Towing a Cherokee Home

drumset5994 · November 26, 2006

I have a 1999 Chevy Silverado

-4.3L V6, 4-Speed Auto (WITH TOW/HAUL)

-3.08 Gears

-Short Wheel Base, Regular Cab

-89,000 miles

-Class 4 Hitch (Heavy Duty)

Here's my stupid question. If i buy a tow bar kit for a 95 Jeep Cherokee 4x4, and bolt it all up to the cherokee, and hitch it to my truck, you think it will make the journey?

The Cherokee is in Dansville NY, and i live in Attica NY. Approx: 50 miles.

The roads arent very winding, but very hilly (up/down)...especially in Warsaw...Warsaw is in a bowl and the hill in and out always says "DOWNSHIFT STEEP GRADE" etc. etc. and in my truck itself, going up the hill unloaded it usually takes its sweet old time.

Think it would work? This is only a one time occurance, btw. Im just trying to get it home.

Schmids5.3l · November 26, 2006

Put it in Tow/haul, and go sloooow

Whats the Cherokee weigh, and whats your truck rated to tow? 3.08s are a killer.

drumset5994 · November 26, 2006

My truck is rated at 4500 i believe...the cherokee pushes it...i know its not over, but its real close.

I could avoid Rt. 20a and ride the "36-19a-5" combination...its on a sign right before that hill in warsaw. Most truck drivers take it to avoid the hill altogether, but it adds 20 miles to your trip...maybe ill take that.

Here's another stupid question...

What requirements do a vehicle have to have to be towed by a towbar? Does it have to be registered and inspected? I know by the time i pick it up, it'll be still registered to my friend, just not insured.

I could insure it...the reason why im towing it, is i really dont want to pay all that crap in insurance and registration just to tow it home, you know?

c4cruiser · November 26, 2006

Does the Jeep have an auto tranny? If it does, you will need to disconnect the driveshaft so that you won't burn up the tranny.

You should look into renting a tow dolly. With the Jeep's front wheels up on the dolly, you sill still have to drop the driveshaft to tow but the towing will be a lot easier. Even renting a truck and car trailer might save you a lot of aggravation.

You're going to be hauling over 3000 lbs and the truck brakes will have to do all of the stopping. While 50 miles on flat road is no problem, going downhill will be the issue. In any event, tow in 3rd and not "D" and make sure that Tow/Haul is engaged. You will probably have to drop down into 2nd or possibly 1st as you go up hills.

The cooling system will have to be in decent shape too. You're going to put a strain on cooling (not only the engine but the transmission) going uphill. I agree with the 3.08 differential being a problem. There may just not be enough power at the lower RPM ranges unless you gear down to 2nd at speeds below 50.

Try checking into having it towed by a wrecker or flatbed to see if the cost is reasonable. Even if it was $100 for a wrecker, it could be a lot cheaper than the risk of something going wrong.

State laws regarding towed vehicles vary widely but you might check with your DMV to see if you have to have a current registration to tow it on its wheels. A tow dolly may beat a need for current tags. If it has to have current registration/insurance, then a wrecker or rental truck and trailer may be lots cheaper.

RyanZ71 · November 26, 2006

Tow the Silverado with the Cherokee

drumset5994 · November 26, 2006

I didnt know you had to disconnect the driveshaft to tow a 4x4.

I thought if you just slipped it in neutral on the gearshift and neutral on the transfer case, it'd be ok.

But thank you for telling me! I could have really flucked something up on the Jeep!

RyanZ71 · November 26, 2006

You do not need to disconnect the drive shaft so long as it is not an all wheel drive/all time 4WD system and none of the Cherokee's came that way, only Grand Cherokee's. Otherwise just leave the transfer case in 2WD or N.

carneyman · November 27, 2006

You do not need to disconnect the drive shaft so long as it is not an all wheel drive/all time 4WD system and none of the Cherokee's came that way, only Grand Cherokee's. Otherwise just leave the transfer case in 2WD or N.

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Agreed, leaving it in neutral with the driveshaft on will be fine. We towed our welding truck with a tow bar all the time (77 chevy) and it still has the original tranny. Just be prepared to be pushed by the jeep!

firefighteremt3100 · November 27, 2006

I didnt know you had to disconnect the driveshaft to tow a 4x4.

I thought if you just slipped it in neutral on the gearshift and neutral on the transfer case, it'd be ok.

But thank you for telling me! I could have really flucked something up on the Jeep!

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If the vehicle is running you can tow it without dropping the driveshaft...but its recommended dropping the shaft. I think there may be a maximum speed though if you do tow it while vehicle is running and the drive axle on the ground.

sjspor · November 27, 2006

The 3:08s are gonna kill you, i pull a tent camper with my 6, and thats close to 3000 pounds plus wood, crap and passengers to go camping with 3:42's. It handles it, but you not going any where quickly.

I have also pulled my daughters saturn from Rhode Island back to NY, with a u-haul tow dolly, that was'nt too bad. But I pulled my son's Escort on a Equipment trailer, which itself was almost 2000 lbs alone. But the big wheels and long length seemed to tow so much easier, and the dual wheels and brakes made stoping much better.

Top you fluids off, make sure everything is full, esp. the tranny and see if you can't get a trailer with brakes. Thats the safest way to do it. Heck, how much could a 50 mile tow cost?

pwall · November 27, 2006

It's been said previously, but my main concern for you is stopping. That's a lot of weigh that will be pushing you.

drumset5994 · November 27, 2006

I also wanted to mention, i do have the 7 (or 8, cant remember) pin round connector. This truck was used with a trailer at one time. I wonder if uhaul has a tow dolly with brakes.

c4cruiser · November 27, 2006

Tow dollies do not have brakes on them. U-Haul car trailers have surge brakes on them, but they may not rent you a car trailer given the weight you will be towing and the size of the truck. Surge brakes on the trailer work OK and you won't have to have a brake contoller.

A car trailer would be a lot better than flat towing of any method. Some self-storage places rent U-haul equipment so check with some of them to see what they say. U-Haul company stores have some really restrictive rules about renting their trailers. The storage places aren't as bad.

Given this is a one-way tow, check in the city where you will be picking the Jeep up for availability and prices for a car trailer. I assume that the Jeep is not driveable so yould need a way to get it on the trailer.

I think you will be better off renting a truck and car trailer to get the Jeep home. No worry with your truck and how to tow the Jeep. You may pay a hundred or more, but it will be safer for everyone!

asilverblazer · November 27, 2006

No offense to anyone but I see countless Hispanics dragging cars south of the border, towing anything with anything...

Doens't make doing it right.

I would would hook it up, drag it home and have a beer when I got there. It will be fine.

kssooner · November 27, 2006

No offense to anyone but I see countless Hispanics dragging cars south of the border, towing anything with anything...

Doens't make doing it right.

I would would hook it up, drag it home and have a beer when I got there. It will be fine.

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