off the pavement into the snowy median. Though it was a bit sketchy for a second there, I was able to gather it up and continue under control back onto the pavement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 To get back on toplc: Friends don't let friends sell there last MJ. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexia Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Sometimes changing out the old for the new is the best. I may have sold my first Cherokee, but I own a Comanche now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacks Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Alexia... But Cherokees don't count... well... except for parts!!! :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Cherokees make great donor vehicles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted December 8, 2013 Author Share Posted December 8, 2013 sigh... guess it's time to update my signature. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86FUBAR Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 A buddy at was looking for an old blazer , so I tracked one down in San Fransisco . A 1972 beauty for $15500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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