Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: rgib on July 13, 2008, 10:02:18 PM

Title: XJ Cherokee TD as towing vehicle
Post by: rgib on July 13, 2008, 10:02:18 PM

Today I towed a horse trailer loaded with an overweight Haflinger mare from Angus to Ayrshire a distance of around 130 miles using a Mazda Tribute 2 litre petrol.

When climbing the several gradients encountered en route the Mazda struggled. We did however reach our destination.

My concern is,  re the history of overheating and cylinder head problems with the VM diesel, should I avoid using the XJ as a towing vehicle and continue to sacrifice the Mazda.

Any advice welcome.

Regards
rgib

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Post by: demonicwillow on July 14, 2008, 12:17:52 AM

Definately sacrifice the Mazda :-D

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Post by: tim_aka_tim on July 14, 2008, 01:20:36 AM

I'm torn here. The Tribute is an excellent vehicle, but it's no tow machine. The XJ makes a good tow machine, but like you pointed out, does have reliability issues. The 3.0 V6 Mazda Tribute / Ford Maverick Mk2 / Ford Escape / Mercury Mariner would be much better, but is thirstier.
A Toyota diesel 4x4 would probably be the best choice.

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Post by: Dave69 on July 14, 2008, 05:59:44 PM

nothing wrong with the vm td engine and it is a great tow vehicle

but




that is when the engine doesnt fail acyclinder head

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Post by: barttheguinnessguy on July 14, 2008, 10:21:29 PM

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Post by: Bubba on July 14, 2008, 10:22:46 PM

yup

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Post by: keeko on July 14, 2008, 11:49:51 PM

Why not get the horse to tow it`s own box?

 nah, Wouldnt you consider a 4.0ltr? They`re virtually giving them away.

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Post by: tim_aka_tim on July 15, 2008, 03:08:39 AM

The 4.0 doesn't make a very good tow vehicle either, as many on here have found.

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Post by: Dave69 on July 15, 2008, 08:31:39 PM

Quote from: "barttheguinnessguy"

:imwitstupid:

yep can be alot of the time

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Post by: Panic mechanic! on July 15, 2008, 08:48:14 PM

let us all bear in mind when you are talking about using a vehicle for towing, there are limits to what anything can tow,how many of us out their check the nose weight on the towball? and how many people maintain the brakes on their trailers,and i bet we have all seen the caravan on the motor way thats lieing dead, with the idiot behind the wheel not realising it was overweight and badly loaded cos he had to put all the extra things inside, then loaded up the towing vehicle with the crap they could not fit in the caravan!

I have towed many things and never had a problem as long as you don't exceed safe and sensible limits! and don't expect to rush there!