So I'm probably going to have to haul my friends Jeep home over Christmas break.

I think I have a class 3 hitch (factory hitch).

We don't have access to a trailer here at school, so we might have to get a U haul.

A class 3 handles 5,000 lbs. The Jeep weighs between 3100-3400 lbs. I don't know how much a U haul flatbed weighs.

I'm pretty sure my truck will pull it just fine, but I wanted to get advice from anyone who has hauled heavy loads with their trucks and find out if there was anything I need to watch out for.

I don't have tranny temp gauge yet, but I have to drive 2.5 hours about 160 miles

Specs of my truck: 4.0L Auto 4.10 gears

 

you shouldnt have a problem, i have no doubt you truck will pull it because ive pulled that much with mine. all you have to keep a eye on is speed and have good breaking distance most uhaul trailers have breaks, its all self contained so you wont have to do anything to your truck. Also keep it out of over drive.

 

you cann rent those "wheel tows" where simply you put the jeeps front wheels on the trailer and tow like that. I also remember though something about possibly having to remove the rear drive shaft because the transfercase will spin without self lubricating...or something..

 

i wouldnt use a dolly id splurge and get the trailer.
those dollys arnt worth much.

 

It's only a $13 difference to get the whole trailer instead of the dolly.

 

the trailer would be the best route to me can the jeep move on it own power?

 

Yea the Jeep runs and drives

 

Id rent the trailer, the dolly imo should only be used for 4x2 cars. Since it will move on its own power all you will have to do is drive in on the trailer be be done with it. just dont get in a hurry and you'll be ok.

 

Might want to check if the rear tires will rub from the rear sag.

 

The max trailer weight your truck can pull is 5,600 lbs via the owners guide. You shouldnt rub anywhere.

 

Those U haul trailers are really really heavy. I think they weigh in the neighborhood of like 200 to 2500 lbs, so just keep that in mind.

 

dont use overdrive, and keep your speed down a bit. gonna be a bugger to stop though. it will make it.

 

It's not like you're towing in any mountains or anything, it will be fine if it's an automatic. If it's a manual it is going to suck to get it moving. I believe the uhaul trailers have surge brakes. They kind of suck but they will help slow you down. Make sure to load the jeep nose first (duh) to keep a reasonable amount of tongue weight on the hitch.

 

just keep the jeep far enough forward on trailer to keep the tongue down and make sure you strap it down tight to keep it from moving.

 

Thanks for all the advice. A lot of this info I already knew, but it's good to hear from who have more experience.

I didn't know about the overdrive needing to be off, so I'll have to remember that.

 

Im pretty sure uhaul wont rent you a trailer for a ranger. last time I got a dolly I had to lie and say I was towing a caviler instead or another ranger because it weighs too much.

 

Then I'll bring my roommates Silverado when I go and get it and say we're using that

 

tie a tow strap on it and just pull the S%#T ...

 

uhaul wouldnt rent me a trailer to tow a 1969 volkswagon beetle. said the ranger was too small. truck was a 2007 4.0 auto RWD.

 

you can flat tow a jeep , it is legal, although murder on the brakes though

place the transfer case in 4 hi , and the transmission in neutral , and remove the front drive shaft

if you are going to use a dolly -- make sure that it has hydraulic brakes -- the front wheels go on the dolly

if the owners manual is still in the vehicle - read it - it has the flat tow / dolly towing info in it.

 

It's not a question of legallity, I know it's legal. I was just concerned with the transmission getting too hot.

We have no other option for towing but to use my truck.

 

U-haul - tell them your towing a 64 VW Sandrail - tube frame no body total weight of 700 lbs... Works everytime....
Use a flat dolly its much easier, but the aluminum ones weigh approx 2400 lbs... ( I don't know how but it did)
DISAGREE ON THE T-CASE !!!!!

When towing a Jeep, don't tow in any gear on T-case if Neutral is available. Manual tranny always to gear 5 If a (NP-231 / 232 t-case) ( its cheap insurance - would you rather your tranny pop into a low gear or a high gear when you don't know it? Put it there, it helps lubricate tranny...)

Other than that depends on the year. Manual or Auto, their is different instructions for towing due to the transfer case is different, and the lubrication of the t-case and tranny are different.

Yes a 2wd 4.0 Ranger Edge can pull one, I flat tow mine a few thousand miles a year mostly 200 miles at a shot. I cheated and have manual hubs on both axles on the Jeep now. It's just under 5k lbs. and the Ranger doesn't complain until I brake, just make sure you have extra stopping room and drive slower than normal...

 

If I have to use a dolly, the driveshaft will come out. With less than $20 difference between dolly and flat trailer, I might as well get the trailer

 

get the trailer, don't risk on the dolly. Especially not for that prcie difference

 

as far as the towing advice that's already been coverd,but i would bring a bigger truck to rent something from uhaul because they wouldnt let my parents rent one of those little enclosed trailers and they have a 04 expo with a 4.0.they also wouldnt even let my sister rent the same trailer and she's got a 95 4.0 4wd cherokee