Tow with a Grand Cherokee?

[Michigunman]

Wife is about to replace her Escape.  She likes small SUVs like the Escape or Ford Edge.  We have been toying with the idea of her getting something I could tow with a few times a year.  The Grand Cherokee is about the smallest I have seen with a tow rating over 6,000 pounds.  Next is the Tahoe which is considerably bigger and she wouldn't be happy with it.  This would be in lieu of me trading my Fusion for a truck which would kill me on gas dollars with my drive to work and I can't add another vehicle in total to the stable.

Any thoughts?  Depending on the package they are rated from 6,200 to 7,400 pounds.

[Trail Duty]

My parents have a 2014 Grand Cherokee and, although I cant comment on the towing capabilities as they don't tow with it, I can say it is a really nice vehicle. The fit and finish is great and the eight speed seems to work really well with the 3.6L, but I'm sure more power couldn't hurt. If you're planning on towing I'd definitely go for either the 5.7L Hemi or the 3.0L Ecodiesel.

[clark123456]

If you get an aluminum trailer ($$$) and possibly get a weight distribution hitch, you will likely be within the limit and still have a safe ride.  How long (time and miles) do you plan to keep the suv?  If only during normal warranty periods, then I wouldn't worry about being at the hairy edge of capacities since any damage should be covered by the warranty or occur after you dump the vehicle.  Get double axle trailer brakes if you go this route and make sure it has the factory tow package.

Figure the jeep is around 4500lbs, probably lighter, and the aluminum trailer should be less than 2k lbs.

Another option is to get an old heavy duty truck as a dedicated tow pig.  Once they are 10+ years old, you won't lose much in depreciation, if you can spare the upfront capital, assuming you use it only for towing a dozen times a year.   

I love the look of the Grand Cherokee!  Good luck with your decision.

[Mortalis5509]

I wouldn't tow a Jeep with it if you are asking that.

What if someone pulls out in front of you with the a rig on the trailer and your family in the Jeep. Will you feel comfortable with it stopping in time. What about windy days when it blows everything around. Ideally you want the towing to be 1/2 to no more than 3/4 the max in weight.

[tcdawg]

Here is a GMC publication on towing. Doesn't say anything about 1/2 to 3/4 the max weight. Staying within the max weight is just that, staying within the max weight.


http://www.gmc.com/trailering-towing/safe-trailer-towing-capacity.html

Mark, I think you would be close to the max but still ok and safe with an aluminum trailer with double trailer brakes(not sure I would tow with anything less than brakes on both axles but some do).  Will you be pulling every hill on the way to Harlan going 70, no, but lots of 2500 gasses have trouble with that too.

[Mortalis5509]

You have to be careful that your not over your tongue weight. A lot of max tow rating are around a single drive. Anything beyond that and you have to pull the max down.

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[Michigunman]

Thanks all.  I will continue driving the Jeep until I figure something out for the longer trips at least.

[clark123456]

You have to be careful that your not over your tongue weight. A lot of max tow rating are around a single drive. Anything beyond that and you have to pull the max down.

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Tripp, please cite your source of the information. 

[Mortalis5509]

http://fifthwheelst.com/before_you_buy.html

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