Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk for a 2017 23fb Flying Cloud?

[Trendyspendy]

Hello Wise ones,

So the hubster can't drive anymore and I need to downsize to one vehicle. I prefer not to use the pickup as a daily driver. I would also prefer not to have a huge SUV.

We have a 2015 23fb Flying Cloud.

Would a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, 4x4, V6, 8 speed, with a tow package, trailer sway control and a towing capacity of 6200 lbs, be sufficient, or is that cutting it too close?

Looking for opinions from all you smart people.

Thank you!

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by Trendyspendy

We have a 2015 23fb Flying Cloud.

Would a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, 4x4, V6, 8 speed, with a tow package, trailer sway control and a towing capacity of 6200 lbs, be sufficient, or is that cutting it too close?

I like the look of the Grand Cherokee. It has fully independent suspension and gas charged shock absorbers along with a short rear overhang (rear axle to the ball), so I would expect a higher degree of handling and control than with most SUVs.

The 6200 lb rating applies to the V6; the V8 is rated at 7200.

The 23FB has a gross vehicle weight rating of 6000 lbs, and one of the lowest tongue weights at about 500 lbs empty. There are plenty of aftermarket hitch receivers with much higher ratings available for the Jeep if the original factory receiver flexes excessively when the weight distributing hitch is properly set up.

On level ground, the weight of the trailer is virtually irrelevant. Aerodynamic drag is what puts the load on the engine, so the 23 won't tow any harder than a 16 on a level highway. I wouldn't be concerned about towing with the V6. By the standards of 30 years ago, it would pull very well with more than adequate power.

You live in an area where you will probably do lots of climbing. If you stick to the California towing speed limit of 55 mph you will probably be fine as long as you don't mind listening to the engine revving up in a lower gear. If you want to go faster, you would probably be happier with the V8.

[jeffmc306]

Trendyspendy, sorry to hear your hubster can’t drive anymore but glad to hear you guys are finding a work-around. I assume you already own the Trailhawk?

The good news is a FC23FB has the lightest tongue weights of dual axle Airstreams. Our 2019 FC23FB settled in around 700 lbs loaded for camping.

That’s important because it gets deducted from your Trailhawk’s payload capacity. You’ll find that number on the door sticker. The towing capacity of 6200 lbs. is a helpful reference but does not guarantee the Trailhawk can comfortably tow your Airstream.

Check the door sticker for the payload number. Everything you put inside the Jeep counts against your payload so keep that in mind including passengers and gear.

One option is to try towing with the Jeep and see how it performs. Make sure to get a weight distribution and sway control hitch. We have a Blue Ox Sway Pro and it does a good job. In fact, we’re still using the same hitch on our current 27’ Globetrotter with 1000# bars.

If you find the Jeep isn’t up to the task, you can move up to a larger SUV. We towed our 23’ with a VW Touareg TDI and it was more than adequate.

Good luck with your selection!

[Trendyspendy]

You have confirmed what I already suspected. And no, we don't already own the Trailhawk, but there was one at a local pre-owned dealership. Ironically, the salesperson called to let me know it has been sold. Fate has intervened. The search for the right TV continues.

Thank you for your insights.

[Shiny16]

The Trail Hawk has a much lower payload then a Limited due to the extra off-road equipment. Something to consider.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by Trendyspendy

Hello Wise ones,

So the hubster can't drive anymore and I need to downsize to one vehicle. I prefer not to use the pickup as a daily driver. I would also prefer not to have a huge SUV.

We have a 2015 23fb Flying Cloud.

Would a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, 4x4, V6, 8 speed, with a tow package, trailer sway control and a towing capacity of 6200 lbs, be sufficient, or is that cutting it too close?

Looking for opinions from all you smart people.

Thank you!

Don't tow at maximum capacity as a general method, In my opinion. Keep the truck or SUV. Anything that says : TRAIL : is not usually good for towing regardless of their ratings.

[Sport 16 STL]

We are using a V6 Trailhawk to tow a 4300# Ibex 21”. We formerly towed a Bambi 16’ with a distribution hitch with zero issues. With the additional weight we now struggle with any elevation gain. I would suggest getting the V8 and only buy after towing your trailer on a test drive.

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by Sport 16 STL

We are using a V6 Trailhawk to tow a 4300# Ibex 21”. We formerly towed a Bambi 16’ with a distribution hitch with zero issues. With the additional weight we now struggle with any elevation gain. I would suggest getting the V8 and only buy after towing your trailer on a test drive.

And its not much different in weight either. It's because the trail-hawk is not really a good tow vehicle.

