Jeep Grand Cherokee Tow Vehicle

[Jim Flower]

You have two separate issues. A trip to the scales will tell you how you are doing with the weight transfer ie angle and links. But having the Airstream level is pretty important and that can only be corrected with the correct length of the drop on the shank. Remember that your Jeep will maintain its attitude regardless of the loading due to the self adjusting air suspension. The next issue to tackle will be sway. I am not impressed with the groaning sway bars. Jim

[Jim Flower]

I used a Reese Dual Cam while towing my previous 25ft Safari with my previous Mercedes based Jeep Diesel and was very pleased with its performance. The Reese is still being used with my son's Jeep and 20ft GT. It is simple and easy to hook up. If I had not given it to him, I would happily use it with my current combination. Jim

[AirJackson]

I just started towing my 23' with a Jeep GC diesel. Power is great and braking seems adequate. The only problem I have experienced is when traveling down a long'ish grade then into a curve. Twice on the way down to Florida and three times on the way back (from Ohio) we experienced significant swaying. Think "white knuckles on the steering wheel". It was enough that I will be trading this Jeep soon for a pickup like a Tundra (smallest) or Denali diesel as we are planning an extended trip out west late this summer. Live and learn.

[Jim Flower]

Too bad about the nasty sway experience, especially on a downhill curve which is an extremely vulnerable situation. I have never had a similar experience with any of my Jeep tow vehicles but I have benefited from some help from the good techs at CanAm who have ensured that my setup is optimized. Sounds like it was the right thing to do. Jim

[SEA2014]

I tow my 20 foot 2014 Flying Cloud with a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited using an Equalizer weight distribution. It's a V6 and does a nice job towing. The Jeep's paddle shifters are great for traveling over mountain passes.

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by AirJackson

I just started towing my 23' with a Jeep GC diesel. Power is great and braking seems adequate. The only problem I have experienced is when traveling down a long'ish grade then into a curve. Twice on the way down to Florida and three times on the way back (from Ohio) we experienced significant swaying. Think "white knuckles on the steering wheel". It was enough that I will be trading this Jeep soon for a pickup like a Tundra (smallest) or Denali diesel as we are planning an extended trip out west late this summer. Live and learn.

Trading for a different tow vehicle will not solve your problem if your setup is in need of optimization. I don't know enough about your rig to offer an informed opinion, but sway in a turn should not happen with a perfectly set up hitch.

As far as braking is concerned, if the trailer doesn't brake itself, then your brake controller isn't optimized. A perfectly dialed in rig should come to a stop just as well as a vehicle travelling alone.

[isabel]

I have had 3 Grand Cherokees with v-8's. The current one is a hemi. All have done very well towing a 25' AS.
Everyone is surprised that it tows the 25', which is equipped with a weight distribution, anti- sway hitch. They feel that I need a truck!
I get between 10 and 12.5mpg depending on terrain.
I recommend it!


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[Jim Flower]

Jeep boondock in Sudbury Walmart on Wednesday, Terrace Bay on Thursday, and an actual Campground, Town & Country, in Winnipeg on Friday. Nasty head wind and snow today, only 13 mpg. Sunny +1.
Another Airstream in the background in Winnipeg.

[WKPwildlife]

I have a 2015 JGC Limited diesel and 19' AS International. Love it! The Jeep diesel is a comfortable, perfect match for the 19' AS. Fuel mileage with trailer averages 18 = 20 mpg. My only complaint is the Jeep navigation. It's mistakenly "guided" me down dead end roads and gravel fire roads. Google maps works much better. And their subscription services that use your cell phone minutes are a waste of money. Wish they would just offer a firmware update for Apple CarPlay; but not holding my breath on this one.

[terryg]

I have an early build 2014 Overland Ecodiesel I purchased new in 2013. I used it to pull my 6600 lb (actual wt.) 25' FB Classic for over 4000 miles throughout the west. I've since moved on to a 2015 Duramax and here's why:

1. The Jeep was max'ed out weight wise with two adults, no onboard cargo, and a lightly loaded Airstream (again, per the CAT scales). Maybe it's just my aviation background talking, but I've seen the accelerated wear and tear on aircraft brought on by flying at max gross weight. Likewise, if I wanted to bring the generator, the BBQ, the extra lawn chairs, the canopy, etc..., it just wasn't an option.

2. The Jeep handled the trailer beautifully with the ProPride hitch and Direclink setup. I never had sway issues or felt like "the tail was wagging the dog." However, climbing some grades required slowing to 45 mph to keep the coolant temp under control. At times I ended up in the slow lane behind a semi creeping up the hill at 25 mph with traffic in the left lane whizzing by at 75 mph.

