Forum Discussion

concord_05's avatar
concord_05
Explorer
Jul 24, 2019

Curb weight

We are trading our class A for a 2016 Forest River 2401w with the Mercedes Diesel engine. We tow a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4wd which has a curb weight of around 4600. Our new rig is rated to tow at 4200/350. Do I really have to get rid of my Jeep? I know that I am going to have to trim down what we put in there as these rigs can’t carry a lot. We have never had a diesel RV. Our advancing age is pushing us to go smaller in hopes we can continue this for many more years and share the driving more. I like the freedom a toad vehicle provides us for exploring but may just do without if I can’t tow my Jeep.

27 Replies

  • I’d think upgrading the hitch receiver would certainly be less than buying a new toad.
  • See if the dealer/seller of the 2016 rig will include in the deal, changing the 4200/350 pound hitch to a 5000/500 pound rated one. Many 2016 MB chassis rigs have a 5000 pound hitch. They should be available. Tell the dealer what you learned about the towing problem with your Cherokee. If he includes the 5k hitch in the deal, then you are good to go ahead with the deal again. The cost of a new 5000 pound hitch to a dealer will be around $100, and his own labor cost even less so I think he would agree to that.

    If your GCWR is overweight thereafter, then adjust your load accordingly by carrying less on-board water and such.
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    At 24 ft I would try it without the toad first to see if you are OK with it. I am used to a toad and it is convenient, especially with a Class A or larger C, but several on here just park their short C anywhere that you would park a big truck or SUV.
  • “do the towing math before you decide what path to follow.”

    x2
  • It's a Cherokee. It's a Chrysler SUV with a Jeep badge.
    Get rid of it, and get a Wrangler, if you want to tow a Jeep.
    However, it sounds like you're GVWR/GCWR challenged, so do the towing math before you decide what path to follow.
  • If you love having a toad weighing more than your new MH will handle, why would you buy that MH? This “getting older” stuff is mental, not physical. So it takes longer to hook up? So it takes more concentration? So what?

    The Jeep is toooo heavy...trimming won’t help.