flat towing instructions

I wish a new Excursion or Suburban would fit in my driveway.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
http://www.billhughes.com/

"Robert Bills" > wrote in message
...
>
> If only you had asked about the Durango's "real world" capability of
towing a
> CJ before you bought one. It might not have changed your decision, but
you
> would have had the benefit of other people's experience.
>
> I once considered the Durango as a potential tow rig, but decided against
it
> because it was marginally capable of flat towing a loaded, trail ready
jeep and
> severely overloaded and underpowered when towing a loaded jeep on a
trailer. I
> ended up purchasing a "used but not abused" Ford 3/4 ton diesel pickup
with
> camper AND a new car for commuting/family use for less than the cost of a
> Durango. (Why? Because often one "compromise" vehicle isn't any less
> expensive to own and operate than two "purpose" vehicles.)
>
> I'm sure you will be happy with your Durango, but understand it's
limitations
> and flat tow very, very carefully. You may want to add an auxilliary
> transmission cooler and invest in good aftermarket coolant and
transmission
> temperature gauges because the extra heat generated by towing the
additional
> load will drastically shorten the life of your transmission fluid and a
cooked
> tranny is an expensive repair. Also, consider a beefier rear anti-sway
bar for
> more stable handling.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> Robert Bills
> KG6LMV
> Orange County CA
>
> '83 CJ-7
> '46 Bantam BT3C
> '87 Ford F250 4x4 Diesel
> http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/jeep/...p-l/billsr.htm
>

Get a tow dolly. That gets the front wheels of the pavement and does not
add that much weight, problem solved.

--
JimG
80' CJ-7 258 CID, HEI
4.56 Gears, Lock-Right F&R
35" BFG MT on 15x10 Centerlines
D44 Rear, D30 Front. SOA
Dana 300 w/4:1 & Currie twin sticks
Warn X8000i w/ dual batteries

00' TJ Sport 4.0L, 5sp
4.56 Gears, TrueTrac rear
33" BFG AT on 15x8 Eagle Alloys
D35 Rear, D30 Front. 3" Suspension Lift

< wrote in message ...
>I am not trying to turn a deaf ear to the advice I have received here,
> however selling the Durango and getting a different tow vehicle is not
> an option. I bought the Durango *6 days ago* for the express purpose
> of towing the CJ. I did so after taking the CJ to a scale to be
> weighed and learning that it weighed 4400 lbs, reading up about the
> various mid size SUVs on the market, and specifically selecting one
> with a tow capacity above 4400 lbs. (I turned down a good deal on a
> Nissan Xterra, a vehicle which I would otherwise have preferred, for
> that reason.) I am now in a 5 year finance contract on the Durango, so
> for my towing needs, the Durango it will be.
>
> I guess I will just have to unlock my hubs, drive slow and cautiously,
> and hope for the best. I live in flat, mild-climate east texas,
> (which is why I don't need to bring the doors with me when wheeling,)
> so most of the time the driving shouldn't be terribly treacherous,
> although I am planning a trip to Moab for the fall so I'll just have to
> cross my fingers for that.
>
> Two follow-up questions:
>
> 1. I have the optional 5.9L engine in the Durango. According to the
> owner's manual, this engine configuration would actually permit me to
> tow up to 7,150 lbs, *IF* I had the higher 3.93 axle ratio, which I
> do not. So one possible cheaper option is to simply upgrade the
> Durango axle. Am I correct in thinking, however, that the axle ratio
> would not have any meaningful impact on the handling/steering concerns
> that this group has voiced, and that the only reason it should make a
> difference from the perspective of the owner's manual is that it would
> reduce the burden on the Durango's auto tranny? (And, since I'll
> still only be towing 4400 lbs, upgrading the axle really wouldn't get
> me a whole lot?)
>
> 2. Would it mediate any of the flat tow steering/hanfling issues if I
> towed the jeep backwards (rear axle first)?
>

My expedition and tahoe fit nicely in the drive. They tow like a mofo as
well.
KH

"L.W. (Bill) Hughes III" > wrote in message
...
> I wish a new Excursion or Suburban would fit in my driveway.
> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> http://www.billhughes.com/
>
> "Robert Bills" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> If only you had asked about the Durango's "real world" capability of
> towing a
>> CJ before you bought one. It might not have changed your decision, but
> you
>> would have had the benefit of other people's experience.
>>
>> I once considered the Durango as a potential tow rig, but decided against
> it
>> because it was marginally capable of flat towing a loaded, trail ready
> jeep and
>> severely overloaded and underpowered when towing a loaded jeep on a
> trailer. I
>> ended up purchasing a "used but not abused" Ford 3/4 ton diesel pickup
> with
>> camper AND a new car for commuting/family use for less than the cost of a
>> Durango. (Why? Because often one "compromise" vehicle isn't any less
>> expensive to own and operate than two "purpose" vehicles.)
>>
>> I'm sure you will be happy with your Durango, but understand it's
> limitations
>> and flat tow very, very carefully. You may want to add an auxilliary
>> transmission cooler and invest in good aftermarket coolant and
> transmission
>> temperature gauges because the extra heat generated by towing the
> additional
>> load will drastically shorten the life of your transmission fluid and a
> cooked
>> tranny is an expensive repair. Also, consider a beefier rear anti-sway
> bar for
>> more stable handling.
>>
>> Good luck.
>>
>>
>> Robert Bills
>> KG6LMV
>> Orange County CA
>>
>> '83 CJ-7
>> '46 Bantam BT3C
>> '87 Ford F250 4x4 Diesel
>> http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/jeep/...p-l/billsr.htm
>>
>
>

Quit your braggin' I remember the picture of your balcony with the
forest fire in the background. ;-)
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
http://www.billhughes.com/

Kevin in San Diego wrote:
>
> My expedition and tahoe fit nicely in the drive. They tow like a mofo as
> well.
> KH

LOL, so do I. That was a crazy week of fires and smoke and anxious news
watching. With all that recent rain and fast growth, this could be a scary
summer.

KH

"L.W. ("ßill") Hughes III" > wrote in message
...
> Quit your braggin' I remember the picture of your balcony with the
> forest fire in the background. ;-)
> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> http://www.billhughes.com/
>
> Kevin in San Diego wrote:
>>
>> My expedition and tahoe fit nicely in the drive. They tow like a mofo as
>> well.
>> KH