RWD Tow Vehicle Launch Issues?

[Lou C]

Yes he used a WDH and YES he is overweight. Horrible tow vehicle.

So a pick up or larger SUV isn't a horrible tow vehicle when you overload it to the same extent?
There are people on www.jeepsforum.com that have towed 6000-7000 lbs with these Jeeps either the V8 Hemi or the TurboDiesel version. Without problems!

 

[JimS123]

I never paid no attention to load ratings and overloaded everything I ever had. Never had a problem.

Then there was that day on the internet when the deer ran across the road. Why did that idiot in front of me have to stop that quick?

 

[bruceb58]

So a pick up or larger SUV isn't a horrible tow vehicle when you overload it to the same extent?
There are people on www.jeepsforum.com that have towed 6000-7000 lbs with these Jeeps either the V8 Hemi or the TurboDiesel version. Without problems!

It's a SHORT WHEELBASE vehicle...that's why it's a horrible tow vehicle! The ridiculously low payload just adds to it's problems.

Even a Chevy Tahoe is a horrible short wheelbased vehicle and it's 1 1/2 feet longer then the cherokee!

The ones with the Turbo diesel are the worst of the worst when it comes to payload!

I towed a 21' boat once in a pinch with a 2000 Chevy Blazer which has the exact wheelbase as a Jeep Cherokee....I only towed it once for a reason.

 

[bruceb58]

LSD makes all the difference in the world on a 2WD...

Personally, an electric locking diff is even better.

 

[harringtondav]

I've watched larger AWD SUVs that are more than capable of their tow load stalled on steep concrete ramps and need a helper tow strap to get them up. My theory is the auto traction control leaves them frozen to the ground.
Traction control is an ABS and power control software feature that brakes the slipping wheel and sends the torque to the other side of the diff. ...unless it slips too. I've also seen auto traction control passenger vehicles on glare ice that can't make up their mind or get out of their own way.
My pal I mentioned in #40 has a Highlander AWD that froze when things started slipping. I've advised him to push that little 'Traction Control Off' button before. But he is a know-it-all hammerhead who blew it off. I say two of four wheels slipping is better than four that don't know whether to s**t or go blind.

 

[harringtondav]

Personally, an electric locking diff is even better.

Hear-hear. My Ranger has this. 2WD, 4H or 4L. I once rode in a S10 (Actually the Olds version) AWD with dual LDSs up a parking ramp. Between the tire barking and the humping and bumping ride I figured there had to be a better way.

 

[Lou C]

With respect to smaller tow vehicles:
1) payload is a non-issue for me because I'm not taking the boat on vacation, I live 300 ft from a beach and it goes on mooring for the whole season.
2) this Jeep has electronic lockers in the rear and FRONT. No other vehicle in recent production to my knowledge has that, except the Mercedes G-500. No matter how bad the ramp is, it has never ever spun a wheel even once. Gravel, slime, broked up concrete etc. Never a problem.
3) short wheelbase, yes not as good for high speed towing, in my situation, narrow streets, narrow driveway, a long wheelbase pick up will not allow me to back it into the driveway.
So it works for me.
What do people in Europe do, who have to tow with mid size SUVs, or even passenger cars? Last I saw they have boats like we do (I guess smaller) but they have a lot of travel trailers there (call them caravans). Same thing in Australia. The biggest tow vehicle you will see is a Toyota Landcrusier. Not much bigger than a Grand Cherokee. And life goes on. They tow caravans across the outback and launch boats not on perfect ramps but off of beaches. Check it out, they do a lot with what they have.

 

[froggy1150]

Honda ridgeline locks all 4 wheels.... fyi