2020 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk V6 for Bambi 16rb?

[ChristinaS]

Hi everyone, my current car lease is ending and I am looking around for a tow vehicle. My plan is to buy a Bambi 16rb in the near future. I am considering Jeep Grand Cherokee. My question is if a Grand Cherokee Trailhawk w/ V6 engine (6200lb max tow capacity) enough for towing a Bambi 16rb? Do I need to upgrade to V8 engine?

Also is Grand Cherokee a reliable vehicle? It's reliability reviews on Consumer Reports is not very good.

If you don't think GC is a good choice, what SUV will you recommend for Bambi 16rb?

Thanks a lot!

[Silvr_Bullet]

The Grand Cherokee 6cyl is IMO a very capable tow vehicle having owed a.2017 Overland. I towed a 16’ Sport using a Hensley Cub. If you are towing in high terrain you will notice the transmission and oil temp will begin to climb, I only experienced this climbing a long uphill grade, and I slowed and that helped. Some vehicles without tows seemed to be having difficulty, maybe if traveling in very high terrain it would be a concern.
The vehicle had some nice features, the one downside for me was the cargo weight capacity ( like 1150 lbs ). I now have a 1500 Ram, but it has added approximately 3 feet to the overall length of my vehicle and trailer and prevented me from using one of my treasured camping sites. BTW temps still increase on that long grade I mentioned.
I liked that it made for a nice every day vehicle other features were air suspension ( nice for hooking and unhooking ) cabin layout, gas mileage, all wheel drive, towing package and overall design. I am a little nostalgic after having to lose my coveted camping site. Good Luck! 🦩[emoji904]

[BayouBiker]

I agree the GC is one of many many good choices. Most people report best towing experience when the trailer is smaller than about 75% of the vehicles rated capacity, so as long as you have a blank paper, try to shoot for that as a target. I have not owned or reviewed a GC in many many years so I can't comment on reliability or safety other than what I can read from the internet.

[oldenavy]

We own a 2017 GC with factory tow pkg, it’s rated at 7500#.

It is by far the most reliable and comfortable car we’ve owned. We have previously owned Acura, Volvo, Lexus, Audi luxury cars.

We don’t tow our AS with it (we have a 30’ FC) but do tow a 3000# enclosed utility trailer from time to time. It tows great.

If you’re buying, look for the factory tow package. It includes upgraded transmission cooling to get to the higher tow rating. V8 not needed, the V6 has plenty of power (unless you love burning rubber)!

[ChristinaS]

Originally Posted by oldenavy

We own a 2017 GC with factory tow pkg, it’s rated at 7500#.

It is by far the most reliable and comfortable car we’ve owned. We have previously owned Acura, Volvo, Lexus, Audi luxury cars.

We don’t tow our AS with it (we have a 30’ FC) but do tow a 3000# enclosed utility trailer from time to time. It tows great.

If you’re buying, look for the factory tow package. It includes upgraded transmission cooling to get to the higher tow rating. V8 not needed, the V6 has plenty of power (unless you love burning rubber)!

Thank you for the reply! This is very helpful information.

So your GC is able to tow 7500# without V8 engine? Only with the factory tow package and a V6 engine? Because I was told the max tow capacity for V6 engine is 6200lb, and for V8 engine is 7200lb (2020 GC). I assume they both come with factory tow package (the one that is already installed on the suv when I see them at the dealership)?

[Silvr_Bullet]

Originally Posted by ChristinaS

Thank you for the reply! This is very helpful information.



So your GC is able to tow 7500# without V8 engine? Only with the factory tow package and a V6 engine? Because I was told the max tow capacity for V6 engine is 6200lb, and for V8 engine is 7200lb (2020 GC). I assume they both come with factory tow package (the one that is already installed on the suv when I see them at the dealership)?

Information from 2017 Grand Cherokee manual.



https://www.mopar.com/en-us/care/dyn...EAA&tocID=1990

[oldenavy]

Attachment 378792

Originally Posted by ChristinaS

Thank you for the reply! This is very helpful information.

So your GC is able to tow 7500# without V8 engine? Only with the factory tow package and a V6 engine? Because I was told the max tow capacity for V6 engine is 6200lb, and for V8 engine is 7200lb (2020 GC). I assume they both come with factory tow package (the one that is already installed on the suv when I see them at the dealership)?

