so my owners manual has all the trailer weight ratings for class I, II, III, and IV. how do i know what class hitch i have? there is no sticker on it.

it's a 99' SLT 5.9L.

i am hoping to tow my Cherokee (4000# approx) trailer weighs a tad under 2000#.

Edit: search then ask....Duh!!!
i looked in the glove box and it appears i have the 3.55 gear ratio. i still don't know what hitch i have? the owners manual says 3.55 / 5.9L = 5700# max. What is necessary to tow a pinch over 6000#s ? tranny cooler ? obviously brakes (which my trailer has 4 wheel), what else ?

 

Put in a K&N drop in. The hitch should be a class IV. Is is OEM?

Your pushing your max, but I think you would be ok without and major upgrade. Make sure you put it is tow/lockout for the whole way.

How far are you going?

 

1. whats a K&N drop in? are you saying increase the breathing?
2. not sure if it's OEM. it looks to be factory though. not sure how to tell for sure?
3. what do you mean tow/lockout? are you talking about flat towing? i have a flat bed trailer for the jeep.
4. most of my 4X4 trips are less than 100 miles one way. i do have planned to go to MOAB next October though. from Oregon thats approx 1000 miles.

 

1. a K&N is a drop in air filter, will help her breathe a little better
2. get a build sheet and see if it says tow hitch originally installed, and i believe it'll tell you the class of the hitch
3. tow lockout means turn off your Overdrive. (button in the end of the gear selector). This will stop your tranny from constatnly shifting and heating up.
4. less than a hundred miles isn't too bad of a stretch, just drive easy, and watch your oil temp. Also if the tranny starts shifting funny, stop and let it cool down. heat is the enemy of a auto tranny.

the two axle trailer will help balance the weight of it, it will put less of a stress over your rear wheels because the trailer itself is balanced better.

When i tow HEAVY loads,i will put it in 4wd when taking off on a hill till 15km/h or so, whenever I'im out of first gear. Never when I'm turning though. I feel that the 4wd will put less strain on the rear end by splitting some of the load through the transfer case. I may just be talking out of my *** here, but I've never had trouble with it. If its not the right thing to do, somebody will let me know quickly

 

Thanks. the more info the better. i am open to any opinions.

 

Do you have any pics of your cherokee, which I'm guessing is a trail rig? I've been looking into getting one.

 

here is a link to the last trip we did. mines the one with all the stickers.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=934373

http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/rodman6905/TSF%2011-24-07/?action=view¤t=100_0306.flv

 

great looking rig, and some real nice driving. I'm definately jealous of you.

 

thanks alot man. it is my pride and joy. my world pretty much revolves around my XJ.

 

I have same year & combo 5.9 & 3:55's in my D. I've towed regulary at the weighs you're describing. Agree, makes sure OD is off when any type of strain, I tend to leave mine off the whole trip. I have not done the 4wd bit as mentioned, would worry me on dry surfaces. Your D may have trans cooler if it orignally came w/ tow package.