2014 Grand Cherokee SRT and 25FB

[bkervaski]

Hey guys, been watching the forum for a while, first post.

I have a 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT, it has a 7200lb towing capacity and a 720lb tongue weight with a 8 speed tranny, a 470HP/465TQ 6.4L motor, and 15" Brembo disc brakes.

I also have a Hensley hitch.

I'm trying to find out if my Jeep will tow the 25FB, at least for a few years, probably 200-400 miles once every few months.

The one thing I can't figure out is will my Hensley hitch increase the raw tongue weight capacity. There is a Jeep spec that says the tongue weight is 1050 with a weight distribution hitch, but I've only seen it in one place.

The 25FB is 5500lbs with a GVWR of 7300 and a 837lb tongue weight fully loaded with LP and water.

Based on my light load requirements I think my setup will actually work great but just wanted to get some feedback from experienced towers.

I was all set to get a 23FB but everybody tells me and everything you read says choose a camper first, vehicle second. Well, I'm stuck with the vehicle and frankly don't want to get rid of it yet as I really, really love it, it's my second SRT, so, this is my dilemma.

Thanks for any feedback

[Denis4x4]

Double check your specs as I think the SRT has a 6000# towing capacity. I have a '13 GC and a Safari 25FB that weighs in at 6280# and has a tongue weight of 800#. Just installed a DirecLink brake controller and as soon as my ProPride hitch arrives and is installed, I'll post the results.

[dkottum]

Don't miss out on the 25FB, whatever you do. We are parked for the night after towing some 6,000 miles with our 5.7 Hemi Ram 1500 short (120") wheelbase with Propride hitch (new addition, same operation as Hensley) and it tows like a dream, very stable. Setting up the weight distribution hitch with scale weights will give you confidence.

Make a point to keep your tongue weight in check and gear in the GC light. Power will not be a problem.

doug k

[bkervaski]

Thanks guys!

The 2014 is factory tow weight is 7200lb, a huge jump over 2013, new rear axel and the 8 speed tranny.

I'm also looking at the 25FB Eddie Bauer which only has a 750lb tongue weight. I'm just trying to determine if the hatch and better match for my vehicle is worth the extra $5-$10K.

[moosetags]

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

As to your situation, be careful about underestimating trailer weight and tongue weight. We have a 2005 Safari 25FB. Ready to go camping, it weighs 7,400# with a tongue weight of 880#. We also have a Hensley which adds an easy 100# to the tongue weight.

Being that you plan only to pull short distances, you will probably be OK with the Jeep. Keep in mind that if you carry a lot of stuff and/or passengers in the jeep when towing, you will very likely significantly exceed the Jeep's weight carrying capacity.

Brian

[JFScheck]

No, no and heck NO...

A 23FB would be the max (and even then you need to be careful) and trust me, I had a 25FB that was towed briefly with a same size TV as the Grand Cherokee with 770lbs max tounge weight and 7700 pounds towing ala the awesome ProPride.

I too just purchased a 2014 Jeep SRT in conjunction with my new 2500 Ram Laramie 4x4 yesterday, the SRT to be my daily driver and the 2500 to tow my 27FB which has a lighter tounge weight than the 25FB...

The SRT reminds me so much of my Cayenne S & TDI Touareg.

Anyways, just to be clear and stay on topic - NO, to answer your question one last time...

[Road Ruler]

Wouldn't a properly set up SRT, Cayenne S & TDI Touareg overall be a better TV than a 2500 4x4 pickup??? By the specs (other than payload) it seems to be so.

[bolerama]

We tow our 08 23' International CCD with a 2000 Grand Cherokee V8 4.7L.. Tows and handles like a dream. Your SRT will handle the 25 ft no problem at all. I read an Article a few years back in Airstream Life magazine written by Andy Thompson of CANAM RV. Made a huge difference in how my Jeep handles.

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by Road Ruler

Wouldn't a properly set up SRT, Cayenne S & TDI Touareg overall be a better TV than a 2500 4x4 pickup??? By the specs (other than payload) it seems to be so.

My thoughts exactly...

[NCstreamer]

Originally Posted by JFScheck

No, no and heck NO...

A 23FB would be the max (and even then you need to be careful) and trust me, I had a 25FB that was towed briefly with a same size TV as the Grand Cherokee with 770lbs max tounge weight and 7700 pounds towing ala the awesome ProPride.

I too just purchased a 2014 Jeep SRT in conjunction with my new 2500 Ram Laramie 4x4 yesterday, the SRT to be my daily driver and the 2500 to tow my 27FB which has a lighter tounge weight than the 25FB...

The SRT reminds me so much of my Cayenne S & TDI Touareg.

Anyways, just to be clear and stay on topic - NO, to answer your question one last time...

What about the f-150 ecoboost? Not good enough?

[switz]

My 25FB International Serenity had a 833 pound Airstream sales literature tongue weight. With a Hensley Arrow hitch and basically empty (new on dealership lot) trailer, the tongue weight was 1,150 pounds. Loaded ready for the road with water, the tongue weight is closer to 1,200 pounds.

Thus I had a 4,400 mile drive to CanAM in London, Ontario to get the 2007 Mercedes ML320 CDI factory hitch reinforced. I was legal towing the trailer home when new and empty.

After loading it for a test weigh with water, most of the "stuff" and my wife, the CAT scales reported the front axle was overloaded by 58 pounds, the vehicle GVW was overloaded by 238 pounds and the trailer weight exceeded recommended towing weight. There was no way to carry generators, extra generator gasoline and additional camping supplies in the car.

