Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Home Page → Great Lakes XJ → General XJ/MJ Technical → Trailering with a lift.
 

Topic: Trailering with a lift.

Post Info
tjhawk
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 138
Date:
Trailering with a lift.
Permalink  
So I used to tow my 3,000 Sea Ray boat with my XJ when we went camping/boating/away for a trip ect. Since I have lifted it I now use my truck more for towing. It does stink though if I want to go somewhere that there is camping, a lake and wheeling trails I need to drive two vehicles because I am kind of afraid of how my lift/tires/lack of rear sway bar/hydraulic shocks ect will react to a load and negotating cureves at high speed.   I have seen alot of picts of people towing with their XJ's on here and towing very heavy loads at that so I need some feedback on this. Currently I have a cabin that requires me to drive at least 55 mph and there are some pretty curvy roads when I go thru the indian reservation.  I should probably just take it for a spin and see how it does but I am also looking for do's and don't's as well.

__________________
firehawk
LIFETIME MEMBER
Status: Offline
Posts: 631
Date:
Permalink  
I've towed many times with my XJ after it was lifted (4"). I tow a trailer with two atv's on it. Total weight including the trailer is probably 1400-1500lbs. I did need a 10" drop ball mount, which took awhile to find, but it tows great.

I do still have my rear swaybar on, but I've read most rear leaf springs that come with a lift are somewhat stiffer and unless you drive like Mario Andretti you should be ok.

-- Edited by firehawk on Monday 25th of January 2010 05:16:54 PM

__________________
2000 Cherokee Sport




My Pics and Specs
aci4369
LIFETIME MEMBER
Status: Offline
Posts: 3094
Date:
Permalink  
What was already stated.  I think that you should be fine if you get a mount that drops your ball.  The lift will have stiffer springs to help with the weight especially when you think that the stock leafs were probably sagging without the added lbs of the boat. 

That being said, hook it up, drive around the block and see how it goes.  If you don't feel comfortable doing it DON'T.  Also you might look at upgrading the brakes to help with the stopping.

__________________

'99 XJ, 5.5" lift, 33" MT's
'11 Dodge Charger

I miss the days that they made toys that could kill a kid.

*Support our Troops*


My Pics and Specs

My Build Thread
tjhawk
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 138
Date:
Permalink  
Yeah I already have a set of Exploder rear discs ready to mount as soon as I find time in the spring. I was going to use ZJ rear discs but they have proved to be elusive in my local you pull it yard. Since the 99-95 Exploder was the #1-5 CFC vehicle there are alot of nice ones to choose from and since these were runners I don't have to worry about bent parts ect from a crash. I guess I was worried about sway more than anything but I can find a few curves around my home and see what happens.

__________________
tjhawk
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 138
Date:
Permalink  
So I towed my boat last weekend with my XJ and my new rear discs. It towed pretty good. It was a little nervy on the way to the cabin because I have to cut across the reservation and it has alot of off camber turns and I have no sway bars....LOL. Anyways I got an 8 inch drop hitch and besides getting 13 MPG I have no real complaints. My trans is only cooled by a huge air cooled unit ( I divorced my factory POS cooler) and I was plesantly surprised to feel the fluid felt like bath water everytime I stopped and checked it. Here is a pic. BTW the boat is a 19 ft Sea Ray and it weighs 3500 lbs.  As you can see the rubi leafs squatted very little if any with 300 lbs tongue weight.

-- Edited by tjhawk on Sunday 27th of June 2010 10:47:54 PM

Attachments
__________________
ChevelleSSLS6
LIFETIME MEMBER
Status: Offline
Posts: 1579
Date:
Permalink  
my XJ has the 3.5 RE lift (with new leafs) and Motion OR shocks.
It didn't have a rear sway bar, and the front is disconected (I don't like the RE swaybar link setup), and I towed 600 mile round trip a couple weeks ago, 2 loads of scrap (60 mile round trip), and a lawn tractor and it's fine. Go slower than normal of course, and use '3' if the load is very heavy.

__________________

My Fleet
1996 XJ "Snowball"- 3.5" lift, bunch of little mods.  I hate pegleg rear axles!
1974 AMC Javelin "Jade Grenade"- 360v8, 4sp, green inside and out. Underfunded Project.
2009 Kawsaki Vulan 900 "Rocket III"- Summer DD
aci4369
LIFETIME MEMBER
Status: Offline
Posts: 3094
Date:
Permalink  
So Tjhawk.  Have you trailered it now since you have set upgraded the brakes?  How much of a difference has it made.  I would bet it is night and day.

__________________

'99 XJ, 5.5" lift, 33" MT's
'11 Dodge Charger

I miss the days that they made toys that could kill a kid.

*Support our Troops*


My Pics and Specs

My Build Thread
 
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
 
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard