Grand Cherokee Tow Vehicle

[Imustwander]

I'm on our 3rd GC Eco Diesel. The first 2 were our 2 high school aged daughters' cars for commuting to their schools 40 miles from our house (a 2014 and a 2015) great cars. When I bought my Bambi Sport 22, I commandeered the 2014 for the towing job. Match made in heaven. Now I have a 2018 GC EcoDiesel for the Bambi.

Here's the question, I want to upgrade to a 23FT Globetrotter. Would this be a suitable tv? I'm worried about the tongue weight, but all of the other metrics work for the job and I love my Jeep.

Anyone have experience with this setup?

Thanks!

[Philly Dave]

Originally Posted by Imustwander

I'm on our 3rd GC Eco Diesel. The first 2 were our 2 high school aged daughters' cars for commuting to their schools 40 miles from our house (a 2014 and a 2015) great cars. When I bought my Bambi Sport 22, I commandeered the 2014 for the towing job. Match made in heaven. Now I have a 2018 GC EcoDiesel for the Bambi.



Here's the question, I want to upgrade to a 23FT Globetrotter. Would this be a suitable tv? I'm worried about the tongue weight, but all of the other metrics work for the job and I love my Jeep.



Anyone have experience with this setup?



Thanks!

We towed our 2017 23fb with a 2014 GC diesel. We are near Atlanta and it handled the Tennessee and N Ga mountains very well. We see a Blue Ox Ox Sway Pro.

[dbj216]

My son has towed his 69 Globetrotter 21' all over Colorado with his Grand Cherokee. He has also towed my former 66 Trade Wind 26'. Both of these trailers have lighter tongue weights than yours has. You might have to leave the dog at home.

We have a late model GC and have had good luck with it, but don't tow with it. The vehicle specs say it is a very capable tow vehicle in the sport utility class of vehicles. I don't think you will have a problem.

David

[Imustwander]

Thanks for the posts. I'll give the GC Diesel a try as the tv when I finally get my new (to me) Globetrotter 23. If it feels iffy, then I'll upgrade to a Ford F150. Happy trails!

[Specsalot]

Originally Posted by Imustwander

I'm on our 3rd GC Eco Diesel. The first 2 were our 2 high school aged daughters' cars for commuting to their schools 40 miles from our house (a 2014 and a 2015) great cars. When I bought my Bambi Sport 22, I commandeered the 2014 for the towing job. Match made in heaven. Now I have a 2018 GC EcoDiesel for the Bambi.

Here's the question, I want to upgrade to a 23FT Globetrotter. Would this be a suitable tv? I'm worried about the tongue weight, but all of the other metrics work for the job and I love my Jeep.

Anyone have experience with this setup?

Thanks!

Imustwander - I can't directly speak to your question, but will share my experience. I towed a 25' FC for a couple years with a 2007 GC with the original Mercedes "eco-diesel". That combination was never short the power I needed to climb step grades. Engine braking (no exhaust break) could handle the down hills fairly well. That TV came up short in overall brake performance and its ability to handle the tongue weight. After the first year, I retrofitted helper air bags to keep the suspension from bottoming out on rough roads. I had too many white knuckle stops in unanticipated traffic situations to retain that TV.

LOL - FWIW - The loaded fuel MPG of my GC/eco-diesel is in the same handle as I get now with my RAM 3500 HD diesel. Full Disclosure: I would not own an HD truck if it had to be my daily driver. But on the road the RAM has unmatched cargo capacity and is a zero stress TV.

[Imustwander]

@Specsalot Thanks much for your impressions of using a diesel GC as your TV. This kind of information is exactly what I was hoping to learn from this wonderful community.

For my Sport 22, the GC is a great fit. But, my dh hates the sleeping arrangement so I mostly solo with the dog . We took it across a scale (mostly loaded) and it came in at 3,740 lbs. I've never gotten a tongue weight. Nice light weight. But, I have the GC Summit with the air leveling suspension that seems to handle it well.

The 23' Globetrotter has a published weight of 5,287 and 591 hitch weight. That's right at the limit of the GC (loaded). I should probably plan to upgrade to a beefier TV if I purchase a new trailer. C'est la Vie!

Thanks for the input!

[Imustwander]

Picked up my "new to me" 2020 23' Globetrotter FBT on Saturday. First, let me say I'm glad I've had my Bambi Sport 22 for 2 years (10,000+ miles) first because the upgrade to the GT is HUGE. Extremely happy and feeling blessed to have such an amazing trailer.

I towed it home 200+ miles with my husband's F250. Just wow! What a huge difference in the way the 2 trailers tow and track. It's literal night and day. Before I purchase a larger TV, I've asked dh to setup the WD hitch for my Jeep GC to see how it tows and handles. I'll let you know... Stay tuned

[Imustwander]

We ended up trading our Jeep GC for a 2020 F150 Diesel with all the bells and whistles. Took it out on first 4 day camping trip. I can't imagine hauling the trailer with the GC. The 23' and the F150 are a great match. It felt very secure and steady upwards of 70 mph (my limit on dry smooth roads). Very happy to have traded.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by Imustwander

I'm on our 3rd GC Eco Diesel. The first 2 were our 2 high school aged daughters' cars for commuting to their schools 40 miles from our house (a 2014 and a 2015) great cars. When I bought my Bambi Sport 22, I commandeered the 2014 for the towing job. Match made in heaven. Now I have a 2018 GC EcoDiesel for the Bambi.



Here's the question, I want to upgrade to a 23FT Globetrotter. Would this be a suitable tv? I'm worried about the tongue weight, but all of the other metrics work for the job and I love my Jeep.



Anyone have experience with this setup?



Thanks!

I tow a 23fb with a 2015 eco diesel. Tongue weight and total weight are all within the GC capabilities. Works great, BUT as you know Chrysler had to go thru an expensive recall due to emission issues with the diesel. Ever since then I have had significant particulate filter regeneration issues when pulling the trailer. Having the car tell me to “drive at highway speeds” when your up some dirt road while camping is not helpful. If you don’t follow the cars instructions it will go into limp mode. For that reliability reason I plan on trading it for something I can count on.

[Silvr_Bullet]

The GC is a capable vehicle, limited payload is downside as an example I owned a GC with 1150 lb payload at end of lease period i opted for a Ram 1500 that has 600 lb additional payload. The Ram does have nice creature features also to satisfy and rival the GC. Also additional tongue weight capable.