Re: [A/S] Re: Jeep pulling Airstream

["Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am going to make a lot of Jeep affectioanados very upset with my comments,
but here goes.

Please note that this is only my opinion, and may not be universally
applicable, but I do believe there is a lot of valid info here worth
considering.

I personally would NOT use a Jeep to TOW ANYTHING !!  Regardless what the
manufacturer or the owner's manual said.

The reason is simple.  Civilian Jeeps are simply not reliable.  Just look at
the frequency of repair history in any annual Consumer Reports Buying guide
over the last ten or more years. The Jeep takes the prize for the maximum
number of solid black dots over just about any other vehicle. Why the Jeep
has such good resale value and popularity in the face of such a terrible
track record completely amazes me. I would expect it to be competing with
the Yugo!  {But then, the previous model Ford Explorer, with its unstable
suspension which can go unpredictably from oversteer to understeer (which in
turn, causes the driver to over correct and flip over the car) still was the
most popular SUV for many many years.  The unforgiving nature of the
suspension was the real problem, not the Firestone tires.  Granted the
Firestone tires were prone to failure, this should not have caused the
vehicle to flip over, though it did start the chain of events which the
unstable Explorer suspension created.  The good news is that Ford hired a
suspension engineer from Porsche who developed the current four wheel
independent suspension which is now on the 4 door Explorer [but not the two
door Explorer - the bad news]  and the new Expedition. Both new 4 wheel
independent suspensions are very good.}

Back in the late 70's, when I first started traveling with my Airstream,
(pulled with a tow equipped full size Chevy Blazer, which gave me no trouble
at all) I met many fellow campers with trailers and a variety of tow
vehicles.  Those who used Jeeps typically had all sorts of mechanical
problems.

Rear spring failures, requireing re-arching or replacement; and major
overhaul or replacement of the rear ends were not uncommon.  I do not
consider these sorts of  repairss to be ones associated with normal
maintenance or wear and tear during the normal lifespan of a vehicle.
[Though I could accept a worn out clutch or rebuilt automatic transmission.]

Hopefully, Jeeps will improve now that they are owned by Daimler-Chrysler,
but for now, I would stay awary from them.

For now, I will stick with my 3/4 ton 4 x 4 Silverado short bed extended cab
pickup with 6.1 Liter engine.

Sincerely,

Oliver Filippi