Towing Hybrid with a Jeep Grand Cherokee

[spb0311]

Hello,
I have a 2016 jeep Grand Cherokee limited and towing a 23' hybrid. This is the first thing I hauled with this vehicle. It tows nice but when I merge onto the highway the RPM's get high. Is it better to manual shift(paddles) in this situation? Just curious of what you think is best in this situation.

Thanks

[yeloduster]

When I am driving a modern computer controlled vehicle such as your Jeep I presume the manufacturer's engineers who set the transmission shift points knew what they were doing. I don't second guess 'em. I let the transmission do what it was programmed to do.

The vehicle computer senses the load on the vehicle and shifts the transmission accordingly. If you manually shift too soon you might get the engine RPM's too low for the combination of load and throttle position. That could lug the engine thereby putting more stress on it.

See this ARTICLE for an explanation of lugging an engine.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by yeloduster

When I am driving a modern computer controlled vehicle such as your Jeep I presume the manufacturer's engineers who set the transmission shift points knew what they were doing. I don't second guess 'em. I let the transmission do what it was programmed to do.

Concur.

Keep in mind a gas engine likes to rev. My 2500HD w/ 6.0L gas engine loves to be at 3500+ and it is not shy about dropping a gear to maintain 4500+. That thing is a beast and sounds like one when pulling a hill.

Let it rev and make the best power/torque.

When your wife asks "why is it so loud" ask her if you can get a new diesel truck. Hasn't worked for me yet.

[Mike M.]

I've towed my Flagstaff 21FSB behind my '16 JGC Limited (V6) for about 30,000 miles in 6 years. The TT is 21 1/2 ft long, and comes in at 5100 lbs when loaded up for boondocking ( My DW calls it boondoggling). My Equal-I-Zer hitch is set up very well, so the whole setup feels great at 62mph on cruise and sits at 2200 rpm. I tow all over the west, so hit 6% grades routinely, and a couple of 8%. The engine and tranny are good enough to handle 8% at 45and about 4000rpm. I generally get 12 mpg on my trips.


So I think you are good to go unless you load up the Jeep with too many people and too much stuff. Be careful of that.

[MtCamper]

I'd let the transmission do its job unless it starts "hunting" for a gear by constantly shifting up and down. If that happens, I'd manually downshift.