Community Forums

BPoland · 12-19-2015, 12:38 PM

You may have read about me doing a Lemon Law replacement on my 2015 Jeep Cherokee Limited. I am thinking of stepping up to a Grand Cherokee. My concern is the weight. The Cherokee weighs in at 4,105 lbs and the Grand Cherokee tips the scales at 4,677, The Hitch on the Bay Star is rated at 5,000 lbs. I think the V10 is up to it, and I will be installing the 5 Star tune in the Spring.

Now for the opinion - The Coach is a 2014 Newmar Bay Star with the V10 and she weighs about 18,900.

Am I getting too close to the limit on the hitch, (4,105 vs 4,677)? Just not sure which way to go. Help!!!

Cousin Ed · 12-19-2015, 12:53 PM

We had a Suncruiser (Workhorse) with a 5000# hitch and towed A Colorado with a golf cart in the bed (very very close to 5000#) from MA to FL for 4 years without a problem. I drive carefully and couldn't tell the difference in performance or feel. It looked heavy.

Ranger Smith · 12-19-2015, 01:26 PM

I towed a 4700 lb vehicle for years on a 5k rating and NEVER had an issue

FIRE UP · 12-19-2015, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPoland

You may have read about me doing a Lemon Law replacement on my 2015 Jeep Cherokee Limited. I am thinking of stepping up to a Grand Cherokee. My concern is the weight. The Cherokee weighs in at 4,105 lbs and the Grand Cherokee tips the scales at 4,677, The Hitch on the Bay Star is rated at 5,000 lbs. I think the V10 is up to it, and I will be installing the 5 Star tune in the Spring.

Now for the opinion - The Coach is a 2014 Newmar Bay Star with the V10 and she weighs about 18,900.

Am I getting too close to the limit on the hitch, (4,105 vs 4,677)? Just not sure which way to go. Help!!!

BPoland,
Well, the way I look at it is, if your hitch is rated at 5,000 lbs. Then, you can tow 5,000 lbs, period! There's no need to worry about it. In fact, that hitch can take a lot more than 5,000 lbs., They put a "safety" limit on all that stuff. You'll have no issue(s) with any part of hooking up a Grand and towing it down the road. The War Department and I really, really like Grands.
We've had two. An '04 Overland 4x4 with the 4.7HO motor and, an '07 4x2 with the 5.7L Hemi. Both were screaming engines. Both of those were outstandingly built cars/suvs, whatever you want to call them. If we still had the 4x4 one, we'd have already set it up for towing. But, things changed and well, we wished we still had it.

Anyway, as long as you set up brakes in the Grand, your V-10 will do just fine on the pulling end, you just need to make sure you can stop it. Good luck and enjoy it.
Scott

BPoland · 12-19-2015, 07:52 PM

Thanks Scott. The braking will be handled by the RVI2 brake. I used it in the Cherokee and really liked it. I also like the ability to apply the toad's brakes from the coach. That desire comes from pulling trailers for years.

Thank you all, for the opinions!

JMonroe · 12-20-2015, 07:43 AM

Other factors aside, I'd buy the one I really wanted. If the only concern is the extra 500 lbs, get the Grand. If you really don't have a strong preference for one over the other I'd go for the lighter one. Weight reduces both performance and fuel economy, even if they do stay within acceptable limits.

BPoland · 12-31-2015, 08:56 AM

Jeep is advertising the curb weight of the 4WD V6 at around 4,800 lbs. I plan to take it to the scales when it comes in just to make sure. I will also be adding a 5-Star Tune in the Spring, so that should help a little on the low end grunt.

It has been a long ordeal with the Cherokee. I can't wait for it's big brother to show up!

britcon · 12-31-2015, 12:08 PM

Need to get the Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 version, or higher, to flat tow. Trans is different in Laredo and 2wd versions, and not flat towable.

BPoland · 01-01-2016, 07:54 AM

I ordered a 2016 Grand Cherokee 4WD Limited with the V6. Just have to wait and make sure there are no changes to the base plate between 2015 and 2016.

Easyrider · 01-01-2016, 08:07 AM

I think you will be fine at the weight you are looking at. Your RV and hitch is rated for 5000lbs so you're good to go. I do think the closer you are to the maximum weight the more you will notice the toad back there, through slower acceleration and slightly less miles per gallon.