International Signature, 2012

[yworry]

We are contemplating the purchase of a 28 or 30 foot Signature and want to pull it with our 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee that has 5.6 v8 and the upgraded towing features to tow up to 7400 lbs. Any feedback regarding the towing ability with a Grand Cherokee would be appreciated.

Thanks

[m.hony]

I would think the trailer weighs more empty than the towing capacity of your car.

[yworry]

Hello All!

My wife and I are current RVers and want to make a switch to an AS 28-30 foot International Signature as we feel we would enjoy our planned US Parks travel more and at less cost than we would in our 2006 40 foot Winnebago Vectra.


I've posted a question on the forum about experiences folks could share regarding the towing capacity of our 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It has a 5.6 V8 engine and all the upgrade towing features for towing up to 7400 lbs. We would like to purchase the 30 foot model but it appears to be very close to the towing capacity of the Jeep. Any feedback would be appreciated!


Jess and Cindy Westover

[yworry]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I would think the trailer weighs more empty than the towing capacity of your car.

The dry weight of the 28 foot is around 6200 lbs. thanks for the response!

[murreywalker]

Why, there are countless threads that will pretty much say what you want them to say (depending upon your point of view).

Some say you can tow a Classic 31 with a modified VW.

Others will say just the opposite.

Use the search function and save yourself some posting grief. ;-)

[moosetags]

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

As to your questions, you may be stretching the limits of your Grand Cherokee. We have a 2005 Safari 25FB that we have used extensively (1,380 nights/120,000 miles), and it weighs 7,400# ready to camp and has a tongue weight of 850#. A late model 28' or 30' is very likely going to tip the scales somewhere north of 8,000# with a 900# tongue weight.

It could work if properly set up, but you would be at the limits of the Grand Cherokee's capabilities.

Brian

[Condoluminum]

Welcome... The question "Can I tow this with that?" has been asked and answered many times and in many ways.. Sometimes debates and arguments have resulted here.. It is an emotional subject. In the end, each driver makes a choice and balances risks and benefits.. The "Search" tab above with a few key words like towing capacity or Jeep Grand Cherokee will bring forth a lot of threads and messages on the subject for you to consider.. Here are a couple general high level principles to consider...

1. For larger trailers, wheelbase length of tow vehicle can impact stability and emergency handling.. Longer wheelbases are more likely to be stable than shorter ones, all other factors equal.
2. Heavier tow vehicles relative to trailer are also more likely to be stable and not lose control in an emergency.. <notice the theme here - a lot of vehicles can pull a trailer on level ground in a straight line, but a panic stop going downhill around a curve on an interstate is a different matter...>
3. Remember that tow vehicle towing weight excludes the weight of passengers, their belongings in the tow vehicle, anything on a roof rack, etc.. Those must be subtracted from the published number to get net towing weight.. In addition, the hitching assembly, spring bars and anti-sway setup must be added to empty weight of trailer, along with any pots, pans, clothing or food you put into the trailer when you tow it.. This usually means towing weight of truck/SUV is ~90% of weight specified in owner's manual after allowing for load inside, and trailer empty weight is generally closer to halfway between GVWR (tanks full, etc) and empty weight..

Good luck with your decision and hope you find an Airstream to enjoy...

[Moflash]

It will pull it but you will be close to or over your max payload capacity as the loaded tongue weight will be approx 1000lbs.Pulling it is not the problem hauling the extra weight is where you may reach the limit.

[Moflash]

Here are your payload specs.

• Trailer Tow Group
• (Optional)

Max towing: 7,400 pounds, 2WD / 4WD+Max payload: 1,225 pounds, 2WD+Max payload: 1,150 pounds, 4WD

[Condoluminum]

Welcome here too...

Posted a couple notes on other message, but since you asked here, I agree with Moosetags that the 30' Airstream is at or maybe even beyond the practical limits of the Grand Cherokee.. FWIW, we have an older 25' Airstream ( 6" narrower than new ones, with heavier oak cabinetry inside..) and we've weighed it on scales and it weighs close to 6,500# when ready to tow, excluding hitch parts and luggage in our tow vehicle.. We pull with long-wheelbase Ford Excursion, with GVWR of its own at 8,500#, and which weighs close to 7,300# when loaded for the road.. It is a good match..

