Jeep Grand Cherokee as TV

[SMLJeep]

Greetings,

Newbie to all things travel trailer and looking for real world advice on towing with a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 3.6 Lite V6 gas engine. It is equipped with the factory tow package and rated at 6200lb tow capacity and 620 TW. We are looking at getting a Flying Cloud 23FB or Sport 22FB. From everything I've read I know we can tow the Sport but would prefer the Flying Cloud 23FB for the walk around bed.

Thanks

[kmlacroix]

I have a 2014 JGC, but I have the diesel. Mine tows great but I have an Overland with the air suspension. You will still need a weight distribution hitch. Does your tow package have a 7pin or just the 4 pin socket?

[SMLJeep]

kmlacroix,

Thanks for the reply. Ours has both 7 & 4 pin. Our Jeep dealer did advise us that any trailer over 3500 will need a weight distribution hitch. What is the weight on the unit you are towing?

[kmlacroix]

We have the sport 22.

[AWCHIEF]

I comfortably tow a 2006 Safari 23 with a 2011 GC Overland 4X4 5.7 Hemi. Currently using a Blue Ox SwayPro WD system.

[hiljon]

Been towing a Safari25 for more than ten years with a succession of GC's
All have been eights though.
Weigh your trailer fully loaded and stay under the recommended max for the vehicle and you will be fine. Be careful because with full tanks and lockers full of canned goods tools equipment etc it's all too easy to go over the limit!

[jsthespender]

I have the 2008 grand cherokee with 3 litre diesel. Tows great. If I got a new one it would be the v8 gas.

[ckottum]

Originally Posted by jsthespender

I have the 2008 grand cherokee with 3 litre diesel. Tows great. If I got a new one it would be the v8 gas.

Why the V8 (which we have in our Ram and it's a very good engine) instead of the diesel?

[VBSchmidt]

We tow a 1970 23' Single Axle Safari. The manual puts the weight at about 3500lbs but I'm sure we are pushing 5000 going down the road (I have not weighed it).

We are towing with a 2012 GC with the 3.6 Pentastar and the 5 speed auto. It's a very comfortable combination. I am paranoid about blowing up the transmission and I take it pretty easy when I get into long grades, but we have had no issues to date, with a 6000km trip to Florida and back at Christmas and a 3200km trip to Myrtle Beach and back last week.

I can only imagine the new automatics with more gears would be helpful. I would say that having a couple more ranges would be helpful when the grades start to get steep, as I've had it drop all the way to 2nd gear (pushing 5000+ RPM) on grades and I would have been happy to lug along in 3rd. Manually shifting just gives this transmission suggestions, it will still override and downshift automatically, so I wind up having the cancel the cruise control and modulate the throttle myself to keep it in a happy RPM range.

Mileage has been pretty good too - last trip was 18L / 100KM while towing, doing about 65-70 MPH depending on traffic. That was I-81-I-95.

If my trailer was any heavier I would appreciate having a little more power under the hood.

[SMLJeep]

So 1000lbs under capacity would be a safe margin?

[phawk33]

I just bought a:

• 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD 3.0Liter Turbo Diesel with Quadra-Drive II and
• 2014 25' Flying Cloud dual axle with an Equalizer load and sway control system plus a Tekonsha Brake Controller.

On my 1st trip from Kansas City to Richmond, VA I had a wonderful experience. The towing felt very secure and had plenty power to easily cruise at 70 MPH on the Interstate. I averaged about 15.5 Miles per Gallon at 65 MPH. The Diesel engine seemed quite happy at all speeds and stayed between 2000 and 2500 RPM most of the tme (which is at the peak torque band for the engine). Oil consumption was zero.

I highly recommend this combination.

[RCLOUD9]

Hi, I also have a 2014 JGC with a diesel that I am towing a 23FB international with. I only have tow the AS about 5,000 mile but I have not had any issues. I love the torque it has in the mountains and no overheating as yet. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am towing an AS. What a pleasure! Good luck

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by SMLJeep

So 1000lbs under capacity would be a safe margin?

