Pull an Int 23FB with a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

[WKPwildlife]

Does anyone out there in AS Land pull an Int 23FB with a Jeep Grand Cherokee/diesel/4x4? The Jeep is rated for pulling 7,200 lbs; the AS GVWR is 6,000 lbs. While OK on paper, my concern is real world performance driving steep grades through the West (e.g., Tejon Pass/the Grapevine near LA, Palomar Mtn, Rockies).

I presently tow an Int 19 (GVWR 4,500 lbs) without any obvious straining. The only (minor?) downside of the AS19 is the rather tiny bed. The combined length of the Jeep/AS19 is 35’. Once you reach 40’ or more, you are locked out of many incredible national park campsites. A jeep/AS23FB would be just a hair under 40’ (39’7”). The shortest 1/2 ton truck is 4’ longer than the Jeep (way over the 40’ limit).

One solution could be to stop complaining about an already ideal combo…………

WK

[gpershall]

Many people pull with grand cherokees, lots of info if you do a search. Just need to be careful of what you load in the Jeep as the payload is around 1050 lbs.

[bbandeddie]

We're searching for a tow vehicle for our new-to-us EB 27FB. Many TVs still in the short list. I asked CanAm about the gas JGC and they said no problem, the Durango is a bit better choice though due to suspension and wheel differences. Given the massive torque bump with the diesel I expect that your TV will be sweet, keeping in mind the total payload. If we can find a reasonably (to us) priced used diesel JGC, we'll jump on it.

[dkottum]

You would hardly notice the difference. If that is an EcoDiesel, we used that same engine/transmission in our Ram to pull our 25RB throughout the U.S. including Tejon Pass and Grapevine with no problems. On the steep passes we hold our up and down speeds to 45 mph (still passing semi's) as a safety margin.

Don't get caught up in "payload" foolishness, it's a shopping tool. If that's your only reference you may have unsafe weight distribution, and overload the important components. Your axle limits GVWR, and total combined weight GCWR advise you what you can carry, pull and stop safely.

And the only way to know the axle weights and combined weight are to weigh your rig when loaded for travel, hitched up, and weight distribution set (a very important component that will move a portion of your actual payload to the trailer axles). You will be far safer than those who preach "payload" and have never weighed their combination.

[KJRitchie]

Despite the 40' combined length rule at Grant Village Campground in Yellowstone NP I was able to fit my 2008 Classic 25fb, my 2015 Ram 2500 Crew Cab and my daughters Honda Element in the pull through driveway of the campsite without obstructing the adjacent campsites.

Saw what looked like a Grand Cherokee towing a 25fb but never got to talk to the owners in the adjacent loop.

No issues with Many Glacier campground in Glacier NP nor Zion and Bryce with our rig.

The 23fb is supposed to have one of the lighter tongue weights.

Kelvin

[solson]

I pull our 06' Safari 25' twin with a 2015' GC turbo diesel and have no problems. Just completed our second trip to Montana from N.CA via I-80, 50, I-70, I-25 and I-90. Last summer we went north over Lolo pass to Missoula on to Bozeman. Handles great, no serious power problems and the paddle shifting is great for grades up and down. Good luck.

[TamaraTate]

Use the east grade on Palomar to be safe ��

[dkottum]

We haven't taken our Airstream up Polomar Mtn, several years ago we routinely went there with our 1971 VW Camper, 60 air-cooled horsepower 3-spd stick, as well as all the other places mentioned.

[dvgofaz]

I used to pull a bass boat with a Grand Cherokee, whole trailer thing was about 3500lbs, and I went through 2 transmissions in 2 years. Come to find out it's the same tranny used in Dodge minivans. Not heavy duty enough.
Might be different now, and especially with the diesel version, but I would be very sure before I'd buy one.

[Outbackga]

Not the same transmission by any stretch of imagination

[JFScheck]

Check this forum - used to tow a very heavy 25FB Classic (hydraulic brakes no less) with a Diesel Touareg.

Never had an issue with power or control, a ProPride hitch allowed me to handle the weight (granted I was heavy in the tongue as the Classic 25FB was very heavy).

My Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel would do great with a 23, but I wouldn't go much larger even with a ProPride hitch. Gotta watch your tongue weights with these Airstreams!

jfs

[JFScheck]

Originally Posted by Outbackga

Not the same transmission by any stretch of imagination

The Grand Cherokee transmission that comes with the Diesel is an 8 speed ZF *HP made by ZF Fridrichshafen.

Used in Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel & SRT, Land Rover, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Bentley, Volkswagen, Ram Trucks, etc.

Great Tranny - a hard core beast, used with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee 700 plus horse power TrackHawk.