Towing & Power Question

[93'Jag90'325ix98'QX4]

Hey guys. We have an old old camper by Shasta. I think it's from the early 80's and it weighs in around 1600 lbs. The question is do any of you tow with either the 3.3L or 3.5L motor??

Before my mother had the 98 QX4 we had a V8 Grand Cherokee, which could race still with the camper attatched. My mother is NOT going to own another Jeep. And I know that the weak power in her 3.3L motor now is not going to cut it without putting alot of strain on that poor truck. So in the mean time my Bimmer is going to be for sale very soon because I definitely have decided I need an SUV again. I miss the ground clearance and I use them alot in summer to haul landscaping junk around. I am DEFINITLY going to buy my moms 98 Q. But I want her to have something reliable still. Her budget maxes out at $8000 so Ive been looking at newer QX4's and Pathys from 01-03 with the more powerful motor. It will prolly end up leaning more toward the Pathy because of the price difference.

But either way I was wondering if anyone had any advice or could chime in about towing. Only thing I wonder about is I see alot of 3.5L motor topics on here (especially 2001) maybe because it was first year? She needs that extra power but is it less reliable than the 3.3L??

[fueler]

tow max rating on a class III hitch installed on an R50 is 5000lbs so you should not have any problems with that camper. it will be slow, though. but thats OK. R50 brakes are good too so dont worry.

[Densetsu]

Max for a 3.5L with an A/T is 5000lbs, with a manual it's 3500lbs.

I've towed 2500-3000lbs of garbage down to the dump with my '03 (3.5L, auto). RPMs were up a bit and I bit the bullet on fuel economy, but otherwise had no problems. I also towed a 1200lbs fishing boat and probably 500lbs of camping gear through the rocky mountains (e.g. lots of hills) with no problems.

If all you're doing is towing a light trailer, towing a boat, etc... down the highway then you're fine. If you get into the heavier stuff or head into the mountains, you might want to look into a transmission cooler. If I do more towing this summer then I'll probably look into getting one myself.

[Chuck Tribolet]

I tow a 2000+ pound boat trailer with an '01 PF manual transmission (3500 lbs)about 7000 miles a year since new. No problem. Before '01 I towed withmy '95 PF (also a stick). No problem, but I did have to downshift more.

1600 pounds will be NO SWEAT.

A proper aftermarket trany cooler is a good idea on an automatic.

[93'Jag90'325ix98'QX4]

So you th

I tow a 2000+ pound boat trailer with an '01 PF manual transmission (3500 lbs)about 7000 miles a year since new. No problem. Before '01 I towed withmy '95 PF (also a stick). No problem, but I did have to downshift more.

1600 pounds will be NO SWEAT.

A proper aftermarket trany cooler is a good idea on an automatic.

So you think even with way weaker 3.3L motor it'll handle the 1600 lbs ok? I can only imagine its going to be *** slow...

Id rather just be able to buy her Q and let her feel better about towing it around easier with the 3.5L

[fukkeneh240]

Id rather just be able to buy her Q and let her feel better about towing it around easier with the 3.5L

i guess this sums up your decision. anyhoo... i think the r50 is rated at 5000lbs also.

[Chuck Tribolet]

My '95 had the 3.3 and it was just fine with the 2000+ pound boat trailer.I did have to down shift on the hills, but no problem. I put 20,000+ milesof towing on the '95.

I once towed a '68 Firebird on a really heavy trailer with my '87 PF. It wasprobably about 5000 pounds. I wouldn't do that again. but 1600 pounds,no sweat.