Thus the Dodge 2500 diesel tow vehicle is now in the garage in addition to the Mercedes.

[slowmover]

Axle weight rating are the limiting factor. That, and tires. That's it for "legality". All else is the funny world of RV'ng believing something that isn't.

Some of use have used trucks for commercial work and the above is what holds in law.

The scaled weight of each axle set, and tire ratings. But those one-tons plus trailer and load were, together, ABOVE 30k in weight. For about 300k miles.

And some of those same have also towed TT's with cars that weren't "rated" for the load, yet drove reliably and safely for 200k miles. Get the lash-up optimal on a decent choice of vehicle. Respect the FAWR and RAWR. Get the right tires.

"Weight" is far from first in consideration. It only matters in acceleration and on ascents. Other choices are far more important in choosing TT and TV (braking, steering, and resistance to rollover).

The OP needs to choose his porky Airstream so that -- with WD applied -- he is within this range. And that's it.

Trying to equate "weight" and safety" is definitely funny.

.

[bkervaski]

Thanks all, please keep the responses/debate coming. I'm learning a lot, every response leads to some research, I really appreciate all the feedback.

[crisen]

I am not getting into the towing will it or won't it discussion other than to say my opinion is you will be so very little over the ratings on the vehicle that if you load it carefully and drive at reasonable towing speeds you'll be ok. Again opinion only.

What I do want to comment on your trailer choice as my wife and I went thru the same discussions last fall. We started out looking at the 23FB and ended up with a 25 Eddie Bauer. We came to the conclusion that if we were buying the trailer for weekend to a week long trips the 23 would be our choice. However since we will use this for 8 to 12 weeks at a time the 25 was the choice we made. The 25FB gave significantly more room around the bed than the 23 and the extra width was really noticeable on interior room. You really see this if you go from a 23 right into a 25 on the dealer lot. The EB was the choice for several reasons, we liked the International style storage over the FC, the fabric is a version of sunberalla boat fabric , and since we do "use" a trailer the durability of this was important to us. The hatch is important for one reason most people won't need, we will be loading a small freezer when we head to Valdez for salmon, but more commonly it really does make it nice when parked in certain spots that just need to appreciated with the open air.

My advice is buy the trailer that talks to you and figure out the tow vehicle next.

[dkottum]

Contact this Airstream dealer in Canada; they specialize in setting up tow vehicles similar to yours and have been very willing to offer help to forum members.

Can-Am RV Centre | Your Towing Experts

I suspect your SRT will be an outstanding tow vehicle for the 25' Airstream with proper hitch setup and weight distribution.

doug k

[JFScheck]

I own a 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT & towed with a Touareg TDI - simple answer would be "no" - your just to close to the edge (envelope) and will spend so much time worrying about payload of the Tow Vehicle, tounge weights, load distribution within the trailer - just not good ideal...

[bkervaski]

Sadly, I traded my SRT for an F250.

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate it.

[JFScheck]

Although the SRT is fun (I'm loving my 2014), TRUST ME, for towing your Airstream, you are much, much, MUCH, better off with the F-250!!!

[Jim Flower]

I promised myself that I wouldn't bite on the tow with a Jeep thing but I'm bored in a hotel in Thunder Bay. Never get bored in the Airstream since there is always something to fix. So here's my skinny on it. My first Jeep was an 89 Cherokee that towed a 2000 pound boat. My kids finally turned it into a piece of junk that I had to give to the kidney foundation. It had 495,000k on it. I unloaded my next Jeep, a 93 GC onto my sister after it had towed my 97 25ft Safari about 100,000 k. That Jeep currently has 476,000 k on it, is a daily driver, and is rusting away into a piece of junk. My next Jeep was a wrangler that towed the old boat, and was stolen in Montreal, and shipped to a desert in the Middle East. The next GC was a new 2000 with the 4.7L. It towed the 25 ft Safari about 100,000 k before my wife grabbed onto it. She is still driving it since it only has 276,000 k on it but was complaining that the rusty bits made it look like a piece of junk so I had to get it fixed. My next GC was a 2003 model. It towed the 25 ft Safari another 100,000 k before it turned into a piece of junk so I gave it to my kid. He just drove it 4500 k to High Level, Alberta towing his Globetrotter. The thing got a flat tire near Whitecourt that cost $40 to fix. It has 495,000 k on it. I hope he makes it back with that Globetrotter. My current Jeep diesel had towed the Safari about 100,000 k before the Safari was replaced by a 30ft Signature in 2012. This jeep has 290,000 k on it and has towed the Signature about 30,000 k.

Who needs 0 to 60 in 6 seconds with an SRT that will most likely turn into a piece of junk in 4 or 500,000 k. Probably only sell for 50% of its original value to some poor collector who has no idea that it dragged an Airstream around for 1 or 200,000 k.

[JamuJoe]

I'd be very cautious about going with the 25 and a Grand Cherokee. Actual tongue weights are considerably higher than specified by Airstream. Our 2011 FC23FB tongue weight actually comes in at 785 lbs with full propane, water, and modest camping load. Airstream advertised a tongue weight of 470 lbs. We chose our FC23FB to match our 08 Grand Cherokee Diesel and have been very happy for over 23,300 towing miles. I'm just waiting for the 2014 GC Diesel.