Towing w/ Jeep Grand Cherokee

[AggieJustin]

OK, I need some recommendations from the experts... .



A friend of mine has a '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD that isn't currently setup to tow. She is moving to Lake Tahoe in a couple of weeks and will be towing a trailer (probably 5x8 UHaul) on the way out there. What does she need to do the make the Jeep "tow-ready"?



Receiver hitch - is Class II sufficient to handle the trailer? She'll probably be towing jet-skis in the future, so the hitch will be a permanent addition.



Trailer plug - I can handle wiring up the plug, but do I need to upgrade the flasher??



Auto trans cooler - needed?? I haven't looked if it has one already, but I doubt it.



Anything else? Just want to make sure it's a trouble free trip from Dallas to Lake Tahoe.



Thanks,



JM

 

[mikel]

If it was my project I'd run the transmission in direct (*NOT OVERDRIVE*), take it easy, and have the transmission, transfer case, and axles serviced before the trip if they're even close to being due.



I don't know what kind of flasher is in this truck, but I'd get a heavy-duty one if they're easily avaliable.



I can't help you with the question about the Class II hitch, somone else will have to handle this one. Sorry.



A 5x8 trailer should not be a big issue as long as whoever is driving takes it easy. The weight of this trailer should be well within the ratings of this truck.



Don't overlook the tires and brakes on the tow vehicle. Make sure they're both in good shape.



Load the trailer heavy in the front to prevent towing problems and go have a good time.



Mike

 

[klenger]

I towed U-Haul trailers and a 21' lightweight TT in Colorado with a Grand Cherokee 5. 2L V8. Even with the 6 banger, there shouldn't be any poblem with a 5x8 U-Haul. I would recommend getting a Class III receiver, mainly because there are more accessories to fit it, and they are more heavy duty. Price should only be a few bucks more than a Class II.

 

[AggieJustin]

Thanks guys.



After looking at the hitches some more, Class III definitely looks like the way to go. Might as well err on the side of having too much instead of not enough.



After thinking about it, does the '99 GC have a replaceable flasher or not? I'm out of town right now so I haven't been able to look at it yet. I wanted to find out before I went on a search for one.



As for the auto transmission cooler, does anyone have any opinions on whether or not this is needed? Or would running in Direct instead of OD keep this from being an issue?



JM

 

[klenger]

IMHO, a transmission cooler would be overkill for a one-time trip. It would be a lot cheaper to just turn off OD and keep speeds reasonable.