Catalina 22 Towing

[Dave]

Hello, just bought a C-22 and looking to buy a new towing vehicle. I'm considering a 2000 Jeep Cherokee with a 4.0 liter engine. Will this Jeep be adequate? Anybody towing with something similar? The jeep currently does not have a towing hitch so I would have one installed. Would you also recommend a transmission cooler? I appreciate everyone's help with this.Dave

 

[tomD]

weigh this matey

Dave, see my response on a similar post as noted.best tomD

 

[Randy Kolb]

Figure all the weight

There was quite a bit of posting on this topic recently so the archives would have that info. The boat and trailer will weigh in at over 3,500lbs. If you go far you will need a transmission cooler. A jeep is not very large itself so you might also want brakes on the trailer. Getting the 3,500lbs moving is easy. Getting it to stop is the harder part. Randy

 

[Barry Lenoble]

How far / often are you towing?

Hello,If you only tow once in a while, or you don't tow very far, your jeep should be OK. I would not recommend it for frequent towing, or for long distance towing. If you plan on doing that, I would recommend a full size pick up or SUV.Good luck,Barry

 

[Dave]

A little of everything

Most of the towing I'll do will be short drive from the boatyard to the lake (2 miles - slow speeds). However, occasionally I will be going to another nearby lake (~60 miles - highway and rural roads). THere is a chance I would also head down to the Chesapeake (4hr drive) but that may only be once or twice a year. From what I can tell the Cherokee is rated at 5000lbs with the 4.0 liter. What I don't know if that's ONLY with a factory tow package or can I get the rating with a class 3 hitch and a transmission oil cooler? Aside from the tow rating, I'm also curious if anyone has had experience towing with this vehicle. Thank you!Dave

 

[Bill Sloan]

Cherokee will be fine

Dave,I've been towing my C22 with a 98 Grand Cherokee with the 4.0L engine for the last two years. Most of our trips are about 40 miles one way, although we have taken it to the Keys (about 6+ hrs). We haven't had a lick of trouble. Just remember to lock out the overdrive when you start up, and take it easy accelerating and stopping. I find that the rig cruises comfortably about 60 - 65, getting about 15mpg. I have the boat sitting on the trailer so that the tongue weight is about 175 - 200 lbs. I only get a tiny bit of sway when a semi passes me. A transmission cooler would be a good idea, although I haven't added one yet.