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11-16-2010, 10:30 PM
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#1
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New Member
cobble hill
, British Columbia
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 2
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Jeep GC CRD towing 23 Flying Cloud FB?
I have a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel with 7,200 lbs towing capacity and GVWR of 6,150. I currently tow a 19 ft boat weighting 4,000 lbs with little effort and concerns for sway. I am considering a 23 ft Flying Cloud with 6,000 lbs GVWR front bed layout and plan to tow long distances in the mountains. I would consider the 20 ft Flying Cloud with 5,000 lbs GVWR as I like the kitchen and lesser weight but the bed size is the only draw back.
Only passengers in vehicle is me and wife. I don't want the the feeling of having my hands full pulling a 23 ft AS. Your feedback appreciated as to whether I should go with the 23 or 20 ft. This would be my second travel trailer and first AS.
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11-16-2010, 11:07 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
1963 24' Tradewind
Anderson / Sun City
, Indiana / Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 444
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I have the same TV and tow a 24' 1963 Trade Wind. It weighs 5000 lbs (loaded for 5 months of travel), so it is lighter than the 23' you are looking at.
Having said that, we towed our Trade Wind over 14,000 miles this Spring and Summer. We went from Indiana to Key West, FL and then across the Southern border of the US to California. We then traveled North up the West Coast to Canada before returning home through Utah, Colorado and the Midwest. Never had a problem no matter what the grade. Plenty of torque on the low end of the RPM range.
I think this vehicle will handle either trailer easily, but my experience is only up to 5000 lbs.
__________________
Mike Brumback
WBCCI #1200
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11-16-2010, 11:14 PM
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#3
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,156
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Greetings from the Florida Panhandle
First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.
As to your question, it sounds like you have done your research. I think that you should be good with the 23FB. You will need a high quality weight distribution/sway control hitch system and trailer brake controller. You can research those here on the Forums.
The diesel should be able to handle the grades.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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11-17-2010, 06:56 AM
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#4
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Patriotic
1973 23' Safari
North of Boston
, Massachusetts
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,546
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Since when have they put a diesel in a jeep??
learn sumthin' new every day here.
__________________
Air:291
Wbcci: 3752
'73 Safari 23'
'00 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 QC
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11-17-2010, 07:29 AM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
Seattle
, Washington
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck
Since when have they put a diesel in a jeep??
learn sumthin' new every day here.
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FWIW:
When doing my research for a utilitarian SUV, I can across the new AEV J8 MILSPEC. For those who a are Jeep fans,... and want the option of a diesel &/or a more rugged/utilitarian model - Check it out.
Pics:
Some Videos below:
Article:
Road Test Review: American Expedition Vehicles J8 MILSPEC - PickupTrucks.com News
Cheers!
~CLK
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11-18-2010, 08:12 AM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
1963 24' Tradewind
Anderson / Sun City
, Indiana / Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 444
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Unfortunately, Jeep discontinued the diesel engine beginning with the 2009 model year. The 3.0L CRD engine was made by Mercedes, and when their partnership dissolved, so did the diesel engine option.
__________________
Mike Brumback
WBCCI #1200
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11-27-2010, 04:02 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2015 28' Flying Cloud
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 623
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Emerson,
Coincidence! We ordered a 2011 Flying Cloud 23FB last week, which I plan to tow with my 08 Grand Cherokee Overland Diesel. I'm confident that the GC will tow the AS quite well. We chose the 23FB because, among other reasons, the hitch weight of 467 lbs leaves us plenty of margin. I wasn't about to part with my GC - we towed our 17' Casita for over 10,000 miles last year and it really proved it's mettle. I like the ability to explore off-road after disconnecting the trailer. I may not get the 17-19 mpg that I averaged pulling the Casita, we'll see. I ordered the Equal-i-zer WD/SC Hitch, and already have the Tek Prodigy brake controller.
Joe Donnaway, Durango CO
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11-27-2010, 05:06 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2017 30' Flying Cloud
2008 23' International
Keremeos
, British Columbia
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 845
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Hi Emerson,
We tow a 2008 23' CCD with a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 (gas). It's been a great tow vehicle. As Moosetags suggested, you need weight distribution and sway control. We don't have sway control and in heavy heavy prairie winds we can feel a bit of sway. We've been fine in the mountains. We just take our time. We love our GC and don't want to part with it yet. It's been a trouble-free vehicle. We did what others recommend not doing: bought a trailer to fit our tow vehicle. We will probably keep driving Grand Cherokees as long as they make them.
We joined the Wally Byam club, and when we go out for event, people try to car pool. Whenever our vehicle is used, people can't help but comment on how comfortable it is. Yes, it is. We've been in many of their trucks and can testify that the Jeep rules in terms of comfort!
Happy trails!
__________________
Lisa and Paul
2017 30' FC | 2002 Chinook Destiny | 2008 23' Int. CCD (written off: hail!)
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11-28-2010, 04:40 PM
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#9
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New Member
cobble hill
, British Columbia
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 2
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Thank you for helpful advice. I will ensure we purchase a quality weight distribution/sway control hitch and electric brake system. It's nice to see others using similiar set ups with no concerns, thank you.
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