Tow vehicle suggestions.........

[wakegoddess]

I tow a 84' 2001 with about 250lbs. of ballast that I leave in the bow. I am looking at mid-size suv's. Was wondering what people thought about the jeep grand cherokee and Nissan pathfinder. Pro's and con's would be helpfull. Thanks! I currently have a jeep cherokee but need something with more power. It's very hilly where I live.

[NautiqueJeff]

I tow my Super Air with a 1999 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7 V8, and it does fine. I've pulled it from Virginia to New Hampshire and back several times, as well as to Ohio and back a couple of times. I assume that since you don't think your Cherokee has the power you need, you would be looking at the V8 Grand and not the 6-cyl. Of course, the new WK Grand Cherokees (2005 models) offer the 330 HP HEMI engine as an option. That's a very tempting option for me, since I pull my boat around so much.

My Grand Cherokee did tend to squat down a bit in the rear with the boat attached when I first got it. Since then I have changed to more heavy-duty springs (OME), and it no longer does that. Also, Grand Cherokees are known for warping their brake rotors in a relatively short amount of time. I took care of that problem by replacing the front rotors with Stillen cross-drilled rotors, and haven't had any problems since. That was over two years ago.

You can find all the information you ever wanted to know about Grand Cherokees at the following sites:

For 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokees, see...
www.wjjeeps.com

For 2005 Grand Cherokees, see...
www.wkjeeps.com (http://www.wkjeeps.com/kmenu.htm)

[M3Fan]

I'd have to put a vote in for the 4Runner. It will cost you a bit more, but is in a whole different category than the Jeep and Nissan in quality. My father has an 04 Cherokee that I have driven several times, and the quality just isn't there IMO. From the interior appointments to the driving feel and horribly vacant transmission response, it is almost frustrating to drive. On a recent business trip I had a 04 Cherokee for my rental for an entire week. Even after a week of driving, I couldn't get used to the thing. The steering is so vague and sloppy on the Jeep also. The Pathfinder to me has always been a bland "also-ran" competitor in the midsize lineup, and has never really impressed me. There is nothing special about the Pathfinder. You just can't go wrong with the Toyota. Both engines offered in the newer 4Runners are quite powerful, and should be fine for your towing needs. If you are going for a used 4Runner, the previous generation (1996-2002) V6 is a tad weak, so I wouldn't reccommend a 4Runner older than a 03 purely from a power standpoint- It will tow fine, but hills are a definate weakness for the older V6.

[99ProAir]

Just got a VW Touareg last week. It has a 310hp V8 with a towing capacity of 7700lbs. I have not had a chance to tow with it yet but from all the reviews that I have read, they say it tows very well. The car drives and handles like no other SUV I've ever driven. So far I love the car. You may want to check it out! I also have an 01' Grand Cherokee with a V8. It tows very well. Like Jeff mentioned about the brakes, I also upgraded them to PowerSlot rotors (tirerack.com) and have not had a problem to date. The stock brakes are garbage and don't last. My recomendation is buy something with a V8.

[882001]

my wife has a 98 forerunner and i have a 98 tacoma both have the same motor, v6 they pull it fine locally on flat land. and have not had to do any emergency stopping or driving, i dont think the outcome would be good. they just dont have enough a$$. i have not ventured to the hill country yet. but i just bought an 00 ford f150 v8 for pulling the boat. the extra power and weight is nice.

[wakegoddess]

I'm looking at the 4runner with the v8 it's really hilly where I live, thanks for all the suggestions!

[pj]

Also, Grand Cherokees are known for warping their brake rotors in a relatively short amount of time.
Jeff, there was actually a service recall on the Grand Cherokees for the front brake calipers. They are saying that's why the rotors would warp prematurely. They will only honor the recall while the vehicle is still under warranty. Otherwise, the new calipers are $165 for the set loaded with new pads already. Not bad unless you have to replace the rotors as well, the cheapo version of those are around $65-$70 each.

[99ProAir]

I did the recall and had new calipers put on. 10,000 miles later the rotors were warped and Jeep said I was too extreme in my braking. They would not replace the rotors. They're full of $hit. New calipers are good, but make sure you put on a slotted or cross drilled rotors that will disapate (sp?) the heat better. Also upgrade the pad. When I upgraded the rotors and pads, braking was much better.

[NautiqueJeff]

I did the recall and had new calipers put on. 10,000 miles later the rotors were warped and Jeep said I was too extreme in my braking. They would not replace the rotors. They're full of $hit. New calipers are good, but make sure you put on a slotted or cross drilled rotors that will disapate (sp?) the heat better. Also upgrade the pad. When I upgraded the rotors and pads, braking was much better.

I agree totally. Poor brake rotors are the biggest problem with the Grand Cherokee. Once they're upgraded, they seem to last much longer.

