Newbie towing question posting again

Brox wrote:
The Cherokee has 165,000 miles on it and the Liberty has 120,000 on it

With the miles creeping up on the Liberty, you may just be better off to try trading it on something a little more capable.

If you'd put the $1500 toward trading, it would be a start. You would also save the expense of insuring 2 vehicles, plus upkeep, and registration.

Jerry

The Cherokee has 165,000 miles on it and the Liberty has 120,000 on it

Yes, the Cherokee will be better and you'll have the added benefit of not putting on 1000 extra "virtual" miles towing with the Liberty everytime you go camping. The "virtual" miles come from the added wear and tear on the vehicle that is not designed to pull that kind of weight. Back in the day when gasoline wasn't like paying a second mortgage, vehicles were heavier and had bigger engines. Those vehicles were more suited to towing a larger weight without the stress on components or a monocoque frame.

I read constantly on this Forum about smaller vehicles "towing fine" and usually there is a minimal qualification like "I'm pulling uphill at 4000+ RPM " or "I'm going at 50 MPH". Sometimes, there is no qualifier, the owner isn't concerned about drivetrain components or doesn't care about speed, they just pull along and only remember "it's like it's not even back there" when up to speed or going downhill. Towing puts additional stress on the vehicle and that stress on a smaller vehicle may prove to be too much. After this, it's the safety aspect and I'm not going there, there is just too much minimization going on to have a fruitful discussion.

Good luck with whatever you choose and remember to baby your vehicle, no matter what size.

If you were comparing the two, at the same age, with the same amount of miles, it would be obvious that the Cherokee would be the better TV.

In this case with many years of use, and probably many more miles, the Cherokee may not be the best choice. You have to think about an old cooling system, and an engine/ tranny setup, that more than likely has high mileage.

Not knowing either vehicle, I think I'd go with the newer V6, and lower tow rating.

Jerry

2012Coleman wrote:
What are you saying - your TV is older than a 95? Your TV doesn't have the V8 and tow package? As Beachums states, too many variables that are not known. Not sure why you would want to buy an older vechile to tow with if that is the case. Expense should not override safety.

My liberty is an 06 and only has a 3.7L V6 with only a 5000lb tow capacity and 500lb tongue weight the TT weighs 3994 dry weight.The Cherokee has a V8 with 6500lb tow capacity and 700lb tongue weight so i'm just wondering if the Cherokee would be better suited for towing my TT then my Liberty short of it being older

What are you saying - your TV is older than a 95? Your TV doesn't have the V8 and tow package? As Beachums states, too many variables that are not known. Not sure why you would want to buy an older vechile to tow with if that is the case. Expense should not override safety.

Beachums wrote:
There are so many variables involved I wouldn't know where to begin.

The suspension on a 95 model year vehicle would probably be much different than one a decade newer. I guess a test tow, would be in order.

Well with already buying the TT if i want a different TV i have to find an enexpensive one that i can afford lol

There are so many variables involved I wouldn't know where to begin.

The suspension on a 95 model year vehicle would probably be much different than one a decade newer. I guess a test tow, would be in order.