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fresno calif
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Hi everyone, I have a 1985 jeep cj7 weight 4,000 lbs that I would like to tow behind my truck and camper. My truck is a 1 ton daully ford f-350 diesel auto 2007 with tow mode and built trailer brake package,rancho 9000 shocks air bags, extenions on the overload bumper stops. My camper is older King O Road, 2200 loaded with about 2.5/3 foot over hang from the edge of the bed(the black and grey tanks are there). The truck has factory class 3 hitch on it. So with that being said, is the Superhitch the only way to go and if so,what model? Any information would be great!!! Planning on a trip in about three weeks and i want ot tow it and not have the wife drive it. Thanks Micheal
Micheal D Poulsen
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BradW
Flat Rock, Alabama
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Flat tow, tow dolly or car hauler?
Brad
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HarryWM
Wherever we are parked this time.
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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I had to put an extension on my truck to tow my Grand Cherokee 4 down behind truck with overhanging camper (needed 41 inch of extension so needed Class V receiver). I was told by Reese that one should plan on losing 1,000 pounds of receiver capability for each foot of extension when towing 4 down. Thus, with your 4,000 pound Jeep you need enough receiver capability to handle the weight of the vehicle (4,000 lbs) plus 3,000 of loss due to 3 ft extension. Thus you need a receiver that can handle 7,000 pounds. This had to do with torque created when towing around turns and such sideways forces.
Harry
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joe b.
Florida
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This past summer I towed my Jeep Wrangler to/from south Florida to Colorado behind my Dodge/camper setup. I installed a Reese Tow Beast with a 41/42 inch stinger. (extension) This hitch has a 2 1/2 inch receiver. Based upon some input from this forum I added some 1/2 inch side chains to help relieve the side loads when turning. Not sure they were needed or not. The trip out and back were trouble free. Just always have to remember it is back there when stopping, turning, parking, getting fuel, etc. With my Cummins, I got about 12.5 mpg towing, instead of my normal 14.8/15 mpg with just my camper loaded at 55 mph for the trip.
I suspect that the Super Hitch is a better product but I found the cheaper Tow Beast hitch to work just fine for me.
Here is a photo of my setup prior to putting the TC on the truck.
joe b.
South Florida, Stuart
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
Driving a Dodge/Cummins
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ramlinwillie
Littleton CO
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Here's my set up, I put on a tow beast with 34 inch extention, and towed it 370 miles round trip over Berthoud pass and back. I drove 55 because of fuel milage which was 13mpg, and I could not tell it was back there until the u-turn curves going up Berthoud, then only because I could see it in my mirrors.
I could not tell a difference in stopping either, but I'm sure it added to my braking distance, just like always I have a lot of distance between vehicles.
04 F250 FX4 CC Lariat SB, Rhino Lining 6.0L V-8 Diesel 5-speed TorqShift® auto trans. Camper Package- Heavy Service Front Springs, Rear Stabilizer Bar,Auxiliary Springs, Rancho RS900X, Air-ride bags, Goodyear 245/70R19.5G, 04-Lance 821, Happijac Tiedowns.
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Retired CDF'er
Fresno, Ca., USA
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I have an 86 CJ-7 and here is what the owners manual says about towing:
1. Turn ignition switch to OFF position to unlock steering wheel.
2. Shift transmission into gear and transfer case into neutral.
3. turn selective drive hubs to 4x4 position for axle lubrication
4. When towing over 200 miles, stop every 200 miles. With the transfer
case still in neutral and transmission in gear, start and rev the engine
for about one minute to circulate oil in the transfer case.
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Boatycall
Tacoma, WA
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BradW wrote:Flat tow, tow dolly or car hauler?
Brad
Ditto--
We need to know how exactly you intend on towing it. You mentioned you had the integrated tow controller, so I'm assuming some kind of trailer?
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Not4Hwy
Huntsville, Alabama
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formally known as: Steve Curet
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were outta here
fresno calif
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Joined: 08/29/2004
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Thanks everyone for your relays, the question of towing, my plan is flat tow or all four down. I like joe b set up, thats the way i was thinking of doing. My one question is the chains on the sides, how thick of chain and does the extenison move alot on side to side on turns? Also I looked at my hitch rating on the truck,7,500 rated, I belive it is a class v and not a 3. Now all I have to do is check out Reese tow beast or Superhitch. Micheal
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joe b.
Florida
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Joined: 08/24/2002
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Micheal, I used 3/8 inch welded proof chain and 3/8 stainless carabiners to connect it to both ends. Then I used 1/2 steel turnbuckles to tighten, that I got from McMaster Carr on the Internet. I had to do some drilling on the receiver to attach the chains. No idea on movement on the end of the stinger away from the truck. Previously one of the forum members said he ran his without chains and it worked fine for him. Reese makes no mention of adding any chains to the set up.
I just felt more comfortable with the chains, for no real reason. Got the chains at Home Depot, cut to length, as well as the carabiners. From the working load for most 5/16 chain, I believe it would be fine. Probably exceeds the working load of the hitch components and turnbuckles.
On edit: re-measured and corrected chain and carabiner size above. It was 3/8 inch. The 1/2 inch chain I bought at Tractor Supply for a different purpose.
* This post was
edited 09/16/08 07:38am by joe b. *
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