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Old 05-26-2009, 07:42 PM   #1
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2016 27' Flying Cloud
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Jeep Commander as a tow vehicle

Anybody have any experience with a Jeep Commander as a tow vehicle. I have a 19' Bambi and am towing with a Jeep Liberty (5,000 lb max tow weight). Am looking to upgrade tow vehicle as inevitable path to a larger Airstream. Jeep rates Commander with Class IV hitch up to 7,400 lbs. Does this sound realistic?
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Old 05-26-2009, 07:46 PM   #2
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It's got the power, but frankly with about 109" wheelbase, you really shouldn't tow more than say around 20'. Depending on what your thinking as an upgrade in trailer, if you want more than 20', you should be looking at something different IMHO.
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Old 05-26-2009, 07:54 PM   #3
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Wheelbase is a good thing to be sure. How about a crew cab long bed

If you have your heart set on a Commander (they are pretty nice...), you might consider getting a Hensely Arrow hitch for it. Biggest problem with the short wheelbase vehicles is sway, and the Hensely should take care of that.

Call 'em up and get the free DVD. Thing will even slice bread for you

take care,
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Old 05-26-2009, 07:55 PM   #4
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I tow a 1963 Tradewind (24') with a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. It has the same tow rating as the Commander. I have the Mercedes 3.0L diesel engine in mine, and it has plenty of power.

So far I have towed the Tradewind over 2000 miles with no problems. I use an Equal-i-zer hitch.

My Dad towed a 1962 Overlander (26') and a 1970 28' with Jeep Wagoneers in the late 60's and early 70's. Never had a problem. Jeep used to advertise towing an Airstream.

Mike Brumback
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Old 05-26-2009, 08:03 PM   #5
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We tow a 23' with a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and haven't had any issues with sway. It tows like a dream on flat and moderate hills. We haven't towed in the Rocky Mountains yet, so we don't know how it will perform there.
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Old 05-26-2009, 08:21 PM   #6
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Good day Zev... The Hensley and others are state of the art.

Trailer Sway Elimination Guaranteed - Hensley® the ONLY trailer hitch guaranteed to totally eliminate trailer sway.
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Old 05-26-2009, 09:56 PM   #7
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Jeep Commander

I have the 2008 4.7l sport towing an 08 19' Bambi with a Equlizer Hitch. I have plenty of power and have not had any sway problems. At one point on IH 10 I was easly going the speed limit. The speed limit out west of Junction Texas is 80mph. The 4.7l has 305hp and a 6500# limit. The 5.7l hemi has more hp and the higher 7400# tow. One thing about the Commander is it has a short distance from the rear axel to the hitch. From what I understand this helps to prevent sway. The Commander also has anti sway control this according to the jeep web sight.
"Commander's available Trailer Sway Control[1] (TSC) system helps reduce trailer sway and improves handling in adverse towing conditions caused by crosswinds and traffic.
TSC works with the Electronic Stability Program[1] (ESP) and Antilock Brake System (ABS), alternating brake pressure to automatically correct oscillation in the vehicle trailer system.
TSC does not require any driver input. It automatically activates when needed. The ESP function lamp will flash when TSC is activated."

If I had a larger storage lot, I would have purchased the 23fb, for the Queen bed. But after camping with the bambi I am glad to have the shorter bambi. I love sitting at the front dinning table with the wrap around windows in the morning. I have owned jeeps for years and love them. But if I where going to get a 25' or longer I would get an extended cab PU.
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Old 01-24-2010, 09:42 PM   #8
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2004 28' Safari
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I tow a 28 ft Safari with my Commander. I has the power to tow my AS easily. I would recommend a sway control system (I have a Reese Dual Cam) if you plan on towing anything longer than 20 feet with a Commander. I get about 10 mpg when towing.
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Old 01-24-2010, 10:01 PM   #9
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2004 28' Safari
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zevrosenthal View Post
Anybody have any experience with a Jeep Commander as a tow vehicle. I have a 19' Bambi and am towing with a Jeep Liberty (5,000 lb max tow weight). Am looking to upgrade tow vehicle as inevitable path to a larger Airstream. Jeep rates Commander with Class IV hitch up to 7,400 lbs. Does this sound realistic?
You could tow your Bambi easily with a Commander! Just get the Tow package! If you want to upgrade, I would not get anything longer than a 28. I tow a 2004 28 Safari W. Also, get extended mirrors. The stock commander mirrors aren't that great.
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