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CJ-8 Towing a Boat

D

Djr02

New member
City
Crescent
State
IA
Hey guys! Wanted to get some extra thoughts and opinions on towing a boat with the CJ-8. It is a 1982 with the 258 I6, 4 speed. I am looking at towing a 1995 Sea Nymph GLS 175. Not sure what the weight of boat and trailer would be exactly, guessing right around 2500-3000, the rated towing capacity. I am currently in school and would most likely use a different vehicle to transport it the two hours between home and school, but would use the 8 to tow it a few miles to the local boat ramp and launch/retrieve it. Thoughts and opinions? Thanks!

-Dylan
 
I tow this little boat with mine. No idea on weight, it’s a 120 hp jet boat. Couple hours-no. Couple miles, yes. Mine has 33s and 4.88 gears with a 44 front and 60 rear. Power isn’t an issue, stability is. I also have disc brakes all around. In a panic stop I feel even this little boat would push the 8 more than I would like. Being a little single axle the Jeep is bounced around a fair bit on bumpy roads.

For what it’s worth the 8 pulls my tandem axle car trailer better. I still wouldn’t want to drag it too far though.


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Nice lookin rig! I would use my dad's F-250 to bring it up and take it back. Max I would be bringing it would be about 5 miles, no speed zone above 55 mph to the ramp. How does yours do on launch and retrieval?
 
Djr02 said:
Nice lookin rig! I would use my dad's F-250 to bring it up and take it back. Max I would be bringing it would be about 5 miles, no speed zone above 55 mph to the ramp. How does yours do on launch and retrieval?
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Thanks! Launch and retrieval were really easy. I actually never had to put it in 4wd. Much more nimble and maneuverable than my Duramax. It actually rolled down the road pretty well on smooth roads. The rougher roads were just a bit jarring.
 
I would make sure your parking brake works GOOD before backing down a ramp since you have a 4 speed.
 
I towed a boat/trailer combo that was just under 3500 lbs with mine. To from a ramp a couple miles away on back roads was all I was comfortable with because it did want to push the jeep around. It did do fine on the launch and retrieval though.
 
Make sure you have trailer brakes! Probably over the gross weight rating for the jeep so if you get into an accident, insurance may not cover you. I’m not trying to scare you, it’s just extremely dangerous to tow almost anything with the jeep.
 
I would be pretty scared to tow 2 hours on the highway with it. The scramblers just aren't that heavy duty frame/axles/brakes and pretty short wheel base; any lift makes the towing geometry worse. Pulling the boat in and out of the lake wouldn't scare me as long as you clutch skills are good and the clutch is healthy. 95% of boats only have surge brakes because electric don't work when submerged and electric over surge are crazy $$$. I've owned 4 different boats over the last 30 years.

My 2 cents.
 
I did it once with a 19 ft Mako and 115 hp engine. 4 cyl. engine. luckily never had to go over 35 mph. Way under powered and out matched weight wise and brakes. Never again something like that.
 
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