Jeep Wrangler instead of Saturn Vue

DFR · 04-23-2011, 05:53 PM

We have decided to downsize to one vehicle from 2. Have sold the Pickup and only have the Vue. The Vue won't pull my boat so I must upgrade. Can you give me the pros/cons of going to the Jeep? I'm afraid anything else would be too heavy for pulling behind the coach.
Thanks.

jackrobinryan · 04-23-2011, 06:10 PM

Not sure about the Wrangler, but my 2006 Jeep Liberty isn't exactly light. 4400 pounds unloaded.

But it tows our 1100 lb jet ski and trailer pretty well.

And easy to set up to tow.

safe travels
jack

ocfd_179 · 04-23-2011, 10:22 PM

I just towed my "new-to-me" 07 Jeep JK 4dr for the first time from NJ to Gatlinburg, TN. It weighs 5,025 lbs (scaled it just prior to trip) and it pulled excellent! I used to pull an 07 Saturn Outlook, which pulled very well also. I could always feel the Outlook was behind me. So far I haven't really noticed the Jeep. Only problem I noticed, my EvenBrake monitor in the coach had trouble getting signal from the system in the Jeep for some reason, I'll be checking up with Roadmaster on that issue once I get home.

Eric_H_E · 04-24-2011, 12:05 AM

Keep in mind, towing a tlr wit a convertible can be bad if u have an accident.

tncruiser · 04-24-2011, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric_H_E

Keep in mind, towing a tlr wit a convertible can be bad if u have an accident.

why a wrangler has a roll cage
and remember all accidents CAN be bed
brianj

Eric_H_E · 04-24-2011, 05:34 AM

The bow of a boat can fit inside the roll cage.

Not saying don't do it. Just giving something to think about.

FYI u hall will not rent a tlr to I of u r using a convertable. I tried.

**JMonroe** · 04-24-2011, 09:30 AM

Chris. You storing your gold bars in that Jeep?

Our 07 Wrangler soft top is about 4500 lbs. It's rated to tow 3500 lbs (you didn't say how big a boat you have) but I towed a 4000 lb boat/trailer combination with it, although only the 15 miles between the house and our slip, between seasons. It did great (never saw 6th gear while towing), although I wouldn't want to have done any mountain passes in it.

ocfd_179 · 04-24-2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMonroe

Chris. You storing your gold bars in that Jeep?

Our 07 Wrangler soft top is about 4500 lbs. It's rated to tow 3500 lbs (you didn't say how big a boat you have) but I towed a 4000 lb boat/trailer combination with it, although only the 15 miles between the house and our slip, between seasons. It did great (never saw 6th gear while towing), although I wouldn't want to have done any mountain passes in it.

LOL! I wish!! We have a hard top, 4" lift & 35" tires on it, plus aftermarket bumpers (which cost their weight in gold!)... that's where the extra lb's come in. I don't tow anything behind the Jeep, I tow the Jeep behind the MH as toad. Sorry if I misread the OP's thread! Wouldn't be my 1st mistake. Lol

**JMonroe** · 04-24-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocfd_179

LOL! I wish!! We have a hard top, 4" lift & 35" tires on it, plus aftermarket bumpers (which cost their weight in gold!)... that's where the extra lb's come in. I don't tow anything behind the Jeep, I tow the Jeep behind the MH as toad. Sorry if I misread the OP's thread! Wouldn't be my 1st mistake. Lol

How's it perform with the anemic V6 and all that extra height and weight?

Mekanic · 04-24-2011, 09:28 PM

Wranglers are some of the most reliable vehicle made in quite a while. most of this is due to the fact they are still made in a simple manner. like the straight axle front and rear.
My 1999 with its 160K has all its origanal steering parts. I just keep them greased and it just keeps working both on my way to work 5 days a week and off road on my vacations and few weekends a year.

Hikerdogs · 04-25-2011, 06:27 AM

The older TJ models are a bit lighter @ 3,750 lbs but can't tow as much either. Our 04 Wrangler is a great toad but only capable of towing 2,000 lbs itself. The Unlimited models of the same year are capable of towing 3,500 lbs.

JimM68 · 04-25-2011, 06:40 AM

My 2000 wrangler is great. 230,000 miles and still going strong. That Rambler inline six will probably outlast the cummins! A great toad, really fun to drive, love to take the top down. I don't tow anything with it regularly, but did get a rock crusher aftermarket bumper that has a 2" reciever and wrap around frame mounts.

alvinc · 04-25-2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFR

We have decided to downsize to one vehicle from 2. Have sold the Pickup and only have the Vue. The Vue won't pull my boat so I must upgrade. Can you give me the pros/cons of going to the Jeep? I'm afraid anything else would be too heavy for pulling behind the coach.
Thanks.

First question that should have been asked is how much does the 38' boat, trailer and contents weigh?

Some starting towing numbers:
TJ is 250/2500
JK is 200/2000
JK Unlimited is 350/3500
LIberty is 200/2000, 500/5000 with accessories
Grand Cherokee is 500/5000, with V8 is 700/7200

All of these are under 4500 lbs curb weight.

jackrobinryan · 04-25-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvinc

First question that should have been asked is how much does the 38' boat, trailer and contents weigh?

Some starting towing numbers:
TJ is 250/2500
JK is 200/2000
JK Unlimited is 350/3500
LIberty is 200/2000, 500/5000 with accessories
Grand Cherokee is 500/5000, with V8 is 700/7200

All of these are under 4500 lbs curb weight.

Pretty sure the motorhome is 38', not the boat and trailer that he wants to tow with his TOAD....would need an MDT to tow a typical 38' boat.