I know a lot of people tow newer 25's and even 27's with Jeep Grand Cherokee's, but not so many try the 30-31 footers, due in part to heavier tongue weight and also to heavier load linked to shorter wheelbase.. Stay tuned, as I am sure a lot of people will weigh in and share additional opinions, and collectively they might all be worth the total cost of membership here on the Forums..

Oh, and be aware also that some of the US National Parks and state parks have campgrounds with length limits that might make 30 or 31' trailer too large.. One of more common maximum standards is 25', and though our trailer is technically longer than 25' exactly, Rangers rarely come out and measure if it is close. You may have already experienced that with large Motorhome.. There is a reason the Airstream 25FB and 27FB models are best selling models in entire lineup...

[PharmGeek]

Take a close look at tongue weights - I recall there being little difference between 27-31 footers with I think the 28 being the heaviest

[SteSpot]

More importantly, can you stop it? You will have a lot of weight going down the road and you must be able to stop it.....just IMHO. Paula

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by yworry

The dry weight of the 28 foot is around 6200 lbs. thanks for the response!

Add to that water, propane, and your clothing, groceries, and gear.
You only have 1,200# for water, propane, groceries, clothing, and camping gear.
That may be enough.
What is the payload of your car?
How much tongue weight can the car handle?
You will need mirror extensions.

[BAB]

I wouldn't.

I have a 2012 28' Intl. As PharmGeek noted, it has a tongue weight just under 1000 lbs. I towed with a wonderful 2012 Infiniti QX56 which was more than adequate for weights and power (440lbs of torque). I just replaced the Infiniti with a 2014 Ram 2500 4x4 with a Cummins 6.7l diesel. Why? Safety margin. Braking ability, torque for hill climbs and exhaust brake for descents. I've towed around 20,000 miles -- mostly with the Infinity, and while it was "fine" I just wanted larger safety margin.

[NJtoNC]

I wouldn't either. We had a Jeep Grand Cherokee and we towed a under 3000lb globetrotter with it, and it did great. I would not tow over 5k with it though. I could 'feel' the trailer on mountains out west... we can still 'feel' our 26ft with the F150. A 30 ft? I would not feel safe towing it or driving next to you.

[yworry]

Thanks to all that responded.... I have made the decision that if we decide on a 28-30 ft, we'll be towing it with a Ram 2500 4x4 or similar as safety is a major factor for us.

Thanks

[Grrrwolf]

Personally, I wouldn't jump the gun and buy a heavy duty 4x4 to pull the Airstream. A Ram 1500 w/5.7 is more than enough for my 31' so much so that I don't even notice it behind me.

Using an 81 Blazer with no TB controller and poor breaks itself is a whole different story but still fairly safe. Good luck on your decision.

[Jim Flower]

Yworry, if you can get your hands on the Winter 2013 issue of Airstream Life, you may benefit from reading the towing article by Andy Thomson. He provides a practical insight into some of the parameters that should be considered when deciding which tow vehicle may be right for you. I have had no complications with my Jeep Diesel over the past two years. I have had issues with my Hensley that if think are related to tongue weight and lousy backing up on my part. I have dragged the thing around for 40,000 k since May 2012. Jim

[m.hony]

I don't know what type of suspension a Jeep Grand Cherokee has, but it is my experience that independent rear suspension and McPherson strut front suspension don't last as long and are more expensive to repair.
The best (longest lasting and less expensive to replace- win, win) suspension system in my personal experience is old fashioned shocks and springs found on front engine, rear wheel drive trucks and truck based SUV's with a solid rear axle.
It seems that towing with any unibody vehicle with 4 wheel independent suspension would put more stress on (and shorten the life of) on the suspension which already doesn't last as long and costs more to repair.
I have replaced struts about every 7-8 years at a cost of $700 while never replacing any component of a springs/shocks suspension.

[Jim Flower]

M.hony,
Valid points. The deterioration of highways around major cities is the biggest cause of suspension failures on vehicles that are heavily loaded. Having tougher suspension assemblies is becoming increasingly critical for the longer term survival of a vehicle. Jim