Towing with Jeep Eco Diesel

[slowmover]

The higher speed has to do with loading vs pressure. The GYM has always had such a note in company literature. We brought it up around here in 2008 or 2009.

[dkottum]

Hitch (tongue) weight is manageable. Most of us who tow with SUVs, 1/2 ton trucks, and front drive vans deal with it.

Airstream says to never let it exceed 1,000 lbs in the Owners Manual, so that should be a goal no matter what you tow with. Use a fully capable weight distribution hitch, load the Airstream evenly front-to-back and side-to-side, and load the tow vehicle lightly keeping heavy items forward of the rear axle.

If that's not enough to get hitch (tongue) weight down (but at least 10% of trailer weight for stability), relocate batteries aft, interior mods, consider the actual need for the spare trailer tire.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Hitch (tongue) weight is manageable. Most of us who tow with SUVs, 1/2 ton trucks, and front drive vans deal with it.

Airstream says to never let it exceed 1,000 lbs in the Owners Manual, so that should be a goal no matter what you tow with. Use a fully capable weight distribution hitch, load the Airstream evenly front-to-back and side-to-side, and load the tow vehicle lightly keeping heavy items forward of the rear axle.

If that's not enough to get hitch (tongue) weight down (but at least 10% of trailer weight for stability), relocate batteries aft, interior mods, consider the actual need for the spare trailer tire.

Just curious approximately how much a spare tire weighs. Anyone know?

Do you run without a spare?

[kmlacroix]

Originally Posted by Tim A.

Where does the 1000 pound rule of thumb come from? Jeep shows the towing capacity of the 2015 Grand Cherokee diesel to be 7,400 pounds without any mention of reducing that for a mountainous area.

Those of us who have changed to Michelin tires are not limited to a 65 mph speed rating. I happen to drive 65 or below because of fuel consumption, not tire speed rating (well, speed limits do come into play!).

Tim

That 7400lbs is for 2wd, a full tank of fuel and one 180lb person. 4WD is 7200. The mountain passes are high and many are steep.