Towing a another vehicle

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Otismotis

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Apr 14, 2010
Messages
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Location
Manchester, TN
My parents are going to give me their Cherokee if I go get it. I am wondering if anyone has towed another vehicle behind their Trac using a tow dolly? I will have to tow it about 300 miles thru KY to TN. There aren't any major mountains between here and there.

Thanks
 
I put my 1986 Z28 on a dolly for a 100 mile move. No problems or issues. Please use tow lights on the vehicle your pulling for safety.
 
My drives through TN have always included hills that I would not feel comfortable going down with a vehicle in tow behind a ST. It need not be a major mountain for it to be a scary mountain when towing with the ST. In my opinion, I would find a friend with something more towing friendly. I think you COULD use the ST, but not everything that can be done, should be done.



I didn't even feel comfortable hauling my '69 Cougar 150 miles from Atlanta to S. GA and it's all flat.
 
No problem. I have towed the following vehicles with a tow dolly.



1998 Pontiac Grand Am GT from St. louis, MO to Akron, Ohio

1996 Escort GT around town.

1998 Explorer about 25 miles

19XX Econoline van about 35 miles

1991 Escort GT from Lexington, KY to Akron, Ohio (Actually it was the wifes Explorer as the tow vehicle)



I know it has been more, I just can't remember.



Here are some pointers. Do not tow the vehicle backwards. Front wheels are designed to be in the front of a vehicle and not the back. If you do to it using a tow dolly, place the front wheels on the dolly and then disconnect the drive shaft from the differential. (Make sure you mark the location of the shaft in relation to the differential flange) This will tow much better and safer. Trust me on this.



Be careful and feel it out before you get out on the open road. Make sure the dolly has brakes. If they are electric brakes, like mine has, make sure you get a controller installed in the truck. The Trac's brakes do stop the load pretty well, but if some a-hole pulls out in front of you and you have to slam on the brakes, you will be in a world of hurt.



Better safe than sorry.





Tom
 
I towed our old Ford Contour from Houston to Knoxville shortly after we bought the Trac. We used a tow dolly, and had no problems. 1,000 miles on the bumper hitch!
 
disconnect the drive shaft from the differential. (
Click to expand...



If the Cherokee is a 4X4, isn't this unnecessary if the transfer case is in neutral? If I'm not mistaken, this is how most RV'ers tow 4x4 vehicles four-wheels-down.
 
I'm almost certain all the 4x4 cherokee's had a transfer case with neutral which means you wouldn't have to disconnect the driveshaft(s)



Which also means they can be flat towed, to help keep weight down if you have a tow bar..
 
Don't rent a tow dolly from U-Haul though, they won't give them to anyone with a vehicle that says Explorer anywhere on it.
 
"My drives through TN have always included hills that I would not feel comfortable going down with a vehicle in tow behind a ST." I appreciate your concerns, but I live in the middle part of TN on the Cumberland Plateau. I don't have to cross Monteagle. The only scary parts will be crossing the old Ohio River bridge at Cario and coming thru Nashville.



I have decided to tow it with the Trac. I called around and no one will rent a truck to tow with, besides U-Haul and they charge $.50 a mile, 600 miles round trip. A dolly is my only choice right now. I know about U-Haul's policy, I think it came about when Ford was having issues with Firestone tires. I will have my dad go get it with his Liberty. My parents use to pull this behind their old RV. They got rid of the it and bought a new RV so the Cherokee doesn't match and they got a new Liberty so they don't need the Cherokee any more. I'll take pictures. Thanks for the help.
 
I'm sure you'll be fine. It's better to be aware of what you're getting into and well planned. You shouldn't have any real problems, especially if you don't have to worry about slowing on hills. I also didn't account for the better brakes you have being a 2003. The biggest complaint (besides IFS) on mine is the rear drum brakes.



If for no other reason than having a picture of a ST pulling a Jeep, I think pictures would be awesome.



Good luck and be safe.
 
I just got back with the Jeep. I pulled it 335 miles back home and stopped about every 100 miles. The Trac had no problems and was quite surprised at how well the it did. Luckily the Jeep was still wired from when I parents use to pull it so all I had to do was plug it into the Trac's wiring harness and I had lights. Here is a picture I took at one of my stops.[Broken External Image]:
 
Great. Good picture, too. I love seeing Jeeps in tow.



I didn't realize it was Estate Green. Those are the best Tracs of all; unstoppable and the most capable of all STs.
 
Well, a little late, but I was going to tell you to be sure you turn the OD off when towing a large load.. Glad it worked out ok for you!
 
I actually never took it out of OD. It only shifted out three times during the whole trip. All three times were on I-40 north of Jackson. There are several rolling hills there and I was getting tired of playing leap frog with the 18 wheelers. Here is a picture of my parents new rig.
 

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