Community Forums

wcjacks · 03-18-2007, 02:03 PM

I am considering purchasing a 24' long traveler trailer; dry weight is 3471 pounds; with water and camping gear trailer will weight approximately 4,300 pounds.

I have towed tent trailers in the past but nothing this long or heavy to date. Does anyone have experience with towing a trailer similar to this and what was it like?

wcjacks · 03-18-2007, 02:03 PM

I am considering purchasing a 24' long traveler trailer; dry weight is 3471 pounds; with water and camping gear trailer will weight approximately 4,300 pounds.

I have towed tent trailers in the past but nothing this long or heavy to date. Does anyone have experience with towing a trailer similar to this and what was it like?

TXiceman · 03-18-2007, 02:43 PM

Welcome to IRV2.

First question is about your axle ratio. We towed a trailer a little lighter and shorter than yours with a 4.0L Explorer and while it would tow it, it was not a comfortable experience.

What ever your tow rating is on your Jeep, only go to a max of 80%.

I do not feel that the Jeep is well suited to much more than a pop up or a Casita.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but that is a lot for a Jeep.

wcjacks · 03-18-2007, 03:26 PM

Thanks, axle ratio is 3.73; rated towing capacity is 5,000 pounds. Your 80% rule sounds like good advice and is in line with my thinking. 80% of the rated towing capacity would be 4,000 pounds.

Thanks,
Bill

TXiceman · 03-18-2007, 04:29 PM

My Explorer had the 3.73 axle and power was never really an issue as you need to tow in 3rd gear. The tow rating published by the truck manufacturers generally is based on a base model truck, no cargo, no hitch, no accessories and only a 150# driver. So for every pound you add to this base model truck, you reduce the towing capacity by an equal amount. So the 80% guideline is to allow for the stuff that you have to include, like the hitch and the family.

The problem with towing using a small SUV is the short wheelbase and high center of gravity. You need to have enough truck to control the trailer. The little trucks are very sensitive to how the trailer load is distributed from trip to trip. They can be used for short trips, but we found them very tiring for longer trips, anything over 3 or 4 hours and very tiring to drive in the hills.

The rig we have now is by far the easiest one we have had as for driving and comfort. It is 53' long, nose to tail when hitched and right at 20,000# GCW if we watch and don't load heavy.

Ken

hondo122 · 03-18-2007, 05:48 PM

I'm on my 3rd GC 4.0 starting in 93'. Good vehicle, great motor. But I think it would be somewhat underpowered for a steady diet of #4000 towing. JMO

alvinc · 03-19-2007, 10:32 AM

We had a lightweight trailer like that back in the 90's. Twenty-four feet long, torsion axles, so it was low to the ground, only 7 ft wide. We initially towed it with a Grand Voyager that had a 3.3L V6. It towed very well, was stable, but the engine was working a bit. This was around Oregon and Southern Washington.

We were planning a trip back to Illinois and I made a decision that I would not regret. Buy something bigger to tow the trailer. We got a used late model Suburban and after making the trip back east, I feel that we would have beat up the Voyager.

As it was the Voyager lasted 10 years and to 133,000 miles and was virtually dead. The Suburban is 11 years old and has 145,000 miles and I would have no qualms about pulling a trailer cross country again with it. I recognize that there is a lot of difference between the two vehicles.

With respect to the GC and your trailer. If you plan on local trips over moderate hills, the GC will do just fine. If you are planning on exploring the Rockies, touring Canada, or around the US, I would up size the engine and go to a 4.10 axle.

You could certainly get the trailer and tow if for a while with the GC. This way you will get a feel for how the 4L does with that load. Be sure to get an equalizing hitch. Even a light duty weight distributing hitch will help.