[Daquenzer]

Dodge Durango would also be a good choice. If you have a Chrysler dealer nearby they might be able to find one. Durango with the tow package is rated somewhere around 9000lbs.

[fossil5775]

Hi, my husband also can no longer drive due to a stroke. We had an f250 & it was very difficult for him to get into. I solved the problem by totaling it. Well we bought a jeep grand cherokee & the past 6 months I have towed our flying g cloud 19cb with it. Loaded weighs 4500 pounds, less than your 23'. It has been OK. I only tow on the ball. But it's not ideal. I can really tell I'm pulling something & I have experienced sway once when I had to do a quick maneuver, did not like it. We will be looking to trade back to an f150 in the next couple of weeks. I really like my jeep but I've always been a truck person having hauled horses for decades. I will say I didn't believe the jeep could tow the camper, but it can. I haven't had any problems braking or accelerating & it makes backing way easier & the steering radius is much smaller. The biggest problem is we are just so used to all the storage a truck provides for a generator, bikes, kayaks, etc. All in all I have no complaints about the jeep; but a truck is better

[PeterF66]

Hi - we tow a 2022 23' Flying Cloud with a 2023 Audi Q7 (with the 3.0 V6 engine) - tow capacity is 7,700lbs, tongue capacity 770lbs and payload around 1,700lbs - and have not had any issues. We got a custom shank from Andy at CanAm (they are shorter, not sticking out that far from the hitch receiver and therefore putting less lever on the TV) and the Eaz-Lift weight distribution hitch with sway control bar included. Very solid setup and tows great. you can email Andy at CanAm directly for advise on which TV and setup works well. He's very helpful.

[Airsurfer]

Trendyspendy,

I think a larger SUV is in order. We currently tow with a GMC Yukon Denali. It tows like a dream. We’ve towed our 2018 23’ Flying Cloud over 20,000 miles all over the west, including Alaska. We used to tow with a Chevrolet Tahoe, but it only had the 5.3 motor and we found it a little underpowered. The Denali has a 6.2 coupled with a ten speed transmission.
We live just over the grade from you.

[Native143]

I have the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V6 4x4. Love it for towing my 23' Flying Cloud!!!

[WestieHouse]

We towed our 2015 23’ FC in every state (except HI) and 9 provinces (including NL) with our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3L Ecodiesel using an Equalizer hitch. We encountered all types of road and weather conditions. It was a wonderful experience for 5 years until we switched to a 25 FC snd F-150.

Your Trailhawk has a very different drive trail and technical specs, but it is definitely worth looking into. Just do not exceed the limits of your tv and be sure you have a very carefully considered hitch.

[WestieHouse]

Here’s our rig!

[Trendyspendy]

Thanks to everyone for your input. After a lot of consulting with you all, and other trusted advisors, I have landed on a 2021 Dodge Durango 5.6L V8 Hemi, with the Factory Tow and Go package. Should be more than sufficient for my needs. Can't wait to get out there! Thanks again.

[Trendyspendy]

Nice set up. I'll look for you on our beautiful Central Coast!

[MSDeneen]

Originally Posted by Airsurfer

Trendyspendy,

I think a larger SUV is in order. We currently tow with a GMC Yukon Denali. It tows like a dream. We’ve towed our 2018 23’ Flying Cloud over 20,000 miles all over the west, including Alaska. We used to tow with a Chevrolet Tahoe, but it only had the 5.3 motor and we found it a little underpowered. The Denali has a 6.2 coupled with a ten speed transmission.
We live just over the grade from you.

I too have a Yukon Denali with 460 foot pounds of torque and 10-speed. It is the best TV I have ever had. My TT is a 23 FC w/Hensley. What a dream to drive. Although I don't, I could drive with one finger on the steering and never have to correct. My mileage has been about 12.5 mpg. Getting on the Interstate this beast roars up to speed with no effort. And to top it off, the Yukon is quiet, comfortable, and filled with all the goodies one could want in a cabin.



I hesitated to pay the differential between a Suburban on the lot, and the Denali, but I am oh so glad I bit the $10 grand bullet and went for the Denali.



Cheers,
Mark

[Aluminium Falcon]

Originally Posted by Trendyspendy

Thanks to everyone for your input. After a lot of consulting with you all, and other trusted advisors, I have landed on a 2021 Dodge Durango 5.6L V8 Hemi, with the Factory Tow and Go package. Should be more than sufficient for my needs. Can't wait to get out there! Thanks again.

I tow my 25FB with a 2022 Durango RT Tow N Go and it does a fantastic job. You will be impressed at how well the Durango will tow your 23.