Cherokee Sport Towing

Oct 06, 2003 3 Replies

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Josh 22 years ago

I've got a 99 Sport, 4.0, Auto, 4x4 and want to add a hitch for a small trailer for my lawn service business. I'd like the flexibility to pull a larger trailer as well, because there are some jobs where you just don't need a full size truck.

What are some limitations I should watch for as far as trailer size, weight, and so on regarding the Cherokee. I'm looking at a Class III hitch, and I'll be towing around a 10' trailer to start. Mostly with leaves/yard debris for now.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

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bowgus 22 years ago

My 96, same config, is rated to pull 5000 lbs. I'm in Canada, I use a Class B hitch rated at 3500 lbs and pull an 18' boat plus trailer at about 3000 lbs. The only time I know it's there is when stopping ... trailer brakes would have been a really good idea. If I were in business, I'd get a trailer with brakes no matter what size ... a liability thing. And I added a transmission cooler ... that's it. My opinion ... you'll have no problems. Oh yeah ... the longer the tongue, the easier it is to manouver backing up (or is that something my wife told me, or a girlfriend ... I dunno).

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Mike Romain 22 years ago

As far back as my 88, the autos were rated 5000 lb. My 88 5 speed is limited to 2000 lb. :-(

Although I really have nothing to tow, but... ;-)

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

bowgus wrote:

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Stephen Cowell 22 years ago

Change the rear diff fluid for 75w140 synthetic. Add a transmission cooler. Add hitch and wiring and you're in business. You should already have the 8.25 corp rear diff, which is recommended for the factory tow package... all you'll be missing is the full-size spare. Mine works great. __ Steve .

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