3. Hopefully, the emissions issue has been fixed by now (I had to have my system replaced at 38,000 miles). I now have over 58,000 miles on the Jeep with no issues, but at the time I did not want to end up in the middle of nowhere with a Jeep limited to 4 mph due to an emissions system issue.

4. Lastly, related to my first reason, was the potential high cost of maintenance. For example, the ZF transmission, FCA markets it as a "lifetime maintenance free" unit. However, the ZF factory recommends changing the fluid and filter at 60,000 miles if used for towing and/or off-road operations. The filter is integral to the pan and must be changed as a unit. It sells for around $300.00. The ZF uses 8 qts of special fluid that sells for around $40.00 a quart. You're looking at over $600.00 not including labor for a fluid and filter change.

I do like my Ecodiesel as a daily driver. I'm averaging 28 mpg combined city/hwy and hope to put 100,000+ plus on it. I really like my 2015 Duramax for towing. I've since moved on to a 30' Classic and it easily handles it with room and weight to spare.

[AirJackson]

Hi All,

Thanks for the great suggestions and replys! After doing much study I believe my problem centered around two issues: 1) I did not have enough weight moved forward on to the vehicle using the hitch, and 2) I was overloaded in the vehicle. After reading the many posts I did the homework and corrected both issues and have found the towing to be much improved. My issue now is trying to decide what I can pack and what stays home as I do not want to be overloaded again. For me, the pack rat, a pickup truck may still be the better option due to heavier payload rating. Thanks for the help!

[tmcguffy]

I have the 2015 GC ecodiesel limited and recently changed out my EZY Lift w/1000 lb bars to the Reese Dual Cam w/800 lb bars and a lower shank. I now have about 600 miles on this setup. I prefer the Reese although there is not a great difference. I think the 800 lb bars provide a softer ride. The Reese was not the easiest thing to install by myself. The cam bars are heavy to hold in place but the hardest part was drilling 11/16 holes for the rivets by hand. I never had any major sway problems with either hitch.

I love the Jeep and got 18.5 mpg on both legs of a trip (400 mi round trip) to Salida, CO from Santa Fe, NM. I had no problems coming and going over Poncha Pass @ 9,000 ft passing semi's on the way up. The only thing I don't like is the shifter which I believe there is a recall on.

Tom

[Jim Flower]

Hi Tom, I echo your comments on the Ezy Lift and wish that I had my old Reese Dual Cam that my son is currently using. The Reese is much easier to use, lacking all the paraphernalia that accompanies the Ezy Lift with 2 friction anti sway bars. I had to give up on my Hensley since it kept breaking. The Jeep Diesel continues to perform flawlessly and I am pleased that it performs better than my previous generation Jeep Diesel which was also a great tow vehicle. I just returned from a 5,000 k trip over the north shore of Superior and got 15.7 average mpg, Airstream about 7400 lbs. Jim


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[BK2016]

Looking to do the same thing, but possibly tow a 23FB International.
Been told by dealer that I'm well below 6200lb that the Jeep can pull

[tcrum]

The Eco diesel can tow 7,200 lbs

[AirstreamJim]

The 3.6L Pentastar has a max tow capacity of 6,200 lbs (6,000 if you have 4 wheel drive). The International 23 FB weighs 4,746 empty with a tongue weight of 467. Even when you find out what the real weights are (Airstream's numbers are always very optimistic), you should be fine. Enjoy your new Jeep and your Airstream!

Jim

[JamuJoe]

Originally Posted by Carmel-Jon

Considering a 2015 Diesel Grand Cherokee TV for 19' International Serenity.

Tired of driving a truck.



Anyone out there pulling with a grand Cherokee?

How would it handle a 4500# trailer?



Thanks,

Carmel-Jon

Carmel,
Several of us are doing just that. 2014 GC Overland Diesel and FC23FB. Search my posts for more details.

Safe Travels.
Joe

[nrgtrakr]

Interesting thread ...

We had a gas GC Overland and loved it in spite of how thirsty it was - and it's enough to tow our 27'.

But we need something more truckish so we're leaning towards the new GMC/Chevy diesel - costs a little less, tows a little more, rides similarly.

Carry on ...

[TrvlnRN]

This thread has been extremely helpful in selecting a TV. I traded in my Audi A5 today for a '16 JGC Limited Anniversary Edition. They're adding the tow package for me to pull my '76 Argosy 22'. It's a lovely ride and I'm confident with my choice. Now on to selecting tow accessories and we're ready to hit the road!

[Jim Flower]

Pretty sure that you will be real happy wth the GC performance, not only towing, but also around town. Jim