Community Forums

keymastr · 05-21-2015, 12:04 AM

The longer the wheelbase of the tow vehicle the more stable it will be. Shorter rigs are just more prone to sway. Also your suspension is more suited to providing a decent ride over changing terrain than it is to carrying a heavy load. It was just not made for that. You could do as one poster suggested and add aftermarket suspension goodies and stiffer tires to help it tow better but you will change how it drives empty and off-road, maybe for the worse.

Even if you had the Hemi, 7000 pounds and 31' long is way too big for that rig. You would be surprised at how much wind drag there is, let alone side winds. But give renting one that big a thought and see how you like it. My guess is you will not go far before the reality sets in.

dcarver · 05-21-2015, 12:05 AM

Yes there are friction sway control and built in sway control like the equalizer and Reese dual cam. The built in sway is better in my opinion. If you definitely do not want to get rid of the Jeep, seriously consider a Hensley arrow or propride hitch. Very costly compared to the others but supposedly no comparison in terms of eliminating sway.

Dtwallace · 05-21-2015, 12:32 AM

Without going to the numbers game, In my experience, I know now I would never haul around a trailer larger than 24 feet with that CG. Long trips will wipe you out, the stress on the drive train in mountains will be a factor also, unless it's standard trans. You will probably be unable to use overdrive most of the time.

I'm comparing this to a Ford Aerostar we used to pull our first 24 foot TT years ago. Some may feel differently and see it as no problem. The saving grace for us, the Aerostar was special ordered with a towing package, it worked well for the 24, but when I when larger than 24 on the TT, a larger tow vehicle had to be added.
best of luck
DTW

scottandanna · 05-21-2015, 05:31 AM

Sounds great!

And I think I finally got the wife looking at 24' trailers and not those 29-31' ones.

I am getting a good consensus of 24' or less and 5000 lbs or less. And THAT is what I came here for!

brulaz · 05-21-2015, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottandanna

OK, I am not finding any other stickers that show payload rating. I even looked back by the trailer hitch area...

??? Required by law. Should be a yellow sticker.

Here's mine, 2027#:

scottandanna · 05-21-2015, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brulaz

??? Required by law. Should be a yellow sticker.

Here's mine, 2027#:

I have that sticker, as well, but that is for INSIDE the vehicle, isn't it? Doesn't mention how much can be towed.

I realize (at least I think I do) that the weight at the trailer hitch has to be included in this number, as well as weight of occupants, cargo, etc.

I think I am starting to get this all straight in my head...

brulaz · 05-21-2015, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottandanna

I have that sticker, as well, but that is for INSIDE the vehicle, isn't it? Doesn't mention how much can be towed.

I realize (at least I think I do) that the weight at the trailer hitch has to be included in this number, as well as weight of occupants, cargo, etc.

I think I am starting to get this all straight in my head...

Correct on all points. It doesn't apply to what you put i the trailer.

It's just that the weight of the trailer hitch often reduces payload so much that the tow capacity is meaningless.

My truck is a case in point. Think the tow capacity is around 11K# but the tongue weight of my 8K# trailer and all our other junk uses up all the payload.

scottandanna · 05-21-2015, 02:20 PM

Well, thanks to all of your wisdom and help, we have decided to look in the 24' range at trailers that weigh in the mid-4000 range.

Nice looking stuff out there, some are "ultra-light" with decent floor plans for such small areas. A couple even increase the floor space with a popout or two.

We will head out Saturday morning and narrow it down to one of 5 or 6 that seem to fit our needs.

I will post pics of what we get when/if we get one this weekend.

Once again, a big THANKS to all of you!

I feel like I have learned a lot!

Menendez · 05-23-2015, 07:54 AM

Last week while camping I ran into an very experienced guy using a diesel Grand Cherokee to pull a 26' Kodiak and he was well satisfied.

This, and my reading about the positive notions of the people at Can Am about towing with cars and SUVs, piqued my interest in the Grand Cherokee and yesterday I went out and looked at some and test drove the Eco-Diesel model.

Now Jeep's website gives a max payload of 1270 with the diesel and 1290 with the V-8 but the models on the lot, both 2wd and 4wd , had a payload of only 1050 (checking the sticker inside the door, of course). There was no sticker on the bottom of the hitch receiver giving it's capacities (unlike on an F-150) and the salesman was unable to find out that information. Now I know you can go somewhat over payload if using a WD hitch because the hitch will shift 15-20% of the trailer load from the truck back to the trailer axles. However the dead tongue weight remains the same, so knowing the capacity of the receiver is vital. And unable to find that out I kind'a gave up on the car. (And my wife is very keen on the Eco-Boost Ford Expedition and I've NO problem with one of those.)

That said the Eco-Diesel Grand Cherokee drove marvelously; very smooth and quiet and with <far> stronger acceleration than I expected. Very nice car.

scottandanna · 05-23-2015, 05:29 PM

Well, we ended up getting one today. Rockwood Ultra Lite 24 footer. We will have to pick it up in a couple days, and they will install the brake system and sway control. We should have it home by next weekend.

onechaddude · 05-23-2015, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottandanna

Well, we ended up getting one today. Rockwood Ultra Lite 24 footer. We will have to pick it up in a couple days, and they will install the brake system and sway control. We should have it home by next weekend.

Congrats on your purchase. Best of luck for safe and enjoyable travels.

Chad

marcham · 05-23-2015, 07:47 PM

Congrats! Now let's see some pictures

scottandanna · 05-23-2015, 09:31 PM

OK, pics.

Keep in mind, this is small, only 24'.

But considering how small it is, it has LOTS of space. Especially when you push that bed up into the wall.

bfisher003 · 05-24-2015, 03:05 PM

I have a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the 5.7 liter Hemi engine and just recently we purchased a new 2016 Coleman 192RD. It's about 23' from the hitch to the bumper and weighs just under 4,000 lbs dry. The GC did not have the factory installed hitch--it has a Class IV hitch that I installed a few years ago and Camping World installed the WD and sway control systems, along with the electric brake control and 7-wire wiring system. I will admit I was kind of leary about using the GC to pull this trailer, but we've had it out twice now and the GC is doing just fine with it, as long as I don't try to push it too hard. I've pulled with and without the Tow/Haul switch engaged on the GC and it does fine either way as long as I keep the speed down to around 60 mph or so. I am getting more confident in the GC's ability to handle the trailer. Would I prefer something bigger/stronger as a tow vehicle? You bet, but the GC is getting the job done. Now having said all this I must admit that all my towing so far has been here in Florida where the highest thing I've pulled over was a bridge across the ICW. LOL (It handled it just fine, though.)

Congratulations on the new trailer!