Towing with a Jeep Cherokee

[buckeyes]

I had asked this question previously, but would really like to hear from someone who has towed a Travel Trailer with a Jeep Cherokee. The Jeep is a 2005, Grand Cherokee, 4.7 L Rocky Mountain edition with Tow Package.

I have had some serious health issues, and want to get back into RV'ing but due to the medical costs, can only afford the tow vehicle I currently have. Yes, I would love to have a pickup, but I have what I have.

We bought a 22 foot Salem Cruise Lite TT, with a weight of 4300 lbs. I did weigh it at a CAT scale.
The tow rating on the Jeep is 6,500 lbs.

I have heard all of the arguments about shorter wheel base, but personally, with the use of caution and not being in a hurry, I am hoping that we can get the job done with the Jeep.

Getting back to RV'ing will be beneficial for us, as this has been a tough year physically, and some RR would be great.

Thank you for your input ahead of time, and we wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[dae3662]

Buckeyes; Hope this will help you out I have a 2001 Toyota 4 Runner and we had a 2008 R Vision lite 23 ft. TT that I had a grand time pulling around I found that the 6cly. was working a little bit more that when I use to pull our pop-up but at the time it worked for us.
I did find that we had a weight & sway distribution hitch put on when we bought the new trailer and I believe it made all the difference towing .....don't get me wrong when you would hit a bump or when you where driving down the highway and you would hit the bridge expansion joints it would bounce a lot because of the short wheel base but it could still get the towing done.

Hope this information helps you out.
Dave

[Ray,IN]

When matching a tow vehicle to a travel trailer, this guide is a good beginning (excerpt below);
The First Guideline
(This guideline was first used by the RV Consumers Group rv.org)

For the first 110" of wheelbase, this allows you 20' of trailer.

For each additional 4" of wheelbase, this gets you 1' more of trailer.

Wheelbase / Trailer length
110" = 20'
114" = 21'
118" = 22'
and so on

[Possum]

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and I pulled both our 18 foot heavy and a 20 foot lite with it no problems and that was through the mountains here in BC. I did find that both an anti sway bar and a good equalized hitch sure stopped all the swaying and bouncing.

I had to turn off the OD to tow in the mountains but when we got into the flat lands I would slip on the OD and watch for hills and switched it off again. The 318 did a great job of hauling up the hills and passes. I would suggest that you get the fan clutch changed if you will be mountain towing.

I don't think you'd have much trouble towing in Tennessee but better safe than sorry.

[wingnut60]

While it will be a bit of an investment, suggest you go with a ProPride hitch to tow with--you will be very happy with the tracking/steadiness of the trailer with that hitch.
Joe

[buckeyes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60 While it will be a bit of an investment, suggest you go with a ProPride hitch to tow with--you will be very happy with the tracking/steadiness of the trailer with that hitch. Joe

Thank you for all of the replies, but as I stated, medical bills have left me with the tow vehicle and hitch that we already have. Looking at the Pro Pride, it is far too expensive for me at this time.

Merry Christmas and thank you for all of your input.

[TXiceman]

That 22' trailer is the absolute most I would consider towing with your vehicle. For a hitch you cannot beat the tried and true Reese Dual Cam Straightline. It is a little more trouble to to install, but well worth the efort.

Ken

[buckeyes]

I want to thank everyone who gave me input as to whether or not my Jeep G.C. could handle our new TT. Yesterday we went to Ocala and picked it up. The folks at the dealership installed a brake controler, EZ Lift hitch and sway bars.

Pulled it 143 miles home with no problems. We averaged 57-60 mph at 1600-2000 rpms. We are looking forward to a good 2012 and the TT will definately ease the stress of having gone through 15 surgeries this past year.

This is going to be a good Christmas, and better New Year.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all....

[buckeyes]

I solved my towing problem! Traded the Jeep GC for a Ford F-150 Lariat with 5.4 Triton engince. Don't even know the TT is behind me now.
Thanks for all the assistance.