Correction, the rating is 7200# with the tow pkg and 3.6L V6 (that was 2017), according to their website it is still 'up to' that. Need to check window sticker to see if it has the tow pkg (see attached). Many of them will have a class III receiver but don't have the full tow pkg. We had to look all over the mid-Atlantic to get a Limited model with tow pkg back in '17. I've found most car sales people these days don't know their products very well (maybe they just want to sell you a V8 to increase the price???).

The other key thing to check is vehicle payload and rear axle capacity (on sticker inside driver's door sill). Most vehicles run up against those limits well before they hit the rated towing capacity limit.

As an aside, we also owned a 2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Our GC is a Limited model. I found the Trailhawk to have a rough ride and the off road tires were noisy. Although, that was a Cherokee and not a GC.

[ChristinaS]

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

Information from 2017 Grand Cherokee manual.
Attachment 378791


https://www.mopar.com/en-us/care/dyn...EAA&tocID=1990

Thank you! This is a very useful website!

[ChristinaS]

Originally Posted by oldenavy

Attachment 378792

Correction, the rating is 7200# with the tow pkg and 3.6L V6 (that was 2017), according to their website it is still 'up to' that. Need to check window sticker to see if it has the tow pkg (see attached). Many of them will have a class III receiver but don't have the full tow pkg. We had to look all over the mid-Atlantic to get a Limited model with tow pkg back in '17. I've found most car sales people these days don't know their products very well (maybe they just want to sell you a V8 to increase the price???).

The other key thing to check is vehicle payload and rear axle capacity (on sticker inside driver's door sill). Most vehicles run up against those limits well before they hit the rated towing capacity limit.

As an aside, we also owned a 2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Our GC is a Limited model. I found the Trailhawk to have a rough ride and the off road tires were noisy. Although, that was a Cherokee and not a GC.

I see. Thank you for the detailed information!!

I checked the window sticker, this V6 Trailhawk does come with 'Trailer-Tow Group IV', but didn't mention the receiver. It should include whole package I guess?

Thank you for your replies. Now I feel safe to buy a v6 GC.

[Silvr_Bullet]

It’s a very well equipped vehicle, is this the engine that is in your spec sheet?

[jsmall01]

We have a 19ft flying cloud bambi with a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit V6. With the Blue-Ox weight/sway system, the jeep handles the AS just fine.

Make sure you get a break controller. Our jeep was factory wired for the the controller, but you still need to buy the controller its self.

[SilverFire]

You are in California. You have long hot grades. These newer V-6 engines are working hard already to create more horsepower and provide improved fuel requirements (more heat & friction = more wear). I'd contend that many of the Grand Cherokee owners fondly remember their former reliable big 8 cylinders models from Yesterday. These new Cherokees do not have the reliability of the older quality V-8 Grand Cherokees. I'd pay attention to those Consumer Reports. Jeeps are not the quality vehicle they used to be. Get the V-8 upgrade if your going to tow in California.

You may decide in the future to upgrade to a 19' or 23'. The V-8 for California topography makes more sense, but many new Jeep owners I know are sorry they went with Jeep. They are not the same quality Grand Cherokees from Yesterday. Jeep is now owned by Fiat (Fix It Again Tony) Chrysler. That's why Consumer reports gives low marks to Jeep. The reports are based on numbers. Good luck.

[Sport 16 STL]

We have a 2019 trail hawk, 6 cylinder, 4x4, tow package, and it pulls our sport 16 with no issues. Been over the rockies three times, drive 60-65mph. Jeep is pre wired for break controller and install is easy. We bought trailer used with equalizer hitch.
Added rear camera and tire monitoring system.
A little disappointed we only get 14-16 mpg pulling trailer. Feel free to ask additional questions.

[JCWDCW]

My friend tows a 16’Bambi with a Ford Edge V6 - 6 speed transmission
Cross continent twice and East coast twice. The GC is a more capable vehicle
We have club members pulling 25’ with the GC
JCW

[new2trailer]

Originally Posted by Sport 16 STL

A little disappointed we only get 14-16 mpg pulling trailer. Feel free to ask additional questions.

Laying it on a bit thick are we? Most people would be thrilled to get 14-16 towing. The EPA numbers are for 18 or 19 city for the 6 cylinder. I know I would be thrilled to get that close to the EPA numbers while towing.

I hope the OP gets that but she shouldn't be unhappy if her setup doesn't.


Mike

[kgottleib]

Hi there - I have the v6 Diesel model and love it, get about 26-28 mpg average when not towing.. with the price of diesel coming down the way it has over the last 5 years I would move in this direction without question. I can drive from MA to VA without refilling..

