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02-02-2016, 10:46 AM
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#1
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New Member
2015 19' International
Carmel
, California
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
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Jeep Grand Cherokee Tow Vehicle
Considering a 2015 Diesel Grand Cherokee TV for 19' International Serenity.
Tired of driving a truck.
Anyone out there pulling with a grand Cherokee?
How would it handle a 4500# trailer?
Thanks,
Carmel-Jon
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02-02-2016, 11:18 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2014 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Chelsea
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,792
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I have a friend who pulls a 23 footer with a gas model Jeep Grand Cherokee and loves it. The diesel model and smaller 19 foot trailer would make the towing even easier. Just make sure you have a properly set up weight distributing/anti sway hitch and don't overload the back of the Jeep with cargo.
__________________
Bob Martel
WBCCI# 5766
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02-02-2016, 11:47 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette
, California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,554
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We have a 2002 19' Bambi and have only towed it with Jeep Grand Cherokees since it was new. All were V-8 gas models, but the new 3.0 L Diesel has more than enough power and torque for such a trailer. The latest iteration of the Grand Cherokee (started in 2011) with independent suspension and a slightly longer wheelbase than former models is very comfortable both with and without a trailer behind.
We have had a Hensley hitch since the trailer was new and many may think it overkill for such a small trailer, but it has made our towing experiences with Jeep Grand Cherokees even more pleasant.
Tim
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02-02-2016, 11:58 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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Some more information on the Grand Cherokee (2011 and up) including some diesel information in the later posts:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...tup-89954.html
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02-02-2016, 08:10 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1984 34' International
Toronto
, Ontario
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,499
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There is a multitude of threads talking about Jeeps as tow vehicles. The search function, limited as it is, should take you where you need to be.
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02-02-2016, 08:29 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2016 30' Classic
Hinckley
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 907
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It won't be a problem for the Jeep. I tow my 25 International with a 2014 JGC diesel. No problems and great fuel economy.
__________________
My budget won't stop me from buying something online that I don't need, but the threat of getting promotional
emails every day for the rest of my life just might!
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02-02-2016, 08:46 PM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Cookeville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 113
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I just bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland diesel to replace a 2004 suburban. Very happy with what I have experienced with the jeep. Having to do get a new shank for the weight distribution hitch to get the front of the trailer down a couple inches. I'm towing a 31' 1978 Airstream Sovereign. Just done local towing to put some miles on the jeep before we head to Florida next week. 15 mpg's towing 26 mpg's not.
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02-03-2016, 08:19 AM
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#8
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New Member
2015 19' International
Carmel
, California
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
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Thank You All.
Happy Travels!
Jon
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02-03-2016, 10:15 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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That trailer and tow vehicle combination should work great.
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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02-03-2016, 10:57 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Sequim
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 522
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I used my 2014 Jeep GC Summitt Ecodiesel to tow our loaded 23 FB (5,500 lbs meaured on CAT scale) 13,700 miles rt from Seattle to St. John's Newfoundland. Absolutely perfect experience. We drove in light unplanned snow in April over the Rockies and many other severe rain and thunderstorms. We averaged 16.4 mpg (diesel). Never knew the AS was there. Changed oil per manufacturer requirement at 5,000 mile intervals. Got Milenco mirrors which worked great. Had tow package as standard equipment on the Summit. We loved unhitching and then exploring off road in the Jeep.
__________________
D2
"Having differences makes a difference"
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02-03-2016, 11:04 AM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
2017 30' Flying Cloud
Spotsylvania
, Virginia
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 179
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Just my 0.02 worth, the shorter the wheel base of the TV and the longer the trailer.....you will get the tail wagging the dog so to speak. With a short light trailer you should be fine.
I'm not knocking smaller SUV's but have been towing RV's for 42 + years. You can spend thousands of dollars on vehicle extras and tow anything with anything, BUT just remember the brakes on the vehicle were designed to stop the vehicle, not the vehicle and 7K - 10K pounds of crap behind it.
You might want to compare the size difference in the brakes on a 1/2 Ram diesel to the Jeep, you will be getting a longer wheel base on the pickup (safer towing) and probably larger brakes.
Off soap box............................
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02-03-2016, 11:06 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette
, California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,554
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KWN306
BUT just remember the brakes on the vehicle were designed to stop the vehicle, not the vehicle and 7K - 10K pounds of crap behind it.
