A testament to Jeep

FleaM35A2 wrote:
To answer some questions, I took the Jeep because I figured it would do nearly double the mileage when I was working up the tune. My suspicions were correct; the Tahoe usually averages about 8-10 while towing. I spent about $120 on gas for the Jeep for the entire trip -- exactly 3 tanks in total. Unladen, the CRD gets near 30 mpg with the tune.

The Jeep, despite its apparent size, is on par with a ZJ Grand Cherokee in terms of dimensions, and it has stronger axles, better brakes, and a better transmission.

I had no qualms about towing heavy with the vehicle. I have towed at the factory limit many times, but always with brakes on the trailers, and always at reasonable speeds. The Jeep has never felt over worked with anything I have used it for.

The Jeep handles very well, and the wheels I have on it have increased the track width by about 4-5 inches. The tires are also much wider than the factory offerings, with stiff sidewalls and a high load rating. Sure, aired up they don't ride as nice as the butter-ply factory Wrangler SR-A's, but the increased footprint added a great deal of stability. I never once felt the tail was wagging the dog, but I packed smart and secured anything that could shift. I never felt the pushing sensation from big trucks, even when going in the opposite direction.

I had power to pass when I needed it, and decent fuel mileage when I didn't.

The ABS has roll mitigation built in to it and also functions as traction control.

The main reason though? Because I could. Really, that is about as simple as I can explain it. I certainly wouldn't use the Jeep for a standard-height trailer, nor would I feel comfortable with a heavier unit. But for the trailer I have, I wouldn't hesitate to leave tomorrow with the same combination bound for anywhere this side of the Rocky Mountains.

Great Post. Dont let the Nattering Nabobs of Towing Negativity get to you. Your post gives the lie to those that insist you must have a 3/4 ton to haul anything safely. In my recent trip I saw much more of this kind of vehicle combination than I ever guessed. Some people had towed from New England to AZ. Not only CAN it be done it is being done by many and SAFELY.

As to the differing towing capacities between here and the European model of your Jeep. I have tried to explain many times on this forum that those numbers are an agreement between Engineering and the Corporate Lawyers. There is at least 1 1/2 times safety factor in them and probably more. In Europe they do not have to worry about law suits as they do here. This results in a more realistic towing capacity for the same vehicle.