Towing?
 

I plan to purchase a baja 275. I would love to be able to pull it somewhere local and not have to borrow a truck. Spec says boat weighs 4400# Think the grand cherokee will pull this sucker. Not concerned about getting it out of the hole to much (it won't hurt my pride to use the 4x4 low) but what about pulling that sucker down the highway?

Capacity
 

Whats the towing capacity on your GC? With the v8 should be OK but close. Remember to add trailer weight and fuel etc. Probably 6,000 lbs when done.

Add a transcooler and get breakes on the trailer.

I would get a bigger truck. You will tear that thing up.

What year and engine do you have? If all you are doing is towing local you can pull a trailer weighing 6K -7K lbs with brakes fine with the V8. not certain of the 6. The biggest problem with the jeep is very short wheelbase makes highway towing not as comfy.

I did it for years...
 

Grand cherokee with v8 and tow package, I believe 6000.
I towed 25 advantage with no problems.If 6 cyl. only to
boat launch. I drove these for 6 years but both were V8s.
john

I towed a Baja 272 with a V8 Grand Cherokee and had no problems. However, I was towing in the Chicago area (very flat) and did not tow long distances. The truck did great in 4-low in getting the boat out of the water. The Jeeps tend to sag in the rear, so the trailer tongue weight is critical (or add air bags).

I did tow the same boat with a I-6 Cherokee (not the Grand Cherokee). This was a disaster waiting to happen. The truck sagged so much that it was a huge concern (nice to have the front wheels ON the ground). Also, the 6 cylinder did not have enough power to trailer at highway speeds. I would have to really push the truck to get to 60 mph.

Good luck

I used to tow a '21 Cuddy (3500 lbs) with a regular Cherokee. It had enough power but braking and handling were SCARY!

I tow a 27 Activator with a Grand Cherokee Laredo. I ordered the truck with a V8 and Class IV tow package. I have the boat on a trailer that can hold a larger boat so I moved the tongue foward for added tongue weight. It tows ok, but I wouldn't tow anything larger.

I tow 4500lbs with my Grand Cherokee V-8. 6500lbs is the max with the V-8. The rear end sags a bit...if I was towing anything larger I would upgrade to air bags. No compalints about towing 4500...although 6000 would probably be a different story.

Whoa boy!
 

You better have 4 wheel disk brakes on that trailer. Electric brakes are best because you can adjust the "power" of the brakes from the cab of the truck.
Stopping that real boat with an immitation truck will be a trick. Not to mention that that load will want to push that Jeep through the turns.
Air bags or weight distributor is also a must.
FYI- factory load leveling suspensions won't compensate for a 700 lb tongue weight.

I now have a crew cab dually. Think I learned my lesson before?
I have a 28 Pantera with twins. That thing weighs in excess of 8000 on the trailer. The trailer only has surge brakes on the front axle. My 8000# car trailer with electric brakes stops in 1/2 the distance!

Don't pull too hard with that Jeep- It's Unibody!

That Jeep has some kind of trade in value. Swap it for even a used Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban and you'll be way ahead.

As said above you can tow local and short distance. But, with the short wheelbase it's a handful on the highway.

Also, don't forget you have to stop once and a while. A little scarey there.

Get a bigger truck.

Thanks for the opinions. Guess I need to dish out a tad bit of the boat funds to get a beater truck.

Next owner of jeep after lease turn in would be in for a nice treat:mad:

Thanks fellas!