Jeep (xj) cherokee handle hitch hauler???

[DaUpJetSkier]

Yall think an xj can handle a SJ on the back, I need to get rid of my trailer when i move because of space issues so im gonna have someone weld up a ski hauler for me. My leafs are sagging now, but im gonna get a rough country 2" lift leafs for the rear, the front is fine and with 2 in the back it should sit level again, im also gonna get a new better shock. Besides the ski sticking out a bit on each side should I be fine.

 

[Kennay]

Most definitely.

 

[Lucas]

My Liberty has a max tounge weight of 500lbs I believe, so the cherokee should be about the same, or more, I'd ask the guys over on the jeep forums
www.jeepforum.com I've been a member over there since 04, lots of very knowledge XJ guys over there.

 

[Lucas]

After doing a quick google search my max on the tongue is 750, and I saw 500-750 for the cherokee, depending on your model, so yes you should be fine.
Lucas

 

[Idok]

I thought about this for months andmonths and months with both my Xterra, AND my jeep cherokee sport...

It always made me nervous, but I'd do it now in a heartbeat....

 

[Lucas]

Not trying to thread jack you, but can you pretty much back one of these down the ramp and get it off into the water with out going in to far?? (dont want to put my vehicle in salt water) I have a trailer but Im planning on making one for a trip to see my parents in MN, so it wouldnt matter of course up there in the fresh water, but if it works well, I would end up using it here in NC, or if I were to take my ski some where else long distance. I usually end up riding alone around here so getting it off/on easy it what matters the most.

 

[Mike Serlin]

I've got a grand cherokee and I've been putting the seats down, throwing the ski in back, and strapping the tailgate shut for years. It is a little ghetto.

 

[Speedfreak]

I have hauled a ski like that for years 2 wheel drives and 4 wheel drives. I my 2 wheel drive was a Ford Lightning. I put the ski in the water on gravel ramps and all with no problems. I have had 3 4x4's and one was a wrangler with stock suspension. Usually the tires are the only thing to get wet and then the ski slides off of the hauler easily especially if you spray the carpet with silicone spray but you have to strap it down really good if you do it that way.

I have been to Myrtle beach about every year with my ski hanging on the rear of the truck. I live in Illinois so the trip is a long one. I have done it with all my trucks with no problems. Trucks were TJ, Lightning, Dodge Ram, Chevy Avalanche. Ram hauled it the best but it was a 1500 with 2500 suspension.

The TJ hauled the ski pretty easily it is just the stock suspension is soft and it made the nose point to the sky. I would guess the XJ would be the same since these are made to crawl and flex. But the new springs will help with that. I would just get regular shocks and not worry about it. It will be just fine.

 

[guiness92]

yes it will be fine, ive brought mine to canada and georgia with one. No problems at all. In the pic, its my 650sx on there, but the sj was on there for the georgia trip.

 

[DaUpJetSkier]

sweet, im gonna take off my 1 1/4 reciever hitch and get a 2", probably a lil safer. Im selling my trailer for 300, 75 for rear lift springs 150 for a new hitch, and materials for the hauler.

If anyone has some good pics of what youve made, post em, ive seen a lot but I want to see where everyone does a lil reinforcement, welding some angles so it doesnt twist on the piece coming from the reciever.

 

[Lucas]

sweet, im gonna take off my 1 1/4 reciever hitch and get a 2", probably a lil safer. Im selling my trailer for 300, 75 for rear lift springs 150 for a new hitch, and materials for the hauler.

If anyone has some good pics of what youve made, post em, ive seen a lot but I want to see where everyone does a lil reinforcement, welding some angles so it doesnt twist on the piece coming from the reciever.

Yes you definatley need to get at least a class 3 hitch, I got mine at U-haul for about 100 bucks. Only place that had it in my area, besides the dealer who wanted 250.

 

[Speedfreak]

It cost a bit in materials but this is the shiznit. One pin and it is clipped on nothing to worry about. The rear guides keep it on in the rear.

 

[DaUpJetSkier]

Seems like hitches range from 100-180, i think I liked the one I got at uhaul for my focus, i may see what they have. If I do the straight stock going out, then 2 perpendicular for bunks, are some main supports going from front of the bunk, bending under the 2" stock coming out and then back, welded to the stock a good idea so its doesnt tip either way. I like the idea of holding the nose in place like above.

 

[Speedfreak]

There isn't much force side to side unless your standing in the tray the ski is pretty well balanced. But to keep the ski from wobbling I welded square shoulders on the 2X2 steel stock so that it would fit tighter in the hitch. Also you can drill the hold a tiny bit off so that the pin is hard to get in that will keep it from wobbling also. BUT the wobble isn't bad it won't fall off. I was drag racing people with my Lightning while I was carrying the ski.

 

[SurfCrazed]

i have one like guiness92's thats for sale used it a couple of times on my lifted 4Runner with no problems but now i have 2 standups and a single/double trailer and no need for it.. if your interested in it ill take some pics! I also have a drop hitch for it to lower it closer to the ground since my runner is lifted you mit need one if you lift your jeep high.. let me know

 

[guiness92]

how much?

 

[SurfCrazed]

looking to get 200 for it i bought it for 225 about a month ago

 

[SurfCrazed]

someone already has 2nd dibs if daupjetskier doesnt want it..

 

[teton]

I have a jeep cherokee, it will not be a problem stock, however if that lift you buy is an add-a-leaf or a block lift and not an entire replacement leaf pack your going to permanently sag your rear springs, trust me I off-road my cherokee and i have also hauled a ski like this, my original lift had add-a-leafs, and later blocks and after a couple of months my jeep looked like this

 

[DaUpJetSkier]

ya id def get a 2" leaf pack.