The more I search, the more difficult it gets!

[ToniandSal]

I have been on the hunt for a pre-owned Jeep Wrangler to tow behind our Forester MH. Someone told me that I need to find out which years and models may not be flat towable. I searched online Jeep manuals, and fount 4800 pages for the year 2000!
I also have discovered that there are models to consider: TJ, YJ, CJ, JL. I Googled and can't find anything telling me any model to avoid so far.

In the Craigslist ads the model isn't always listed, possibly the sellers don't know!
The prices for Jeeps where I live are outta sight, leading me to look for older models to year 2000. I am going to look at a 2000 auto trans with 148,000 miles today, but am thinking it may be too old. Yesterday I drove a 2004 manual trans, no A/C with 80,000 miles. Seller had new clutch installed in June. When I shifted from 2nd to 3rd I could hear it. He called mechanic and they picked it up and took to their shop to go over it again. That car makes me leary now. It's a four cylinder.

I joined a Jeep forum to glean some info, and have started making notes.
Any experience here is welcomed.


Toni and Sal
2016 Forester 2291S
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[ToniandSal]

The Wrangler I am going to look at today is a 2000, auto trans straight 6, not used off road.


Toni and Sal
2016 Forester 2291S
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[RSchleder]

Dang, 148K miles! To me, that's a ton of miles on any vehicle and Jeeps don't have the best reputation for reliability!!!! Personally, I'd stay away from anything over 80K miles ( I'm being lenient here), "pay me now or pay me later" is the old saying and it's too often true!

[Ford Idaho]

A manual transmission is the way to go IMHO.

[RSchleder]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

A manual transmission is the way to go IMHO.

Not sure why you say manual transmission is the way to go. 4X4 jeeps, even those with auto transmissions, should have the ability to disengage the transmission/ transfer case to the degree that both front and rear wheels are free wheeling. Once this is done, theres no worry about towing 4 wheels down.

[Iwannacamp]

Nice Jeeps hold their value pretty well. I bought an '06 wrangler in January of '07 for $20k kept it almost 3 years(never in mud) sold for $17k, but I didn't try to tear it up. 16000 miles.


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[Ford Idaho]

I say/posted that because not all 4x have a manual shift for the transfer case.

My 2010 is just a twist knob on the dash, hubs are auto.

The Rodeo that belongs to the boss is just a switch,

My train of thought is that if it has an auto then odds are the transfer is just a switch.

[ToniandSal]

Originally Posted by RSchleder

Dang, 148K miles! To me, that's a ton of miles on any vehicle and Jeeps don't have the best reputation for reliability!!!! Personally, I'd stay away from anything over 80K miles ( I'm being lenient here), "pay me now or pay me later" is the old saying and it's too often true!

Ohhh, good to hear that. I didn't even know that Jeeps aren't that reliable. Good tip. I am still learning. I might just end up bringing my bicycle instead!

[Major Oz]

Originally Posted by ToniandSal

I have been on the hunt for a pre-owned Jeep Wrangler to tow behind our Forester MH. Someone told me that I need to find out which years and models may not be flat towable. I searched online Jeep manuals, and fount 4800 pages for the year 2000!
I also have discovered that there are models to consider: TJ, YJ, CJ, JL. I Googled and can't find anything telling me any model to avoid so far.

Having lived in CO and WY most of my life, my personal view is that wranglers are vastly overrated....and, as you say, overpriced.

Best toads I have ever had were an '04 and '05 Chevvy Tracker.

Tough, reliable, and can almost climb a tree. And light enough that they do NOT need an aux braking system.

They tow 4 down, but should be run every 200 miles for a few minutes. (doc says that " I " should get out and walk around every 100 or so)

[SilverArrowPro]

The I-6 in a 2000 Jeep is a workhorse engine. When they switched to the v6 is when they went down hill. Sold my 99 with 200k and my daughter sold it at 259k and it was still going strong. My wife's 2000 TJ had 159k when we sold it, and just saw it for sale again with over 200k on it. I think they went to the v6 mid 2000 when they changed to JK chassis. You should be fine with the one you are looking at.

[CharlieS3]

I've towed a wrangler over 50,000 miles behind my motor home.

Avoid the 4 cylinder, as it is underpowered. The old I6 was indeed a workhorse and you may still find a TJ with one up until about 2006.

CJs are pre 1986. They were followed by the YJs. Then the TJ came out. The TJ still makes a good choice with an i6 engine. All can be flat towed. Just put the transfer case in neutral and the auto in park, or the manual in gear. You may have to put the key in the ignition, turned to release the steering lock. Newer XJs don't need that. Avoid the XJ from 07 to 2011 as the engine had issues. The new 2012 engine is a winner

Almost any car being flat towed will require a supplemental braking system. Most states require it at 2 or 3,000 pounds. We used a brake buddy for years,but it's a bit of a pia. I just added the smi duo to my 2014 wrangler and love it.