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That's why the trailer has brakes.
Tim
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02-03-2016, 01:39 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2013 23' Flying Cloud
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 97
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Jeep Grand Cherokee TV
I've been towing my 23' FC with my gas 2012 Jeep GC, V-8 Hemi, even occasionally heavily loaded. No problems at all. I do have an extra-good hitch and stabilizer bars, and braking system. The only thing that is less than perfect is high-altitude towing, because you lose tow capacity with every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. I spend 1/2 year in the Rockies at 9-11 K feet. I have to keep her light and go quite slowly up the steepest inclines--like 40 MPH. I just tuck in with the semis, turn up the music--and watch my temp gauge. I have heated up only twice: Both when the outside temps were in the high 90s and I had to do a very extended AND steep pull.
I understand with a diesel, you will have more tow capacity, and with your lighter rig, you should be a happy camper.
PS: I will get another JGC when this one dies....best car I've ever owned, super comfy and stable.
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02-03-2016, 02:21 PM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
1965 30' Sovereign
West Allis
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 70
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Funny thing. A co-worker informed me he's towed a 30' SOB with separate trailer hitched behind which has ATV's on it for years, since the early days when you needed permits here I'm WI. Get this...his tow vehicle is a late model, short wheelbase, full sized Blazer with a small block gas V8 350. Yes he uses sway and leveling control. He said its "no problem." He just doesn't pull in to tight places or anywhere he'd need to back out of.
Better him than me!
Be safe, tow within your vehicles limits and make sure your comfortable with the setup.
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02-03-2016, 02:22 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
Mountain View
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 573
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good point, pretty obvious one... another thing is that if SUV is rated to tow 7k lbs trailer, it means that the brakes are design for this weight.
Not sure about Grand Cherokee, but ANY German SUV will outperform any truck in terms of the braking.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim A.
That's why the trailer has brakes.
Tim
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02-03-2016, 06:06 PM
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#16
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3 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Cookeville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 113
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The diesel gives you heavy duty brakes. It has 20" wheels and I don't see how you could get larger brakes. My trailer also has good brakes and tires. Also upgraded the break controller to a p3. My 1978 31' is lighter than a late model 23'
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02-04-2016, 06:49 AM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
1989 25' Excella
Greenbrier
, Arkansas
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 29
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Just remember to allow for proper stop time.. and hope you never kill some one because you can not slow fast enough, Most of your tow capacities have taken this in to consideration. Have pulled many far above practical combinations by necessity, but, always kept stopping power in mind when determining allowable speed.
Be safe and take care of those around you, just as you hope they will do..
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02-04-2016, 07:00 AM
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#18
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3 Rivet Member
2017 30' Flying Cloud
Spotsylvania
, Virginia
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 179
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim A.
That's why the trailer has brakes.
Tim
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If the trailer had disc brakes I wouldn't have made the statement.
I have had to lock up the brakes on my TV even with ABS and the trailer to make an emergency stop because and elder pulled out in front of me in FL.
It is a bad feeling when you got 6K pounds (23FB) pushing a 7800 pound truck (Dodge diesel) down the road and the old man in the front seat of the car freezes and his eyes are as big a pie plates. I was lucky that time I stopped about 1' from hitting him.
I flat spotted the tires on the trailer and the rear of the truck and had to replace them.
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02-04-2016, 11:20 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette
, California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,554
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KWN306
If the trailer had disc brakes I wouldn't have made the statement.
I flat spotted the tires on the trailer and the rear of the truck and had to replace them.
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I am glad you survived with only flat-spotted tires to replace. Disc brakes would have made no difference because the trailer's brakes did stop the wheels from turning. Perhaps ABS brakes on the trailer would have helped, but that is not a feature available on most trailers. Interesting that even with the tow vehicle's ABS, you locked up the brakes on it.
The original poster asked about towing a 4500-pound 19' trailer with a Grand Cherokee. That is still a lot of weight to stop, but is much less than 6000 pounds.
Tim
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02-04-2016, 03:44 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1984 34' International
Toronto
, Ontario
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,499
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ABS doesn't always work, especially with older vehicles and especially if all wheels lock up at the same time. Ice, and slippery roads, are a killer too.
Having said that, the "trucks have bigger brakes" line is yet another myth.
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