Towing a teardrop trailer with 1987 XJS 12 cyl.

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Mar 4, 2019 | 08:40 AM

kcosley

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Joined: Mar 2019

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From: Jacksonville

Towing a teardrop trailer with 1987 XJS 12 cyl.

Does anyone have any experience towing a small trailer with the 1987 XJS? The trailer is within the listed tow capacity (3300 lbs), and I've found a factory spec tow bar for it, but I'm looking for anyone who will share some real-world experience of actually towing a trailer across the country. Thanks!
Kcosley

Mar 4, 2019 | 09:39 PM

EcbJag

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 535

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From: Napa Ca, United States

The xj-s is a heavy car, and very stable at high speeds. The brakes are more than adequate for the car and I would assume they could handle the load you’re talking about. I would be most concerned about overheating. The 3 speed auto might be a pain going up hills or at high altitudes. I’ve driven across the US dozens of times and towed across the country many times, always in a truck. I’m not sure id want to be in the middle of nowhere in an xj-s..

Last edited by EcbJag; Mar 4, 2019 at 09:43 PM.

Mar 5, 2019 | 02:24 AM

Grant Francis

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 28,812

Likes: 11,280

From: Adelaide Stralia

All my Series cars had towbars, 6cyl and V12, and were TOW cars for whatever needed towing. BW12, BW65/66, TH400, care factor, near zero.

Even the MK10 has a towbar, and a clunky BW DG 3 speed nightmare, and still tows just fine.

The XJS is the same mechanical's, V12 anyway, just a different body dynamics.

NO issues I can think of. You clearly have common sense, you own a V12 after all, and that is the key to going anywhere.

I did 2 X 25000kms round Australia jaunts in my XJS, NO tralier, and the looks and comments I got could fill a huge book.

Most common, "you drove that from Adelaide, thats 5000kms away, are you ill or something mate".