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to tow or not to tow

to tow or not to tow

justinfonder

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Location
Fort Pierce, FL
Vehicle(s)
1981 CJ5, 258 w/ clifford intake and holley 4bbl/T-176/D300. 32x11.50s
will CJ5 tow a boat?

ok, i know i'm going to be called an idiot for this question. but i have to know if its even feasible.

I'm looking to buy a boat. we'll use a 22' fiberglass center console deep sea hull with a 250hp motor as the example(i.e. a heavy boat) the boat ramp is about 4 blocks from my house. max speed 30 mph, minimal traffic. with a solid tied into the frame hitch on a CJ5 , would i be safe from my driveway to the boat ramp and back? I'm mostly worried about stopping, almost as equally worried about the backing up/leaving the boat ramp itself.

the life of my CJ depends on it. AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l w/ 4 speed, 2.5" lift, 32x11.50s, engine mods are header/intake, 4 barrel, hei distributor.
 
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Re: will CJ5 tow a boat?

Have you ever backed a heavy boad down a steep boat ramp with a lightweight truck? If you had, you wouldn't be asking weather this is such a good idea... lol

IMO (and many others, I'm sure) this is too big a boat for you to safely control with a lightwieght, short wheelbase vehicle like a CJ5 . Its not the "I've got the power to get it rolling" part, it's the "Oh :dung: that car just pulled in front of me and I can't stop" part that is the killer here.
Then there is the whole getting it out of the water thing. I can literally feel the weight of the water pulling on the boat with my Durango (I have a tri-hull 16' boat) as I pull out of the water. At times I have to put the truck in low range just to get off a steep ramp (this is with a 5.9 Magnum V-8) Your CJ may or may not pull the boat out of the water (things like the weather, steepness of the ramp, ect. play a big part as well...), and there is a good chance your boat can pull your CJ into the water if the conditions are right (seen that happen before... wet brakes and a steep launch ramp. Heavy boat and a lightweight Datsun truck)
Do you really want to be the guy that eveyone talks about on the trip home, after watching you try to get your boat launched or recovered?


While this is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, any of it CAN happen. you have to determine if it will happen to you...
 
You must be kidding :censored::oops:
 
I've towed with my CJ7 before...and it was a nightmare. The problem is the short wheelbase....and a CJ5 has an even shorter wheelbase:(

I would be more worried about that 30mph trip then loading and unloading the boat at the dock...
 
4 blocks from your house? The CJ would be perfect. My old CJ3b was used only for launching our boat, although it was only a 4K lb. wakeboard boat on a not so steep ramp it worked fine. The ramp is not the problem after all you have low range and with it so near home I say all good.
 
i could go 10mph if i so desired, the boat ramp is in my neighborhood, all side streets. my main worry is getting pulled backwards into the water, and you're right, i dont want to be that guy. maybe i'll hook a tow strap from my cj to a buddy's truck and back it down the ramp just as a test, this way if i start getting pulled in, he can stop me.

i asked this question knowing it was a terrible idea. but was hoping for some sign of hope as i really dont want to get rid of my CJ for something that can safely pull the boat.
 
i could go 10mph if i so desired, the boat ramp is in my neighborhood, all side streets. my main worry is getting pulled backwards into the water, and you're right, i dont want to be that guy. maybe i'll hook a tow strap from my cj to a buddy's truck and back it down the ramp just as a test, this way if i start getting pulled in, he can stop me.

i asked this question knowing it was a terrible idea. but was hoping for some sign of hope as i really dont want to get rid of my CJ for something that can safely pull the boat.

Once the boat hit's the water the weight will be off the Jeep. :D
 
Most problems come from people getting their rear wheels in the water and slipping and going in deeper when launching a boat. With 4wd you wont have a problem.
 
i asked this question knowing it was a terrible idea. but was hoping for some sign of hope as i really dont want to get rid of my CJ for something that can safely pull the boat.


You CANT get rid of your CJ...
You'll regret it later...
I wouldnt want to pull it across town, not to mention on a long trip..

But if you are truly limiting your boat pulls to 4 blocks, ... AND if the ramp isnt very steep, you should be good. IMHO

brian

post pics of the boat launch/recovery
Hopefully there wont be an "oh S&^T" look on your face!!
 
My ? is why do you have a Jeep? You live in FL so you don't have to deal with snow and bad roads. Do you do alot of 4wheeling? This is what a Jeep was built for not towing your boat in 70-90deg. temps. If that is what you are into then get a suv.
 
My ? is why do you have a Jeep? You live in FL so you don't have to deal with snow and bad roads. Do you do alot of 4wheeling? This is what a Jeep was built for not towing your boat in 70-90deg. temps. If that is what you are into then get a suv.

:wtf: Well maybe he wants a Jeep? I know a guy that goes by CJ that call's Florida home or was it Ga.?
 
My ? is why do you have a Jeep? You live in FL so you don't have to deal with snow and bad roads. Do you do alot of 4wheeling? This is what a Jeep was built for not towing your boat in 70-90deg. temps. If that is what you are into then get a suv.


So if justinfonder isnt fortunate enough to live in CO, i.e. Fl, he shouldnt own a jeep if he wants to tow a boat....... FOUR BLOCKS?

Way to be supportive of a fellow jeep owner...

I believe he said he didnt want to get rid of his jeep in order to tow his possible future boat 4 blocks. Sounds like he is at least.... dedicated.

Some might also argue that snow isnt the ideal setting for a jeep. Personally I've never had to drive mine in snow, but from the information I've read, it is less than ideal... But I would never question why they own their jeep or suggest they get something more practical (and warm) like an SUV...

No offense intended.....Just my opinion...
(sorry CJ... for real)...reprimand me if you must

brian
 
I have a 22' boat. I tow it with a 3/4 truck, wouldn't want to tow it with anything less. I often have to pass suv's towing smaller boats as they can not maintain the speed limit. Jeeps & suvs have there place but are not made for towing.
 
I tow a 3500lb 21ft center console with a cadilac escalade and can say i have passed many trucks. So suv's dont always have problems with power. As for jeeps, i use my 78 CJ7 with a v8 to rotate the oil bath hubs twice a month around the neighborhood. Power and pulling arent the issue. Control and handling are. A jeeps steering can be tough enoungh without the extra weight. My suggestion is to try it on non busy neighborhood streets and see how it handles. First feeling of doubt i suggest to go with your instincts. Good luck.
 
I have a 22' boat. I tow it with a 3/4 truck, wouldn't want to tow it with anything less. I often have to pass suv's towing smaller boats as they can not maintain the speed limit. Jeeps & suvs have there place but are not made for towing.


I wouldn't say that...My Durango will tow anything I need it to. Been my dedicated tow rig for 5 years now.

MudBogs5-12-2007001.webp
 

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