What is the towing capacity of a 83 jeep wagoneer with a 360 cubic inch engine?

Answer 1

Assuming your 83 Jeep is "stock", and it has a automatic transmission and 4WD, you should be able to pull a 20 foot boat with 300hp engine fully loaded with gear and gas out of a boat landing. This rig is about 4,000 pounds (with 100 gallons of gas). Its towing "capacity" today is anyone's guess. New? Probably 5,000-10,000 pounds with a good 2" load leveling hitch. I have towed almost everything with my Jeep wagoneer and other vehicles including towing things with big block motor homes. The secret to any "towing" issue is how FAR can you pull it, at what temperature, at what speed, and will it be up mountain roads or flat roads, in snow, on ice, on gravel, etc.?. What about your head winds? Remember its not always just what your load weighs. Be aware some enclosed trailers and travel trailers have a huge wind resistance even empty, while others do not such as a open car hauler, or empty flat trailer. In any case with any 25+ year old vehicle, first be sure you'r the "lucky" type, have a working cell phone, a cigarette charger for it, money for repairs and parts, money for food and a hotel/motel, and the VERY BEST towing insurance--, just in case something unexpected "blows" and you become UNlucky.. Seals, belts, hoses, U-joints, pumps, wheel bearings and cooling systems in a 25 year old vehicle may not last long once you begin a heavy duty towing trip. I know. I burned up a rear wheel bearing towing my loaded 21 foot jet boat from Wisconsin to Florida --on a Sunday afternoon out in the middle of NOWHERE in Georga at 65mph with two kids, a dog, and my wife-- and I had a "like new" low mileage 1 year old 454 heavy duty Chevy station wagon with 2 wheel drive and a heavy duty 10,000 pound "towing" package with tranny cooler, air shocks, and the works. That thing would pull anything, but a simple bad wheel bearing did me in. Who would know? Here's my rule: Plan for the worst, and don't push your luck. Then if you make it without problems, GOOD. Remember, you need luck to get back home also. Good luck.