[rhamilton]

I tow a 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara XL-7 and have for many, many years. It has a transfer case that you can shift to 2W, 4W or neutral for easy conversion to neutral for towing. Also when towing the odometer does not change. It is a dream to tow behind our Forester MH. Have had absolutely no mechanical problems, except for a few break jobs. Has 120K miles and runs great. Plus, it has a lot of space to store stuff. I highly recommend a used one like mine.

[BusyRetirees]

Here is a link to vehicles that can be towed:
Downloadable Dinghy Guides | MotorHome Magazine
When I had a Class A, I looked at Jeeps and was not with the ridiculous prices for a used one, their reliability and sucky gas mileage. My first toad was a Chev Malibu and that was great. Next one was the Saturn Vue, absolutely fantastic. Buy what you like and feel comfortable with because that's the only way you'll be happy with your choice.

[larryandamy]

Jeeps are cool looking and have the image just like Harley Davison does for motorcycles. And there are thousands of die hard fans that will give you testimonies on how great they are. My experience and research is that Jeep is not a very reliable vehicle (I am a retired reliability engineer). I have towed at least 5 Jeeps out of the desert, but that was many years ago and I was hoping that they had gotten better on performance and reliability. I rented a Wrangler 4x4 a while ago and I was not impressed. I have had Toyota Tacoma 4x4 trucks and they are awesome performers and are very reliable. This is hard for me to say, because I grew up in Detroit with the big 3. I now own Toyota trucks and two Honda Goldwing motorcycles and I literally never have to consider having a break down or putting a budget aside for repairs. When I had a Dodge 350 van I put $1000 per year for repairs and I spent or exceeded it every year.

Now I am being forced into having to buy one of the big 3 diesel trucks, (350/3500) as Toyota does not make a 350 or a diesel. I am struggling with all the data on the web. So far, GMC seems to have the edge overall. I will not buy Dodge because... although they do have the best diesel engine in the Cummings, it still has a Dodge truck around it.

Yes... Jeeps are cool... but they haven't caught up to the Asian manufacturers in reliability yet...

[fanrgs]

Originally Posted by Major Oz

Having lived in CO and WY most of my life, my personal view is that wranglers are vastly overrated....and, as you say, overpriced. Best toads I have ever had were an '04 and '05 Chevy Tracker.)

Have a friend in Colorado who has been towing a Geo Tracker for years, which is just a Suzuki Sidekick/Vitara with a GM name. He has towed it all over the US, including to Alaska, and to Mexico for snowbirding. It is lightweight, fuel efficient, reliable, inexpensive to buy, maintain, and repair, and can go anywhere an unmodified Jeep Wrangler can go. If you could find an early 2000's Vitara/Tracker with the V-6, you would have the best $3000 towable 4x4 you can get.

[kd4ipk]

I have a 2006 jeep wrangler tj 6 speed, with 43k miles looking for a new zip code

[frogsandhogs]

We tow a Saturn Vue, 6 cylinder. Front wheel drive. Tows like a dream, tow 7 hours and do a 3 minute shift and run. Ours is a 2006, bought with 97000 miles. And it is a comfortable drive and ride. Just bought our daughter a 2005 manual Vue in good shape 140000 miles for $2500. They seem to run forever, great engine, nice to drive, tow great.

[ToniandSal]

After many weeks of scouring CL and Auto Trader for used Jeeps, DH and I bit the bullet and purchased a new 2016 Jeep Wrangler Sport, auto trans, A/c. I do not want to get stuck in Oregon with an old Jeep problem I am not familiar with. Got this one at a fair price for where we live. Next, taking it to our trusted RV shop for the expensive hook up stuff, next month!

[ToniandSal]

We also have a 2005 Honda Pilot. Love that SUV, and hope to keep it forever. It is about 2/3 the lengthif our Class C, so not a tow vehicle for us. We needed small, and I really wanted another SUV height for our tow and 2nd vehicle. DH has a bad knee and hip, so getting in and out of an SUV is easier than a lower standard height car.

[gmacklem]

Originally Posted by RSchleder

Dang, 148K miles! To me, that's a ton of miles on any vehicle and Jeeps don't have the best reputation for reliability!!!! Personally, I'd stay away from anything over 80K miles ( I'm being lenient here), "pay me now or pay me later" is the old saying and it's too often true!

Not true, the 4.0L Jeep and the auto trans are extremely good. My brother has my 1996 Cherokee with this combination at over 200k and still going strong. That engine and tranny can go 300k - 400k. Now I did have other smaller problems but that drivetrain is solid.

I am actually considering a 2006 Jeep Unlimited. It was the long wheelbase 2 door and was the last year of the inline 4.0L.