Is a Jeep Grand Cherokee A Sufficient Tow Vehicle for a Mac?

Bojack · Post by **Bojack** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:02 am

I currently own a Bayliner 2455 and love boating. I have been come to the conclusion that the 26M will be my next boat. My Bay weighs in at about 5000lbs. With the trailer, gear, and full tanks its probably a 6500 to 7000lb package. Way too much for my Grand Cherokee which is only rated at 5000lbs. tow capacity. I am fortunate though that my storage unit is only about 1000 feet from the boat ramp I put in at. I don't pull it far or fast and for the way I use it the Jeep works just fine.

The light weight of the Mac could really open up our boating world. It would give us the abilty to travel to other lakes. I already have a storage unit by the biggest lake in the area, but it would be nice to have options.

Does anyone out there tow a Mac with a Grand Cherokee?

Thanks in advance for any input you cangive me.

Joe
"Bojack"
1985 Bayliner 2455
2006 Repower/Volvo 280 Drive

pokerrick1 · Post by **pokerrick1** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:20 am

Joe;

Premature "welcome aboards"

Your jeep will tow a Mac with no problem. Have fun in OUR world.

Rick

parrothead · Post by **parrothead** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:33 am

Joe,

We don't do much towing now that we have a slip, but we towed our

to & from the house throughout season one with our 2000 4.7 l. v-8 Grand Cherokee. No problems.

Doug

Bojack · Post by **Bojack** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:51 am

Boy that didn't take long for the info and warm welcome. I suspected based on the specs that I wouldn't have a problem, but it never hurts to be sure. Even though I have the storage unit at the lake it would be nice to be able to take the boat home(1 hr away) and clean it and do upgrades etc.

I do quite a bit of posting over at Bayliner Owners Club. I have established friendships over there and had a lot of questions answered that have saved me big bucks.

It's nice to know that if I want to join the sailing world I will have an online family here.

Thanks
Joe
Bojack
1985 Bayliner 2455

BTW-My Bay has cost as much as $225.00 to fill the tank.
The Mac truly looks like the best of both worlds. Also as a Bayliner owner Iam used to the "bashing" one might recieve in reference to quality. In most cases people are just tring to justify all the extra and maybe unneccesary money thay have spent on something else.

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:52 am

I towed my 26X with a Durango 4.7L for 3 years. It towed okay, but not great for crossing the Sierra Nevada range. I think 4,500 pounds is right at the limit for that engine, but the 5.9L or the new hemi would probably be fine.
Now towing with a GMC half-ton (5.3L) with no problems at all.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:46 pm

Anything with the 5000# muscle will tow a Mac, I towed mine with a 2-door Chevy Blazer first couple years, it had all the muscle and power but lacked 2 other elements. It was lighter than the load it was towing and only had a 100" wheel base. At higher speeds it was a white knuckle ride and sometimes the tail would wag the dog. I also wondered if it could stop in an emergency given the load being heavier than tyhe vehicle. I now have the Trailblazer EXT weighing in @ 5000# with a 129" wheelbase. It is much more comfortable to tow with and puts me more at ease. Your Cherokee will tow fine just, keep your speed in check and drive defensively.

opie · Post by **opie** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 7:15 pm

We have trailered about 30 times since purchase, and we use a 4.0 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Never any problem. Trailered on the highway one time for 8 hours. I use part-time 4WD on the boat ramp.

bscott · Post by **bscott** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:56 pm

03 Grand lifted 3", 4.7 V8, 110,000 miles---handles all mtn passes, up and down. Suggest rear air bags to keep load level. No problems on long trips--bring extra gas can just in case,

Post by **NiceAft** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:49 pm

Bojack,

You now know that you can haul the Mac, but if you don't have one, I would install a transmission cooler. It should cost less than $200. It is important.

Ray

Snow Goose · Post by **Snow Goose** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:45 am

Towed my X to and from Newfoundland to Florida three years ago with a 4.0 liter Cherokee. I had no problems but it was no pleasure. I did the same trip this year but my new Silverado crew cab was a much better hauler. For short trips I think the Jeep is fine.
Good luck

hiram6 · Post by **hiram6** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:55 pm

Just towed my X from Atlanta to Savannah with no issues. It's about a 4 hour drive on interstates. Won't say I didn't know it was back there, but towed well.

98 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4.0L inline 6 cyl, automatic trans with cooler. Turn OD off. Got 14.5 MPG for the trip.

Sadly, the tow was to deliver the X to the cargo shipping yard. I've sold it to a gentleman in Australia.

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Is a Jeep Grand Cherokee A Sufficient Tow Vehicle for a Mac?

Is a Jeep Grand Cherokee A Sufficient Tow Vehicle for a Mac?

Jeep

Thanks!

Towing