[NautiqueJeff]

Also, Grand Cherokees are known for warping their brake rotors in a relatively short amount of time.
Jeff, there was actually a service recall on the Grand Cherokees for the front brake calipers. They are saying that's why the rotors would warp prematurely. They will only honor the recall while the vehicle is still under warranty. Otherwise, the new calipers are $165 for the set loaded with new pads already. Not bad unless you have to replace the rotors as well, the cheapo version of those are around $65-$70 each.

Yes, you're right (kind of). It wasn't an official recall, but there is a TSB about the new calipers. If it had been a recall, they would have had to replace them for free on ALL models with the old style calipers. I installed the new calipers on mine at the same time that I installed the Stillen rotors. From what I have heard, the new calipers are not helping very much in keeping the stock rotors from warping.

Here's the TSB for anyone interested.

0500302B - FRONT BRAKE PULSATION DURING LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKE APPLICATION
Date: 12/16/02 (supersedes 0500302A Dated June 10, 2002)

Model Year(s): 1999-2002 (WJ models built May 11, 2002 and prior)

Description: Brake roughness or pedal pulsation when the brakes are applied. The customer may experience a vibration of the steering wheel, floor, seat, instrument panel, or a minor pedal pulsation (brake roughness) under light to moderate pedal application. The condition may be caused by excessive thickness variation of the brake rotor surface.

Details: This bulletin involves the replacement of both front brake rotors and caliper assemblies. NOTE: NEW BRAKE ROTORS MUST BE USED WITH THE NEW BRAKE CALIPERS.

Diagnosis:
1. Determine if the front brake vibration/pulsation is caused by excessive thickness variation of either front brake rotor.
2. If excessive thickness variation of the front brake rotor is at fault perform the Repair Procedure.
3. If this bulletin has already been performed, and front brake pulsation/vibration is present, do not perform the Repair Procedure. Investigate other possible cases for front brake pulsation/vibration.

Parts required:
52098672 Rotor (MSRP: $65.10 ea.)
05093174AA Caliper kit (Left & Right calipers, brake pads, attachment bolts, banjo sealing washers)
04318080AB Brake fluid (DOT3/MS-4574)

[efox]

Go with a Land Rover Disco 2...a class by itself! The you can be part of the "Jeep rescue team"! Seriously, you would never know there is a boat behind mine...it's always that slow!

Eric

[Socbum]

I recently switched from a 99 ford Exped to an 04 Toyota 4Runner V8.
I have an '02 SAN that I trailer around town and we also go to Lake Cumberland from Columbus Oh.

Pros:
Fuel cost when not towing went down
Fuel cost when towing went down slightly
Smaller vehicle to manuever around
Much nicer interior

Cons:
Loss of interior space
Significant vehicle weight difference (Noticable when hard braking)

Overall I love the 4 Runner and would recommend it as a tow vehicle.

[jhiestand]

I have an '02 SAN that I trailer around town and we also go to Lake Cumberland from Columbus Oh.


Hey Socbum, where do you normally ride at in Columbus? O'Shaungessy? Alum? I'm usually down at Griggs (a lot!) and only other SAN I see is a yellow one and I know who that one belongs to.

[FatBoy]

I tow with a 2004, four door F250 Super-Duty with the 325 HP 6.0 diesel engine. Pulling at 79 mph down interstate 40 at 2200 rpm you don't even know the boat is back there.

[gb]

get a dodge durango great pulling not so great on gas

[jhiestand]

So, what did you end up with wakegoddess? I don't know much about the Pathfinder, but I understand from friends that the inline 6 in the Cherokee pulls pretty good for what it is, plus you get decent mileage while not towing.

I'm not a big proponent of pulling wakeboard-sized rigs with mid-size vehicles unless it's just local stuff but I know from experience that full-sized SUVs/trucks are a pain to drive around in every day.

[Socbum]

I have an '02 SAN that I trailer around town and we also go to Lake Cumberland from Columbus Oh.


Hey Socbum, where do you normally ride at in Columbus? O'Shaungessy? Alum? I'm usually down at Griggs (a lot!) and only other SAN I see is a yellow one and I know who that one belongs to.

This was our first year with the SAN and we are just learning how to wakeboard so we split time around all three. When we want some wake time I hit Griggs, when we are looking to just hang out or the kids want to tube we go to Alum. We have gone out on O'Shaun with the old boat but not with the SAN.

Mine SAN is white with a red primary stripe. Interior looks sim to yours (from what I have seen on other posts)

We have also spent some time at Griggs during the Mid OhioNautiques sponsored events (Hyperlite tour with JD Webb, etc.)

I don't get much time behind the boat because the wife is still learning how to drive :cry: Maybe next year!