When towing a 2008 2600lbs Airstream Gunnar Safari16 -

I think that's about what it weighed I rented it to see how much my girl and I would enjoy the experience and to see how well the jeep would perform towing -

I was getting about 18Mpg, not too shabby.. Handled great, could accelerate up long hills to in 7th gear moving at 65 mph..

My experience gave me complete confidence I wouldn't have any issues with the basecamp 20x I have on order, and I believe this model may be about the same weight as the bambi 16 it may be even a little lighter..

Some tow details about the grand cherokee, the V8 tows 7500lbs, the v6 tows 6200lbs, the v6 Diesel tows 6800lbs and gets the gas mileage you want..

Ken

[Halford1]

the GC Trailhawk seem to can tow any of Bambi 16', 19'. 20'. and 22' according to the Jeep Specifications. keep your eye on tongue weight as well. be careful going over mountains. have good brake controller on all the times. I can't speak for other Jeep models.

[BayouBiker]

Originally Posted by new2trailer

Laying it on a bit thick are we? Most people would be thrilled to get 14-16 towing. The EPA numbers are for 18 or 19 city for the 6 cylinder. I know I would be thrilled to get that close to the EPA numbers while towing.

I hope the OP gets that but she shouldn't be unhappy if her setup doesn't.


Mike

Yeah the fuel mileage while towing is mostly a function of the trailer cross section and aerodynamic profile. For the larger profile Airstreams 18 mpg at 63 mph is the upper theoretical limit and that is for diesel engines. 16.5 for gasoline.

[SilverFire]

Towing capacity with SUV's does not correlate to tongue capacity like with most trucks. V-6 SUV's often have lower tongue weight limitations.

2020 Grand Jeep Cherokee Specs
Engine Type And Towing Capacity
The type of engine that you Jeep Cherokee has in it will impact how much it can tow, as you can see here. The 16' Bambi loaded is at the threshold or likely may be over maximum capacity tongue weight with the V-6 Cherokee specifications, as show below with the 16' AS. The V-8 upgrade makes significant more sense comparing specifications below. Larger AS models tongue weight exceed the V-6 specifications.

Engine Type Towing Capacity & Tongue Weight Capacity
3.6l Pentastar® V6 Engine 6,200 lbs 350 lbs
5.7l V8 Engine 7,200 lbs 500 lbs
6.4l V8 Engine 7,200 lbs 600 lbs
Supercharged 6.2l V8 Engine 7,200 lbs 600 lbs

2020 Airstream RV Bambi 16RB
Hitch Weight 430 lbs
Gross Weight 3500 lbs
Dry Weight 2900 lbs
Cargo Weight 600 lbs

[jcl]

Originally Posted by SilverFire

Towing capacity with SUV's does not correlate to tongue capacity like with most trucks. V-6 SUV's often have lower tongue weight limitations.

2020 Grand Jeep Cherokee Specs
Engine Type And Towing Capacity
The type of engine that you Jeep Cherokee has in it will impact how much it can tow, as you can see here. The 16' Bambi loaded is at the threshold or likely may be over maximum capacity tongue weight with the V-6 Cherokee specifications, as show below with the 16' AS. The V-8 upgrade makes significant more sense comparing specifications below. Larger AS models tongue weight exceed the V-6 specifications.

Engine Type Towing Capacity & Tongue Weight Capacity
3.6l Pentastar® V6 Engine 6,200 lbs 350 lbs
5.7l V8 Engine 7,200 lbs 500 lbs
6.4l V8 Engine 7,200 lbs 600 lbs
Supercharged 6.2l V8 Engine 7,200 lbs 600 lbs

2020 Airstream RV Bambi 16RB
Hitch Weight 430 lbs
Gross Weight 3500 lbs
Dry Weight 2900 lbs
Cargo Weight 600 lbs

It is important not to conflate the base vehicle capability and the receiver capability.

It appears that the manufacturer has spec'd a lower strength receiver on the V6 models. That is easily remedied.

There are aftermarket receivers available for these vehicles, from multiple manufacturers, designed for up to 750 lb tongue weight when used with WD equipment, 600 lb weight bearing. Draw-Tite and Curt models are priced around $200 US on line. No drilling required.

It is important not to exceed axle or tire ratings, but it isn't necessary to be constrained by a vehicle manufacturer using a lower rated hitch.