Jeep jack-knifed by...Jeep

[Hokiefyd]

I was following a Jeep CJ the other night being pulled by a Jeep Wrangler. He had a triangulated tow bar on the front of the CJ (mounts to two points on the bumper) with a ball at the front hitched to the Wrangler. He either didn't have the key to the CJ or the steering wheel was locked anyway because the front wheels on the CJ did not turn when they turned a corner (the CJ was unmanned). They were turning left at a light and I was immediately behind them. I was watching the left front tire on the CJ, and thought he might roll it off the wheel, as much as it was scrubbing. About 75% of the way through the corner, I hear tires squealing, and the CJ had jack-knifed the Wrangler before I realized what had happened. I was focused on the front wheel of the CJ, but because that CJ just did not want to turn, it spun the Wrangler around. Was was going slow enough that he didn't flip his own Jeep, but I imagine he could have if he were going faster.

If you're towing a vehicle, make sure the steer axle can steer! Else, do it right and trailer it.

 

[NHGUY]

I dont know why anyone tows with a vehicle that small and with that short a wheelbase.Its like pulling a motorhome with a Yaris.Manufacturers should limit CJ/Wrangler hitches to 2000lb max,that would eliminate pulling anything but a Type I Beetle,or Chevette.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
I dont know why anyone tows with a vehicle that small and with that short a wheelbase.Its like pulling a motorhome with a Yaris.Manufacturers should limit CJ/Wrangler hitches to 2000lb max,that would eliminate pulling anything but a Type I Beetle,or Chevette.
Owners manual for my Wrangler says 2k max

 

[MNgopher]

Guaranteed he was over the maxium tow limit.

Jeep Wranglers (and even the Cherokees) are good at many things. Towing, not so much. The short wheelbase is no help in that department.

 

[UNC017]

Obviously failing to unlock the steering wheel was the big mistake here, but NHGuy's point about wheel base is true. Short wheelbase vehicles are not ideal for towing. Even my XJs are not very good tow vehicles and its mainly due to the wheelbase length. I occasionally tow small utility trailers (around 1000 lb loaded) and you can definitely feel it back there with my XJ (the 01 has a full factory tow package- coolers, class III hitch, 7-pin electrical with brake controller wiring pre-installed, etc.). The same trailer behind the Ram? I'm in danger of forgetting its there at all!

 

[morris]

ever here of AAA? 2 weeks ago my dougther-in law bumped the fender of her car. it looked like it could be drove, then it came to me if i crashed it again the ins might not pay for it. calling the pros is ALLWAYS right.

 

[rslifkin]

That's just flat out stupid on the Wrangler owner's part. Personally, I think any Wrangler other than a 4dr JK (wheelbase is 10" longer than my ZJ Grand Cherokee) shouldn't be allowed to tow at all. They're just not a stable enough vehicle to handle it.

To be honest, even my ZJ is a relatively [censored] tow vehicle. The gearing isn't great for pulling hills on the highway (and 1st is tall too), so even with a bunch of power, it's slow as heck with a big trailer behind it. I have towed with it right at its 6500lb rating though, and it did ok (it was surprisingly stable, but stopping and getting moving sucked). In this case, I was pulling a Uhaul car trailer with another ZJ on it for 370 miles on the highway, from Rochester back to CT

It did get a better-than-expected 11.5 mpg averaging just under 55