Jeep? Yay or nay?

[Linda_Sue]

I've always been partial to Jeeps, and would normally consider it as an option, but I have a friend who knows more about cars than I do and he keeps warning me off Jeeps. I've seen videos with people who are using Jeeps (as a tow vehicle) and they seem to love them.

My friend says not to get one and I think he said the older models"blow up" , I can't grasp whether he's using colourful language or they literally blow up, he doesn't really elaborate lol

Anyone have any thoughts of pros and cons?

 

[RVTravel]

Need to find out what model years are bad and just avoid those.

 

[ckelly78z]

The older Jeeps with the 4.0L inline 6 are some of the toughest vehicles ever built. This motor will easily go 250K miles, and have plenty of power with simple maintenance. The older CJs, and Cherokees are overbuilt compared to the newer SUV style.

 

[user 423]

My friend says not to get one and I think he said the older models"blow up" , I can't grasp whether he's using colourful language or they literally blow up, he doesn't really elaborate.

If he's unable to elaborate and give you solid reasons why they 'blow up' (which you need to research further) then maybe he really doesn't know what he's talking about.

What is your budget and what do you plan to tow?  How old of a vehicle are you considering?

Towing is hard on a vehicle and any older, high mileage engine can 'blow up' if abused or neglected.

 

[RoamerRV428]

If it is what you want and desire to make your travel home you just go down that road and do just that.
Others 'opinions' often color us off life as we want it. Don't go there. Do your own research, find the model that suits you best and have at it. Get others out of your ear and do for you After all this is what our freedom is meant to be truly. Live and learn and do your own research and move forward as you see fit as you desire!! Grab what you want and do just that!!

 

[vanbrat]

We have had several over the years. 1 we sold because it was to small for our family at the time. It had 200,000 + miles on it. Wish I had it back. 1 I killed in a 'to tired to be driving' accident. 275,000+ miles. Hubby then got one that had been 'modified' and needed more work then we had time for and had a neighbor that had the time so sold it cheap, and it is still on the road. We see it in the neighborhood when he comes around. Wish I had them back. Had a little wrangler 200,000+ miles, had to sell it, we needed the $$$. Really wish I had it back. Had one with 150,000 miles had more trouble with that #$%* car then any other car EVER. I was glad when it finely died. We now have another one 1 year newer and it is really great with 275,000+ miles and I don't plan to lose it. Son had one he played with and turned into a Mad Max car and drove it to death over 200,000 miles. It is sitting in the back lot now for to many years...….wish it was gone. Other then the one that was a lemon the jeeps are great, but as with any car they need to be maintained.... and the one that was a real pain was the one that is know to be a lemon. Do your research and expect to pay for what you get. I have a friend that is a mechanic and he hates them. Says when they brake down they are a pain to work on. But then we always do 99% of our own work. Hubby is not a mechanic and he gets things done.

 

[highdesertranger]

what model of Jeep and what do you want to tow? Jeeps are not really the best tow vehicles, for the most part only really small trailers can be towed. now if you want to use one as a toad it is one of the best IMO. highdesertranger

 

[ZoNiE]

Avoid the 2.5L 4Cyl, 2.8L V6 and 3.8L V6 powered Jeeps.

The 4.0L inline 6 is the workhorse, and the later models with the 3.5L Pentastar V6 have the most power.
All get about the same mileage.
The 4.0's will outlast everything else.

I'm hoping they will come to their senses and offer the 3.0 diesel in the 2 door Wrangler with a manual transmission. Not holding my breath.

 

[BC Guy]

Avoid the 2.5L 4Cyl, 2.8L V6 and 3.8L V6 powered Jeeps.

The 4.0L inline 6 is the workhorse, and the later models with the 3.5L Pentastar V6 have the most power.

3.6, not 3.5.
For towing, you should probably stick to the Wranglers and the Grand Cherokees.

 

[ZoNiE]

3.6, sorry, typo.

 

[maki2]

They can be fun. There are quite a few small fiberglass trailers that can be towed with a Jeep. Reliable year of Jeep plus reliable small fiberglass trailer is a fun combination for a nomad. Just be sure to find a fiberglass trailer that has been set up with higher ground clearance than most. Of course your would leave the trailer in a spot that is not so rough on it. The standard built commercial fiberglass trailer brands would not hold up to the roughest off road adventure spots. You should avoid the ones where the cabinets are riveted in place through the shell. The riveted connections won't hold up to off road adventures.

 

[Linda_Sue]

Thank you, everyone for the really amazing answers!

My apologies I thought I had gone back to clarify that I would not be using it as a tow vehicle myself (at least, not likely, anyway), but rather as sleeping space (and small meal prep if necessary).

Thanks again for your inspirational answers!  :heart:

 

[Cammalu]

Check consumer reports for the specific year/model

 

[TMooney]

I like what Maki2 said . To follow up I would pick a small cargo trailer. They are pulling this with everything small. You tube has tons of it . 4x6x4. 4x8x4 or 5. The 4x8x5 is an exellent size for a female. Short females. I could have bought a nice small one the other day for 1000. They are minimal builds. They have high clearance and nothing to drag off. You are looking at 4 to 7 hundred lbs . Then with 4wd you are.set. You simply dont have much room in just the jeep but I saw a girl travel in a Tesla so what do I know?

 

[TMooney]

I dont know what you are going to do but a 4wd tow with a cargo trailer is top of the line in my book for blm and forestry land dispersed camping. Tough to take the roughest. Does not leak and an easy set up for solar. A no build option to what ever you want. No plumbing to freeze or drag off. Truly self contained boon docking in the roughest conditions. Easy to vent and cool . The smallest air conditioners will cool the space with 80 percent solar with a small generator as back up. If they are insulated and sealed well a small unit doesnt run much. People miss that thinking the compressor will run all the time. . Not in a small space well insulated so solar can handle it to almost handle it at worst scenario. 1000 watt inverter generator is plenty of back up. Heating one is easy. Bob stayed in one in Alaska through winter. Best testament I've heard. Well you can also do 100 degrees as well easier. Normal campers arent set up to handle what I'm talking about. They can be heated and cooled much easier than a vehicle too.