I need to periodically tow a trailer with my 1995 XJ6-L VDP. LIke maybe once every 2 months.

It would be a 5x10 cargo trailer, curb weight around 1300 lbs, and I might load it with 500 pounds of gear, max.

This will be for short runs (<20 mi. one-way) around town and I can happily avoid steep grades.

Is this a crazy idea?

I remember seeing int he manual for one of my jags a comment about towing... but con;t find it. Online, the specs stuff I find just leaves 'towing weight' empty or N/A

I did find a hitch package online: Jaguar Vanden Plas, Jaguar XJ6, XJ8, XJ8L, XJ12, XJR Trailer Hitch - Class I - By Curt Manufacturing But that doesn;t mean it's all fine and dandy to do it.

And, I'll need to hack into the lights to get them to run the trailer.

So... thoughts out there in Jag-Land?

Thanks!

Charles

 

The 'Vehicle Care' guide says:
Unbraked trailer 1650 pounds
Braked trailer 3300 pounds
Max tongue weight 165 pounds.

So, I guess it is 'OK' to do? As long as I don't try and drag race with hot rods?
:-)

Thanks!

Charles

 

My XK8 is wired for trailer lights. I don't have the details on the XJ6, since my car isn't here, but I think it is also. If you tap into your existing lights, you will probably overload the module.
I'm sure some one will be along soon with the information you need.

 

Hi there. I fitted a tow bar to my 96 XJ6, just to pull a small trailer (4' x 5') and occasionally a 17' boat on its' trailer. I think the general rule of thumb is not to tow anything heavier than the towing vehicle, so I'm well withing these parameters.

I couldn't source an "off the shelf" tow bar for my car here in Ireland, with associated costs being crazy. I finally got one from a supplier in the UK, which worked out at almost half the cost including shipping and came with fitting instructions, wiring, socket etc.

If you're handy with a spanner it's a simple job. I wired straight into the wiring loom in the boot/trunk with no adverse effects at all, although I believe there is a "towing module" of sorts in the boot, but I couldn't find it!

It's a tidy fit, but needed the removal of the rear bumper, which can be problematic in itself, but at least the bumper itself didn't need to be cut in any way. Of course, there is the more expensive option of fitting a retractable tow bar, but I kind of like the extra security of a tow bar in the event someone rear ends me!

Hope this helps.

 

X300 by itself is a heavy car, it is heavier than most Mercedes S-Klasse and equals the heavies S-Klasse built on the scale The X300 brakes are adequate, without a trailer. In my experience the limiting factor for towing that I ran into first were the brakes. XJ6 should have plenty of power to get your load going, it's being able to stop it that might become problematic.

If you are going to tow with XJ6, make sure that you brakes are 100% and don't exceeded the recommended trailer weight. I'd opt for trailer with brakes regardless of weight. I would also try to avoid congested roads and give myself some extra distance from cars ahead of me.

 

Concur, any trailer of significant weight with the X300 should have integral hydraulic or better yet electric brakes.

....cheap insurance, and from towing various trailers over the years I can attest to trailer brakes being a 'life saver'.

.

 

The trailer hitches from the UK that have been featured here look really well made and
are a custom fit. They are almost invisible after installation.

The problem of course is the shipping.

 

For what it's worth, here is a picture of my car with the towbar fitted. Not so obtrusive and it came with the ball hitch rubber boot, so it doesn't look so bad.

 

tows just fine. Then again, I haven't towed anything really heavy.



The lights were rather simple to connect to the leads from the control unit:

 

What a wonderful help you all are.
A trailer is in my future...

Cheers!

 

is this fitted directly on the bumper or frame? i need a hitch put on and cant figure out the easiest route. No loads over 1500 lb max

 

It's bolted up through the frame. Very strong and heavy. I got it from PF JONES in the UK.

 

People in NewZealand are regularly towing with X300s I see cars with to bars all the time .

 

That's how my XJR was done by it's original owner, who towed a lawn tractor on a small trailer.