how much can my jeep handle?

[BassinSoldier]

 I saw a topic recently that got me thinking.  I am getting my first boat when I get back from here and I was wondering what my Jeep could handle.  I've got a V6 Jeep grand cherokee laredo 4x4, automatic tranny, with a class 3 reese hitch.  With this set up what do you guys think is the most I would be able to safely tow?  I have towed an 18ft aluminum bass tracker fully loaded no problems but I am wanting to buy a fiberglass bass boat.  Thanks in advance for ya'lls input!

[rondef]

Go with the aluminum hull boat if you are going to pull with a 6 cylinder, you will not have any problems with it fully loaded.  If you go with fiberglass you will have to be careful when towing, they are quite a bit heavier.  I have a 4Runner with a 6 cylinder and I decided that my best bet was to go with the aluminum hull and I have no regrets.  Joe, don't foget to post some pictures when you buy it.

[dallas0996]

You can usually find the towing capacities online or available from your dealership.

I know that a Tacoma V6 with the dealer installed tow package and TRD OR package can haul 6500 lbs.....I would imagine your Jeep would be less than that, but maybe not significantly....

[BassinSoldier]

I JUST looked up my capacity with my dealer installed tow package is 5,000lbs.  Wouldn't a 17 or 18ft fiberglass rig be ok with a 5,000lb capacity?  I want the glass but am worried I may be limited to aluminum due to my vehicle  >  Don't worry Ron, I'm gonna have all kindsa pics of my new ride when I get it, be it aluminum or glass, I assure you of that!   ;D

[GonzoFishing]

My buddy pulls a 16' flats boat with his cherokee and I'm sure its a 6 but you better off finding out through the dealer. You dont want to ruin your vehicle!

[brgbassmaster]

i fished tournaments against a guy that pulled a 19ft bass boat with a jeep cherokee. it was a champion

[njpaulc]

Find out what the towing package includes and add what ever you need.  BWB did an article many years ago and said that there is very little difference towing with a 6 vs an 8.  One guy in my club pulled a Skeeter ZX190 with a Cherokee without a problem. Another guy had a 518 Ranger and a Grand Cherokee, he traded up to a truck cause he did a lot of long distance (400-500 miles) towing, but said he had no trouble towing locally.  Just try to get a trailer with brakes, most of the time stopping is more of an issue than going.  You should be able to pull anything smaller than 19 feet.

[Jeremy D.]

I pull my 18ft. boat with my jeep wrangler (which is lighter than a cherokee) and it pulls good.  The guy that sold it to me was at a tornament and he was pulling his ranger boat with it.....he said he was selling it to get a V8 cause of power....So as long as you dont get like a 21ft. Ranger(very heavy boats) you should be fine it might have to leave a little earlier to get to the ramp but you should be fine.

(P.S.= My boat is heavier than my jeep that if I go to fast down the boat ramp and it is wet it will pull the car down to the water will the boat gets a float)So you will have to worry about something like that before any thing else!

[HPBB]

With 5000lbs tow cap you should be fine towing just about any bass boat. I know that there are many Jeeps like that towing big runabout boats that weigh alot more than bass boats and they seem to be fine

[Jig Man]

More important to me than towing is stopping.  Be sure that what ever boat you get has a trailer that is equipped with brakes.

[zellamander]

I JUST looked up my capacity with my dealer installed tow package is 5,000lbs. Wouldn't a 17 or 18ft fiberglass rig be ok with a 5,000lb capacity? I want the glass but am worried I may be limited to aluminum due to my vehicle > Don't worry Ron, I'm gonna have all kindsa pics of my new ride when I get it, be it aluminum or glass, I assure you of that! ;D

I don't know how the lakes and stuff are around where you are, but around here our take off ramps are steep, and I mean REALLY steep. So the v6 may not have a problem towing 5000lbs, but it may have a problem pulling 5000lbs back up a hill. Just food for thought. Good luck!

[tntitans21399]

You should be able to look in owners manual, but I would roughly say 5,000 lbs for your jeep.  I think just about any boat from maybe 17-less you should be able to handle.  18+ foot then you might be going over, but it depends on the boat too.  A aluminum boat is a lot lighter so you could tow a bigger longer aluminum boat but a fiberglass boat starts getting heavy as you add a foot to it.  But I would still just about any boat that is 17-less foot, you should be ok.  Just make sure with the automatic tranny, that you keep it in drive and not overdrive or you will burn up the tranny.