It's not really that simple. There are many on this board who happily and safely tow with vehicles that are rated very low, mostly minivans.

There are many elements that need to come together for safe towing. It is entirely possible to have a terrible rig with a highly rated tow vehicle and it is just as possible to have a safe and stable rig with a lower rated vehicle.

All this to say, don't just rely on one single number.

Personally I make sure that we do not exceed the payload, and axle rating, of the vehicle we're towing with. I haven't towed with the GC, but have heard many, many good reports.

[jsthespender]

Originally Posted by ckottum

Why the V8 (which we have in our Ram and it's a very good engine) instead of the diesel?

The diesel engine costs more and the diesel fuel often costs 20% more than reg. gas in many US States.

[AWCHIEF]

Surprisingly in my area currently the cost of regular gas is more than diesel. Crazy market!

[SMLJeep]

So last week we went on our second trip with the new AS an 1.5 hours from home to Highland Haven AS Park to the Blue Ridge. Beautiful place to spend some time if anyone in the area.

The FC 23FB was just big enough for the wife, 20 year old daughter and me, even on the one rainy night we had to cook inside.

Although I took the roads that are the least curve and step, the Jeep GC down shifted and stayed in 2nd more than I liked. Also on one down hill stop the AS gave me more push than I liked.

So, now we're going to start looking a trucks! The wife thinks I should get a 3/4 ton on the change that we decide to upsize the AS (27"?) in the next 4-5 years. I'm conflicted as this TV will replace my Jeep Wrangler as my everyday/hunting ride and I don't need a 3/4 ton for that. Although a properly outfitted 1/2 ton would be more that adequate for the 23FB I would not feel anymore comfortable using one to tow a 27" AS than I know do using our Jeep GC.

I've read hundreds of posts on this and other forums on opinions regarding "bigger is better" and diesel vs gas for towing. I've researched what 1/2 tons may work for now and in the future and like the Ram Hemi and Ford 3.5 Eco. For 3/4 ton I like the Ram Cummins.

Plan to go look at them over the next few months and go on one more trip with the setup we have before pulling the trigger.

SMLJeep

[Jim Flower]

Smljeep,
Here is my take on it. If you are going to get a truck, get a real truck, like a Ram Cummins. It will last forever and do what ever you have to do with a truck. Don't fool around with a half ton, gas or diesel. The Ram will occupy the same space as any other truck. I have never owned a truck. But if I did, that would be the one. And you won't have to fool around with fancy hitches. Any wdh will do. And when you get tired of rolling and you want a fifth wheel so you can sit in one place, you are good to go. Glad I got that off my chest. Jim


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[AWCHIEF]

Took my JGC into the shop yesterday to get plugs changed and fuel system serviced. While there I took the opportunity to check out the GCD's they had in stock. Took one for a test drive. Very impressed but honestly noticeably less power on demand than my 5.7 Hemi. With starting prices of $50k trading is going to have to wait until I win the lottery or have an unknown rich uncle die.

[slowmover]

My diesel is slow. Ponderous what with the manual transmission and weighing 7,900-lbs, but with the trailer hitched doesn't seem to change that curve very much even at over 17k. Has to be a more substantial grade than an Interstate ramp for it to be noticeable enough to wind it all the way.

My assumption was that for the EcoD this was similar given changes in weight and total power.

Does it go "flat" in "pulling" as it revs?

Maybe I'm just too used to slow acceleration now, between this truck and Class 8. Too many years since having had a big block gasser set for towing.

[kmlacroix]

The hemi and the diesel are apples and oranges in comparison. I tested both and bought the diesel. I bought it to tow with, it accelerates fine, just not as quick as a V-8 Hemi. I average 24 -25 mpg. 20-22 towing.