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Old 07-22-2014, 01:22 AM   #1
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Grand Cherokee vs Cherokee Trailhawk

We plan to purchase a tow vehicle for our 2013 Bounder 35K in the next few months and trying to decide between a used GC Limited or the new Cherokee Trailhawk. Two questions: both cars are below the 5000 lb curb weight limit for my Bounder but the GC is about 600 lbs heavier than the Trailhawk. Should this be a consideration if we plan to FT RV? Also, does anyone have any experience with towing the new Cherokee Trailhawk?
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Old 07-22-2014, 07:48 AM   #2
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Lots of us are towing the trailhawk, I have towed mine for just over 5,000 miles with no problem.

The trailhawk is more of an off road vehicle than my Limited


The GC is much larger than my Cherokee. For full timing you might want the bigger vehicle
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Old 07-27-2014, 06:44 PM   #3
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I have a new 2014 Cherokee Trailhawk 4X4 and we are towing with the Blue Ox baseplate and the Roadmaster Invisibrake. It does great. It is smaller than the GC for sure but we wanted to keep the weight down but not sacrifice options. The Trailhawk is very nice inside but certainly less interior space compared to the GC. We love our Trailhawk! Be sure you get the Active Trac II transmission to tow 4 down. I think this is standard on the Trailhawk but just in case.
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Old 08-07-2014, 12:11 AM   #4
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Got our Cherokee Limited last fall when we were in FLA. Finally got to drive it at Xmas. Got the BO baseplates in March and finally installed them a couple of weeks ago. Fairly easy installation and they sure are strong. Nice not to have a cross member like most FWD vehicles.

Took our first "test tow" this past weekend. REALLY happy to have the ADII transfer case with Neutral setting. After our experience with the Escape I decided NO MORE toads without a transfer case (our first two had them - Colorado and Tahoe). Towed beautifully and nice not to have to go through all the c r a p of FWD toads with respect to running the engine, running through gears, speed limits, etc. If it continues to operate as it did in our test run we'll be getting out far more frequently.

The Limited has a luxury group option not available on other models. We really like all the features (it is DW's car and while she loved her Escape she has forgotten all about it now). Limited has the same off road suspension as the Trail Hawk - which some think is a mistake as it is pretty stiff. I did notice the extra 600+ lbs over the Escape. Another 600 for a GC would likely be equally noticeable. But then, I'm towing with a E450 not a DP.
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Old 08-10-2014, 12:41 AM   #5
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Bad news and worse news. The GC is actually right at if not over the 5k when loaded out. Now the worse news, you have to ensure you get the correct transfer case setup that has the "neutral" position. Now as far as the Cherokee you need to get the Active Drive II or the Trailhawk. The car weighs 4300lbs.
So now you have to decide just how heavy you want to be.
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Old 08-10-2014, 08:05 AM   #6
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All Trailhawks come with the Active Drive II, I had to special order mine in the Limited, it also is available in the Latitude
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Old 08-11-2014, 05:55 PM   #7
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We purchased a new Trailhawk about a month ago and love it. We use the blue ox system and it is so easy to set up.....put into neutral settings, leave the ignition off and that's it. Plus the Trailhawk is great off road......make sure you get the right color to match the coach!
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Old 08-12-2014, 01:54 PM   #8
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Thanks for the comments everyone. Thinking we may go with the Trailhawk and have ruled out the GC based on weight. May consider a Wrangler Unlimited though! Just not sure I'm sold on the looks of the Trailhawk but its growing on me
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Old 11-02-2014, 08:30 PM   #9
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We are thinking of the Trailhawk -- does the odometer record mileage when towing? Thanks! \ken
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Old 11-02-2014, 08:35 PM   #10
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We are thinking of the Trailhawk -- does the odometer record mileage when towing? Thanks! \ken
NO.
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Old 11-02-2014, 08:36 PM   #11
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Thanks, Shadow! \ken
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Old 11-03-2014, 01:43 PM   #12
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My GC is heavy but tows great. Smooth operator behind the MH. My JK is a bit more of a pull and it is lighter. The big tires and such make it not run as smooth back there.....I really like the TrailHawk and have considered getting rid of my JK for one. For the family, the GC is a WAY nicer vehicle than the TrailHawk.

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Old 11-03-2014, 02:05 PM   #13
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No.....leave the ignition off and it is ready too go. Very easy to disengage the transmission and no fuses to pull.....great system.
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Old 11-03-2014, 04:20 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by dubdub07 View Post
My GC is heavy but tows great. Smooth operator behind the MH. My JK is a bit more of a pull and it is lighter. The big tires and such make it not run as smooth back there.....I really like the TrailHawk and have considered getting rid of my JK for one. For the family, the GC is a WAY nicer vehicle than the TrailHawk.

WW
As to the "WAY nicer" I agree. We just did a 5500 mile trip through the Four Corners and while the Cherokee Limited was fine, when I got back into my Town & Country it confirmed what I though continually throughout the trip - just one heck of a lot better for traveling. I was in the dealer today to get the T&C serviced and took a good look at the GC. If I were buying for me no doubt I'd take it over the Cherokee. Having said that, what I'd like to see is the Durango with the 3L diesel engine - that I'd probably jump at and trade the 2014 T&C. We are not using our motorhome much and for the few weeks we do we could do with a trailer and the Durango would be great to tow it - especially with the diesel.

For some time I've felt that Chrysler has a real hole in its engine lineup. The jump from the 3.6L V6 to the Hemi is too wide. They still need something around 5L with HP and torque around 325. Although the 3L diesel doesn't have those numbers the 220HP and 440 Torque will do thanks.

As to traveling with the Cherokee Limited, it really does tow well. But as I full time vehicle for me - not a hope. It was the same with our Fords - she had the Escape and I had the Flex. Flex won hands down. Prior to the she had an Equinox and I had a Tahoe. Tahoe won hands down (towed behind a 41 ft DP with ISC and then a Kodiak 5500 with the 8.1 dog). So, no slight to the Cherokee, I guess I'm just not going to be a small car guy as I get older (over 70 now).

GR
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