well guys id like to get a Nitro Z7, and im wondering how my 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee will tow it. Its a 3.7L V6 4x4. its got a tow rating of 3500lbs. if i get one id definatly get surge brakes on the trailer but just curious what you guys think.

I had a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 not 4X4 and it towed my 16ft Bayliner and a 18ft javeline just fine. It also towed a my 22ft Lowe Tahiti with no trouble.

Not a problem

I dont know, you would be maxing out that Jeep with a towing capcity of 3500lbs. Nitro's website shows the Z7 to have a package weight of 3000 lbs. Thats not including a full tank of gas. The Z7 has a 45 gallon gas tank and gas weights about 6.5 lbs per gallon. A full tank would weight right under 300 lbs. Thats 3300 lbs just boat, motor, trailer, and gas. You also have to consider all your on board equipment. Thats going to put you at the very max of you Jeeps towing capcacity. Remember that those towing capacities are maximum weights. My truck has a max towing capacity of 6300 lbs. I wouldnt buy a boat to pull with my truck that weighted 6000 lbs cause it would be at the max capacity the whole time i was pulling it.

It can pull it but for how long and how long is that tranny going to last pulling it?

Get a bigger SUV or truck. Otherwise your asking for trouble. If you messed up your Grand Cherokee's transmission or drive train and then took it in for warantee work, they may want to know what you've been towing. If they can prove you have been overloading your max towing capacity you could end up with a waranty that is void and out of pocket for all repairs for the life of that vehicle. Those smaller SUV's are really only intended to tow lightweight trailers like small pop-up campers, small U-hauls, or small motorcycle trailers. A Nitro Z7 with trailer, fuel, and gear would definately void your waranty, in my opinion.

Ok well here is a thought...
think back way back when the pros towed all this BIG, HEAVY rigs with little S-10 and 4 bangers.
Also i would never tow somewhere far witha full tank in the boat and im a very organized person my boat would only have the bare essentials's. I see way to many people who carry way to much stuff in there boat. just a few thoughts lets hear some more opinions guys....

Well put,
Jeepthing

I think a lot has to do with how much towing. How far and how often. I pulled an 18' ranger for over a year with a small 4 cyl. Toyota Tacoma 4X4 (2200cc displacement) back in the early 90's and have pulled my 19'6" Champion with my '98 Toyota Tacoma 4 cyl. 4X4. Its a bigger 4 banger than my old one though and fuel injected. I would pull 90-100 mile one way trips 2 x month back in the 90's. My trip to Rayburn now is about 40 miles.

I think you pretty much have your answer. It will tow it. I never like to be at the top of the tow capacity. If all your towing is short trips and flat ground then you would be OK. I am not sure that will the case around Killeen. Definitely keep it under 65 and out of O/D. Do some research on that tranny. I do not that Jeep and well built trannys fit together in the same sentence.

Consider an aluminium boat.

You are correct sir, I hate to admit. Jeep has never made a good transmission. I love Jeeps, but that is definately their weakest link!!

I could say I have pulled more with less, and it would be true, but I have also driven on bald tires, with my fuel warning light on, 3000 miles past due an oil change and once without brakes or windshield wipers. I wouldn't tell people it's ok to do any of that however. It was done when I was much poorer and much more stupid than I am now.

You might wanna look at an xpress with either 200 or 225hp

Where are you getting the maximum tow rating of 3,500 pounds? Is that what's stamped on your tow hitch, or is it out of the owner's manual?

Reason I ask is that I tow with my Explorer - 4.0L V6 4x2 - and my boat weighs in the neighborhood of 3,500#-3,800# fully loaded (full fuel tank, full ice chest, four batteries, etc) & routine towing is about 3,000#. The owners manual says that max towing for my particular vehicle is 4,980#, but the website swears it's only 3,500#. When I called Ford, they said their website shows the lowest tow rating for the make of vehicle & that I should rely on the owners manual for my particular configuration.