My grandma gave me her XJ8 - 2002, 50k miles, beautiful car.
The bad news... she gave it to me right as we decided to move from LA to NY. The only way I can keep the car is to essentially use it as our u-haul, by towing our stuff in a trailer. This would actually be the cheapest option for us, assuming it's possible and doesn't destroy the car and leave us stranded.
I imagine the trailer weight when loaded will be a bit less than 3,500 lbs.

The transmission is slipping in first (P0731 error code) and has a doctor appt. tomorrow for hopefully a repair, possibly a rebuild. The symptoms aren't always there, but it went limp on me once last month in traffic...
I was quoted $3,750 as an approximate max if it's a rebuild - which honestly sounds like a great price.
But before I go forward with it, I want to be sure I can actually install a hitch and tow our stuff. Not worth it otherwise...

Would love some advice!

 

In the UK, folks pull 'caravans' all the time with these; it's a V8. Must get the transmission renewed (might cost more than the car is worth . . . a different strategy); make sure the cooling system is in really good condition -- those mountains are real! I would do the southern route (mountains aren't quite as real).

 

Thanks, Jim! That's the vote of confidence I was hoping for. More than the car is worth... but still about $5k less than renting a U-Haul. Somehow.

Also - she did handle really well on the grape vine from SF to LA... I think that's a pretty decent test of mountain capability, right?

 

If you were pulling a trailer, yes. Still, the Rockies are a tough pull. Blue Ridge, less so. Poconos; go around them.

 

Where the heck do you attach the hitch?

 

Here's the trailer hitch fitting (we call them two bars in the UK) on my 2001 Daimler Super V8. It appears to be Jaguar branded and I'm guessing it was probably used by its first owner for towing a horse box - possibly a bit of stereotyping on my part. I'm also guessing that it's the cause of the soft springs I replaced last year.

I've not yet found the actual hook that inserts into the fitting but I haven't looked very hard as I don't have a caravan, horse box or even a trailer...

Let me know if you want me to take some photos from underneath.

 

I'd assume it uses the rear bumper mounts on the end of the chassis rails.

 

The ZF 5hp24 tranny is notoriously problematic when it comes to operating
outside it's design and sometimes even within. I am not certain I would be
willing to chance the additional stress, however if the tranny was newly rebuilt
and the cooling system was up to par...I might.

 

That's what I'd guess. Really wonder what weight is safe.

 

I think there is an answer in the Drivers' Handbook. But maybe a Brit will respond.

 

Curt makes a normal hitch for these, bolts through the body
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/11818

I had in on my xjr for use with bike racks, but it works for towing as well


You can kind of see the mounting points on this side, the manual in the link gives more details though

 

I've just checked the handbook, that's how it shows to attach the towbar (except it only shows two bolts per side).

Along with

Max recommended braked trailer load 1,500kg / 3,307lb
Max braked trailer load 1,900kg / 4,188lb
Max recommended unbraked trailer load 750kg / 1,653lb
Trailer nose weight 76kg / 167lb

 

Dang! There's not a lot of ground clearance under there to begin with, and some scary geometry. I'd avoid steep driveway entrances and speed bumps with a hitch on an X308; more so with the extra overhang of a hitch-mounted bike rack unless it's on some kind of gooseneck to raise it up. I've nearly scraped those on a Volvo XC70 on such inclines.