Towing Vehicle

SurgiMed · 11-20-2003, 10:11 AM

I just purchased a 1972 Sovereign 31'.
What is the weight of trailer & tongue weight ?
I am concerned that my '99 Grand Cherokee (4.7 V-8)
may not be up to the task.

Thanks for any advice.

uwe · 11-20-2003, 10:19 AM

http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p.../weights-1.pdf

Your trailer weighs about 5000lbs empty, and has a tongue weight of about 520lbs.
The link above is a link for trailer weights and tongue weights.

**Chuck** · 11-20-2003, 10:20 AM

I would guess "no"; the jeep is not up to it. maybe techincally, on paper, you could tow it home. But I'd consider a stronger tow vehicle with a longer wheelbase for a trailer that large. The length of that trailer is a factor, too. it'll have much more leverage against the short-wheelbased jeep than a shorter trailer of equal weight, and you will likely experience alot of "white-knuckle" rides with that thing back there, pushing your cherokee all over the road.

Here's a link to Airstream's trailer weights: http://www.airstream.com/airstream/p.../weights-1.pdf

uwe · 11-20-2003, 10:21 AM

I would say that the trailer you just purchased exceeds the capacity of your Jeep. Remember thatt he empty weight does not account for water or any personal things in the trailer. You will end up with at least 1000lbs of "stuff" to lug around.
Check some of the tow vehicle threads, this subject has been covered often.
Good Luck, and welcome to the forum.

**Pick** · 11-20-2003, 10:53 AM

If you tow that unit with a Grand Cherokee, consider yourself on a suicide mission.

NO WAY would I tow with that vehicle.

My first TV was a 3500 GMC with 454. That was a pretty comfortable vehicle, but towing without a sway bar and WD spring bars could make for some white knuckle experiences after a new set of tires, with heavier tread depth were installed. Using a sway bar, WD hitch and a full fresh water tank, made for a much more enjoyable trip.

My current tow vehicle is a 2500HD Extended Cab, Short Bed, with Duramax/Allison. It tows it like a dream, and is more stable because of it's longer wheelbase.

Your Airstream should weigh around 6400# empty. A full size extended cab truck with V8 engine should tow it very well.

Silvertwinkie · 11-20-2003, 10:53 AM

I agree with both Chuck and Uwe.

Eric

**wahoonc** · 11-20-2003, 07:14 PM

I agree that the short wheelbase is going to be a BIG issue! I was towing a heavy popup with a V-8 Explorer, it pushed us all over the place because of the short wheel base. It was much better behaved when I was towing it with my V-6 F-150 long bed.

Aaron