Best 90's SUV for towing

[vandy21]

What do yo think the best 1990's SUV for towing is? I have an 18' Bayliner that I tow, and I'm looking to buy a new vehicle just for towing. I've always loved Jeeps, both Grand Cherokee's and regular Cherokees. The weight of the boat falls within the Cherokee's tow capacity, but I'm not sure about a V6. I was looking more at V8 Grand Cherokee's and Ford Explorers? Anyone tow with these vehicles? how is it?

 

[NYBo]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

Got trailer brakes? The Cherokee's brakes are marginal for towing, from what I've read. Other than that, the 4.0L straight six (not V6) is a workhorse.

But a Grand Cherokee, even with the six, would be a better bet. It's a little heavier and has a slightly longer wheelbase. It also has four wheel disk brakes. For comparison purposes, the '97 Cherokee has a maximum towing capacity of 5000# with the six, while the '97 Grand Cherokee has a maximum capacity of 6500# with the V8.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

Oh yeah, I knew it was a straight 6, not sure why i wrote V6. Anyway, no, I don't have trailer brakes right now, but I am considering installing them. 97 is about the era I was looking at because I don't need it as a daily driver, just something to take to the lake.

 

[rbh]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

If your boat and trailer weight over 2000 pounds, I think by law you are required to have them.
Check it out at the DMV to be on the safe side.
OH as for the vehicle, as long as it can handle the weight and hopefully its a 4x4, skys the limit
rob

 

[douglloyd]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

Suburban.

 

[grahamh]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

I have a Ford Bronco and it's not bad...

The wheelbase is a little bit short, but the plus side of that is that it makes it easy to maneuver the trailer around in tight spaces, and since I live on a dead end street it's important to be able to turn around.

I've never really been a Jeep fan, but I would think that a Grand Cherokee with a V8 would tow great.

If it's not going to be your daily driver, I'd go for the biggest engine you can, since fuel milage won't be such a concern.

 

[Tolly family]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

1/2 ton Suburban/Yukon XL, end of discussion.

Dan

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

I have had a 1990, 1999 and 2001 Suburban...all 3/4 ton. The brakes on the 90's versions are really poor. The model that came out in 2000 had WAY better brakes.

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

I tow with a 99 Dodge Durango with a 5.9L 360 cid. I tow close to a 4000 Lbs. boat and trailer effortlessly............

 

[arks]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

I have a '98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited. It has the 360 V8 and Quadra-trac.
I tow a SeaDoo GTI and 14' jonboat regularly. Never had an issue with brakes, but then again I'm not hauling much of a load.
Still runs great with 145,000 and counting.

 

[pmat1]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

I'm extremely happy with my 1995 Isuzu Trooper.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

Jimmy/Blazer seem to go on forever.

 

[merc_502]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

i agree. i used to have a dodge ram, even with the 5.2 and 300,000KMS it would tow a brick house

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

99 Grand Cherokee 4.0 182k 99
Ford Exploder 5.0 183k

Both are all original powertrains in them which still operate flawlessly, replaced wheel bearings, brake rotors and tires but that is normal in those miles. Probably going to keep them for a good bit longer.

I love them both and they both tow our boat great.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

I have a '98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited. It has the 360 V8 and Quadra-trac.
I tow a SeaDoo GTI and 14' jonboat regularly. Never had an issue with brakes, but then again I'm not hauling much of a load.
Still runs great with 145,000 and counting.

Love those Jeeps. Wanted one really bad but I ended up with a 04 Liberty. And what youre towing doesnt count with a 360.

We have a 94 Grand Cherokee with the I-6 and its been a great Jeep. We regularly tow a bass boat(2500lbs or so) and a pop up camper(3000-3500) and I wouldnt want to tow much more than that if you live where its really hilly. We have some decent hills and its hard on the engine and tranny. Make 100% sure it has a tranny cooler no matter what Jeep you get(if you get one). Heat and using the wrong tranny fluid is the #1 killer of Chrysler trannys. Only use ATF+4 in Grand Cherokee Trannys. Cherokees have a AWD that uses dexron.

I would not think twice about getting a V-8.

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

I have a grand cherokee and love it. 99 4x4 v8 with quadradrive(lockers) its rated for 6k towing and I have fun with it. If I was towing a light load and needed a daily driver I would purchase a jeep cherokee with the inline 6 4.0 because they are cheap and reliable. It tows my setup effortlessly 18' fish ski 150hp. If I was purchasing a suv just for towing I would buy a suburban or something with a v8,frame, and long wheelbase.

 

[vandy21]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

Thanks for all of the input, there's been some really good advice. I said before I would be using it only for towing, but that isn't entirely true. It wouldn't need to be a daily driver, but I would use it for some daily uses which is why I wanted something more compact than a suburban or yukon. I've always wanted a Grand Cherokee, so I think I'm going to look into them more

 

[pmat1]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

My isuzu trooper = official jeep recovery vehicle.
haha jk, but i have pulled a few back onto the road last winter.

Nice to see someome from state here, i grew up there, and miss it terribly.
go penn state!

 

[767Captain]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

Been towing boats & other trailers for 30 years. In my experience: SUBURBAN / YUKON XL or TAHOE / YUKON.

I don't think Grand Cherokees or any of the other small unibody suv's are meant for more than very minor towing.

Body on frame is really the only true tow vehicle chassis, and the longer the wheelbase the better it will tow.

My current tow vehicle: Chevrolet 2500HD Silverado LT crew cab, turbodiesel.

 

[2009-180rx]

Re: Best 90's SUV for towing

I tow my 09 stingray 180rx with my 97 Jeep Cherokee that has 161K miles on it.Purchased it for $2K and spent about $600 in repairs/getting it up to snuff for towing.

I purchased it for exactly the same reason you are looking, to tow my boat.

The boat is 18', 2100LBS dry, probably 2500LBS wet with gear etc. No trailer brakes.

The Jeep does great. Even with passenger's in the back seat it stops and accelerates fine. Just be nice and don't hot dog it.

The only things that I would recommended maintenance wise before you tow would be brakes all the way around, new rear leaf springs ( Cherokees are known for having saggy rear leafs) and the norm maintenance stuff like drive line fluids. Pay special attention to the cooling system as Cherokees run a tad bit hot.

Also stay away from 99-01 Cherokees, they have Head cracking issues... Other than that, Cherokee's run forever!